Reflective Essay on Module

By anushreegoel Mar 31, 2013 1361 Words

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With the help of the Gibbs model for reflection I have written the below
reflective essay.

I have chosen this model for reflection cause: Firstly it is simple to

understand and secondly it follows a very systematic and easy
approach. As I began with the module I was quite happy that it has
been included in the course, as it would help me overcome academic
writing skills difficulties. Although, initially I did feel that the module
would only aim at giving academic support, but eventually I realized
that like its name suggests it also helped develop my personalities as
well. In this module, we were given to make a poster and a formal
report. In this way I felt the module evaluates an individual in different
ways and on different aspects. By making a poster the creativity of an
individual can be evaluated. Poster presentations are becoming
common at workplaces and the first assignment helped us have an
experience on how to make on. The second assignment was a critical
report based on the same article we used for the poster. This
assignment helped us improve our critical skills and present it in a
formal report structure. Since we had to critique only one report it was
quite difficult as there were nothing to compare it to. We only had
theories as a base to help us write the critique. Whilst doing research
for the report, I came across a learning styles model by Honey and
Mumford. The model is given as below. Peter Honey and Alan
Mumford (1992) connected each stage in this learning cycle with a
preferred learning style:

Stage 1 Having an experience - Activist

Stage 2 Reflecting on the experience -Reflector
Stage 3Concluding from the experience -Theorist
Stage 4Acting differently as a result/planning the next steps-
Pragmatist As I read about what each part meant I could completely
relate myself to the Activist part of the model. I am generally very
enthusiastic about things and like to be in power whenever in a group
discussion. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. Also when we were
given discussions in the Tutorial to undertake I would tend to lead and
chair the group. Something that is not is that just as the model
suggests even I tend to act and then consider the implications
afterwards. This is one attitude of mine that I am trying to change and
adapt to a reflector model where I consider the implications of my
actions before acting on them. As it is famously said “Think twice
before you act”. I must inculcate this proverb in my acts of life. Many a
times when I introspect on my learning altitudes I also feel that a part
of me is the Pragmatist learner. As I mentioned earlier I am always
enthusiastic and keen to learn and experience new things. I always
understand concepts faster which I can relate to practical experiences
in the past and apply to my job in future. Just as the theory states
even I tend to generally get impatient with lengthy discussions and
conversations. From a pragmatist point I want to try to improve my
patience level especially in lengthy discussions as often in workplaces
lengthy discussions are carried out. Personally when I looked at the
theorist attitude I felt I could not fit there but should try to adopt some
of its attributes such as trying to be a perfectionist. Applying this
concept to my PRS module when I was given the poster to do, I did
not think much. I just looked up a few posters and got down to making
my poster. It was later that I realized I should have first had
discussions with my class mates on how they are approaching the
assignment. By then I had already acted like an activist but it was time
to become a reflector and overcome my hasty behavior. Hence,
before I started critiquing the article with my peers and only then got
down to do some relevant reading. Coming back to the first
assignment. I quite enjoyed making the poster much more than the
report as the poster involved using creativity. While I was writing the
report I felt quite dull and boring as a format had very formal
approach. This is when I realized that I need to increase my interest
for formal writing. Reflecting the Gibbs way I have reached the
Analysis stage. To this I concluded that maybe more reading around
the topic and reading a few sample reports would have probably
helped to do it better along with more interest. For that I have thought I
must plan a minimum amount of reading target to be set. And
undertake detailed discussions with my class mates on a regular basis
apart from the one’s that happen in the tutorials. On a general note,
during the module when the topic of report writing was being covered,
I had doubts but felt they were too silly to ask the module tutor. Due to
this I had numerous difficulties while starting the critical report. I have
decided not to fear from people judging me and go ahead and ask the
questions to clear my doubts. In fact I did start acting on it and did
start questioning tutors and friends. I realized I should have done this
much before. The Personal and Research skills module has taught me
about researching which gave me a sense of self confidence on
something I wasn’t sure I could do. Or rather knew how to do. Before I
joined the master’s course I was quite friendly with MS Office. But
some of the tutorials and lectures on IT skills helped me enhance my
technical skills prezi, a very interesting application was unknown to
me. After the lecture I downloaded it and started to see its features. I
have always been interested in enhancing my technical skills in any
form. Because in today’s tech savvy corporate environment one is
considered un-updated if they do not poses skills. Referencing was a
very new concept to me. Initially, I just could not get my head around
it. One of the PRS lecture taught us how to use ref works. Now, I just
do not need to bother with journal articles referencing. Refworks had
made it so easy. I have particularly mentioned about Prezi and
refworks as these were two highlighting factors that I found in the
module, very helpful in making my coursework manageable. As I
attended the lectures I felt that the PRS model has been formatted in
a way to help students do their coursework and acquire the intellectual
and technical skills required to complete the MSC in Human Resource
Management at Robert Gordon University. Before I came I had heard
that RGU has a high performance demand. I felt this module was
designed, to make sure that students meet up to it. The good part of
this modules experience is it does actually help you acquire the
Personal and Research skills that it aims to. But in my opinion the
module was a little insufficient in providing writing skills, especially for
international students who are doing this form of studies for the first
time. But as I thought of it I felt it is the master level and everything
cannot be fed on a spoon to the students. To this thought I felt, I need
to put in some more effort from my side maybe through taking help of
the study skills help available. I have come to a belief now that at
masters teachers are more of a catalyst then an ingredient to our
masters degree. On a concluding note, the Personal Research skills
module in my opinion is essential for every business related course.
Maybe if I had had something like this while doing my degree it would
have been more helpful at a master’s level. But whether at a master or
at a degree it is an essential model helping an individual to develop
ass sorts of skills needed in today’s competitive business
environment.
References:
HONEY, P. and MUMFORD, A., 1992. The manual of learning styles