ePortfolio and Personal Development Planning

Richy HetheringtonDevelopment Coordinator

Simon CotterillSenior Research Associate

Today’s session

• Why do you need this stuff? A very brief history

• A quick demonstration of how the systems work

• Some time for you to try using the system and doing some self-assessment

• Identify sources of help and support for your development

• The opportunity to ask questions at any time

National Changes

Number of doctoral graduates has doubled in last 14 years Full time academic positions have not

Stats from HESA & Vitae

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

0

2000

4000

6000

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10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

20000 UK doctoral Graduates students

HEI full timeAcademic staff

1999/2000 113,790 2009/2010 117,930

2009/10 PhDs After 6 months 26% Went on

to HE research by

A changing employer environment

• Competency Frameworks

• Appraisal and feedback

• Performance Management

• Self Assessment

Roberts’ Report 2002

• “Many employers do not initially pay those with PhDs any more than they would a new graduate, viewing the training (particularly in transferable skills) that PhD students receive as inadequate preparation for careers in business R&D.”

• “Institutions are not adapting quickly enough to the needs of industry”

Joint Skills Statement & Recording

UK research councils devised a list of skills research students should gain

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) adopted this list and made it a requirement that research students should be able to record these skills

Research council Joint Skills statement

(A)Research Skills and Techniques: validate problems, critical thinking, a knowledge of recent advances

(B) Research Environment: broad understanding of context,. confidentiality, ethics commercial exploitation of research

(C) Research Management: effective project management(D) Personal Effectiveness: self-discipline, motivation, and

thoroughness(E) Communication Skills: promoting the public understanding(F) Networking and Teamworking: In the institution and the

wider research community(G) Career Management: Commitment to continued

professional development

Researcher Development Framework

http://vitae.ac.uk/RDFplanner

ePortfolio has been developed so you can...

…record your research progress

…plan and monitor your professional development (PDP)

…reflect upon the skills you have gained

Booking sessions and Evaluation

ePortfolio (Research Training Portfolio - Online)

https://pf-postgrad.ncl.ac.uk

Recording Achievements

Awareness of transferable and specialist skills

Promoting your role in actively developing your research skills -- be more effective during your Masters / PhD -- broader research & transferable skills for your career

Express your skills and relate them to potential employers

About the ePortfolio

Portfolio:Designed around Roberts Review & Joint Skills statement Supports Annual Progression

Portfolios

Importance of skills and competencies in gaining

employment

Generic/transferable skills used in employment

“We spend more time planning our holidays than we do planning our lives !”

Postgraduate Training Programme-Workshop Booking System (FMS)

Via: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/fms/postgrad/Feeds attendance records into ePortfolio

• Secure access from a range of locations• Sharable / facilitate interaction• Transportable (take the data with you when you leave)

• Multi-purpose eg. formative & summative = reduced duplication

• Highly customisable• Multiple structures / views• Easier cross-referencing• Reduced admin• Not left on the bus !

Portfolios: why do it online ?

Demonstration

• If you didn’t already do so register for this workshop on the training programme pages:

http://faculty-tools.ncl.ac.uk/training

• Log on to the portfolio:

https://pf-postgrad.ncl.ac.uk

• Spend some time exploring each section. Add a few records to your CV.

• Questions / Issues ?

Workshop Task #1

Personal DevelopmentPlanning Cycle

During your research, it is important to ..• Identify gaps in skills and knowledge• Identify opportunities to develop experience• Set goals and targets and get involved• Record what you did, how you did it, skills and

knowledge used and the final result• Review progress regularly and use progress

meetings to cover professional development

Self Assessment/PDP Levels of Competence

• Unaware You know nothing about this skill

• Aware You are learning formally and informally about the skill.

• Informed You are ready to look for suitable opportunities to practise this skill

• Capable You are now using the new skill routinely, and aiming to improve by other methods.

• Recognised External recognition of your competence

Evidence can be drawn from…

• Research & Development Programme • Work experience• Interests• Conferences – posters, presentations• Committees and societies• Academic awards & funding success• Professional courses (Vitae, sponsors)• Publications – research articles

https://pf-postgrad.ncl.ac.uk/ - Self Assessment/PDP

Have a look at section F - Networking and Team-working• Working with others• Understanding teams• Giving and receiving feedback

Assess your current skill level and record what you might do to develop further.

If you have scored ‘recognised’ for each skill, you should list evidence of what you do/have done to achieve this level of competence.

Workshop Task #2

Sources of Support

• Supervisor(s) and tutors (Graduate School)• Postgraduate Student Development

Programme• Careers Advisers and information staff• Professional bodies and networks• Graduate Connections• Employers/Sponsor• Your own network - other students

The Good News

Resources

• Researchers’ Handbook• Professional bodies • Research Councils• Careers Service www.careers.ncl.ac.uk• Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk• Vitae (UK Grad) www.vitae.ac.uk

Careers Service

Level 1 Kings Gate

No appointment required – just call in!

Advice & Guidance available

Monday to Friday 11am – 4.30pm

Open from 10am term-time and vacation www.careers.ncl.ac.uk