This page describes how to use the site as well as explaining the site structure and various conventions that have been used thoughout.
PDP web site menus
The image below highlights the menu areas of the PDP website. You can click on any of these areas for further information, or read through the following paragraphs for an explanation of each.
- Site menu
The site menu contains items which apply to the site as a whole (rather than individual sections of the site). These include the following links:
- Home
- Site map
- Using the site
- Search
- Glossary
- Main menu
The main menu outlines the structure of this PDP course. The menu items are grouped into three headings: Understanding, Developing and Effectiveness. These imply the progressive nature of the stages invloved in PDP. A new user to this site is generally recommended to begin at the top of the menu and work downwards through the various stages, although they do have the freedom to choose any of these stages as they please.
Selection of a menu item will open an 'Introducing the topic' page in the main body of the site.
- Topic menu
The content for each of the topics from the main menu is generally split into 3 categories. These are 'Introducing the topic', 'Resources', and 'PDP portfolio documents'.
- Introducing the topic: This describes the topic, gives you a structure for studying the topic and includes core assessments. This page should always be read first when approaching any topic.
- Resources: This page will include references to further reading, web links and other resources associated with each topic.
- PDP portfolio documents: This page will provide links to any necessary portfolio documents for the current topic.
The topic menu icons use the following colours to represent their state.
- Orange: Shows which part of a topic you are currently viewing i.e. Introducing the topic, Resources, or PDP portfolio documents.
- White: Means that the link is available to click on.
- Grey: The link is not available as there is no content for this particular part of the topic.
- Document menu
The document menu provides a link to a list of all the document templates used in the PDP website. These are ordered by stage and topic and also include other documents which may be useful
to your personal development and progression through Higher Education.
PDP web site icons and tools
- Further reading
- All references to further reading can be found in the resources section of each topic. This is represented by this grey box with the book icon.
- Core self assessments
- All core self assessments can be found in the 'Introducing the topic' and 'Resources' section of each topic. These are represented by this grey box with the pencil and paper icon. The core self assessments are important to the PDP structure and should be completed where ever they are available.
- Reviewing your development
As you proceed to levels 2 and 3 it is necessary to review your development and re-visit the goals you have set yourself. This icon is designed to remind you of this action.
- Portfolio
Portfolio
These Portfolio areas will give you tips on how to combine what you have learnt in a particular topic with the necessary portfolio documents provided to record your knowledge, understanding, achievements, reflection and goals / targets.
- Glossary
This provides definitions for all the important academic terms that are used in this site. When these words occur in the general body of any page they will be linked to the glossary and displayed with this style. When you mouse over the text it will explain the nature of the link and clicking on the link will take you to that specific text in the glossary.
- Directions
Sometimes additional text has been attached to some of the main content to guide users and give them useful tips. These can be identified by bold text within a paragraph. For example a piece of text may recommend the user look for some further information in the Resources section. 'Resources' will appear in bold and by placing the mouse over this text, further directions will appear on how to find this information. This measure has been implemented so as not to disturb the main flow of the text.
- Links
- All link items in the main content area will open in a new window.
- This site uses smaller pop-up windows to display some addtional content. These have limited browser window menus but offer the abilitiy to resize text and print the contents. For example; Critical thinking.
- Images that are hyperlinked will use red borders, all other will use grey borders.
Career management system (CMS)
This is a separate Bournemouth University website which is integrated into the PDP structure. Accessing
the CMS from this site will open it in a new window.
The CMS is an on-line facility and will be particularly helpful to you as you work on employability development. The PDP site will guide you around the resources available through the Career Management System.
The CMS also offers self-assessment exercises on personality, motivations and skills. Links to the
CMS will be symbolised with the following icon: 
Accessing CMS off campus or with non-IE browsers
Browser
- This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 5.5+, Netscape 5+ and Mozilla platforms.