Professional Development Portfolio
Portfolio Project Purpose and General Description
To guide the process of professional development: self-reflection and self-assessment, identification of specific individual competencies for development, goal setting, and selection of professional development and growth activities. After generating a list of professional goals, student will plan and document participation in identified professional development activities.
Portfolio Project Goals
Adapted from AOTA Professional Development Tool (PDT).
Primary Goals
- To assess additional learning needs and organize professional growth activities toward self-identified professional or career outcomes.
- To monitor and document progress toward successful professional growth and toward a successful transition to clinical roles; to identify areas of strength and weakness and devise a plan of professional growth.
- To reflect on career plans; and, cultivate interest in additional intervention systems, clientele, policies, strategies, and technology.
- To plan entry into the profession; to identify and pursue professional development opportunities that will improve practice and career opportunities.
- To fulfill one's responsibility for continuing learning and competence, and participation in professional service.
- To promote quality in the profession and contribute to the growth of the profession.
Secondary Goals
- To identify and document skills transferable to clinical settings or practice areas.
- To appreciate that learning can be achieved through multiple pathways.
- To explore specialty areas of interest.
- To meet requirements of state regulatory agencies or certification boards.
- To document achievements and professional development activities outside the classroom for purposes of seeking employment.
- To develop a system of tracking, and maintain a permanent record of learning and achievement.
Portfolio Project Construction
Students will submit completed portfolio to faculty mentor before end of 2nd fieldwork level 2 (OTH 5849). After generating a statement of purpose and a list of professional goals, student will plan and document participation in identified professional growth and development activities. Student will be assigned a faculty member for the purpose mentoring identification of student specific professional goals, development of a professional development plan and portfolio production.
- Statement of purpose and identification of professional goals
Professional development goals are learner oriented statements that delineate expected performance, that are readily understood, action oriented and measurable.
- What additional knowledge do I need?
- How will I develop critical reasoning for use in my practice?
- What additional interpersonal abilities do I need?
- Will I need to develop particular performance skills?
Goals should identify:
- Strategy: What is the best way(s) to achieve this competency?
- Resources: What do I need to help me achieve it?
- Success Indicators: How will I know I have achieved it?
- Target date: By what date or time period do I plan to achieve it?
- Developmental Plan
In general contents will include:
- Statement of purpose and identification of professional goals.
- Documentation of participation in professional development activities from each of the following categories:
- Learning activities
- Professional service
- Community Service
- Self, peer and faculty (including, Clinical Educators) evaluations using OTAS, and performance evaluations.
- Professional Memberships – student, local, state and national.
Possible activities to document in Developmental Plan:
- Credentials: education, certifications, licenses, professional memberships.
- Honors, Recognitions, Awards, and Achievements: student awards and scholarships, residencies, fellowships, etc.
- Professional Service: national, state, university, college, local and community leadership and service activities.
- Scholarly Activities: publications, research activities, grants, presentation activities, performance evaluations, etc.
- Educational Activities: learning opportunities and incidents outside the formal classroom (attending or participating in lectures, presentations, conferences, workshops, etc.).
- Community Volunteer Activities: community service and volunteer activities.
