Achievement of Personal Learning Goals - Assignment Example

Portfolio 2 Name Course Lecturer Date Task 1 – Learning Experiences The Extent I Have Achieved Personal Learning Goals At the beginning of the semester, I set my own personal learning goals. These personal learning goals are very important. This is because they help me to achieve the desired outcomes at the end of the semester. In addition, they help me to keep on track of what is necessary in achieving not only good grades but also ensuring that I meet the course objectives. In setting these personal goals, I paid particular attention to the course objectives. At the end of the semester, we are supposed to have met all the course objectives. This is also very important as I am supposed to meet the course objectives and my personal learning goals. In this regard, I set my personal learning goals after careful consideration of the course objectives. Therefore, the personal learning goals reinforce the course objectives and hence by achieving the personal goals I will havesatisfied all the course objectives (Williams 2002). One of the personal learning goals was to focus on the course objectives in order to what I need to understand for the purpose of preparing for the examinations as well as other relevant aspects with the course. I have achieved this personal learning goal; I have been able to meet the course objectives after carefully focusing and studying them. Toachieve this, I was summarizing lecture notes as well as research notes on power point presentations after every lecture. This proved to be very helpful as I did not need to revisit the lecture notes and research notes again; I only used the summarized points on the power point presentation. This helped me to keep on track on the exam needs as well as course objectives. The other personal learning goal is identifying classmates with traits such as interpersonal skills, high motivation, discipline based and diverse perspectives. Identifying classmates and other friends with these skills was very important for me. I needed them in order to gain more knowledge through discussions and exchange of ideas. I attended classes early in order to identify the hardworking and dedicated classmates, I would also observe level of involvement in class as well as other activities in the university. This helped me to identify classmates with the above skills. I set aside two hours every week for group discussion with the identified classmates; I found this helpful as I felt very much relieved. The other personal learning goal was regular attendance of classes and consistency in studying for longer periods. I knew I would not achieve course objectives with regular and prompt class attendance. As such, I had to ensure that I attend every class and add more energy in studying consistently. His helped me to be organised, I was always ahead of tests and lecture classes, and I knew exactly what I needed to study. The fourth learning goal was to use library facilities, to seek assistance from the senior students as well as make use of the writing centre. This was very successful as I set one hour every day in using the library facilities and seeking help from the senior students. I was able to get guidance on how to effectively use the library facilities for optimum use. Lastly, the last personal learning goal was to use learning log on my personal computer as well as to note in my notebook the ideas discussed in class and those I read in the library. I achieved this by dedicating one hour every day in noting and making the notes, I would later use the notes in revising instead of using the class notes; this was very helpful (Engineers Australia, Our Code of Ethics 2010). Perception of My Learning and My Learning Styles Holistically, the learning was very smooth and effective. The big reason behind the smooth and effective learning is because I did not experience any hiccups or problems in the course of learning. While many of my colleagues faced several challenges in learning, I am very happy that my learning was smooth. I credit this to the planning that I did at the begging of the semester. These plans included time management, study mode, group work active participation in class and pertinent things, personal study and research work. This planning was very important for me as it helped me to get the most out of the lecturers and research work. Besides, I got a lot of help from the lecturers and the senior students. I also gained a lot of ideas and expounded my understanding through group discussions. In all these things, I complemented my understanding of the course and eventually I met all the course objectives and my personal learning goals (Jungalwalla 2000). The planning also made me to be effective in studying and in doing research work. I prepared in advance for every lecture, this helped me to have an overview of what the lecturer will teach and expound. I went ahead and used the library facilities to dig deep by doing more research on the lecture notes provided. This gave me deep understanding of the topics of study. This helped me to be very effective, I did not only meet the personal learning goals and the course objectives but also I got deep understanding of the course and carrier as a whole. It helped me to understand the career as well as what I will expect when I complete my studies (DeChurch & Mesmer-Magnus 2010). The best learning style that suited me most and made me to be effective was the structure of the lectures. This learning style helped me to learn best as it provided logical sequence. This enabled me to have a flow on the topics and the course contents, the lessons provided goof flow from one topic to another. The delineated lectures provided systematic steps and objectives inaccomplishingassignments and the course outlines. Particularly, I benefited from the use of rubrics as they helped me to better follow the lectures as well as assignments given. I really liked the structure and I appreciated being given choices, this gave me room to express my creativity (Bertot, Jaeger & Grimes 2010). Task 2 – Team Experiences Understanding of Team Work I have had a great experience working in a team work. The team that I was assigned was very effective and cooperative not only in ensuring that group work is accomplished but also in helping each other on various issues such as in social life. Team 52 made me to just enjoy and have eagerness to work in the same team in another assignment. The most important aspect of the team was team effectiveness. Headed by the team leader, all the members were prompt on what was expected of them. Every member of the team was punctual on time as well as coming with the resources assigned. This was an evidence of not only commitment but also desire to work together and accomplish as a group. One particular member of our group that necessitated all this was the team leader(Sethi, Veral, Shapiro& Emelianova 2011). The team leader was best suited to lead us as she exhibited leadership qualities. She did not only assign work and lead discussions but also she ensured that she led by example, she provided the best research work and was very prompt in addressing issues raised by the members. She would always find it in herself to take the biggest workload and work it out herself. She played a big role in the success of the team. There were no free riders; every member of the team was very active.Surprisingly, no one was pushed around to attend meetings or to contribute in discussions. Members felt very free in discussing, meetings were one of the events that members looked forward to, and this is because they were very lively and insightful as well(Hillyard, Gillespie & Littig 2010). Essentially, the team experience was one to remember. I gained a lot from the team discussions and from team members as well. We created a situation whereby every person learnt from each other. Personally, I gained a lot on how to hold an effective conversation. This is very important as I dint know how to hold a meaningful conversation when joining the university. It gave me serious problems as I could not express myself or explains a point. However, this changed through the team work as I got exposed during discussions. In essence, the team experience was very great and insightful (Hellqvist 2010). Personal Characteristics I Felt I Would Bring To the Team I have always believed in myself, even before we joined in this group I knew I would offer different aspects from the other members of the team that I would be allocated. I earnestly contributed to the discussions. Before we met for group discussions, I would go to the university library and do some research on the topic of discussion. This helped me a lot as it ensured that I have background information of the discussion agenda. This helped me to have an open mind when discussing. Unlike other members who would wait for the meetings to know on the aspects of the discussion, I always come full of information. Through experience, I leant that it is essential to be prepared in advance before any meeting (Jones 2011). While I was very resourceful to other members of the team, I leant and gained a lot from the other team members; they gave something different from what I had in every meeting. This did not only increase my understanding but it also expounded on my knowledge as well (DeChurch & Mesmer-Magnus 2010). One aspect that I contributed to the team is motivation. This was a key factor in making members to be active and proactive. The other team members were always fascinated by how much I knew during discussions. The secret is that I researched thoroughly before meetings to ensure that I have discussion points on my fingertips. This motivated the members in talking themselves out and working hard in subsequent meetings and discussions. I created an environment where every person felt equally important and resourceful such that there was no feeling of inferiority (Leipziger 2010). Members expressed their strengths and this complimented each other very well. Essentially, I brought in various aspects to the team, this enabled the whole group to be effective and achieve the course objectives as set out in the course outline. Another aspect that I brought to the team is reliability. The team always counted on me to get work done and do my fair share of hard work in meeting commitments, this was reliability in display. I followed through the assignments, team activities and discussion topics to ensure that they were completed on time and ready when needed. Consistency in carrying out these tasks was very important. The team relied on me to deliver good performance all the time (Messikomer & Cirka 2010). My Contribution to the Leadership within My Team Every team is defined by its leadership. A strong, visionary and effective leadership translates to success in team work. One of the attributes that I contributed to the team is building confidence of the other members. I always encouraged the team members to go an extra mile in thinking and doing their research work. From my own experience, I helped the team members in conducting and effective research on various discussions (Hillyard, Gillespie & Littig 2010). I showed them how to use resources that have quality information and hence spend the right amount of time needed in doing research. This boosted their confidence and tackling discussion topics and other work as well. Confidence plays a big role in ensuring that all members of the group contribute during discussions. The control of discussion was another aspect that I contributed to the team. While it is important for a person to give their views and opinions, it is equally important to ensure that every person in the team contributed to the discussions. I ensured that there was mutual participation; every person was given an opportunity to contribute and give their views (Song, Spradlin & Plucker 2009). Another aspect is planning of the next meetings and the discussion topics. Although this is tasked with the team leadership, it was delegated to me by the team leader. I took this task positively as it gave me an opportunity to express my planning and communication skills. I ensured that all team activities were ready before team meetings. I also facilitated discussions through providing a feedback platform. This was especially important as it provided room for constructive criticism. Another aspect is cooperation, planning is completed by cooperation. Working with the other team members as well as acting together to accomplish tasks was one of my main contributions to the group (Lingard 2012). I borrowed this from my previous experiences of working in demanding group assignments. As we have all learnt in the course throughout the semester, problem solving is an important aspect in discussions as well as in life situations. All the team members benefited from the problem solving skills leant in class, we were able to understand issues and provide viable solutions. Sometimes it appeared like it was like the whole reason why the team was created, to address and solve problems. All the members proved to be strong team players ready and willing to deal with all kinds of issues in a solution based manner. At the end, this showed that the team members are problem solvers and not problem blamers or problem dwellers or avoiders. My experience has taught me to enable others to share willingly and openly, this was vital in the team. I encouraged the other team members to share willingly and openly their experiences, knowledge and information, they provided information and took initiative to inform other team members of what they know and think. During discussion at the meetings, all members felt comfortable talking and sharing with each other as well as passing along important information. Creating this platform of sharing willingly and openly is very important (Sethi, Veral, Shapiro & Emelianova 2011). Another aspect is planning of the next meetings and the discussion topics. Although this is tasked with the team leadership, it was delegated to me by the team leader. I took this task positively as it gave me an opportunity to express my planning and communication skills. I ensured that all team activities were ready before team meetings. I also facilitated discussions through providing a feedback platform. This was especially important as it provided room for constructive criticism. Another aspect is cooperation, planning is completed by cooperation. Working with the other team members as well as acting together to accomplish tasks was one of my main contributions to the group (Lingard 2012). I borrowed this from my previous experiences of working in demanding group assignments. 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