1. Rebecca Daly Ba DipHE PGCAP FHEA
PebbleBash 2016: Using PebblePad for the Clinical Assessment of Competency
Rebecca Daly Ba DipHE PGCAP FHEA

2. Background: The Programme:
First Cohort 2003 with increasing growth in student recruitment
60% / 40% split of theory and practice
Students given a ‘home’ trust (5 areas)
Clinical assessment via paper-based portfolio of learning outcomes and performance criteria
Re-Validation:
ODP programme revalidated from DipHE to BSc in December 2013
Opportunity to refresh the assessment process
Recognition of the pitfalls of paper-based competency portfolios

6. What We Found: Colleagues:
Interesting views on confidentiality despite professional duty!
Reducing access permissions is important!
Quick and positive reaction to the change
Mentors:
Actually liked it! (some factors to consider though!)
Time for access was difficult
Clear guidance for completion is a must!

7. What We Found: “…it is the future so sure why not?”
“Overall I am satisfied with PebblePad as it is really handy for mentors and academic supervisors to keep track on student progression.’’
Students:
Found the transition easy
Liked the change to PebblePad (again, wider factors to consider here!)
Found accessing PebblePad during placement difficult
Internal Colleagues:
Started to consider the benefits (and potential transition across other programmes!)
Came to us for advice and problem-solving
Administrators struggled somewhat with the additional requirement upon them
“…it is the future so sure why not?”
“Once you get to know how everything works it is easy and beneficial to [use] it. It stores all of your work in one place and is an excellent reference material for future.”
“Good change [I] think it will help progress practice.’’

8. Learning Along the Way:
Not everything worked perfectly:
Electronic signatures were just messy
Poor placement servers led to some glitches
Placement would need to adapt to the needs of a technology-enhanced culture
Some things were great though:
Easy access for academics meant early identification of issues
Clearer overall perspective of how the assessment worked in reality
We developed the skills to manage our own workspaces and workbooks!

9. Expanding our Remit: PebblePad and the ODP Programme:
The need for transparent tutorial processes led to another use for PebblePad
PPDP transferred into the digital world – goodbye paper!
Health Professionals and CPD – excellent opportunities
The FHSC Admissions Process:
Again, why use paper when you have PebblePad
New ‘Welcome Pack’ external share link
Also brought the Social Work team onboard

12. Next Steps ODP Programme:
Continue to tidy and enhance the clinical workbook
Re-develop the PPDP portfolio
Use of PebblePad for Y3, S3 module (in line with HCPC CPD req.)
Faculty:
Speaking to the senior Faculty group about tutorials and PebblePad
No more paper-based clinical assessment from Sep 2017!
Wider use during admissions processes (perhaps…)