Evidence of Value of Personal Development Planning in Computing, Education, Law PDP Forum PDP and e-portfolios: looking to the future Tuesday 8 June University of Glasgow

Project team Kirsty MillerCareers Janet HughesComputing Kate AdamsEducation Frances Ross-WattEducation Stuart CrossLaw Philippa RileyResearcher Rob Ward, Steve Outram,Consultants Maher Abu-Munshar

Acknowledgements Our thanks go to: all the students, staff and employers who have contributed so far HEA

Programme Evidence of Value: our progress report The Forum as a Critical Friend: your suggestions …

Aim of EVPDP Project Identify the value of critical reflection, as part of PDP, to current students, alumni & employers in computing, education and law.

Methods #1 literature review & desk survey What critical reflective practices exist in undergraduate programmes in education, computing and law? survey questionnaires * to students, alumni and employers Interviews as follow-up to questionnaires * Adapted from Moir, J., Di Domenico, C., Sutton, P. & Vertigans, S. (2008) Personal Development Planning in Sociology & Social Science: The Scottish Higher Education Context. Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences, 1, 2, 1-39

Case Studies Early confirmation: each subject discipline considers critical reflection in related but different ways. Intention: 1 case study per discipline:- Computing Education Law

Methods #2 literature review & desk survey What critical reflective practices exist … data collection and analysis: ComputingEducationLaw 1.Questionnaires for computing alumni and employers 2.Analysis of student project reports 1.Analysis of 18 Chartered Teacher questionnaires 2.Analysis of 70 BEd Level 4 assignments 1.Quarterly newsletter for (c.50) alumni/employers 2.Questionnaire to be incorporated then follow-up as planned

Progress Data collected & analysis has started: ComputingEducationLaw 1.Questionnaires for computing alumni and employers 2.Analysis of student project reports 1.Analysis of 18 Chartered Teacher questionnaires 2.Analysis of 70 BEd Level 4 assignments 1.Quarterly newsletter for (c. 50) alumni/employers 2.Questionnaire to be incorporated then follow-up

Starting to survey employers Diverse employer base From 18 May 2010 Work-placement providers for Computing students From 2 June 2010 Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) IT Group AGR Scotland

Employers … so far Do you think PDP is a useful process for students to carry out during their degree? 9/9: yes … help the student think about what areas of development to make them marketable once graduated … Does your company have a system of supporting CPD with employees? 8/9 yes …our appraisal process…allows reflection, identification of future goals and…where they need to be both professionally and personally…

Employers … so far What is your understanding of critical reflection? …assessing decisions made during a project and deciding…could have been done better… …being self-aware…to identify areas of personal strength and weakness… Do you encourage employees to be critically reflective at work? 9/9 yes ….being able to do this is a skill that is often overlooked….more experienced staff…tend to struggle more than our recent graduates…

Employers … so far Do you think that having a record of their PDP reviewing and planning would more effectively demonstrate a student's transferable skills/abilities rather than the use of a CV alone? 5/9: yes 2/9: no … a clearer picture of who the student was, what motivated them and how they react to criticism and praise … …good (but)…key thing is evidence… being able to demonstrate those key skills at interviews/assessment centre stages… …PDP will help candidates answer interview questions more ably – the CV should incorporate key strengths…not beneficial to candidates to highlight development areas up front to employers.. More maths would be better for us than a PDP certificate or plan.

Your contributions …as critical friends…. The next stage is semi-structured, in- depth interviews with employers, students and alumni, to further probe how critical reflection, as part of PDP, can improve employee value Questionnaire responses will inform follow-up questions, but we also invite….

Your contributions … to the next stage… In pairs: discuss and construct the questions you would like us to explore further with employers on the value of critical reflection in PDP note your questions on the cards provided after 10 mins or so, swap your cards for those of a different colour with another table use your colleagues questions to prompt further questions, comments or discussion – 10 mins

Thank you! Final Comments? Questions? Contact is welcomed: for contributions to, or more information on, this research project, please contact: Dr Janet Hughes at the University of Dundee