Assignment Sample on Reflective Account
Introduction
A reflective study aims to discuss briefly the actions and experiences associated with the process of learning (Chan et al. 2020). It narrates the events an individual experienced in the past. Additionally, it states about the good and the bad things that happened during learning. It also highlights the learning outcomes and their application in the future. The present reflective study aims to describe, interpret and present the experience acquired by the learner related to the profession and mapping it to individual personality and the competencies relevant to mental health.
Discussion
I have been an avid thinker and generally underestimated myself for being shy and unable to communicate effectively with people. During my college time, I was unable to communicate with the students who belonged to different cultural backgrounds due to my lack of confidence. I found with the help of mental health competencies that I lack cultural intelligence. This caused lower self-growth in me. Communication is considered to be an effective way to express the ideas and emotions of an individual. Lack of proper communication skills is associated with reduced self-confidence (Kolbet al. 2017). However, I realized that I need to communicate with people more and develop effective communication skills.
Kolb’s reflective model
In 1984, David Kolb developed his model on learning styles that later came to be known as Kolb’s reflective model. The learning theory of Kolb’s is regarded as experimental and comprises two levels (Morris, 2020). Kolb’s experiential learning process helps to develop a better understanding for providing effective training to the members of the team and the HR manager as well (Lundgren et al. 2017).
Active Experimentation: According to Labib et al. (2017) active experimentation allows the leaders to plan and implement strategies. During my assignment work, I was assigned to a group project where I performed the role of a team leader. According to my opinion, active experimentation enabled me to utilize the available resources and helped me to take effective strategies regarding teamwork. I was also able to make significant decisions and improved strategies in order to enhance practices and tools regarding the training of teammates. During the project, I was responsible for managing the team of seven students who were responsible to complete the project of team coordination. In this respect, I realized that all the team members required me to develop effective skills to maintain coordination. With the help of Kolb’s active experimentation, I asked an expert coach to provide guidance to our team members. This helped the team to work in coordination and also prepared them for the future to guide others.
Reflective Observation: With the help of reflective observation of Kolb’s model I asked my team members to share their valuable insights based on the coaching experience. This helped me to identify their learning outcomes from the learning experience. Reflective observation of Kolb’s model helped the team members to share their opinions and engage in effective discussion. According to me, this reflective model helped me understand my team member’s perception of the effectiveness of the teamwork. According to Settineri et al. (2018), reflective observation is significant for professional development. By utilizing Kolb’s reflective observation, I realized my shortcomings that were causing hindrance to my personal development. Reflective observations made me realize the areas of development required to be evolved in order to enhance effective leadership traits. I participated in workshops to acquire soft skills for personal development.
Concrete Experience:
The concrete experience in Kolb’s model states that one must do things in order to learn something (Morris, 2020). It provides information that serves as the foundation for reflection. During my project, I obtained information regarding leadership skills with the help of concrete experiences. The concrete experience helped me to get involved in the new situation of being a team leader. I became involved personally and enjoyed my learning experience. With the help of the concrete experience stage of Kolb’s model, I tried to learn communication skills by actually practicing with the students belonging from different cultural backgrounds. I overcame my shortcomings associated with the fear of communicating with my peers.
Abstract Conceptualization: With the help of abstract conceptualization, I learned the skill of self-acceptance. Previously I used to panic during adverse situations. However, with the utilization of abstract conceptualization, I have learned to accept situations and have become efficient in dealing with stress related to my life and studies. I have become stable and sensible in terms of emotions after developing self-acceptance skills.
CIPD PLAN
| Areas for development | Actions to achieve | Resources | Time | Evidence to achieve in future |
| Self-confidence | I need to set a goal on a daily basis and monitor my progress | Books and journal articles on developing self-confidence will be utilized. Support from my friends and teachers will be required. | It will take about five months to achieve the desired objective | Developing self-confidence will enable me to face and handle unpredicted situations arising in the job as well as in my life. |
| Cultural intelligence | I need to talk to people belonging to different communities and cultures. I also need to learn a foreign language to communicate effectively. | Different websites and blogs giving information on people belonging to different cultures. Language learning apps and books will also be accessed. | It will take approximately three months to learn about the different cultures of my peers. It will take six months to learn a foreign language. | Developing cross-cultural intelligence will make me communicate with people of different cultures without any hesitation. It will boost my confidence |
| Oral communication | I need to engage in the effective practice of listening and speaking | Different audio-visual recordings will be used for practicing listening. For speaking, I need to practice speaking with my peers. | It will take approximately four weeks to enhance my oral communication. | Developing effective oral communication will help me to develop self-confidence and I will be efficient to address my teammates |
| Self-acceptance | I need to celebrate my strengths which are social and emotional intelligence and will not be harsh on myself. | I will use a workbook and keep a journal | It will be a lifelong process | It will boost my self-esteem and, in the future, it will make me perform my responsibilities effectively and efficiently. |
| Analytical thinking | I need to practice problem-solving skills and play chess and puzzle | Books and brain games such as Sudoku, puzzle, and chess will be among the useful resources | It will take several months | By developing analytical thinking, I will be able to think critically and will be able to solve any problem in the future business successfully. |
Table 1: CPD
(Source: Created by author)
Conclusion
From the above study, it can be concluded that reflective study helps to bring out learner’s personal experiences which can also be utilized in the future by the individual. This reflective study focuses on my personal learning outcomes that helped me to identify certain strengths and weaknesses associated with my personality. In this respect, I have used Kolb’s reflective model to highlight my achievements by utilizing the four stages of the reflective cycle. In addition, I have used the CIPD plan to highlight the areas of my self-development. According to my opinion, I need to develop oral communication skills along with analytical thinking for enhancing my self-confidence and gaining effective leadership skill.
References
Kolb, A.Y. and Kolb, D.A., 2017. Experiential learning theory as a guide for experiential educators in higher education. Experiential Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, 1(1), pp.7-44.
Labib, A.E., Canós, J.H. and Penadés, M.C., 2017. On the way to learning style models integration: a Learner’s Characteristics Ontology. Computers in Human Behavior, 73, pp.433-445.
Lundgren, H., Bang, A., Justice, S.B., Marsick, V.J., Poell, R.F., Yorks, L., Clark, M. and Sung, S., 2017. Conceptualizing reflection in experience-based workplace learning. Human Resource Development International, 20(4), pp.305-326.
Morris, T.H., 2020. Experiential learning–a systematic review and revision of Kolb’s model. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(8), pp.1064-1077.
Settineri, S., Frisone, F., Alibrandi, A., Pino, G., Lupo, N.J. and Merlo, E.M., 2018. Psychological types and learning styles. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 6(3).
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