Understanding How Self Managed Learning Enhances Lifelong Development - Example

Personal and Professional Development By Contents Contents 2 LO Understanding how self managed learning enhances lifelong development 3 1.1.Approaches to self managed learning 3 1.3. An evaluation of the benefits of self managed learning 7 2.1. An evaluation of personal skills and competencies 8 2.2. Identification of development needs and the activities required to meet them 9 2.3. A personal and professional development plan 10 2.4. The process and activities required to develop the professional plan 11 LO 3. Implementation and review of the personal development plan 13 3.1. Undertaking the development activities planned 14 3.2. Reflection of personal learning against the original aims and objective 14 3.3. An update to the plan based on feedback and evaluation 15 3.4. Time management strategies used on the development plan 15 LO 4. Demonstration of acquired interpersonal and transferable skills 16 4.1. Solutions to work based problems 16 4.2. Communication in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at all levels 18 LO 1.Understanding how self managed learning enhances lifelong development Self-managed learning is a very important aspect that contributes lifelong development. In order for an individual to achieve self-learning, the first step is to set out clear objectives. This will include the priorities, the necessary activities for the attainment of the objectives, the resources that would be required and the period necessary for attainment of these objectives. For this task, the learner’s objective was to learn how to play tennis. The objectives and the mode of action are set out in the table below. 1.1. Approaches to self managed learning There are numerous approaches to self-managed learning; the method a learner uses depends on individual preference. Self-learning could be done through: Attending seminars and workshop: Attending seminars and workshops gives the learner and individual the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. This serves as a great opportunity for learning and developing oneself. Reading books: Reading books gives an individual the opportunity to learn and discover new things. Volunteering: An individual who aims to achieve personal development can achieve this through taking a volunteering position. This gives the learner an opportunity to learn from players within the industry. Learning from a mentor: Learning a new skill from a person with considerable is very important. It will help the learner to get a detailed view on the issue. Personal learning can have a great influence on an individual’s personal development. The advantages that an individual can gain from taking up self-learning include: It aids in personal growth Personal growth is important for any individual. Personal growth provides a level of confidence for an individual to be able to take on complicated tasks. It also serves, as a boost for a person’s self-esteem making the person is able to compete favourably within the environment (Cottrell, 2010). Knowledge learned is useful in real life experiences If self-education is done in an effective and appropriate manner, it could help the learner solve real life situations. During the process of self-learning, the knowledge gained can be easily linked to a real life problem the learner is experiencing. This will enable the learner to link the knowledge acquired to the problem and be able to find the appropriate solution. The knowledge learned becomes part of the individual for a lifetime When an individual is able to teach themselves various aspects and use the knowledge learned to solve real life situations. This knowledge is bound to stick with the individual for a lifetime. The knowledge can thus be useful in case of any future difficulties (Cottrell, 2010). Having set out the short-term objective, which was to learn how to play tennis. Below is a table of the learner’s objectives, priorities, the resources required and the target dates for the attainment of the objectives. What are the development objectives? priorities Activities needed to be undertaken to achieve objectives What are the resources or the support system needed Target dates Actual dates 1.The development objectives are to learn to play tennis 2. To master doubles tennis 1. Speed 2. Endurance 3. Learning to feed 4. Learn to play doubles tennis 1.Take up running 2.Joining the gym 3. Engaging a coach 4. Running with legs weights 5. Sign up to a tennis club 1.To join the gym and the tennis club and gym will require money for membership 2. A training partner for the tennis doubles 1.2. Encouraging lifelong learning Lifelong learning can be encouraged in many ways. This can take place by at individual level and within an organization. Engaging in projects At a professional level, the workers or employees within an organization can be encouraged to engage in lifelong learning by setting out projects for them to take part. When professionals set out to do a project, a lot of learning is bound to take place. When these projects are done one after, the other it becomes a lifelong learning process. In the process of doing a project, a lot of research and studying is utilised (Cottrell, 2010).Studying and research leads to the finding of new knowledge and ideas. It also widens the perspective of the learner. Interaction between the numerous professionals involved in the project also causes the exchange of many ideas. This exchange of ideas is also a learning process. Keeping intellectual friends To be engage in lifelong learning at a personal level would require an individual to be in the company of people who have higher educational qualifications. When an individual keeps intellectual company, the individual is continuously able to learn from his peers. Information on personal life experiences and the constant exchange of ideas will enable the learner to gain knowledge on life. Being around such friend will serve as a great motivation for the learner to want to gain more knowledge or pursue further education (Cottrell, 2010). 1.3. An evaluation of the benefits of self managed learning Numerous advantages come when a person decides to take up self-learning. These advantages can be very useful to either the individual or an entire organization. Some of the benefits that an individual or an organization is able to obtain from a self-learning process are: Self-learning makes an individual to be more interesting An individual who is involved in learning activities continuously constantly gains new knowledge. The knowledge gained broadens the individual’s view of the world. An individual who has a broadened view of the world is able is constantly able to generate new ideas. These new ideas make the individual to be very interesting. This will enable the individual to make new friend and will then be able to learn more. The new ideas that an individual generates can be very useful to the organization or the people around the individual (Cottrell, 2010). Encourages an individual to become a risk taker When an individual develops a wide base of knowledge, he is able to be more adventurous. This knowledge suppresses the fear of failure and causes the individual to take risks. Taking of risks may be potentially extremely beneficial to an organization. In the case of a business organization, they may be able to go into new markets or develop new products that can enhance profitability and growth (Cottrell, 2010). Constantly reminds a person that learning is a lifelong process An individual who is engaged in continuous personal learning constantly discovers new aspects. These new aspects encourage the learner to want to know more. This drive to want to know more will make the individual realise that learning is a continuous process and should be constantly pursued. An organization with a worker who is constantly self-educating will be able to develop new products that can keep up with market changes. LO 2. Responsibility for Personal and Professional Development 2.1. An evaluation of personal skills and competencies Before an individual sets out to develop a personal development plan, they need first develop their skills and competencies against the professional standards expected in that field. The learner’s objective is to learn how to play tennis. There are stringent professional requirements that any aspiring tennis player should posses. Speed: for one to play tennis well they have to have the ability to move with speed. Tennis involves knocking the ball from various positions within the court. This requires an individual with a great ability to move with speed. Endurance: tennis is usually played for very long hours, this would require and individual who can endure playing for long periods. To be able to endure the long periods of playing time is extremely necessary for one to become a successful tennis player. Ability to play doubles tennis: any tennis player has to have the ability to play doubles tennis. Playing doubles tennis would need proper knowledge of coordination and teamwork. This is because it involves two players playing as a team. They take turns to return the opponents serve and this needs a lot of teamwork. Ability to deliver a proper feed: playing tennis requires the ability to deliver a good feed. These are the skills professionally required of a good tennis player. However, the learner has no knowledge on the game. This would mean that the learner would have to learn all these skills from the beginning. 2.2. Identification of development needs and the activities required to meet them After indentifying the skills and competencies required the one to play tennis professionally, the learner needs to identify the developments needs and the possible ways to achieve them. The first development need is to develop speed: for development of speed, the student would take up a variety of activities; one such activity would be to join the gym. Joining the gym will provide the learner with an opportunity to train and develop speed. The second development need is to develop endurance: developing endurance will require much training. Running with weights is a good way to develop ones endurance. Training at the gym will also help add to the endurance. Developing of the skill to play doubles tennis: double tennis is a very important skill to any tennis player. To develop this skill one has to learn teamwork. To achieve this learner would need to employ the services of a coach. Joining a tennis club would also help to gain considerable amount of exposure. At the tennis club, the learner could get a partner to train with. The need to develop feeding skills: to play tennis would require ability to give a good feed. To gain this skill the learner will have to learn from the coach. 2.3. A personal and professional development plan OBJECTIVES CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RELEVANT ACTIONS METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1.To learn how to play tennis 2.To learn how to play doubles tennis 3. learn how to feed 1.To develop speed 2.to have endurance 1.Joining the gym 2.Running with leg weights 3.learning basic feeds 1.Asking a coach 2. join a tennis club This table represents the personal development plan for the attainment of the goal of learning tennis. The individual’s weaknesses are lack of adequate speed, the lack of endurance, a poor feed and limited knowledge on doubles tennis. Because of these weaknesses, the individual has clearly stated the objectives as; to develop speed, endurance, a proper serve and the skill of playing doubles tennis. The individual is new to the sport; there is therefore no significant strength that the learner has that could be developed. The activities required to fulfil these objectives are engaging the services of a coach, joining a tennis club, joining the gym and taking up running. The resources required are money to be able to pay gym and club membership. Money would also be necessary for engaging the services of a coach. The duration of time required for implementation of the plan is six months. After six months, the student aims to review the plan to put in new goals and objectives. 2.4. The process and activities required to develop the professional plan Identification To develop a personal development plan one need to identify their current position. The position is in relation to the objectives they would like to achieve. The learner should first identify their strengths; Identification of the strengths provides the learner the opportunity to determine what they already know. The next stage would then be to identify weaknesses. The weaknesses will help the learner to identify what they need to work on. This will aid the leaner to set clear goals and objectives. The learner will then concentrate more on the weak points. Determination of the resources, once the learner is able to identify the strenghts and weaknesses, this will enable the student to be able to determine the skills that would be necessary. These resources could be monetary or other support resources. Determining the challenges: possible challenges that would hinder the implementation of the plan are carried out. Identification of the challenges gives the individual to be ability to plan how best to handle the challenges when they take place. Determining where the individual would like to be After the identification stage, the next step is to find out where the learner would like to be after completing the programme. This involves determining the single major goal that is to be attained. This goal can be segmented into smaller portions that are smaller and easy to implement. Determining the best possible way to achieve the objectives Once the objectives have been set, the path necessary for the attainment of the objectives is necessary. This will be a systematic guideline on what activities one will need to carry out in order to attain the objectives. The learner will also set the necessary periods for the attainment of each segment of the objectives. The plan is then ready for implementation. Effective time management strategies The objectives should be segmented in to small parts that are easy to attain. This will enable quick implementation before the learner moves to the next objective. Each day the learner should come up with a list of everything they would want to accomplish within a day a set out time for each activity. This will enable the learner to take the least amount of time to carry out one task and then move to the next. While planning the student should have realistic goals. This will enable saving of much time, complicated tasks consume much time and at times may not even be attained. While setting out the time scales the student should be able to set aside adequate time for engaging in other activities, this will provide room for complete concentration at the time of implementing the programme. LO 3. Implementation and review of the personal development plan The six months period having elapsed it is necessary that the plan be reviewed and based on the progress made the learner is supposed to set new goals and objectives. These new goals and objectives are to be attained over a specific period. This is because personal development is a continuous process. The learner though had achieved considerable success there are specific areas that little progress was made. These areas included training at the gym; this involved much physical activity hence the learner did not take keen interest. The aspect of playing doubles was also difficult; it required that one have the ability to work with a partner. The individual had considerable difficulty in getting the right person to work with. OBJECTIVES CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS RELEVANT ACTIONS METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1.To learn how to play doubles tennis Develop endurance and physical abilities 1.To get a good partner 2. Take part in gym activities more seriously. 1. invest more time in practice 1.Get a gym trainer 1.Engage a coach 2. get a gym trainer 3.1. Undertaking the development activities planned In undertaking the development plan activities the first step would be to identify a tennis club. This will enable the individual to be familiar with the equipment used for playing the sport as well as the playing surface. After joining the tennis club, the individual would the register at a gym. Tennis is a very physical sport. To play it well would require that the player be in good physical condition. At the gym, the learner would be able to develop abilities like speed and endurance to help while playing. The next after joining a tennis club and beginning gym sessions is to engage a coach. The coach is very important, as he will be able to teach the new student various aspects of the game like the rules, techniques and other important aspects. The coach will also aid the learner develop feeding skills. The ability to make good feeds is an essential part of learning the game of tennis. In order to develop the skills of playing doubles tennis the learner gets a training partner. The training partner aids with the enhancement of coordination and teamwork. Teamwork is necessary since the doubles game feature two players who play against another pair of opponents. 3.2. Reflection of personal learning against the original aims and objective Learning a new skill from the beginning is to an easy task, it requires much dedication and commitment. The learner had set out to learn how to play tennis. Most of the goals and objectives set out were achieved. However, some proved difficult to fulfil. Playing tennis requires a high level of endurance. To gain this ability to endure would need much training input. This would take long hours, the individual was however not able to achieve this objective completely. Training in the gym involves intense physical activity that the individual found to be very difficult. Double tennis requires ability to develop skills for coordination and teamwork. This requires a person who the individual would be able to have an understanding. Finding the appropriatte training partner was also a challenge because the individual was relatively new to the sport. The objective to learn doubles tennis was thus not fully achieved. The learner however managed to succeed in some areas. The individuals speed greatly improved after engaging in activities involving running with weights. Feeding techniques was greatly improved and the student was now able to deliver perfect feeds. 3.3. An update to the plan based on feedback and evaluation 3.4. Time management strategies used on the development plan Time is a very important resource that has to be properly managed for the plan to be implemented successfully. For implementation of all the planned activities to take, place properly the individual must be able to manage time well. Proper management of time would entail: A well set out procedure that will be followed throughout the development plan. This entails listing down all the activities one is supposed to do in order of the importance. After the tasks have been listed down, the tasks are done in a procedural manner from the first to the last. This ensures that when embarking on a particular task, the student finishes it before embarking on another. This ensures that time is effectively managed as no time is wasted switching between tasks. To save time tasks that seem to be big and complicated should be partitioned into smaller portions that would take less time to accomplish. When developing the plan the individual would need to set realistic goals. Goals that can be easily achieved would mean that the individual takes the least amount of time doing a task. The individual can the set other goals and work to achieve them. Maintaining focus when doing activities is also an effective way to save time. The individual is to avoid any unnecessary distractions and concentrate on doing the tasks set out. This will ensure each task is completed in time. Setting time for other appointments, for efficient time usage during the implementation of the development plan, the individual would have to set aside time to respond to other appointments. After this period elapses, the individual should fully concentrate on the implementation. To save time an individual should be organised. Doing tasks in an organised manner entails, analysis of a task before embarking on doing it. Before taking on a particular task, the individual should properly research on the particular issue and write down the details. When the implementation time comes, the individual will be quite familiar with the task and will thus save much time. LO 4. Demonstration of acquired interpersonal and transferable skills 4.1. Solutions to work based problems Conflict between members of a team During the implementation of a project member of a team may at times differ sharply on various aspects. These differences could be related to the project of may be personal. To solve this problem an individual will need to talk to each individual to understand the cause of the conflict. Once the problem is fully understood, the individual can summon both parties separately and educate them on the importance of teamwork. If the problem is because of personal differences, the team members will be enlightened on the importance of having respect for one another. After this the two individuals can talked into reconciling. Late submission of work First, the source of the problem will have to be identified, then it will be far much easier to handle. They manager should first educate the employee on the need to manage time effectively; this will include the importance of setting time aside for other appointments. This will enable maximum concentration during work. If the late delivery is because of the employee being slow, the manager can assign less work to the employee. The employee can take a shorter time to complete the work before the manager assigns another task. Poor liaison between officers When there is a poor relationship between officers. It could cause poor delivery of service to the clients. This could result in losses to a business organization. The management should take both employees and make them attend workshops or seminars on team building and the importance of proper interpersonal relationships at work. The employees should also be educated on the importance of having respect for one another at work. The employees should be made to understand why the customer should be treated with respect. 4.2. Communication in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at all levels Numerous methods can be used to establish communication among the member of an organization. Communication methods vary in effectiveness but the ultimate objective of each method is to covey the information from one individual to the other. Face to face communication The usage of this method has gone down. Nevertheless, face to face is the only mode that the aspect of body language. This is therefore still a very important mode of communication. Holding meetings The management direct all members of staff to attend a meeting in case there is some important message they intend to put across. The use of electronic mail When the management would like pass some information, the manager simply needs to send each employee an email. Employees could also communicate among themselves by using emails. Notices Information meant for all the employees can be put on notice board. Every employee can then access this information from the notice board Bibliography Cottrell, S. 2010. Skills for success: The personal development planning handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Read More