How can allied health students be supported to prepare for placements and succeed in work‑integrated learning?
In this session, Dr Sarah Burkhart and Angela Cleary from the University of the Sunshine Coast share how PebblePad is used across allied health programs to support learning, reflection, and placement readiness from first year through to final‑year professional practice.
The presentation explores a longitudinal approach, beginning with flipped classroom workbooks, blogging, and service learning activities in early years, before progressing to structured placement support in nutrition and dietetics programs. The speakers discuss how PebblePad is used to scaffold learning, support reflective practice, track competency development, and strengthen students’ transition from university to the workforce.
Key themes include:
- Using PebblePad workbooks to support flipped classroom learning
- Blogging and reflection to build early engagement and confidence
- Supporting service learning and public health projects
- Preparing students for placements through structured reflection
- Using portfolios to evidence competency and professional development
- Simplifying learning design to support student confidence and adoption
- Supporting the transition from university study to professional practice
This session offers practical insight for allied health educators designing coherent, student‑centred learning and placement experiences using digital portfolios and reflective frameworks.
This was filmed at Brisbane 2022 MiniBash.