My personal growth have been evaluated

Reflective Portfolio

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Stage 1: Description.....................................................................................................................2
Stage 2: Feelings..........................................................................................................................2
Stage 3: Evaluation......................................................................................................................3
Stage 4: Analysis.........................................................................................................................4
Stage 5: Conclusion.....................................................................................................................4
Stage 6: Action Plan....................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Reflective portfolio is a written assessment of an individual’s learning that include reflection.
The learning from this can be used as a tool for future planning and lifelong learning. In the
study, the learning period from different certification courses have been highlighted that they are
an advanced tool for upgrading employability and research skills. In this context, my personal
growth have been evaluated with respect to several data analytical skills. Also, areas for my
professional development is identified through this reflection statement. Thus, the report will
present an evaluation through Gibbs model defining the reflective cycle including all the steps.
At last an action plan will present future recommendation for me.
MAIN BODY
In the view of Gibbs reflective cycle description, feelings, evaluation, analyses, conclusion and
action plan is portrayed after the certification programs undertaken from LinkedIn Learning
(Fathelrahman, 2019). I found that I gained a lot of information about work facility through
technology and acquired new skills. In addition to it, I have established personal strengths and
weaknesses along with new perspectives for the future. Therefore, all the six steps are
illuminated hereunder:
Figure 1: Gibbs Model
(Source: Bassot, 2016)
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Stage 1: Description
In order to enhance my research skills and employability I have gained four certificates from
LinkedIn Learning counting Learning Office 365, Google Forms Essential Training, Office 365
New features and EndNote Essential Training. I have expanded my outlook over the course of
the term, sharpening my ability to ensure my demand in the future. Moreover, I have developed
skills sets through each and every certification course to boost my workforce resume. As well, I
tried to enhance my skills which can help me inculcate unique attributes
Learning Office 365 made me realise that I can save my potential time by better organisation,
work from anywhere, unfussy features and improved security and control over data. Thus, I
would be able crack interviews with ease. Further, the Google form certification has developed
new set of skills in me that assist me to creating real connections using Google apps. Thus, it
would be assisting while conducting research to evaluate survey responses and viewing them or
closing them if no responses are required in future (Friedrichsen, 2016). It is clear that Google
forms would assist me to create quick and easy survey in future (Google Forms Essential
Training, 2020).
Through the third certification of Office 365 New features I have enhanced by office skills sets
on new features offered by the same. It helped to understand the benefits of collaboration,
advanced security and enhanced email capabilities. Also, I learned that I could be able to
eliminate the unnecessary hardware and save energy costs. Additionally, I took EndNote
certification as well that assisted me to learn regarding creating simpler from of managing
bibliographies and citing creation. Thus, I would be able to reduce time devoted on combing and
formatting references. Also, the tedious aspects of referencing and formatting are highly reduced
and easy to manage with the searching time.
Stage 2: Feelings
During the certification training, I noticed that my peers were frustrated at times and even I did.
However, it is normal according to my instructors. Since, there were points when we got
triggered during some events and situation that occurred. I feel that those events made me
enhance my team collaborative skills and all the other highlighted skill sets in stage one. During
initial phase, I was little frustrated but gradually I enjoyed the learning courses that certainly
enhanced my skills. I had noticed that after every certification I regained all important things
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collected through my training materials and felt upgraded. Now I am able to create my own
reference library, I have great collaborative skills and I can organise my work through office 365
every easily and utilise SharePoint team sites. However, the online courses helped me a lot while
managing my other learning along with these certification courses to organise my work with
other things. Initially, I felt it would be waste of time. Nevertheless, now when I look back it is
worth spending time and effort for an individual that is willing to increase their employability
skills and add to their professional development. The genuine engagement made me complete the
certification with more interest and optimism. The motivation I had was a due to the curiosity I
had during the term engaging the benefits of using every platform. Thus, I was able to connect
with real life requirements and fascination for my career with the help of application of advanced
technologies.
Stage 3: Evaluation
It is apparent that learning a course just to pass is not the expected outcome. However, the
courses were done to become lifelong learner. I found during the term that it is not just learning
but aligning real life job roles and responsibilities with the content. However, creating objectives
before the training period is crucial so that every opportunity shall be taken as relevant prospect
(Hsu, Wenting and Hughes, 2019). In this regards, I made systematic modules to understand the
impact and benefits of the certification courses and understand their practical knowledge using
the chapters available on the online websites of LinkedIn. This way, I could use my newly
acquired expertise in my job and wouldn't lose it quickly.
While learning office 365 and its new facilities I have to know about cloud computing,
collaboration tools and other features of Office 265. Moreover, I learnt that I do not have to wait
to come back to workplace next day to complete my work. But, I can manage and organise my
work schedule from anywhere through office 365 applications from any device. Since, the
applications offer new writing assistance and research skills. Similarly, Google forms taught how
to manage my work through Google apps and conduct surveys and perform data analysis. Thus, I
created a good knowledge base of research and project management. Additionally, I got to know
about thus training of endnote essential, and it was really requisite for my career building. So, I
took this training and learned academic research and EndNote skills sets. Consequently, from
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theses certifications things worked well as planned and expected and produced good quality of
knowledge for me. It contributed to my skills very positively and ethically.
Stage 4: Analysis
From above evaluation I made for myself I could sense the reasons of good or bad experiences I
had. However, each and every moment brought a learning experience that certainly enhanced my
personal and professional knowledge. I made modules according to the interests I had and the
recommendations on LinkedIn network. Therefore, setting goals went so well they were exactly
aligned with my professional development goals. In addition, they offered an application that is
installed on my phone and synced with desktop. By using that application I could download
different videos and watch them like podcasts and learn better. Also, I could keep track of my
progress during the entire term period. Accordingly, I possibly understood my loop holes and
minimise their impact on my success. Quizzes were organised to boost my experience after every
chapter according to instructor and learning course. I thought that this way I could save and
exploit my efforts and time more efficiently. As per Belbin’s theory we know that a person has
own strengths and weaknesses. Thus, I created every module according to my own strengths and
ability to gain knowledge (). With the completion of courses I could add the acquired skills to my
LinkedIn profile and share them with my network to ensure that my skills are aligned with my
objectives and professional development.
Stage 5: Conclusion
While inferring this analysis and evaluation of four certification learning courses I could
understand that as a learner I had gained a lot from them. However, these certifications are not
accredited like any other certification program. They are like self learning course that could
enhance personal abilities and skills of an individual for future (Muñoz-Mata and Pech, 2019).
Me as a learner could become skilled at project management and research skills and also learn
data analytical skills through this. I can conclude that if a person wants to divide his or her goals
according to the end result and wishes to feel after each chapter is completed. Nevertheless, I
will continue to identify my own strengths and weaknesses from my own experience and work
on them using the ' Belbin team roles ' framework for longer projects.
I can also conclude that you have to challenge yourself to gain a positive experience and
understand the importance of learning. In addition, it is discovered that I can be a good project
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manager by engaging my critical thinking skills. I have realised my own weaknesses and have
worked on them thorough the training period. However, there are some unanswered questions
which could be resolved after the implementation of the new action plan.
Stage 6: Action Plan
As a newly trained learner I can understand the importance of action plan after completion of
some training. Since, it is natural that if a person has undergone some training the process does
not end there. It is essential to identify own mistake and ensure that they are not repeated in
future. I can also sense that acquiring the certificates I mentioned is not enough. I must ensure
that certain related training courses are followed so that expertise is acquired. In that respect, I
have created an effective action plan for myself.
 I would be completing some related courses to the cortication programs I have attended
recently.
 I would be creating an improved target plan from my past experience that is concrete and
achievable.
 Align my past acquired skills with new available courses.
 Analyse oneself through personal SWOT analysis.
 Last but not least, I will practice the acquired skills regularly to ensure that they are not
forgotten like some school literature story.
However, following these steps are not enough, but, a question arises that what type of training
courses are required to be engaged in. So, I have to deeply analyse the future requirements of
profession and my current strengths and weakness. There is a famous phrase that “Do a job you
love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. Since, it is a fact that if a person is
happily engaged in a work they never struggle to be content (O’Neill and Rothbard, 2017). So, it
is not about just engaging in some task just to make an addition to resume. But, it is the decision
of an individual out of their own happiness and longing. Thus, I have made a clear decision that I
will be doing three additional training that is required. Firstly, I will be doing SPSS for academic
research to run test and analyse and interpret quantitative data. With the SPSS certification
course, I would be gaining thorough knowledge regarding data analysis and applying statistical
tools in different context. Additionally, I would perform NVivo course that would be adding to
my qualitative research analytical tools. It is most effective courses after Google forms and
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SPPSS where as a learner could be gaining skills to new project creation and importing required
documents. After this, the Survey Monkey Essential Training could be an additional course after
Google forms. This is the software that allows the user to generate surveys and perform online
review for the business. The platform has templates for designing questionnaires and
customising those designs.
CONCLUSION
By summing up this study, I can conclude that the reflective portfolio has provided a summary of
the practical assignments conducted. I have noticed that the certification courses taken by myself
in beginning were according to the recommendations and requirements of my qualification and
future profession. But, as I completed these programs and analysed the gain and mistakes of
myself I got to know about the importance of certification programs. I can infer that the
programs advanced my skills and enhanced my employability and given a break to explore
opportunities.
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REFERENCES
Bassot, B., (2016). The reflective journal. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Fathelrahman, A., (2019). Using reflection to improve distance learning course delivery: a case
study of teaching a management information systems course. Open Learning: The Journal of
Open, Distance and e-Learning, 34(2), pp.176-186.
Friedrichsen, L., (2016). Illustrated Course Guide: Microsoft Office 365 & Access 2016
Introductory. Cengage Learning.
Google Forms Essential Training, (2020). Google Forms Essential Training. [Online] Accessed
through: [Accessed on 21 January 2020].
Hsu, H.P., Wenting, Z. and Hughes, J.E., (2019). Developing elementary students’ digital
literacy through augmented reality creation: Insights from a longitudinal analysis of
questionnaires, interviews, and projects. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 57(6),
pp.1400-1435.
Muñoz-Mata, M.A. and Pech, J.P.U., (2019). Influence of Belbin’s Roles in the Quality of the
Software Requirements Specification Development by Student Teams. In Trends and
Applications in Software Engineering: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on
Software Process Improvement (CIMPS 2019) (Vol. 1071, p. 91). Springer Nature.
O’Neill, O.A. and Rothbard, N.P., (2017). Is love all you need? The effects of emotional culture,
suppression, and work–family conflict on firefighter risk-taking and health. Academy of
Management Journal, 60(1), pp.78-108.
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APPENDIX
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