Integrated Learning Portfolio: an Introduction

TFD1170 Integrated Learning Portfolio

Dr Rowan BaileyDr Amanda Tinker

Academic Skills Tutor

Outline1. What is the ILP and why is it

integrated?

2. How do I record and reflect on my integrated learning?

- Learning Portfolio Brief

3. Where is the ILP on Blackboard and how will I use it?

4. But, what is Reflective Thinking and Writing?

5. What should I do now?

1. What is the ILP and why is it integrated?

• The Integrated Learning Portfolio will help you to reflect on your learning in all your modules in your first year at University.

• Academic skills and CAD are central to all modules you will be taking.

• The ILP will help you to gather evidence of your use of these skills, so you can reflect on your learning development.

Oral presentations

Integrated Learning Portfolio Module

Fabric Development &

Design

Fibre to Product

Contextual Studies for Textiles/

Craft/Design/Art

and Fashion

Visual Research

Academic/Company/Market Research

Essay writing

Referencing

TeamworkTechnical Research

Report writing

Computer-aided Design (CAD)

Here are some of the skills you may develop this year

Understanding the design process

Developing and recording ideasTime and self management

Visual researchAcademic Research

Company/Market Research

Product knowledge Research

Academic Writing

Harvard Referencing

Team/Collaborative WorkOral Presentation

Visual Presentation

Peer Review/Feedback

CAD skills

What you have to do is keep a record of these skills when you come across them, and more importantly, start to think about how you are using them.

2. How do I record and reflect on my integrated learning?

THE INTEGRATED LEARNING PORTFOLIO BRIEF:

There are two ways of reflecting on your learning through your ILP:

A. Through Learning Journal (a progressive blog)

B. Through Learning Portfolio (summative report that reflects on the evidence you present in your portfolio)

A. Learning Journal (blog)A Learning Journal is a blog that will help you to reflect on:

• The Projects you will be working on • Ideas you are developing • Research you have been undertaking• How you are solving problems • Things that are working well• Things that are not working well• Skills that have helped you to improve your

understanding of your subject area and the development of your practice

B. Learning Portfolio

• As you start to develop your Learning Journal (blog), you should also start to gather evidence of skills you have been using for your Learning Portfolio.

• The evidence you gather will come from all the different modules you are taking.

• As you progress on each module, you should think about what kind of examples you might want to choose for your portfolio.

Here are some examples of evidence you could use for your

ILP:

Learning Journal Blog entries, visual records

Visual Diary ExtractsTime Plans

Exercises you have done for Contextual Studies

Research from the library, such asdatabase searches.

Examples of academic writingfrom essays

Reference Lists using Harvard Referencing

Team plans for group work

Power point presentations you have delivered

Photoboards

Copies of feedback from tutors

All of the skills and suggested ‘evidence’ of these skills can be found in the ‘Integrated Learning Portfolio Brief’ and the ‘Learning Development Journal Template’ in the module box (TFD1170) on Blackboard.

3. Where is the ILP on Blackboard andhow will I use it?

http://www.hud.ac.uk/student.html

Log into the portal and then click on Blackboard. ILP module code is TFD1170.

• You will be using Blackboard to keep track of workshops, exercises and information on ILP

• You will also use Blackboard for documenting your Learning Journal (blog) – see the subheading ‘Learning Journal’ for guidelines on submitting a blog.

• We will have a workshop on submitting your first blog in Week 3 with Sophie, Vidya and Rowan (see your module handbook for time and location)

TFD1170 on Blackboard

Remember to look in your specific subject area (Textile Crafts, Surface Design, Textile Design) to find the right documents:

– Your module handbook– The Integrated Learning Portfolio Brief– The Learning Development Journal

Template

Don’t forget to keep checking the other sections for information on ILP:

AnnouncementsStaff InformationWorkshopsWebsitesLearning Journals

3. But what is reflective learning and writing?

“Reflection, here, means looking back on an experience and making sense of it to identify what to do in the future. It helps you repeat what worked and learn from mistakes.”

Drew and Bingham (2001)

Reflection is an ongoing process of thinking about your development in relation to your

work. University of the Arts, London (2007)

http://www.arts.ac.uk/cetl/visual-directions/podcasts_reflective.htm

Reflective Practice in Art and Design

• The Artists Information Company - The Artist’s Development Toolkit

• MATRIX Continuing Professional Development – “The Reflective Practitioner”

“In my opinion, new work cannot develop without reflecting - to make new work is not only about a final product but also a challenging thought process.”

H C Morstang, Installation Artist

Processes of Reflection

• Basic Observations – describing situations

• Standing back / analysing from different perspectives

• Identifying strengths

• Identifying problems, weak areas

• Considering alternative ways of doing things

• Action planning/setting targets

• Revisiting what you have done to evaluate and make improvements

Material adapted from King, T. (2002) Development of Student Skills in Reflective Writing [online].Available at: <http://www.csd.uwa.edu.au/iced2002/publication/Terry_King.pdf> [Accessed 31 October 2008]

When you start to write your Learning Journal, you will need to think about processes of reflection.

Examining a reflective account:

Think about these questions in relation to the following extract from a student studying Fashion Styling and Photography :

1. What went well?

2. Were there any problem areas, if so what?

3. What has she learnt from this experience (skills/knowledge)? 4. Would she do anything differently? If so, what action points has she identified for the future?

 

In the music image project, my aim was to resolve the problems I had in my last project with my accessories. This time, I customised and modified the gas masks and belts and printed some logos on a flag. I also made a mask from a T-shirt and printed an image onto a jacket. This has all come out quite well, but after I had made them, I continued developing the ideas in my head, and realised I could have done some alternative modifications. It took a long time to create the images for this project. This is because I was dealing with political and historical content. I thought I could create good ideas if I explored them enough, but it was too time consuming, and I became confused when coming up with my own ideas. It was, however, very stimulating and inspiring to do some research on western history and politics. In the styling section, my ideas for customising and modifying were not perfect, but I was able to achieve a certain amount. I am pleased with the work, and feel encouraged to push myself in the next project. I liked my styling, but found it difficult to make four outfits, because I had to use each garment separately. What I could have done was have put all the garments in one or two outfits only instead of spreading them through all of them.

In relation to the photography, I feel I should have explored more photographers. This would have given me inspiration for the mood, composition, lighting and location.

I need to do more research on a daily basis not only for projects but for my visual diaries as well. On the day of the photo shoot, one of the models didn't turn up, so I had to consider everything again on location.

From this I learnt that I need to be more responsive and flexible as this is likely to happen again. Choosing which photographs to use was difficult as well, as I had to consider both composition and layout for the cover.

In terms of IT, I really improved. I started using Photoshop about a month ago, and I can now create a quality of work which I am confident about.

 Overall, what I discovered from this project is the importance of a schedule. I have to set a proper timetable and follow it. I also need to fully consider things before I actually do them, as otherwise I get lost and lose inspiration. Finally, reflecting on the positive and negative aspects of my project will, I believe, really help me improve myself for the next one.

Adapted from Ryusuke Kase, FdA Fashion Styling and Photography (London College of Fashion) University of the Arts, London (2007) Visual Directions [online] Available at:< http://www.arts.ac.uk/cetl/visual-directions/flash/reflective/ flash_reflective_textversion.htm#example2> [Accessed 31 October 2008]

Reflective Writing - Handy Tips

• Don’t include unnecessary detail

• Don’t just tell a story

• Focus on how you have worked on your ideas and improved them in your practice.

• Step back from the situation/experience

• Use ‘I’ but write in a formal (not conversational) style

• Relate to academic theories and models (or work of artists/makers)

• Identify Key/Transferable Skills

• Identify strengths and weaknesses

• Set targets for improvementVisual Directions: Useful Questions

Remember, the ILP is for you:

You thinking about your own learning development and creativity.

Experiment, explore and document your journey!!!

Examples of Reflective Journal Blogs from previous students

“…….understand what you have actually learnt…..helped me see that I have been learning and not noticed [it]”

“…… changed how I will record my learning in the future, ….additionally my formal writing technique has improved”

“Helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses in depth; useful in documenting my learning development which has had an impact on the way I work.”

“Interesting seeing how ideas/opinions changing space of year Useful - reminds me of things enjoyed/ didn’t enjoy. Can help to think up new ideas and see strengths/flaws/improvements needed. Essential to keep learning new things”

“I now understand how I have developed …..and shows my achievements……thoughtful and gives direction”

“I’ve found that reflecting on your work allows you to see how and what you can improve and where your strengths lie. I also find it a form of self encouragement and it shows how you are gradually growing.”

Value of Reflection: Student Testimonies 2008/09

4. What should I do now?

Suggestions• Have you read the Module Handbook for ILP?

• Have you read the ‘Integrated Learning Portfolio Brief’?

• Have you got a diary/timetable to keep track of all your modules, including deadlines of assessment?

• Have you got separate folders for each module?

• Have you got a notebook to make notes on the skills you have been developing, that you can refer to when you put blog entries into your Learning Journal?

Task One – Preparation for first Learning Journal Blog (Week 3)

1. Look at the power point ‘Week 3 workshop on blog writing’ on Blackboard before the session.

2. Reflect on your day trip and discuss the images you have taken.

3. Consider how you might use the information/visuals collected on the day trip to start your design development work/CAD work.

4. How will you evidence your visuals in your Integrated Learning Portfolio?

5. You will be uploading your images onto the blog, so please save your images on a memory stick before coming to the workshop.

Blackboard and Blog Writing SessionsRemember to bring images from your

day trip on a memory stick

• Textile Design– Monday 11 Oct, 9.15 – 11.15, T1/02

• Surface Design– Thursday 14 Oct, 12.00 –2.00, T1/02

• Textile Crafts– Friday 15 Oct, 9.15-11.15, T1/02

Useful References/Resources

Artists’ Information Company (2004) The artist’s development toolkit [online] Available at: http://www.a-n.co.uk/knowledge_bank/article/168331/77174 > [Accessed 31 October 2008]

Drew, S and Bingham, R. (2001) The Student Skills Guide. 2nd ed. Hampshire: Gower Publishing Ltd

Resuable Learning Objects, Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2008) Reflective Writing RLO [online] Available at:< http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/rlos/demos/reflective_writing/reflective_writing.htm > [Accessed 31 October 2008)

Tinker, A. J. (2008) Delicious. AmandaTinker’s bookmarks, reflective writing [online] Available at: http://delicious.com/AmandaTinker/Reflective-Writing [Accessed 31 October 2008].

University of the Arts, London (2007) Visual Directions [online] Available at:< http://www.arts.ac.uk/cetl/visual-directions/> [Accessed 31 October 2008]