Models of Personal Development Planning - Assignment Example

Personal Development Assignment Introduction Purpose This document sets out my entire postgraduate academic endeavors by providing a detailed review of all activities and performance relating to personal development. Throughout this document, I will be analyzing and examining the background knowledge gained so far during the two semesters of the postgraduate studies. The document will also examine the skills and concepts that I have gathered so far that are relevant and can help me after I join the corporate world. Scope This document applies every activities, presentations, assignments, and projects I participated in during my entire postgraduate programme. The document has about 3000 words excluding the appendices with the following subsections: Summary document analysing the context development is taking place. Proposals for self-development Appendices with reflective diaries containing term reviews and other logs about self-development Context This report is going to analyse my competencies and skills acquired from my postgraduate academic studies and its applicability to the workplace environment. I decided to pursue postgraduate studies to further my studies and advance my intellectual and cognitive skills together with particular techniques relevant to a business environment and a managerial level position. After my postgraduate studies, I plan to join the corporate world and at the same time continue pursuing my PhD. Importance of PDP PDP is extremely imperative because it can help you develop and enhance the skills that you already possess or those skills that you require to enable you to be responsible for your personal learning, development and advancing into the corporate world. In addition, the types of jobs that majority of graduates want demand that they possess some skills and qualities that can support them in discharging their duties at their places of work. This is where PDP plays a great role in nurturing and helping them acquire and enhance their skills. PDP either was introduce into the institutions of higher learning to enable students plan their long-term and short-term goals and determine the means of achieving them through planned and structured ways. PDP also helps to reflect back on your personal achievements and learning to help plan your path of career (Cottrell, 2003). Finally, through my PDP, I have realized that I have strengths that I need to work on and enhance if I am going to be recognized as an asset at my work environment. Through my project management, I realized that I have such strengths as: I am a positive thinker, plays management role when in a team like leadership, communication recognized through well coordination of my SDG, explorative through research, team builder, and critical thinker and reflective realized through my term and assignment reviews. The Summary Document A self-development plan is a process of developing an action plan, which is based on the values, awareness, goal setting, reflection, and planning within the context of one’s education, career, self-improvement, or relationship (Quinton, and Smallbone, 2008). Either Pedler, Boydell & Burgoyne, (1988) defines a personal development plan as a term referring to an increasing group of approaches that gives learners the control and responsibility of managing their activities and processes of their own development within the context of the aforementioned elements of a self-personal plan Thus, from Pedler, Boydell & Burgoyne, (1988) definition, it implies that organizations leave their employees to manage their personal development and learning lieu of restricting them to one technique of personal development, which the organization management considers effective for its workers. Therefore, there is need to offer students at institutions of higher learning the chance to consider their self-development through developing detailed personal development plans which they deem suitable within the context of higher learning and beyond (Higher Education Academy, 2005; Fallows and Steven, 2000). There exists little academic research on the effectiveness of personal development. Majority of published works look at students’ experiences to determine the effectiveness of PDPs using samples from the student body (Gough et al., 2003). Thus, this supports the wide notion among many scholars and researchers that experience many students have on self-development comes from their academic instructors (QAA et al., 2009; QAA, 2001). The difficulties of integrating self-development into the academic curriculum have been highlight by various authors. Davis and Mannion (2005) from their research illustrated that academicians fail to recognize personal development because it is not view as an academic discipline. However, Slight and Bloxham (2005) states that, the present political regimes are actively encouraging and advocating for degrees that are pragmatic with the labor market need. However, it is worth to note that, what is complicating this matter further is the connection between employability and PDP (Word, 2009, 2006, 2001). However, despite all the challenges, self-development has a couple of benefits to both the organization and an individual. A PDP helps engage and support students in achieving their own development within higher education and beyond. PDPs either help individuals to better themselves and have the chance to be recognized as company assets because of high competency at the workplace Varnava and James, 2005). Either personal development helps individuals to realize the five elements of job satisfaction that were articulate by Herzberg through his two factor theory i.e. achievement, advancement, responsibility, recognition the job itself and personal growth. He recognized these elements as satisfiers or motivators, which from a broad perspective are promote by self-development. For instance, when a job is well complete, a worker feels he or she has achieve and as a result gets more motivated. On the other hand, recognition is realized through personal development teams; responsibility by being their own supervisors and ultimately by bettering themselves they achieve advancement (Dearing, 1997). Organizations always desire to gain competitive advantage in their industry (Schön, 1983). Thus, because of this, there is need to have workers who are constantly supportive to team groups, pro-active self-reflecting, and learning through evaluations to assess what they have achieved for themselves and the organization. Therefore, for an organization to achieve competitive advantage in the industry the aforementioned should be encouraged. However, without PDPs it would be difficult for employees to self-reflect on their performance, which is integral to the overall success of the organization (Harvey, Moon, and Geall, 1997). In addition, the need for personal development from the context of an organization has been triggered by the need for flexibility within the organization structures, processes and because of the dynamics of the changing environment especially in technology, which calls for organizational change to which personal development plays a critical role (Quinton and Smallbone, 2008). Review of Progress Through my personal development plan, I have managed to reflect upon my entire professional managerial practice skills that I have acquired. My PDP has also enabled me to set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound) goals, which I aspire to achieve in my future career and lifetime. In addition, my PDP has enabled me to contextually reflect on my entire course of professional managerial practice and it is relevance to the context of an organization. My personal development evaluations were done through learning logs, mid of term reviews and finally through logs of group personal development. Below is an examination of each of my personal development plans. I feel I made great progress now towards achieving attaining my goals. At the start of my postgraduate, I started by carrying out an initial review though which I set and allocated my time for social and studying time. I have started reading the required books from the list of our module, which I believe will be of great help during assessments and assignments hence helping me attain good academic grades for each unit and ultimately my project. Now, I have done thirteen assignments for which I have scored above 50%. This is a good indication towards achieving the grade that I am aiming at given that I will pass well in my project and other exams. Learning Logs These are small reports, which are drafted when an individual or group of people learns something new in their academic background or from their discussions as a group (Lawton, 2004). Learning logs enable individuals to reflect on what they have learnt, what they have learnt about themselves and the effect the learning has on their self and professional development. Either they help you to determine and focus on how you intend taking your learning forward and when this is likely to take place. Because the goals and objectives of your learning need to be achieved within a given period, then there is need for them being SMART i.e. be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. My first learning log was the file of an overview of the various approaches to research. This overview helped me to comprehend what really research was and the various available approaches of conducting a research. The overview also helped me to understand and evaluate the various research approaches and determine which approach would be suitable for my future research assignments and dissertations. This lecture helped appreciate the need for consultation when I am faced with new tasks. This is imperative for me when starting my new job as a manager since it will help me consult with others when making decisions. My second learning log was the file research skills 1, which entailed finding the definitions of what research objectives and questions were, and what they entailed. We also looked at the different ways of formulating research objectives and questions from the research topic. To get a deeper understanding of what research objectives and questions were, I watched a You Tube video clip on the different ways of creating research questions. This helped me to understand how to formulate research questions and objectives in my future assignments and dissertations. In addition, I learnt that that to solve a problem in the organization you need to formulate guidelines and goals that you want to achieve. The third learning log was the folders support for literature review assignment and the academic writing materials for workshop. This session entailed attending a workshop in which instructors taught, explained to us about the second chapter of the research paper and what it entailed; We were given a URL for which we used to access and watch a You Tube video clip, which explained in depth what the literature review was and entailed. This lecture helped me in understanding the literature part, which is critical in writing my dissertation. Either this equipped me with skills or knowledge of examining past records before I make similar decisions to avoid replication of mistakes. The fourth learning log was the file researching skills 2, which consisted of the file philosophies and methodology 2014. This file helped me to understand the philosophies behind developing a good methodology for dissertation. Next was the file start point to diagnosing research. This file helped to develop the skills required to understanding my research topic and the kind of relationship I was supposed to investigate and determine during my research. The next file was quantity versus quality methodology and the research onion. These files helped me to understand the overall objectives of developing a methodology for my research using my skills of conceptualization and diagnostic. Ultimately this helped me to understand how develop the best methodology for my dissertation. The fifth learning log was the lecture research skills 3, which looked at the chapter four of my dissertation, methods and techniques and case study. The lecture contained the file research onion. This lecture helped me to develop analytical skills for data analysis. It also introduced to us the different methods of doing data analysis like the use of SPSS and Microsoft excel to formulate and calculate the various statistical values that are used to make conclusion about a research e.g. forecasting (Meredith, 2010).1 This chapter helped me to understand and define the various statistical values, which are essential for identifying the relationship under study. Either the lecture enabled me to identify the relationship between the independent and dependent variables of my research topic. My sixth lecture, learning log was presentations from the PhD students. The students demonstrated to us how the research was to be done. They further advised us on the structure our questionnaires for collecting data. I learnt from the PhD students that experienced senior management are critical people for any organization when it comes to decision making. This helped understand the need and role-played my senior management in an organization setting. Ultimately, they advised us to seek help from our supervisors in areas we were novice to avoid frustration, which often resulted from cancellation of students work because of failure to follow the rules of writing styles and inappropriate data for a given research topic. My seventh lecture, learning log was the lecture, academic writing 2, which entailed writing research proposal, and meeting supervisors. At this stage, we met our supervisors and discussed how we were going to meet them for guidance on how to write and structure our proposals. This lecture helped to consult further on how the structure of the proposal would be format and how and when I would meet the supervisor for guidance (my interpersonal role as a manager). I also inquired how many chapters I would complete before submitting the proposal for review. This from an organization perspective as a manager is important since it would help me seek consultation in future from both my seniors and other employees. My eighth lecture, learning log was the lecture self-managed study. This lecture helped me to focus and analyze the time required before submitting my proposal for review (importance of time management). It also helped to formulate a plan that I would follow to ensure that the deadline set for submission is met. These thus helped me to schedule and plan my project. This lesson also helped to reflect upon my proposal and whether what I did was right or wrong. This thus would be of help important especially in my career since evaluating the effect of a decision made, as a manager is imperative to determine its effectiveness. This is important for my future career, as it would enable me to make a follow for to obtain feedback for already made decisions. My ninth lecture, learning log was the lecture, project management, which was my largest assignment. This lecture helped evaluate and determine the period that my dissertation would take given the set deadline. It also enabled me plan my dissertation and finding the required materials. This lesson also helped to reflect upon my project management skills that I had acquired so far and how they would be of help in managing my dissertation and be able to meet the deadline for completion. This is important in the corporate world where I would be required to male critical decisions regarding the organization. This thus enhanced my role of monitoring as a manager. The final lecture, learning log was the lecture, reflecting practice 2, which entailed compiling the student file (SDF). At this stage, I reflected upon the entire exercise. The lecture helped me evaluate my capabilities at collecting and analyzing data, which is a key skill requirement in the corporate world. At this stage, I found out that, in managing a project you require a couple of skills and sources of data to help you make sound decisions a key element in effective decision making. Thus, by reflecting upon the aforementioned I realized the importance of collecting information from the various units of the organization during decision-making if I am to be effective in my future career. Term Reviews This are imperative in personal-development not only for reflection purposes on what you have achieved at the present, but they also help you in determining the course of action for what you want to achieve in the future; the way to achieve it and how you can achieve it Clegg and Bradley, 2006a,b). They help you determine which, target goals are suitable and critical to enable you achieve your long-term objectives. In addition, they help you reflect upon the reasons that made you fail to realize certain goals in the past and thus provide you with alternative means of achieving them next time (Brooks & Mckinna, 2011). At the beginning of my first term, < Appendix 13> I reflected upon what I wanted to accomplish by the end of that term. I examined and analyzed how this would be pragmatic to my personal development at the workplace. I looked at my interests and tried to liaise them to what I wanted to achieve and how this would contribute to my personal development at the present and in the future. I also reflected upon my postgraduate skills and tried to investigate and determine if I had any competencies for them. Ultimately, I tried to identify potential factors that would pose challenges to me in the course of the term. This term helped me to evaluate and review what I wanted to accomplish and how to do it. I carried out my first reflection at the end of my first term < Appendix 14>. I looked at what I had achieved through my studies and tried to identify any new skills gained in the course of the term. I further reflected upon the assignments we had done that term and the feedback received from my tutors concerning my performance. Because I had not received any feedback this was not possible. I either examined my personal development team; tried to figure out what I had gained from it that would be useful at the present and in my future career. In addition, I reflected upon my contribution to the SDG. Overly, I realized that I had immensely contributed to my SDG in terms of providing support and charting the way forward for the group, which is a critical issue in organization management. My final review was in the second term of postgraduate studies < Appendix 15>. I reflected upon the issues reflected in my first term to determine if there was any progress and any other skill acquired from further studies in the second term. I realized that I had greatly progressed and enhanced my managerial skills. Because my SDG was not meeting frequently as expected, I felt that there was more that needed to be done concerning team building and management. However, despite all this, we managed to help one another solve problems and issues relating to our project and other assignments during the term. It is also important to note that, regardless of the major progress I had made during the term, from the feedback my tutors had provided from my assignments. I realized that I still had issues to with Harvard referencing style. In addition, I had issues of theory application but overall I had gained more skill from DPP over project and time management. Self-Development Group Logs Self-Development Team is a group of colleagues meeting often to reflect as team on the various issues resulting from similar work they undertake. This is imperative because it provides me with the opportunity to consult with friends on how they have handled the issues arising in the course of project (Duncan, 2010). Either will give me the opportunity to ask for support and assistance from friend. Thus, from the aforementioned Self-Development Team logs are those logs for the events and activities that happened at each of our meeting. My first log for self-development group < Appendix 11> examined our issues to do with literature review and formulating research questions and objectives. Because I had done wide consultations with the PhD and some other lectures from our school, I played the key part here offering guidance and tips. This really helped us to note mistakes in the course of our writing our dissertations. From a managerial, this would help me to advice and foster the espirit de corps among work groups in the organization. Either this would help in encouraging other employees in the organization on the need for forming work groups and the advantages that would result by working together as groups. The final log for self-development group < Appendix 12> was the log about our final project presentation and defending. This way we were able to interview and ask our colleagues questions relating to their final research. Through this activity, we were to identify and realize the importance of self-confidence when it comes to defending and explaining yourself before your supervisor and the other panel of lecturers. This helped understand the importance of defending my research using theoretical and empirical information. Therefore, as manager this would help me make solid decisions based on R&D for the organization. However, it is imperative to note that the number of meeting we held were not quite enough to allow us exchange ideas and support each other a very crucial element that is inevitable in organizations between different managers of the organization because decisions made at any level of management affect the entire organizations either directly or indirectly. Conclusion Therefore, through my PDP, I have realized that I have strengths that I need to work on and enhance if I am going to be recognized as an asset at my work environment. Through my project management, I realized that I have such strengths as: I am a positive thinker, plays management role when in a team like leadership, communication recognized through well coordination of my SDG, explorative through research, team builder, and critical thinker and reflective realized through my term and assignment reviews. I have also been able to identify my weaknesses that some I have been to work on and I can see progress like use of information & communication technology, quantitative and numeracy skills where my project and SDG has really been of great help and a little bit in ethics & value management. However, I realized that I have a problem with my skill of personal effectiveness, which I tried to work on to no avail. Self-development Plan 1. What is my current state? What are my strengths? I am a positive thinker Plays management role when in a team like leadership, communication explorative/research Critical thinker Problem solver What are my weaknesses? Problem with some issues in formatting and layout Sometimes not aggressive/personal effectiveness Ethics & value management Use of ICT poor in quantitative analysis Common Feedback from others? Sometimes some references missing in text cited What other indicators of performance can I notice Sometimes concentrates too much on personal issues forgetting team activities. Conclusion Deal with issues concerning formatting and layout style Learn to be aggressive always to important things Place group interest before personal interest 2. What is my desired state What do I hope to achieve? Completely address to do with formatting and layout. Be aggressive to important things. Have group interest at heart. Why do I want to achieve that? What does it give me? Being aggressive is imperative when learning new things. It can shorten time taken to grasp concept. Group interest is important as a leader as it determines overall group performance. Learning formatting and layout is important to my project. What are my short-term goals To be able to demonstrate good leadership skills in the SDG. To receive feedback on good formatted work. What are long-term goals Seek guidance and help from tutors regarding the most recent guidelines on Harvard formatting. Enhance my leadership skills through the SDG. 3. How do I intend to use it? What must I improve/learn/ experience to achieve the desired state? Learn to format the Harvard style even in my assignments. Place group interest before personal interest by being committed to group tasks. What are possible resources to lean /improve? The web e.g. owl Purdue Student leadership and representative. 4. Timeline? When do I need to achieve this state I want to have the best leadership skills before joining any organization or securing my first job. I need to be familiar with all the formatting before I begin my dissertation. Notes/other? Bibliography Brooks, R., & Mckinna, A., 2011. A Student-Centered Personalised Learning Space for Employability. Clegg, S., and Bradley, S., 2006a. Models of personal development planning: Practice and processes, British Educational Research Journal 32(1). Clegg, S., and Bradley, S., 2006b. The implementation of progress files in higher education: Reflection as national policy, Higher Education, 51. Cottrell, S. (2010). Skills for success. 2nd end. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Davis, M., and Mannion, M., 2005. Integrating personal development planning into the curriculum. 9th Quality in Higher Education international seminar, Enhancing student employability: Higher Education and workforce development, Birmingham Dearing, R., 1997. Higher Education in the learning society: Report of the National Committee of Inquiry in Higher Education, London: Stationery Office Duncan, A., 2010. Soft skills for scientists: not a soft option. Assessment, Teaching and Learning Journal (Leeds Met), 10. Fallows, S., and Steven, C., 2000. Building Employability Skills into the Higher Education Curriculum: a University Wide Initiative, Education and Training, 42(2). Gough, D. et al., 2003. A systematic map and synthesis review of the effectiveness of personal development planning for improving student learning, London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, [Accessed May 2, 2014, http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=XSlHVsvxA10%3d&tabid=309&mid=1188&language=en-US. Harvey, L., Moon, S., and Geall, V., 1997. Graduates’ Work: Organisational change and students’ attributes, Birmingham: Centre for Research into Quality Higher Education Academy (HEA). 2005. Guide for busy academics no.1: Personal development planning, HEA 2005, Accessed May 2, 2014, http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/resource_database/id66_guide_for_busy_academics_no1. Lawton, R., 2004. Embedding Employability and PDP (ed.), Accessed May 2, 2014, http://www.bcu.ac.uk/docs/downloads/studentservices/employability/Embedding%20PDP%20and%20Employability%20-%20Complete%20file%202008. Meredith, C., 2010. Teaching Reflective Skills and PDP to International Students: How effective is the use of PebblePad?. Brookes eJournal of Learning and Teaching, 2(5). Pedler, M., Boydell, T., & Burgoyne, J. (1988). Learning company project report. Training Agency, Sheffield, (7). Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). 2001. Guidelines for HE progress files, Accessed May 2, 2014, http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/progressFiles/guidelines/progfile2001 Quality Assurance Agency et al., 2009. Personal development planning: guidance for institutional policy and practice in higher education, Accessed May 2, 2014, http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/progressFiles/guidelines/PDP/PDPguide. Quality Assurance Agency Scotland. 2009. A toolkit for enhancing personal development planning strategy, policy and practice in higher education institutions. Retrieved from http://www.qaa.ac.uk/scotland/PDP/PDP_Toolkit_Final [Accessed 2 May 2014]. Quinton, S. and Smallbone, T., 2008. PDP implementation at English universities: what are the issues? Journal of Further and Higher Education, 32 (2). Schön, D., 1983. The Reflective Practitioner: How professionals think in Action, New York: Basic Books Slight, A., and Bloxham, S., 2005. Embedding personal development planning into the social sciences: Learning and teaching in the social science, 2 (3). Varnava, T., and James, H., 2005. Reflections on PDP in law: Paper presented at the 2005 Socio-legal studies association annual conference, UK Centre for Legal Education. Ward, R., 2001. Developing and implementing institutional policy on PDP: setting the scene, In Jackson, N and Ward, R: Personal Development Planning: Institutional Case Studies, York: Learning and Teaching Support Network. Ward, R., 2006. Personal development planning and employability: Learning and Employability Series 2, York: The Higher Education Academy. Ward, R., 2009. Personal development planning and employability (revised edition): Learning and Employability Series 2, York: The Higher Education Academy. Appendices Appendix 1 Learning Log 1 Learning Log Number: 1 Date: 27 January - 2 February Event Title Overview of Approaches to Research Description of Event What happened? As a student completing the postgraduate study programme, I attended a lecture in which we were given an overview of the various approaches to research. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt and comprehend what really research is and the various available approaches of conducting a research. Either I have learnt the various research approaches and how to determine suitable approaches of conducting research. I learnt that, I am able to appreciate and seek advice from colleagues in an organization setting before making a decision. The implications to my Professional and Personal Development is that, when making decisions in an organization every person in that organization matters especially when you as a manager you are new. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this all through my studies especially the PhD level and also at my place of work to help appreciate other people in the organization. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and continue indefinitely since it is a critical starting point for all mangers when making decisions. Appendix 2 Learning Log 2 Learning Log Number: 2 Date: 3 February - 9 February Event Title Defining Research Questions & Objectives Description of Event What happened? As a student completing the postgraduate study programme, I attended a lecture in which we were taught how to formulate research questions and objectives. We also watched a You Tube video on the same. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? Through the lecture I learnt the importance of research objectives and questions were to research paper. In addition, I learnt that that to solve a problem in the organization you need to formulate guidelines and goals that you want to achieve. I learnt I am able to lay the framework for finding the solution to the organization problem. The implication to my Professional and Personal Development is that, when trying to find a solution to an organization problem you need to have the ultimate goal in mind. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this all through my studies especially at the postgraduate level and at the place work to help me find solid solutions to organizational problems. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and continue indefinitely since it is a critical point in the organization setting that provides basis for problem solving. Appendix 3 Learning Log 3 Learning Log Number: 3 Date: 10 February - 16 February Event Title Academic Writing 1 Description of Event What happened? We attended a workshop in which instructors taught; explained to us about the second chapter of the research paper and what it entailed. We also watched a You Tube video on literature review. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt that the literature part is critical in writing dissertations. I learnt that, I am able to appreciate and seek advice from colleagues in an organization setting before making a decision because it develops and equips individuals with the ability to make decisions after analysis and implications of similar past decisions. The implications to my Professional and Personal Development is that, organization decision is continuous process that draws from past decisions Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this in the organization setting when making decisions that are replicating in nature. When will this happen? This reflection will immediately after I finish my postgraduate studies and secure a managerial position in any organizations. Appendix 4 Learning Log 4 Learning Log Number: 4 Date: 17 February - 23 February Event Title Research Skills 2 - Philosophies and Methodology Description of Event What happened? This lecture was about the chapter there of my dissertation. We explored how to formulate and determine the relation between the variables of the study. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt that there exists always a relationship between the variables of a study which can be either positive or negative. I learnt I am capable of determining the kind of relationship between variables using statistical data. In addition this me to understand how develop the best methodology for my dissertation. This impacted on managerial conceptual and diagnostic skills which are important for managers to be effective. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? By applying the skills of conceptualization and diagnostic to the workplace environment When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and immediately I land on my first job as a manager. Appendix 5 Learning Log 5 Learning Log Number: 5 Date: 24 February - 2 March Event Title Research Skills 3 - Methods & Techniques & Case Study Description of Event What happened? We looked at the chapter four of my dissertation, methods and techniques and case study. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? This lecture helped me to develop analytical skills for data analysis. It also introduced to us the different methods of doing data analysis like the use of SPSS and Microsoft excel to formulate and calculate the various statistical values that are used to make conclusion about a research. I learnt that, there are various techniques of analysing data. I learnt that sound decision making in organization requires that statistical analysis be done to provide values for decision making. The implications to my Professional and Personal Development is that, when making decisions I should not ignore statistical analysis. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this in analysing my dissertation data and during forecasting in the context of an organization. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and continue into the place of work. Appendix 6 Learning Log 6 Learning Log Number: 6 Date: 3 March - 9 March Event Title Presentations from PhD Students Description of Event What happened? As student at the Masters level, we were given presentations by the PhD students. The students demonstrated to us how the research was to be done. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt that experienced senior management are critical people for any organization when it comes to decision making. I learnt that, seeking advice from senior management in the organization setting is imperative to decision making. These helped to understand the role and need for experienced senior management in the organization. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this all through my studies especially the PhD to seek consultation from my supervisors concerning my projects and assignments. When will this happen? The reflection begins now at my postgraduate studies level and continues to the work environment Appendix 7 Learning Log 7 Learning Log Number: 7 Date: 10 March - 16 March Event Title Academic Writing 2 - Writing Research Proposals Description of Event What happened? As a postgraduate student, I was supposed to meet my supervisors and submit my proposal. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt guidance and consultation is important when working on projects and when making decisions in the work environment. I learnt that, I am dependable, open and free to interact with other people including my seniors for consultation on the decision to be made. These affected on my Professional and Personal Development by highlighting to me the importance of openness and good interpersonal role in the work setting. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this all through my studies especially the PhD level and also at my place of work to help appreciate other people in the organization. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now at my postgraduate studies and continue indefinitely since it is a critical to organization decision making. Appendix 8 Learning Log 8 Learning Log Number: 8 Date: 17 March - 23 March Event Title Self-Managed Study Description of Event What happened? This was personal study to review what you have done. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt time management is a crucial factor in managing organization activities or projects. I learnt that, I am able to schedule and plan activities using the time available to achieve the expected results. This impacted on my time management skill and helped understand its importance in the managing projects and activities using the limited resources. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can take this learning forward by ensuring I use the skill of time management in my employment and by advocating its importance to colleagues. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and continue indefinitely since it is a critical starting point for all mangers when making decisions regarding the use of limited organization resources.. Appendix 9 Learning Log 9 Learning Log Number: 9 Date: 24 March - 30 March Event Title Project Management Description of Event What happened? As a student completing the postgraduate study programme, I attended a lecture in which we were given an overview of the various approaches to research. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I learnt the importance of time management when working against strict deadlines. I learnt I am capable of planning projects and activities to meet the set deadline. This impacted on managerial role of monitoring the progress of projects and activities. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this all through my studies especially when writing my dissertation and monitoring the progress of activities at my place of work as a manager. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now and continue to my workplace where I will be required to monitor the progress of activities. Appendix 10 Learning Log 10 Learning Log Number: 10 Date: 31 March - 6 April Event Title Reflective Practice 2: Compiling the SDF Description of Event What happened? This was a reflection practice exercise which entailed compiling the student file (SDF). At this stage, I reflected upon the entire exercise. Conclusions Reached What have I learned from this event? What have I learned about myself? What are the implications for my Professional and Personal Development? I have learnt how to evaluate my capabilities at collecting and analysing data; a key skill requirement in the corporate world. I learnt that, I am able to collect relevant data for organization decision making. The implications to my Professional and Personal Development is that, sound decisions are only made using relevant and correct data. Action/Next Steps How can I take this learning forward? I can apply this at workplace by analysing data collected using R&D to make decisions as a manager. When will this happen? This reflection will begin now immediately I land on my first job as a manager. Appendix 13 Initial Review –Review at the beginning of programme Write down what you wish to achieve in this term of study? Attain good grades in all my academic work including assignments and examinations to enable me attain a distinction at my Masters level. Maintain a better life and work balance to help live a healthy lifestyle by avoiding stressful situations. Gain more skills that are important at the workplace. Build a good foundation for my postgraduate studies through good performance. How will this support your development in the workplace? Help me gain workplace confidence by gaining theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the work environment. Help me have positive attitude towards colleagues by fostering the spirit of team building. What other interests/hobbies could contribute to this development? Team building Social networking Consider the list of postgraduate skills – what level of competence do you have already? I have research skill competencies developed from Bachelors level and internship relating to management. I have computer skills relating to all computer packages. Quantitative skills that include use of business models to organizational environment I have self-motivation toward learning. What do you think will be the most challenging aspects of postgraduate study this term? Meeting with new students coming from diverse backgrounds some with workplace experience. The need for self-organisation and motivation towards my studies since we will be required to accomplish much work on our own. Date: Signature: Appendix 14– First term Review REVIEW – Looking at the first term Units studied during Last Term – n/a Units studying in This Term – Integrated Marketing Communications-IMC Relationship Marketing-RM Strategic Management Planning-SMP Assignments for this term- IMC -RM 1&2 -SMP Write down any issues relating to balancing study/work and personal lives that have emerged during this term of study? My SDG meets thrice a week and this gives an opportunity to review what we have covered. Because I stopped my internship I have time to attend to all of my lectures. Summarise feedback received from assignments/exams and identify any common elements – strengths and areas needing improvement. The assignments for this term-RM 1&2 and IMC 1&2 -SMP I have not received feedback for the above assignments. I am still waiting for feedback from my tutors. What progress has been made in terms of postgraduate skill development – identify how and where the skills have been developed? Leadership role- I head my SDG. Communication skills-I have participated in class presentations especially during assignments that demand presentation. Research and development skills. I have done couple of research assignments in my postgraduate studies. Problem solving & decision making through case analysis in strategic management. Identify how you have contributed to and gained support from your Self Development Group (SDG)? Being the leader of the group I have helped it schedule meetings and communicate to our supervisor and tutors. Contributed by giving suggestions on what organizations we would receive data easily. I gained much from the SDG in terms of planning, and structuring of my dissertation. How would you assess your progress so far – how have you dealt with the challenges, has anything surprised you in terms of your achievements? My progress so far has been great because I have attained high marks in my assignments and continuous assessment tests. We faced challenges as group during our meeting as SDG but through my help we managed to contact the PhD students who guided us. What actions do you need to take to continue your development? Continue being the leader of SDG Enhance my networking skill even to the outside word Continue with my personal studies How could your Tutors provide support that would be useful at this stage in your development? Give advance guidance to us about our final project so that we can be reflecting on it. Provide us with soft copy notes and feedback quickly after assignments to help us gauge our progress. Appendix 15– Second Term Review REVIEW – Looking at the second term Units studied during Last Term – Integrated Marketing Communications-IMC Relationship Marketing-RM Strategic Management Planning-SMP Units studying in This Term – Developing Professional Practice-DPP Managing Organization in a Global Context-MOIGC Leading and Thinking Strategically-LTS Assignments for this term-MOIGC 1& 2 -LTS 1&2 Write down any issues relating to balancing study/work and personal lives that have emerged during this term of study? My SDG meets thrice a week and this gives an opportunity to review what we have covered. Because I stopped my internship I have time to attend to all of my lectures. Summarise feedback received from assignments/exams and identify any common elements – strengths and areas needing improvement. The assignments for this term-MOIGC 1&2 The paper failed to address to the topic understudy. Academic papers have no contents page. They have an abstract and not executive summary and above all the introduction does not much this paper. -LTS 1&2 The assignment does not fully focus on strategic thinking but is too descriptive with large number of statements without logical arguments. Use sources to support your arguments well. Always ensure all the list of sources in the reference page is also in text cited and use Harvard referencing style well. Although there were some deviations from the topic of the assignment, I managed to show a little application of knowledge learnt. I should work on the referencing style to avoid losing points in future because of this especially when preparing my dissertation. What progress has been made in terms of postgraduate skill development – identify how and where the skills have been developed? Enhanced leadership role- I still head my SDG. Research and development skills though research for my dissertation. Problem solving through solving SDG issues. Critical thinking through choosing research topic which has information to enable me do research and identify research gap. Identify how you have contributed to and gained support from your Self Development Group (SDG)? Being the leader of the group I have helped it schedule meetings and communicate to our supervisor and tutors. I gained much from the SDG in terms of planning, and structuring of my dissertation. How would you assess your progress so far – how have you dealt with the challenges, has anything surprised you in terms of your achievements? My progress so far has been great because I have attained high marks in my assignments and continuous assessment tests. I did not find the opportunity to reflect over my overall performance during the term because my tutor had not provided feedback concerning our assignments and other course assessments. SDG was not meeting frequently as expected, I felt that there was more that needed to be done concerning team building and management What actions do you need to take to continue your development? Enhance my networking skill even to corporate world Continue with my personal studies up to PhD level. How could your Tutors provide support that would be useful at this stage in your development? Give us guidance in doing our dissertation. Provide us manuals guides documenting layout and structure of the dissertations. Appendix 16 –Pre-Dissertation Review PRE-DISSERTATION REVIEW: To be completed Prior to meeting with Dissertation Supervisor Units studied: Integrated marketing Communications Relationship Marketing Strategic Management Planning Developing Professional Practice Managing Organization in a Global Context Leading and thinking Strategically Assignment One A: Literature Review Topic Chosen for Dissertation: N/A Dissertation Supervisor: Jane Muir Write down any issues relating to balancing study/work and personal life, which still present a challenge for you? I still have a problem scheduling my SDG meetings to increase the number from 3 to 4 per week. Summarise feedback received from assignments/exams and your DPP Poster/ Lit Review and identify any common elements – strengths and areas needing improvement – especially those critical to successful completion of the Dissertation. Assignment One A-DPP: Literature Review Always ensure all the list of sources in the reference page is also in text cited. Ensure your statements are backed with theory although this was illustrated later in the conclusion. However, in terms of structure-the paragraphs were too long. I still had issues to do with Harvard referencing style and use of theory from the DPP discipline. To be able to complete my dissertation well and attain good grade I need to improve on my writing style using Harvard and the use of theories to demonstrate that I understand the DPP and be able to apply the knowledge both theoretically in my dissertation and practically at my workplace. What progress has been made in terms of postgraduate skill development – identify how and where the skills have been developed? Using Information &Knowledge- Through use of diverse resources to accomplish assignments in the course of my terms. Numeracy and quantitative skills-Through use of business models to solve case study business problems Communication- Has advanced due to increased communication contact for personal and SDG activities. Research-Has advanced due to increase of number of research assignments. Reflective and Experiential Learning-Through term review on my performance Critical thinking and creativity Use of ICT advanced in the process of doing research from the internet. Team building and working skills-Through our SDG my team building skills have really become much better. Leadership-Developed than expected due to increased roles as SDG leader Identify how you have contributed to and gained support from your Self Development Group (SDG)? Being the leader of the group I have helped it schedule meetings and communicate to our supervisor and tutors. I gained much from the SDG in terms of planning, and structuring of my dissertation. How would you assess your progress so far – how have you dealt with the challenges, has anything surprised you in terms of your achievements? My progress so far is better but my biggest challenge is that I haven’t received full feedback on my course work What actions do you need to take to continue your development? Through constant reflection after tutors have provided feedback Regular personal study How could your Dissertation Supervisor provide support that would be useful at this stage in your development? Through constant contact by mail By providing guidance and samples of past dissertations. Appendix 11-SDG 1 Meeting Log SELF DEVELOPMENT GROUP: MEETING LOG Date: ______________Time: __________ Venue: ________________ Present: Absent: Purpose of Meeting Examining the literature review, research objectives and questions Agenda We examined issues to do with literature review and formulating research questions and objectives. Issues Discussed: How to formulate and write up research question and objectives from our research topic Discussion of issues dealing with the literature review both the empirical and theoretical theories. Actions Agreed (and persons to whom they are allocated) Next Meeting: Date:____________ Time: ___________ Venue: ___________ Appendix12-SDG 2 Meeting Log SELF DEVELOPMENT GROUP: MEETING LOG Date: ______________Time: __________ Venue: ________________ Present: Absent: Purpose of Meeting Presentation and defending of our project Agenda We looked at issues to do with presentation of our project and defending before our supervisor and other panel of tutors. Issues Discussed: We tried asking each other questions as a group Made presentations before colleagues Actions Agreed (and persons to whom they are allocated) We agreed as a group to do a thorough reading of our literature review and other critical areas of the dissertation. Next Meeting: Date:____________ Time: ___________ Venue: ___________ Read More