Blogging as a Learning Tool: A Critical Self-Analysis and Reflection

This report analyses the benefits of blogging as a learning tool through eight experiences and presents an action plan for improvement. It covers topics such as problem-solving, communication, and value chain analysis.

Running head: BLOG POST
BLOG POST
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Abstract:
Blogging is writing that can be used as a learning tool. It can act as a reflection of experience that
helps identifying strengths, weakness and scope of improvement. This report is based on eight
experiences that were recorded ago as blogs. We get to know the benefits of the blogs by
analysing it that we have presented in this report. In the end the action plans clearly gives out the
areas of improve and the targeted duration.
Key words: Blogging, refection, journal, business, communication

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BLOG POST
Introduction:
Writing is a great source of learning that has been taught to us from our childhood.
However, there is a difference in learning depending on writing. To simply state, there is a
difference between thinking and writing and presentation writing is the form of writing that we
do when we have to write for other or to communicate with others (Vurdien, 2013). In
presentation writing, we tend to have a reader in mind and make our witting as per the audience.
Often Thinking and writing is called the process writing as it can help immensely with our
thinking. Blogging involves aspects of both form of writing, thinking writing as well as
presentation writing (Dos & Demir, 2013). This report aims to develop a critical self-analysis
and refection of my weekly activities learning that has been led by experiencing design thinking
activity. The report critically analyses lectures of each week and the ways blogging on them have
helped me in learning. The report also contains the blogging’s assistance in my personal
development and development of my knowledge. Lastly, the report consists of an action plan of
the key events that would be undertaken within six months for the need of acquiring the
knowledge, skills and behaviour I would require.
Discussion:
THINGS WHICH WE CAN NOT SEE (THURSDAY, 23 AUGUST 2018, 8:50 PM)
There are various things presented in the world we cannot see yet we know it is there or
often ignores it until someone else points it out. The most famous example would be the example
of gravity. Although it has been present since forever no one noticed until Sir Isaac Newton

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presented his theory. From the activity, I have learned people are accustomed to believing only
what they see and while moving along with the flow of time, they ignore the basic things.
I have done this myself several times however I have not noticed it or did not pay much
attention to it. Blogging about the things we cannot see, made me realize that I need to be more
attentive and pay more attention to my surrounding. Reading the blog I have written helped me
giving some time to this act of passing by things and not realizing the depth it can have. It has
helped me identify that I need to improve my thinking skills abut situation and be observant
(Beyth-Marom et al., 2013). It is only when we are asked to pay attention we shift our attention
to that particular thing. In our busy lives or our scheduled life, we are constantly carrying out our
daily needs and wants without realizing about a million other things that are exiting by our side.
I have come to realize that I need to make a change to this particular aspect of mine. Along with
improving my listening skills, situation analysis and being more observant I need to read more
that would help me gain ideas regarding things that are not within my academic field.
MAKE YOUR PROTOTYPE (SUNDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2018, 12:33 PM)
Making own prototype was a new experience for me which I gladly came across in my
lectures. The lecture forced us to brainstorm and present our ideas in on paper. It was a nice
experience when we all presented our ideas and be assured that each one of us was capable of
doing it. It was mainly on a goggle company and how the company applies the prototype while
applying their application. Firstly, they made a prototype application from the paper. Secondly,
the main iPad application was developed for the usage purpose. I also learnt that there are
primarily ten steps involved in the making of a prototype. The first step is the visualization
where I will utilize my visualization for developing the idea of visualization. The next step
would be the journey mapping followed by eight more steps involved in the process such as

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mind mapping, brainstorming, concept developing, assuming testing, rapid prototyping,
customer co-creation and learning launch.
I was one of the first people to do the practical part and develop the prototype. I could
easily understand when the lecturer was describing the methods. In the beginning, I thought the
topic to be very complex and beyond my capabilities, however, I realised it was stupid of me to
build self-doubt. A curious mind is a key to learning (Morrison, Roth McDuffie & French,
2015). Reading the blog I have written on this lecture made me realize that I become intensely
focused when I consider a subject beyond my capabilities with the positive thought of mastering
it. I continuously try to learn that particular task. However being too engrossed in a task makes
me attached to the problem and often when I fail, it gives negative thoughts.
PROBLEM - DIFFERENT PERSONAL DEFINITION - WICKED PROBLEMS (SATURDAY,
15 SEPTEMBER 2018, 11:18 AM)
The lecture on the wicked problem was very inspiring to me. The concept of the wicked
problem was explained with a simple example for us to have a better understanding, however, to
me I can relate this simple logic too many bigger problems or issues. While writing regarding a
wicked problem I realized that it is indeed true that there is nothing impossible. With the growth
in technology there have been severe medical cases which were years ago only an imagination
but now it is easily possible. Writing the blog made me realize the ways things can be fixed.
There are various issues which were not actually the issues, however, thinking about it constantly
made me believe that t is an existing problem I need to solve. Often it makes me impatience
when I want a particular task to be done such as making a routine involving too many activities.
Failing to cover all the activities make me be hard on myself. However, the same tasks could be
done on alternative days or could be done on a priority basis.

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Reflecting on the written blog I can identify myself as a perfectionist who would like to
deliver work only when it is analyzed from every perspective and found errorless (van den Brink
et al., 2016). However, this particular behaviour acts as a weakness too. The nature of being
perfect or delivering the perfect job makes me perceived as a blunt person towards the people
approaching me during that period. Since I get engrossed in the work I tend to ignore my
surrounding. Since it is not an appropriate behaviour which makes me ignorant of the presence I
will improve this aspect.
WHEN SOMEONE CAN MAKE HIS/HER IDEA TO REALITY? (SATURDAY, 15
SEPTEMBER 2018, 11:41 AM)
During this lecture, I was able to learn about the importance of time in our life. People
are full of ideas, however, there is one important factor that they tend to ignore. It is the factor of
time which people easily take for granted. Therefore, I have learned in this lecture that we should
always think about time while generating ideas or making plans. I learnt that we should be to
involve the time management while designing our thinking. The thinking process should involve
imagination, the basic need, problem solution, different choices and consequences. However,
most of the part is depended on the customer’s perspective involving five steps as the parameter,
empathize, idea, design, prototype and design.
While writing about this blog and thinking about the lecture helped realize the
importance of time (Poister, Pasha & Edwards, 2013). Often I have made plans and expected it
to work without giving thought to the amount of time that is necessary for that particular plan.
Also, the time-oriented goal is better and helps to evaluate growth and improvement. Although I
am good at planning and executing I have realised I need to work on my time management
involving the five parameters.

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What you want to be? Problem diagnoser or Solver? (Sunday, 23 September 2018,
12:52 PM)
In the reality, it has been found that often it is the person who finds out the problem is the
one who will find the solution to it. However, in today’s busy schedule the similar process is not
considered the best methods of solving problems. Writing about this lecture and helped me
realize the importance of analysing a problem that once comes across. The mere thought of
solving a problem is not the only way that can help but thinking about the reasons that have
caused the problem might be helpful. Blogging about this lecture I came across the example that
organizations have feedback department where they accumulate the customer’s feedback and the
research and development department finds a solution to it. The research and development team
is present to analyse the problem and its related aspects which helps them find the solution.
Reading the blog I have written has helped me understand more. I realized I have the potential to
think and analyse a problem to find a solution to it. Although I was unaware of the helpful
process, I have always tried fixing my problem with the same procedure. Often we are unaware
of what we are doing in term of terminology however we follow the same direction (Maibom,
2014). The only weakness is that I did not know the process step by step which is known to me
at the present. Therefore, the improvement will be on the same aspect.
FINAL PRESENT TO THE CUSTOMERS (FRIDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018, 8:49 PM)
To know the ability of the tool that was produced, it was necessary to present it in front
of the customers. This week’s information was regarding the similar factor. We had created a
tool which was aiming to make people independent and risk-free however we wanted to know
the customer’s feedback as it was the only way of finding out the usefulness of it. We were

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determined to make use of every feedback we received so the product could be improved. The
system was to involve a fast approach to the feedback and reduce the meaningless prototype. We
also aimed to go with our prototype and to find out more problems and begin the process of
figuring out the causes and solutions of the problem.
While writing about this particular week, there was an interesting part of me I came
across. While interacting with the customers, I realized people are different and therefore it is
necessary to have proper communication skills to interact with them. People are from diverse
background and different people have different norms, values and principles (Kahneman &
Tversky, 2013). I understood the basic rule of communicating with a different type of people is
by being utterly humble and polite, a quality I possess. I need to improve my knowledge
regarding the cultural factors that play important role in communication, however, I am capable
of mastering good communication skills.
CUSTOMER CO-CREATION (FRIDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018, 9:23 PM)
It was a big problem to find out a solution to the problem that we faced during this
course. We were restricted from interviewing people outside our university campus and it was a
major problem for us. We all acted together to find a solution and with some brainstorming and
our professor’s guidance, we were able to find a solution to it. We thought of going to some
organizations such as Vision Australia, Blind Citizen Australia, Department of Health and
Human Services and State-wide Vision Research Centre. According to the discussion, we would
go to these organizations and give a presentation of our product. Receiving the feedback from
them we could make the perfect solution for our customer.

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While writing about the experience the only word that helped me understand myself was
brainstorming. Reflecting on the experience and the blog written by me, I was able to identify
one of my strengths. Being a perfectionist and being perfect are two different things (Clayton,
2015). As I have already mentioned that I like to be perfect with my job, it is important for me to
find the best possible solution. It was defiantly a good idea of mine to approach my professor
who was able to give us helpful information. Therefore, I am good at solving the problem and
also find the source of the problem. I still consider it as a part that needs more improvement
along with time.
MAKING PRODUCT MORE VALUABLE FOR CUSTOMERS WITH MIND STORMING
(SUNDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2018, 1:04 PM)
This week I learnt about the Value Chain Analysis and mind mapping tools. I learnt that a
product is made to meet the needs of the customers and therefore, a value is added to the product
when any company launches it. The value is created by the product’s feature, the purpose it
serves and the idea involved in it. Therefore, every company is looking for ways to create more
value for their product in front of the customers. Value chain helps in creating the value of a
product. It was interesting to know the ways companies use the feedbacks of the customers and
utilize the information to create the market value of the product. The research and development
department has the responsibility to analyse the feedback and develop strategies to increase
marketing, sales, customer service and related aspects. I have also learnt about mind mapping, an
activity that helps to convert ideas into a graphical flowchart.
Reflecting on the blog that I have written on this particular week, I have understood the
importance of value chain analyse and mind mapping. This tool can be used to develop self as
well. Every day we come across different experience and therefore, I will practice mind mapping

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on daily basis. The value chain analysis will be given more importance so it helps me attract
customers in the future (Goldstein, 2014).

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Action plan
Weekly lectures Action to achieve
driven by the
weekly lecture
Target Benefits Time scale
Things which we
cannot see
improving my
listening skills,
situation analysis and
being more observant
Be able to calm
myself and
analyse situations
through various
perspective.
Better
communication,
Concentration.
End of the
university.
Make your prototype Focusing on learning
and not the success.
Self-development
and developing
the understanding
of learning.
Stress free mind,
focus on the tasks
As needed
Problem- Different
Personal Definition -
Wicked Problems
Improving listening
skills while
focusing on tasks
and being
observant.
Be able to
multitask.
Creative and
efficient
As needed
When someone can
make his/her idea to
reality
Develop time
management by
setting short term
goals.
Be able to
achieve the short
term goals.
Help in setting long
term goals and
become efficient.
End of
university
What you want to be?
problem diagnosor or
Start writing journals
on problems faced
Finish writing
problems and
Better understanding End of the

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solver daily and evaluate it. evaluation for a
month.
of situations. university
Final Present to The
Customers.
Improve knowledge
on cultural diversity
and its importance.
Work on multi-
culture awareness.
Know knowledge
regarding top 10
cultural
diversities.
Better
communication and
capable of
developing healthy
business relationship
As needed
Customer Co-
Creation
Work on
communication skills
and presentation
skills.
Can
communicate
well with other
people.
Better
Communication
skills
End of
university
Conclusion:
Since blogging can help in learning in many ways, it is often used in various places as a
method of learning. Many bloggers have similar say to this and therefore it is a widely used
method of self-reflection used to improve oneself. Along with nurturing our writing, blogs are
useful in keeping track of activities that we carry out and improve refection skills. In this report I
was able to identify the importance of the blogs I have written on my weekly lectures and
experiences. Therefore, it is indeed a helpful tool for learning and self-improvement.

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Reference:
Beyth-Marom, R., Dekel, S., Gombo, R., & Shaked, M. (2013). An elementary approach to
thinking under uncertainty. Routledge. 126-143
Clayton, M. (2015). Anti-perfectionist childrearing. In The Nature of Children's Well-Being
(pp. 123-140). Springer, Dordrecht.
Dos, B., & Demir, S. (2013). The analysis of the blogs created in a blended course through
the reflective thinking perspective. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 13(2),
1335-1344.
Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday
experience. Nelson Education.
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (2013). Choices, values, and frames. In Handbook of the
Fundamentals of Financial Decision Making: Part I (pp. 269-278).
Maibom, H. L. (2014). Knowing what we are doing. Moral psychology and human agency,
108-22.
Morrison, J., Roth McDuffie, A., & French, B. (2015). Identifying key components of
teaching and learning in a STEM school. School Science and Mathematics, 115(5),
244-255.
Poister, T. H., Pasha, O. Q., & Edwards, L. H. (2013). Does performance management lead
to better outcomes? Evidence from the US public transit industry. Public
Administration Review, 73(4), 625-636.

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van den Brink, M., Holgersson, C., Linghag, S., & Deé, S. (2016). Inflating and down
playing strengths and weaknesses—practicing gender in the evaluation of potential
managers and partners. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 32(1), 20-32.
Vurdien, R. (2013). Enhancing writing skills through blogging in an advanced English as a
Foreign Language class in Spain. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 26(2), 126-
143.