LibGuides: Generic knowledge and skills (Portfolio) 12 hp MEPO003: Halfway review

Presentation and assessment at the halfway review - general information

At the halfway review, the portfolio is assessed by the two opponents and by the assistant head of department responsible for research studies.

Two weeks before the seminar, along with the rest of the material, you should send the presentation version of your portfolio to the halfway opponents, by e-mail. If you are using Mahara, you should create a display page, and send it to the opponents in the form of a URL. If you are NOT using Mahara, the portfolio should be in pdf form.

When assessing the portfolio, halfway opponents use an assessment matrix, which is included in the certificate for the halfway review:

Certificate half time review, including assessment matris for the portfolio.

After the seminar:

The certificate, together with the presentation version of your portfolio (updated if you like), is to be sent to the assistant head of the department with responsibility for research studies.

How to present the portfolio

The halfway review is not an examination. You can’t “fail”.
Instead: a possibility for you to get feedback on your progress (or lack thereof) and advice about the way forward.
To maximize your chances to get relevant and constructive advice:
- Keep course outcomes and assessment criteria at hand (what am I trying to demonstrate?).
- Give a frank and complete picture of your experience and competence so far.
- If you lack experience in one or several categories – make that clear.
- Be personal but not private.
Actively ask for feedback.
Document the feedback in your portfolio and revise your study plan accordingly!

PP from workshop 231109

What does a good display page look like?

Introduction/profile (very brief info on your background, time of admission, department and supervisors, type of PhD (part time/full time, subject, project)).
Clear structure (the twelve categories, numbered, with capital letters); easy to overview.
Layer 1: “panoramic” view (lists)
- Quick grasp of total experience. Empty categories?
Layer 2: reflective and descriptive texts + attachments.
- More detailed description of experiences.
- Documents to support your participation in various activities.
- Documents that support your progress towards various goals (eg tasks completed as part of a course, evaluations and other docs that describe your impact).
- Your reflections on various activities. Choose the ones that you think demonstrate progression/development.
Volume: there is no minimum or maximum. With the “layer” strategy, a lot of information can be included without loss of clarity.
Activate comment fields to make it easier for the reviewer to give feedback.

Example of a display page (Layer 1):