PebblePad
PebblePad is an eportfolio platform that enables students to collate and curate assets and artefacts to demonstrate learning and capabilities, build their professional identity, and reflect on their learning and achievements.
PebblePad allows users to:
- create assets to showcase their work
- purposefully curate a selection of digital artefacts, including images, videos and documents, as evidence of learning and achievement
- receive formative and summative feedback on assets they share
- reflect on their progress
- retain and continue to develop their portfolio after graduation.
Note: PebblePad is currently being reviewed for ongoing use as a portfolio at Deakin University.
AI elements
List of functions
PebblePad offers many features to deliver your learning experience. Some are outlined below:
- Template and workbook builders
- Self assessment options
- Flexibility for use
- Activity log
PebblePad can be used in teaching and learning in the following ways:
Portfolio: a platform for students to evidence their learning
Reflective learning: enables students to reflect on their learning journey and provide comments throughout
Support resources
Deakin Resources:
Portfolios: learn about how and why you can use portfolios in your teaching and learning
PebblePad (external): an endorsed portfolio tool at Deakin University, learn how you can implement it across a degree
Student Resources:
PebblePad Student Guide (external) : learn why PebblePad is used and the ways in which you can leverage it for your portfolio
Vendor Resources:
PebblePad (external): a series of support guides to support you on your PebblePad journey
Examples
The use cases below showcase some ways in which you can use PebblePad in your practice:
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Production
Digital portfolio – student-generated digital showcase to evidence knowledge and skill
As a teacher I can enable students to create and add to digital portfolios that demonstrate what they know and what they can do.
My students can showcase their learning and achievements via a digital portfolio product, in an environment where they control what they share (e.g. for feedback or assessment purposes).
Example design considerations for student creation of digital showcases using PebblePad:
- Determine whether the activity requires structure, e.g. setting up a worksheet or a workbook template in PebblePad, or whether students develop their portfolio freeform.
- Alert students that they have control of their portfolio, they can select what they want their teacher to view, and can choose to maintain and develop their portfolio after graduation.
- Clarify expectations of any required sharing for formative or summative assessment, so that students can select what to share with their teacher.
- Production
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Practice
Digital journaling of experiences – evidence of and reflection on production, practice, or performance
As a teacher I can assess my students’ progress across my unit, through the iterative creation of portfolios or journals, which evidence the processes and outcomes of their product development, performance, or practical experiences.
My students can document their experiences and reflect on their progress and seek feedback on aspects of their evidenced skill and knowledge.
Example design considerations for digital journaling of student experiences using PebblePad:
- Consider providing pre-prepared templates in PebblePad to help students to scaffold their recording and/or reflecting on production or practice experiences.
- Provide guidance and examples of what students might digitally record to demonstrate their iterative progress while they are immersed in authentic experiences (e.g. production, performance, or other practical work), for example:
- track hours and experiences on work placement experiences
- video record various hands-on experiences or performance development
- photograph iterative and final stages of product development
- documentation to evidence skill development.
- Motivate students to gather evidence of experiences, which they can later draw upon for job applications or awards.
- Practice
Communication and feedback during placement – students share selected portfolio entries to receive formative feedback during placement
As a teacher I want a space where students can not only evidence or journal their learning while on industry or other off-campus placement, but to also make a communication portal with me.
My students can share aspects of their evidence and reflections which they would like to receive feedback on.
Example design considerations for communication and feedback during placement using PebblePad:
- Communicate expectations of how students can communicate their progress with their teacher, and what students might share for assessment and feedback purposes.
- Communicate expectations of teacher feedback mechanisms (e.g. method, timing, frequency).
