John Baxter, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Studies from University of Bradford on ‘Using regulatory standards to design engaging, authentic ePortfolio assessment.’ He’s joined by Clare Kamara.
Designing authentic ePortfolios with regulatory standards explores how professional requirements can be embedded directly into assessment design. In this talk, John Baxter, University of Bradford (Paramedic Science) shares how PebblePad is used to support authentic, practice‑ready assessment aligned with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards.
Drawing on a four‑year sandwich degree where students spend a full year working on frontline ambulances, John explains how regulatory standards for continuing professional development (CPD) have been translated into an assessed ePortfolio. The approach mirrors real‑world professional practice, helping students build habits they will continue after graduation as registered paramedics.
The session demonstrates how PebblePad supports students to curate evidence, reflect on learning, and produce a CPD profile that directly aligns with HCPC expectations. By using regulatory standards as assessment criteria, the portfolio becomes clearer to mark, easier for students to understand, and more meaningful as preparation for professional registration.
A student perspective is also shared, highlighting how this authentic assessment supports transition into professional practice and encourages continued use of ePortfolios beyond university.
This talk took place at the studio, Birmingham in June 2023.