Personal Development Portfolio (PDP)
A full but optional PDP (Personal Development Portfolio) scheme is available to all sub-honours students, and Advisers can give more detailed information. Students have online access to the materials to build their own experience into their portfolio. This is operated through our virtual leraning environment (Moodle), and can be accessed via the iSaint portal. A modified Honours PDP scheme is also available to all, but again not compulsory. (However a specific tailored PDP scheme is compulsory for all students in the School of Medicine as a means of instilling professional attitudes, a requirement from the General Medical Council.)
Maintaining a PDP as a ‘log book’ allows students to record and reflect upon their development of skills, and can substantially enhance the student learning experience.
Two important developments have recently come into play that will also benefit from use of a PDP by students:
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Production of HEAR transcripts – the Higher Education Achievement Record provides a detailed record of achievement to all graduating students. The HEAR includes many kinds of non-academic achievement, so that it is worth students using a PDP to record all their activities (sporting, cultural, charity-based, work experience, etc.).
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Introduction of the St Andrews Award scheme. This is designed to encourage and inspire all students to make the most of their time at St Andrews. Students who become involved will engage in activities through their second and third years and gather a portfolio of evidence for the different sections of the award scheme: ‘Contributing to university life; Giving to others; Extending your horizons; and Working for your future’.
More information can be found on the website, or by contacting Bonnie Hacking at the Careers.