Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

THE PERSONAL STUDY PLAN IN THE FORM OF A PORTFOLIO IN THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
The Faculty of Science has decided to recommend in its instructions on the personal study plan that students write the personal study plan in the form of a portfolio. The students are to maintain this portfolio throughout their studies at the University of Helsinki. The portfolio can be used as such, or excerpts from it can be used for meeting a specific requirement in the Faculty or department. The portfolio encompasses the limited personal study plan (the technical study plan) and, as is characteristic of the open-ended personal study plan, also includes self-assessment and a description of the students objectives. The objective of these instructions is to support the students independent portfolio work and the departments guidance on how to formulate the personal study plan. The basic structure of the portfolio described in these instructions is based on the academic portfolio written by the staff of the University of Helsinki. As the portfolio is based on each students personal input, no two portfolios will look the same. To be accepted as a personal study plan, however, the portfolio must cover at least the following: Personal study objectives Study obstacles (e.g. work, family, studies elsewhere) If required by the department, descriptions of the structure of the planned degree programme, the schedule for completing it and the courses taken (the limited personal study plan) Other matters which have a significant effect on studies (e.g. practical training, studying at other institutions of higher education or abroad) An assessment of the strengths and areas in need of development in the students study skills Self-assessment and the planning and analysis of ones activities are important aspects of the academic portfolio. These skills will be useful in later life (when writing a job application, for instance). The personal study plan written in the form of a portfolio can be divided into three sections: Basic information about the student The study plan Self-assessment

The Faculty has created a question bank for students writing the personal study plan. This question bank can be used at any stage of the degree programme.

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

QUESTION BANK FOR THE PERSONAL STUDY PLAN

NB! Before you begin to write the personal study plan according to these instructions, please check your departments instructions on the personal study plan. These instructions are available on Alma and from the student advisers.

The personal study plan is a plan for learning and studying that must be written by all students in their first year at the University of Helsinki. The students must update this plan throughout their studies. The personal study plan supports independent study planning and self-direction.

In the Faculty of Science, the personal study plan is to be written in the form of a portfolio which encompasses the actual study plan and information about completed studies. Advice on writing the portfolio is available in this question bank and the course catalogue, as well as from tutors, student advisers and teachers.

The sample questions in this question bank help you to write the personal study plan. Please also take into account the instructions given by your department. The questions are intended to encourage reflection, and you can answer them as you wish. You do not have to answer all the questions.

The personal study plan must include the following information:

Personal information Study objectives Study obstacles Degree and course plans Self-assessment of performance so far

The personal study plan of first-year students The personal study plan of second- and third-year students The personal study plan of fourth- and fifth-year students (Masters degree)

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

QUESTIONS FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WRITING THE PORTFOLIO

BASIC INFORMATION

Personal information

Name Student number Contact information Major subject (if known)

Background

Previous education Work experience Extracurricular activities Specialist expertise or other special skills Reasons for applying to the University, the Faculty of Science, the discipline

Goals

What would I like to do for a living once I graduate? What skills do I need to reach my goals? What goals do I have as a student? What may prevent me from reaching my goals? What skills do I want to acquire outside my studies (extracurricular activities, student activities, work, friends, etc.)? Will these skills help me to reach my goals? What questions do I have about the first year of study? What do I want to achieve in the first year? What aspect of my studies particularly interests me at present? Am I interested in going abroad for practical training? Where?

Implementation

Have I chosen the right field of study? Am I going to study full-time?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

When do I intend to graduate? How much time am I willing to spend on studying per week and year? Is my study plan clear and realistic? Do I study with friends? Could I study with friends (e.g. study groups, practicals, exam study groups, reading groups)? What support do I need to reach my goals within the target schedule?

THE STUDY PLAN

Completion of studies:

The course plan and schedule according to the course catalogue and the advice given by the tutor and/or the peer tutor (e.g. in the form of a table or schedule) The first-year study plan and the plan for the degree as a whole (major subject studies, minor subjects) The credit objective for the first year

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Strengths and areas in need of development

What am I good at? What are my skills? What motivates and helps me to excel in my studies? How can I use my strengths in my studies?

Learning and studying

What kind of a learner am I? Which learning method suits me best (alone, in a group, by listening, by watching, by completing assignments, independently, under supervision, etc.)? Have I been able to study efficiently and in a way that suits me? What has hindered my learning? Am I able to influence the efficiency and quality of my learning? What learning methods have been used in the courses I have taken and how do they support my learning?

The personal study plan

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

Have I benefited from writing the personal study plan? How? What have I learned or discovered with regard to my studies while writing the personal study plan? How do I feel about writing the personal study plan? How often will I monitor the implementation of the personal study plan? How often will I update the personal study plan? Who has guided me in writing the personal study plan?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

QUESTIONS FOR SECOND- AND THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS WRITING THE PORTFOLIO

(To be used in supplementing the questions you answered in the first year and updating your portfolio according to your current plans and decisions.)

BASIC INFORMATION

Personal information

Name Student number Contact information Major subject, specialisation, the year I started to study

Background

Previous education Work experience Extracurricular activities Other specialist expertise Reasons for choosing the major subject (please discuss any change of major subject)

Goals

Have my goals as a student changed since writing the previous personal study plan? Why? What would I like to do for a living once I graduate? Have I changed my mind in the course of my studies? What skills do I need to reach my goals? What goals do I have as a student at this point of the degree programme? What questions do I have at this point of the degree programme? What will I achieve by completing the Bachelors degree? Do I have expectations or goals for the Masters degree programme? How will the Bachelors thesis support my studies or employment? Is practical training a compulsory part of my major subject studies? Where would I like to complete this training (or voluntary practical training)? Am I interested in going abroad for practical training as part of an exchange programme? Where can I find information about such training opportunities?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

Implementation

Have I learned which study method suits me? Have my studies proceeded as planned? How much time am I willing to spend on studying per week and year? When do I intend to graduate with the Bachelors degree? Are my study plan and schedule clear and realistic? What support do I need to reach my goals? Where can I get such support? How have I participated in tutoring (as a student or peer tutor), and what has tutoring given me? Have I participated in departmental or student activities, and what have these activities given me?

THE STUDY PLAN

Completion of studies:

The course plan and schedule according to the course catalogue and the advice given by the tutor and the student adviser (e.g. in the form of a table or schedule) This years study plan (please specify the stage of the degree programme) and the plan for the Bachelors degree as a whole (major subject studies, minor subjects) The Bachelors thesis plan and supervisor(s)

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Strengths and areas in need of development

What new strengths or areas in need of development have I discovered in myself? How can I use my strengths in my studies? What will I do after completing the Bachelors degree and why?

Learning and studying

What have I learned about my discipline, the Kumpula Campus, the University of Helsinki, studying, myself?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

How satisfied am I with my academic achievements? What has not gone according to plan and why? What would I do differently if I could? Have I been able to study efficiently and in a way that suits me? What has hindered my learning? Am I able to influence the efficiency and quality of my learning? What learning methods have been used in the courses I have taken and how do they support my learning? What has tutoring (regular tutoring or peer tutoring) given me? Do I feel like a member of the academic community?

The personal study plan

Have I benefited from writing the personal study plan? How? What have I learned or discovered with regard to my studies while writing the personal study plan? How do I feel about writing the personal study plan? How often will I monitor the implementation of the personal study plan? How often will I update the personal study plan? Who has guided me in writing the personal study plan?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

QUESTIONS FOR FOURTH- AND FIFTH-YEAR STUDENTS WRITING THE PORTFOLIO

(To be used in supplementing your previous portfolio or, if you have not completed the Bachelors degree in the Faculty of Science, start with the questions for first-year students.)

BASIC INFORMATION

Personal information

Name Student number Contact information Major subject, the year I started to study

Background

Previous education Date and place of completion of the Bachelors degree Work experience, practical training Extracurricular activities Other specialist expertise

Goals

What general goals do I have for the Masters degree programme (graduation schedule, grades, etc.)? Are there opportunities for practical training in the degree programme? Where would I like to complete this training? Am I interested in going abroad for practical training as part of an exchange programme? Where can I find information about such training opportunities?

What will I achieve by completing the Masters degree? What other goals do I have that currently affect my studies? What skills will I need in the future? What courses and subjects am I choosing to reach my goals? What kind of a Masters thesis do I intend to write? What are my long-term goals? Do I want to work outside the University or become a postgraduate student? What would I like to do for a living once I graduate? Have I changed my mind in the course of my studies?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

Where can I obtain information about employment after graduation?

Implementation

Am I at the right place (department, Faculty) for what I want to study Have my studies proceeded as planned? How much time am I willing to spend on studying per week and year? Are my study plan and schedule clear and realistic? What support do I need to reach my goals? Where can I get such support? Have I participated in departmental or student activities, and what have these activities given me?

THE STUDY PLAN

Completion of studies:

The course plan and schedule (e.g. in the form of a table or schedule) This years study plan (please specify the stage of the degree programme) and the plan for the Bachelors degree as a whole (major subject studies, minor subjects) The Masters thesis schedule, plan and supervisor

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Strengths and areas in need of development

What new strengths or areas in need of development have I discovered in myself? How can I use my strengths in my studies or work? What further studies can I pursue to improve the areas in need of development?

Learning and studying

What have I learned about my discipline, the Kumpula Campus, the University of Helsinki, studying, myself? How satisfied am I with my academic achievements? What has not gone according to plan and why? What would I do differently if I could? How will the Masters thesis support my studies and employment?

Portfolio instructions to students

Faculty of Science / Leena Suominen

17 June 2005

Have I been able to study efficiently and in a way that suits me? What has hindered my learning? Am I able to influence the efficiency and quality of my learning? What learning methods have been used in the courses I have taken and how do they support my learning?

What has tutoring (regular tutoring or peer tutoring) given me? Do I feel like a member of the academic community?

Scientific thinking skills

Learning scientific thinking skills is one of the goals of the Masters degree programme. This learning comprises the following elements:

Practical work Discussion Writing Reading Organisation Reflection Conceptualisation Contextualisation

The above learning process helps students to improve their ability to think independently and conceptually and to appreciate larger contexts. Does the above process describe my studies at present? Are some elements of the process emphasised more than others in my studies? Are these elements compatible with what I am currently studying? What skills do I need to write the Masters thesis?

The personal study plan

What aspect of the personal study plan has benefited me the most? Why? What has been unnecessary? Why? How often will I monitor the implementation of the personal study plan? How often will I update the personal study plan? Who has guided me in writing the personal study plan?