A Student-Centered Personalised Learning Space for Employability

In 2009 a pilot project was undertaken to develop and enhance Personal Development Planning (PDP) and employability skills amongst final year undergraduates on the BA Business Management degree. Developed in conjunction with students, the Careers and Employability service and the Academic Skills unit, a Personal Development and Employability Workbook was generated. Student learning from this tool was embedded, through the creation of an e-portfolio, in the campus-wide Blackboard VLE system.
Based on initial findings, the project team has researched a number of pedagogical issues to support student engagement with the process, developing a reflective practice model identifying key stages in the cycle. The model’s aim is to encourage and challenge students to critically evaluate their personal skills and abilities, support their independent learning and academic progression on the course, as well as assisting with the first steps in their career.