Supporting the Development and Learning of Modern Languages students abroad via the ePortfolio UTLSEC Innovation Fund Dissemination Event - 14 th December 2012 Franck Michel - SML

Background Year Abroad – Key feature of an SML degree 200+ students abroad every year A “life-changing” experience for students The Personal Learning Record (PLR) and its limitations The YA “Hamster Year” pilot Using the ePortfolio to support the Personal, Professional and Academic development of SML students abroad.

Student views on the Pilot 67% felt it had been beneficial or very beneficial to their personal development ‘It was a great way to see how I had progressed and whether I had kept to my targets or not’ ‘It gave me the freedom to reflect on my development, in my own way that was helpful to me’ ‘It is good for setting targets and hence tracking progress’ ‘Thought it was helpful, but it isn't something that I would continue to use if I didn't have to do it’

83% felt the ePortfolio had been beneficial or very beneficial as a feedback tool ‘This is probably the best bit of the ePortfolio - getting support and ideas from other students, and knowing that you're all "in the same boat" and going through similar experiences. Everybody has something to bring and encourage others with.’ ‘It was good to be able to give feedback to others, and also nice to receive comments from my peers as that made me feel that what I wrote was actually being read.’

The Innovation grant Objective: Introduce the Year Abroad ePortfolio (YAeP) for ALL SML students as of September How the grant helped: – staff ‘buy-in’ time (for training, support and dvpt) – advisory group (“think-tank”) – student and staff training events – development of user-guides and handbooks – production of student-facing promotional clips – creation of an information web-page (ongoing)

Doug and Mike’s first clip

Outcome / Feedback A daunting task to begin with… but a very positive outcome! Year 2 students were trained in April 2012 and embraced the new platform SML staff were trained in May 2012 and reacted very positively Support from QUILT and the ePortfolio technical team was invaluable and outstanding Switchover to the YAeP has gone smoothly so far… To be continued… (awaiting student feedback)