Using PebblePad
A look at some of PebblePad's key features that students can use for reflecting and sharing.
PebblePad's key features
Watch movies about PebblePad’s most useful features:
Reflecting
Reflecting on learning is encouraged throughout PebblePad. Every input form ends with a reflective question, for example 'What have you learnt from having this experience or from thinking and writing about it?'. There is an input type called ‘Thoughts’ which is designed for promoting and capturing reflection. For learners who find reflection difficult there is a choice of scaffolded models to help guide them through a reflective process. Thoughts can be published directly to a blog which is particularly valued by students on professional placements.
The presentational e-portfolios, called Webfolios, allow learners to represent their skills and achievements in very flexible and creative ways. If, as the tutor, you want students’ work to be very structured or to be organised in a particular format, you can create templates which are shared with users to complete as required.
The Action Plans in PebblePad have proven to be very successful in a very wide range of contexts. The generic structure of describing what you want to achieve and then planning how to get there step-by-step has been helpful for both novice and experienced learners. Some users also use the Action Plans for large-scale projects.
PebblePad is also pre-populated with a MyEdGE Graduate Attributes profile and a research student skills profile which you can use to help develop your skills outside your core academic subject. Resources to help you do so are available on our MyEdGE graduate attributes resources web page.
Sharing
For many learners the process of reflection is greatly enhanced through dialogue. Some of PebblePad’s strongest advocates like the system because of the ease with which students can share their thoughts, receive feedback and enter into discussions with people they have chosen to share with.
This article was published on Sep 12, 2011