Reflect, understand and plan: an integrated learning portfolio.

This paper describes the approach taken on first year Textiles Design course to enhance the student learning experience. Evaluations and curricular reviews revealed that the students had a fragmented view of the first year curriculum and perceived the academic support delivered through a Study Skills module as “bolt-on”. To encourage students to become aware of their learning development and promote independent learning, the curriculum was re-designed to incorporate a long thin Integrated Learning Portfolio (ILP) module, acting as a spine to link all first year modules. This ILP portfolio of reflective and critical thinking encourages students to articulate and understand their learning development and apply the academic support, knowledge and learning skills across the whole of the curriculum and in planning future learning.