Motivation, Diversity and Equality - Essay Example

REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON MOTIVATION, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Introduction 3 Four Stages of Kolb’s Learning experience 3 Reflection on Kolb’s Learning Experience 5 Motivation, Diversity, and equality 6 Contribution of KLE in relationship between motivation and diversity and equality 6 Conclusion 8 Reference List 9 Bibliography 11 Introduction In this paper, I have attempted to describe my learning experience as a student analyse the application of those learning in conducting some research works. Research scholars in the field of education has explored experimental learning as a cyclical pattern that amalgamate experience through reflection and taking action towards the future experience. This reflective essay will be based on Kolb’s learning experience model, to evaluate how it helped me to understand the relationship between motivation and diversity and equality. Four Stages of Kolb’s Learning experience American educational theorist David A. Kolb believes that, “learning is a process whereby knowledge is created thorough the transformation experience” (Kolb, 1981, pp-43-50). This model focuses on the four stages of learning as shown in the figure below. Each of the learners must follow the steps carefully for getting the best result. Figure: Kolb’s Learning Experience Cycle (Source: Hopkins, 1993, pp-422) According to Kolb, learning style not only depends on personality traits or background of the experience; but it also depends on stability of human behaviour (Jackson, 2002). The four learning style, proposed by Kolb are concrete experience, observation and reflection, formation of abstract concepts and generalization and testing implications of concepts in new situations. Concrete experience is gathering knowledge from the process of the program. For example, reading online study materials, or attending seminars and implementing them into practical experiment. The same can be also linked from own experience as a student. Observation and reflection elements deal with the discussion about teaching and monitoring methods. This might include self-reflection and evaluation through peer observation on teaching procedure, student’s feedback and external examiner’s comments. All these can be brought together to analyse the overall reflection of skills. The formation of abstract concepts and generalization summarise practical experience with theoretical explanation (Baker et al. 1988). Reflection is therefore, a middle ground that brings in together the theories and analysis from the past action. It helps to give proper conclusion about our general practise. The conclusion drawn on the basis of abstract concepts helps us to change or modify our plans. Generalisation and testing implication of concepts in different situation generates another concrete experience which is then followed by reflection and review to draw conclusion about the effectiveness of these changes. Reflection on Kolb’s Learning Experience The Kolb’s four-stage of learning model is effective to analyse how experiments can be implemented to develop concepts and then in turn, are used as a guidance to make active choices with new experiments. This learning cycle helped me to gain experience and execute them in reality. Being in the framework of Kolb’s learning experience, I have gained enough knowledge on the link between motivation and diversity. With the help of this study, I came to assess that diversity brings in motivation to change scenarios and achieve equality. Each step within the model, therefore acted as a crucial way of developing myself. I tried to apply this learning process on me to achieve better observation accordingly. During my MBA course, the administration has allocated a team with five students. The task was to work in a business plan concerning the launch of a new business in the UK. Initially, I had a desire to form the team with my close friends; however, it was not possible, as our administrator has divided the team randomly. As all students came from different cultural backgrounds, it made me uncomfortable in the beginning. Gradually I realised that, learning in group that are diversified, makes positive contribution to the overall development. Alternatively, in other word, each person in a group can contribute multiple perspectives regarding any issue. Motivation, Diversity, and equality According to Hoffmann (2007), external and internal factor stimulates energy and desire of the people, for being committed and interested towards their duties, subject and job or make effort to attain a goal. Motivation results from interaction of some conscious or unconscious factors such as incentive, desire or needs, individual expectation or peer. For example, a student is motivated to perform well if he or she wants better grade in class. On the other hand, diversity and equality are negatively related to each other. The concept of diversity signifies each individual are unique and are recognized by their individual differences (Jayne and Dipboye, 2007). It is basically exploration of differences in positive, safe and nurturing environment. Conversely, equality refers treating everyone on the same manner regardless of their differences (Cameron and Quinn, 2011). Whether the difference is in terms of age, sex, religious view and physical disability, they will be entitled in the same esteem as other workers. Contribution of KLE in relationship between motivation and diversity and equality Broadly speaking, as supported by Kolb (1971), the model is creative that helped me to remain disciplined in every path of life. All the four steps in Kolb’s learning experience model have made a significant contribution to the improvement of my skill levels. Concrete Experience: learning from a specific experience Concrete experience set the step of learning by engaging people on emotional or affective level. After performing the projects, I have gained enough knowledge on how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds. It helped me to understand how diversity among the team members helps to create supportive community for the learners, create equitable discussion, design engaging lesson and access with the team members fairly. I have understood that, motivation level, no matter what the measurement of diversity, is always can be assured by positive attitude. One needs to take personalities, sexes, age and religious view of all team members into consideration while attempting to motivate. Reflective Observation: observing before making a judgement by watching environment from different perspectives This stage of learning style helps me to understand situations and ideas from different point of view. During my project session, I have noticed that people from different cultures come together and share their ideas, logic and feelings to understand a problems and situations. Diversifications have long been thought as one of the crucial factor that includes a mixture of races. Innovation works best in wide varieties of culture that are valued and considers (Mainemelis et al. 2002). Thus, motivation and individual beliefs associated with the creativity basically comes from multiple perspectives. Abstract Conceptualization: logical analysis of the ideas and acting on intellectual understanding of a situation I have greatly sharpened my critical analysis skills throughout my coursework. I have understood to identify different motivational factors and its connection with the concept of diversification. I have found that, diversity acts as a motivator to share knowledge and skills. In the era of globalization, the way to people study and work has changed dramatically. Thus, we need to take all these changes into account and encourage informal learning opportunities through sharing of knowledge within the group members. I have noticed that cultural diversity had a positive effect on the motivation. It promotes cultural acceptances and thereby, leads to enhanced motivation levels and productivity of the group task (Bizmanualz, 2008). Similarly, culturally diversified generally promotes sharing of experience and knowledge and thereby, decreases stereotypical behaviours to a considerable extent. Active experimentation: ability to get things done by influencing people and action Throughout the entire session, I have learnt about the formation of team with culturally diversified people and analyse how this is effective to add varieties of skills and ability to a single project. This strategy helped me to evaluate separate approach as well as knowledge for individual motivation (Cartney, 2000). I want to use all my skill and experience, whatever I have gained in uplifting my role as a team leader. In future, if I get any chance to build a team, I will try to include people from different cultural background. I think people will get motivated with this strategy, as it helps to get the best out of the team members. Cultural diversity in a group positively affects motivation and thereby increases the overall productivity. Conclusion The present analysis of the work focuses on the level of success that I have achieved through Kolb learning experience model. This model helped me to understand various points of view with special emphasis on the relationship between motivation and diversity. Viewing in terms of Kolb learning experience model, I have come to know that diversity among the team members embed individual motivation of the team members. Difference among the perspective, only comes with diversified people. Hence, diversification allows individual to add different insights into a common subject; and as a result of that people wants to compete for their own existence. However, competition is a powerful tool of motivation. After going through the entire experience, I personally feel that competition makes our tasks more enthusiastic. In future, I aim to utilise the experience accordingly to acquire my role as a team leader. 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