The University College Approach
Experiential Education
Objectives
This module:
- Introduces you to the University College practice-based approach to learning
- Provides information about your Practice Manual (i.e. A Portfolio in PebblePad)
- Contains links to resources and information to help you get started
Introduction
At University College (UC) you explore discipline concepts and theory, but all units are practice-based and are driven by an approach to experiential education. The course and unit coordinators are the first point of contact for most enquiries related to your studies. You will meet these coordinators in the first week, or at UCommence (our orientation program) and they will provide you with details on:
- How to contact them
- Accessing the learning materials for your units (via MyLO – The UTAS learning management system)
- Finding important information (also often in the MyLO space)
- What they expect you to do in terms of online learning activities, assessments etc
- Attending tutorials and workshops
University College also have practice and academic coaches who teach with course and unit coordinators – and who can help you with study support and guidance in terms of identifying and developing skills. More on the coaches is included later in this module, but you can make contact by emailing: UC.P&PCoach@utas.edu.au
Welcome Video
To watch a welcome video on the ‘University College Approach’, from our Principal, Associate Professor Andrea Carr, please see below:
Welcome to University College (University College 2019) | 1:16
Approaches to Experiential Education
Our approaches all place experience at the centre of the learning so you can develop the skills, knowledge and attributes to become work-ready graduates.
Some of these approaches include:
- Case studies
- Projects
- Field trips/site visits
- Wicked problems
- Simulations Placements, and
- Design thinking
These activities are usually scheduled for workshop times – and take place either outside (e.g., work placements or site visits) or inside (e.g., wicked problems, simulations, design thinking or case studies), the classroom.
In the case of practice-based workshops, you will generally:
- Pitch ideas or proposals
- Meet industry experts
- Do presentations
- Problem-solve with industry or community organisations
- Work on practical tasks in teams (e.g., simulations, role plays, group activities).
Your unit coordinators are your first point of contact during your studies. To review learning materials, see communications from your teacher, view the unit outline, upload assessments etc. you will need to login to MyLO and then - in the search bar, find your unit/s by entering in the unit code. For example, depending on what course you are enrolled in search for:
- ZAC101
- ZAA131
- ZAS111
- ZAB111
- ZAD123
- ZAT120
- ZAX106
Employability Portfolio
At UC you capture your experiences and achievements in an employability portfolio (previously known as a practice manual). This portfolio sits in PebblePad which is a personal learning space where you can upload your work and capture progress.
The easiest way to access your portfolio - which has already been created for you – is to first log in to PebblePad as a UTAS student, by clicking:
Once you open the link above, you should see the image below (or similar):
Select the first option: ‘I have a University of Tasmania student/staff account’
Then hit: ‘Login to PebblePad’
Once you have logged in, you will see a home screen that looks similar to this:
You can now minimise your PebblePad home screen, and open a new tab on your internet browser, before you click on the link below:
When the portfolio opens in PebblePad, it should look like this:
Type in a title and name and hit the blue ‘save’ button in the top left hand corner.
Once you have saved your employability portfolio, you can then click on all of the tabs across the top and the drop down tabs within those – to review the range of different skills and attributes that employers are looking for. As you develop these applied work skills and attributes, you can then upload evidence of this into your employability portfolio under the relevant tab. For example:
- communication
- teamwork
- critical thinking
- leadership
- creativity and initiative
- ethics and social and cultural responsibility
- planning and organisation, and
- innovation and entrepreneurship.
The academic coaches are specialised in this area and available to assist so please reach out.
You can also contact the coaches for support with how to:
- Build on your study and academic skills
- Develop your employability skills
- Showcase your personal, academic and professional development
- Write and review your professional development plan
- Record and reflect on career and educational goals
- Find support services
To contact the coaches please email: UC.P&PCoach@utas.edu.au
For a one page flyer on the above information, click here.
Other Resources
You can also access a variety of resources by logging into MyLO via this link and searching for the Experiential Education Team unit titled, ‘Practice and Academic Toolbox’. This is where you will see announcements and find additional resources to assist you in your studies. For example, there are PebblePad resources and a bookcase of learning modules, plus the site has strategies and tips for study, and regularly communicates any updates or new information.
To find more information and videos on PebblePad, please login to MyLO via the link and look for the unit called, ‘Practice and Academic Toolbox’, then search in the Contents bar for PebblePad.
If you are already logged in to MyLO, you can access the toolbox by clicking here.
To watch a video on the University College Approach, which reinforces what has been described in this module, please click below. This video is used in UCommence, so you may have already seen it (if you attended or completed the module).
UCommence (University College 2019) | 3:42
More Information
For more information about the employability portfolio, PebblePad, and professional development plans, please click the link below:
Developed by Dr Cherie Hawkins, University College, UTAS, and updated June 30th 2022.
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