Abstract

I created and implemented a PebblePad workbook portfolio which integrated the delivery of multi-module content to apprentices working on the job in the NHS. Students could open and download module content, guidance and instructions, feedback forms and assessment forms organised by module. They were then able to use their personal creativity to evidence their knowledge, skills and behaviours in pre-defined portfolio pages associated with each module. The workbook portfolio also contained assessor only fields to track student assessment progress and student self-tracking rubrics to demonstrate engagement across a large number of activities including coursework, portfolio progress and assessment attempts.

Motivation

The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sleep Science (CVRS) Degree Apprenticeship is a Healthcare Science course run within the School of Bioscience and Chemistry. Students spend 4-6 block weeks of the year on campus at SHU and the remaining time working and gathering clinical evidence in their workplace. Students have a work based supervisor, a clinical supervisor associated with SHU and an academic advisor. The student receives guidance on clinical competencies and assessment as well as academic work when on block week. For these reasons we were required to build a workbook portfolio which could be used and accessed by students, work-based supervisors and academic tutors. The tripartite agreement meant we also needed to include areas within the workbook portfolio that were for assessors only and could not be altered at a later date by the student. The portfolio had to have structure as it included assessments from multiple modules however we also wanted to ensure the students were able to demonstrate their individualism and creativity.

Approach

PebblePad was chosen in 2017 to be used across the University for evidencing the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) assessed as part of a Degree Apprenticeship. The CVRS DA was one of the first in the country to run, therefore we had to build the PebblePad workbook portfolio from scratch. We decided our portfolio would include more than the KSBs outlined in the Healthcare Science Practitioner Apprenticeship Standards. We therefore decided to include tracking rubrics for students to monitor their own engagement with both academic and clinical activities. We included assessor only sections which allowed assessors to sign off student assessments quickly which were time and date stamped. And finally, we provided guidance and assessment forms for all clinical assessment embedded within workbook portfolio guidance pages so that both WBSs and students had access to the resources in the workplace.

We found that both students and work based supervisors required a training session in how to use pebblepad. A lot of our apprentices were new to higher education or returning after a significant break, which meant engaging with educational resources and assessment information online was new and quite intimidating for some. I created paper and electronic step by step screenshot guides on how to access information and resources which were handed out in the training sessions. I also linked to videos created

by colleagues within my department on how to add and edit content on pebblepad. Feedback from students on the creativity of portfolio pages to present their work was well received as was the tracker rubrics which were used by WBS to monitor assessment progress.

Outcomes

The workbook portfolio allows assessment of multiple modules in one place. The format of the workbook portfolio provides a consistent structure for evidencing the DA KSBs but without limiting the creativity and individualism of the students.

Discussion

The DA apprenticeship has been running for 8 years and the Workbook Portfolio we have now has been updated since the first version in 2017. The main difference from the early years is the combined format of a workbook and portfolio pages which we have had overwhelming positive feedback from students, WBS, clinical tutors and assessors. We have successfully integrated the partial assessment of multiple core modules, and delivered the information in a consistent format which enhances the student experience.

We found that some students uploaded assessment forms and evidence either in bulk or at the very end of the assessment period which defeated the purpose of tracking progress over time. We have worked on how to encourage students to upload evidence in smaller chunks more regularly. Not only is this good for the students to gain timely feedback, but large upload sessions in pebblepad have led to the software crashing and students losing some of the formatting of their work.

We are continuing to look at the ways in which WBS can sign-off on student clinical competencies without doubling their workload. The new signature function within PebblePad is something we plan to explore for the next academic year.

Conclusion

I created a PebblePad Workbook Portfolio which integrated the partial assessment of multiple core modules for the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sleep Science Degree Apprenticeship. The Workbook Portfolio needed to include guidance and assessment forms which would allow the apprentices to evidence their knowledge, skills and behaviours in the workplace and be signed-off by work-based supervisors.