electronic PDPs for art, design, media and communications

21 May 2007

A one-day event at Sheffield Hallam University to share practice on the use of electronic PDPs in Art, Design and Media courses.

QAA require that all students have an opportunity to engage with PDP (Personal Development Portfolios).

PDP processes relate closely to existing teaching, learning and assessment practices in art, design and media courses (to critiques, for example, and to ways of presenting work). PDP also provides a new focus for those practices, and electronic media provide new ways of supporting those practice.

The event will address key issues such as:

getting students' commitment to the PDP process

how PDP can be structured into the curriculum

the use of electronic media for PDP

how e-PDPs link into professional practice and employment.

This event will be based on research for the Art, Design, Media Subject Centre into the use of e-PDPs and their assessment, carried out by the Centre for Research and Evaluation (CRE) at Sheffield Hallam University.

Definition of e-PDP

By e-PDP (Electronic Personal Development Portfolios) we mean something representing an artist/ designer/maker's practice presented in a web-based format, on a CD or via presentation software, ie. PowerPoint. An e-PDP may include some or all of: CVs/biographical information; a statement about current practice and future aspirations; a review of skills and attributes; successes; documentation of the creative practice, ie. visual images.

The e-PDP may build on self reflection and action planning through activities such as critiques, tutorials, learning contracts and course exercises. The e-PDP might be used;

as an archive to document and record academic and professional successes, projects, commissions,

for internal review of Professional Development

to encourage reflective practice

when applying for jobs, work, placements, commissions, funding and opportunities of all kinds.

Further information

Further information in the programme and booking details visit:http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cre/ADMConference_pdp.htm