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Introduction - Enhancing Academic and Personal Growth Through Reflection
Self-reflection refers to the process in which an individual can look for personal strengths, feelings, perceptions and weaknesses to implement certain strategies to ensure overall development. In this case, the study provides a brief overview of the personal reflection achieved during a module through the help of Gibbs's reflective cycle.
Gibbs reflective cycle
Gibbs's Reflective model is a cyclical framework developed in 1988 by the Director of Oxford Institute Graham (Gibbs, 1988). The model helps to develop the individuals' skill sets as they can analyse and evaluate the entire situation of any educational journey. It also analyses the personal experience through the help of six steps: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan (University of Edinburgh, 2020). In association with this, the model also helps maintain a deep understanding of the situation because the individuals can guide their experiences with a set of questions so that the gaps in the skill sets can be identified for future development.
![Gibbs Reflective model]( "Gibbs Reflective model")
Figure 1: Gibbs Reflective model
(Source: Gibbs, 1988)
Description
I joined the coursework to learn about different learning styles and skills that can help me prepare for my success or even help me achieve high ranks in Buckinghamshire new University. The learning materials of the module were provided through online learning channels, and the entire coursework was divided into six different week lectures. The lectures, in this case, were provided by some expert professionals who guided me and other students efficiently and supported our needs so that we can meet the primary career goals. At the end of the module, I was able to learn about different types of academic writing or styles, and I was there to explore various presentation skills that can help me to ace the examinations.
Feelings
I was pretty excited before joining the module as I have not been so presentable about my assignments which has further reduced my overall academic growth. However, after completing the entire module, I became confident as I learned that maintaining appropriate communication or connection among different sections in academic writing can help me to enhance my structure in essays, reports, dissertations or journals. I have noticed that other people got quite nervous as a diverse culture was present. In this case, a language barrier reduced their understanding of the module. But, as the professor was supportive, they are pretty happy about completing the module.
Evaluation
The good aspects of the module were that I was able to learn about the VARK model that was developed by Neil Flaming in 1987 with a proper framework so that the students can learn about the accurate style which is most suitable to them as per their preferences (Cherry, 2023). The bad experience was learning about research skills as I am not familiar with using different websites to analyse the datasets so that I can provide relevant information on a particular topic. I took help from my fellow teammates so that I can learn the research skills and implement it in real life efficiently.
Analysis
I learned new aspects of intrapersonal skills due to the help of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence taught during the first week of the module. In this case, I learned that if I can understand my feelings about a particular task, I will be able to perform efficiently without any misrepresentation (Marenus, 2023). Apart from this, the things that did not go well include my improper time management skills, that reduces my potential to deliver the assignments on time. To tackle this situation, I decided to make a schedule before submitting any tasks so that I can meet my career goals and enhance my strengths for an extended period. In association with this, I can also implement a Time Management Matrix so that I can manage the proper balance between work and personal life (Taylor, 2020).
Conclusion
I learned from the entire module that the features of academic skills like maintaining proper structure, staying objective or truthful in terms of information, staying focused on the predetermined questions of the study, promoting formal writing or avoiding improper languages like slang and maintaining critical aspects can help me to enhance my writing skills. In addition to this, I learned that proofreading the knowledge presented in the study can help me to ensure that I have not repeated any contents and appropriate construction of sentences has been maintained. Apart from this, I require proper communication skills so that I do not feel shy to provide feedback to my professors or to clear my doubts with the help of my teammates.
Action plan
If I had to attend the module again, I would pay close attention to the research skills. I should practise it in real life efficiently again and again so that I can analyse the websites of different types of existing sources. This can further help me to present the data efficiently in the studies or the assignments in future. In association with this, I shall always analyse my strengths and weaknesses so that I can fill the gaps to maintain personal or professional development for the long run. Lastly, I would like to learn more about analysing peer-reviewed sources so that I can provide accurate and updated information on future studies.
Conclusion
It can be concluded through the entire study that I cannot communicate appropriately with a diverse group of individuals, which can reduce my potential in the workplace in the future. In this case, I would like to improve efficient communication skills so that a two-way interaction can be promoted, which can also help to maintain conflict resolution. In association with this, I have also learned that evidence and proper structure is the key to achieving a balanced study approach.
References
- Cherry, K. (2023) Are you a visual, auditory, reading/writing, or tactile learner?, Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/vark-learning-styles-2795156 (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
- Gibbs G (1988). Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit. Oxford Polytechnic: Oxford.
- Gupta, S. (2023) How self-reflection can improve your mental health, Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/self-reflection-importance-benefits-and-strategies-7500858 (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
- Marenus, M. (2023) Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, Simply Psychology. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
- Taylor, M. (2020) The top 7 time management theories tested & reviewed, Serene. Available at: https://sereneapp.com/7-time-management-theories-reviewed/ (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
- University of Edinburgh (1970) Gibbs’ reflective cycle, The University of Edinburgh. Available at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection/reflectors-toolkit/reflecting-on-experience/gibbs-reflective-cycle (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
