Blended Learning & Professional Development

This assignment involves examining the integration of online and face-to-face learning (blended learning) within various professional contexts. It requires an analysis of six academic papers focusing on blended learning in healthcare (Glogowska et al., 2011), teacher education (Hadar & Brody, 2013; López-Pastor et al., 2011), and social work (Pallisera et al., 2013). Additionally, the assignment should discuss the role of self-managed learning and personal versus professional development (Moon, 2013; Online sources) in enhancing educational practices. The analysis should highlight key findings, theories, methods, and recommendations from each paper to provide a comprehensive understanding of blended learning's impact on continuing professional development.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches of self-managed learning ..................................................................................1
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged.........................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning........................................................................................2
4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems..............................................................................3
4.2 Various styles of communication..........................................................................................4
4.3 Effective time management strategies..................................................................................4
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies .....................................................................5
2.2 Identify own development needs and activities....................................................................6
2.3 Identify current needs and future needs................................................................................7
2.4 Devise a personal and professional plan...............................................................................7
3.1 Processes and activities required for the development plan................................................10
3.2 Documentation development activities as planned.............................................................10
3.3 Reflection on own learning ................................................................................................11
3.4 Development plan based on feedback and evaluation........................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional development is the term which is related an individual or a
group. It is related with managing own learning and skills of a person throughout for its career.
The concept of PPD helps in increasing opportunities towards career development as well as
progression for an individual. Hotel Hilton is a international brand of hotel services and resorts.
It has approximate 570 hotels in 85 countries of all over the world. Various learning styles and
its benefits are also explained in this report. It is required for manager to regulate different
programmes and activities for improving employees performance and organizational
productivity (Beach, 2012). Along with this, a personal and professional development plan is
discussed below that gives strengthen to the current skills of employees and by applying such
skills in new area manager can easily achieve goals and objectives of company. In last, effective
time management strategies and communication styles are also described.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches of self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is a methodology by which a person can be attentive towards
developing its competencies in a particular job or field. It is the process by which an
individual can learn things in many ways whether from organisation or from somewhere
else. Following are the tools as well as approaches of self-managed learning: - Seminars and conferences – An Individual and people can learn through professional
workshops, seminars and conferences. All these are an effective tool through which
people can enhance their knowledge and acquire new things. In context of Hotel Hilton,
if employees attend various seminars and conferences which are organised by higher
authorities then it helps to motivate and encourage them toward their work. With
reference to this, people can also learn about new methods of increasing productivity and
applying the same in their production process. Internet – It is the tool with that a person can learn each and every thing about their
study. It has vast information and data (Brody and Hadar, 2011). A common search of
internet allows an individual to access information about various topics. With the help of
retrieving data, employees can acquire skills and knowledge so that they can become
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successful in the work place. There are divergent topics which are written by different
authors are also available on internet.
 Social media – Various social sites i.e. Facebook, twitter, google, yahoo and so on, help
people to extend their knowledge about recent topics. There are many web articles and
blogs which are written by different authors are easily available on these sites; with that
an individual can acquire more knowledge and experience.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged
Lifelong learning is concern with continuous learning. If a person wants to achieve
success in life then it is required to adopt the habit of learning. The person has to set long and
short term goal which motivates them to get an edge over his potentials and skills through which
the scope of continuous learning can also be increased. Below mentioned the ways of continuous
and lifelong learning: -
 Reading newspapers, journals and magazines can also improvise knowledge and
intelligence of person.
 Self-evaluation is another good technique, this supports professional learning of
employees. It can be done through SWOT analysis, which contribute to assess strength
and weakness of a person. Along with this, strengths of an individual can be – good
learning skills and ambitious etc., weaknesses can be – get stressed or short tempered etc.
 In corporate sectors, employees have to participate in various professional activities
where they can learn innovative methods of product development (Calderhead, Denicolo
and Day, 2012).
 Seminars, workshop and conferences are also cooperative in order to improve learning
skills of a person whereas many organisations are conducted group discussions so that
their employees can acquire more proficiencies.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
As per above mentioned, self-managed learning is beneficial for personal as well as
professional development of an individual. It improves skills, experience and knowledge of a
person. While the concept of self managed learning can be applied over organisations, teams and
a person. If Hotel Hilton adopts this methodology then it will help in accomplishing goals and
objectives. There are given following advantages of self managed learning: -
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 It develops the ability of leadership among people so that they can manage all activities
and functions of business organisation. An effective leadership is also known as
interpersonal dynamics. It is manipulated on learning process. Leadership persuades and
bring together the people of divergent cultures (Cleary, M. and et. al., 2011).
 Good communication and strong relationships are also cover under self-managed
learning. In modern world, maximum number of international organisations are multi
cultured. So it becomes very hard for manager to communicate with diverse culture
employees. Although, effective and efficient communication is helpful to perform all the
activities of cited organisation. Along with this, self-managed learning is also useful in
improving communication among employees and managers so they can take better
decisions and actions for business organisation.
 Another main benefit of self-managed learning is- it motivates and encourage employees
of organisation so that they can perform in well manner. In that, a person or an employee
should be motivated to do the things moreover it relates with job satisfaction.
4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems
In Hotel Hilton, there are number of issues and problems through which employees are
not able to work properly. Following are the problems of workplace: -
 Appraisals
 Harassment and bullying
 Discrimination
 Internet misuse
 Lack of cooperation and coordination
Along with this, there are diverse nature and cultural people are worked together so that
it is not possible for employers to manage all staff members at same time. In order to reduce
these issues and circumstances, manager has to conduct programmes and activities where all
employees can communicate with each other (Cooke, 2012). This will also supportive to
improve their personal and professional relations. Another work based problem is lack of
production. In cited organisation, managers have to evaluate skills and abilities of all employees
and provide them training. Below mention a plan that is helpful to overcome the work-based
problems: -
 Identify the issues
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 Understand everyone's interest
 Make a list of possible solutions
 Evaluate the options
 Select one among all alternatives
 Document the agreements
 Agree on monitoring and evaluation, contingencies.
4.2 Various styles of communication
In every business organisation, communication is essential at each and every level.
Managers of Hotel Hilton should adopt the policy of open and freely communication at top to
bottom management. There are two types of communication styles that can be used at
workplaces: - Verbal communication – It encompasses any form of communication i.e. oral, written
etc. Verbal communication is the way through which an individual can directly share
ideas and thoughts with another person. In business organisation, it helps employees to
share their problems with managers (Desimone, 2011).
 Non-verbal communication – It is totally different from verbal communication. Non-
verbal communication refers to posture, gesture, body languages, eye contacts, touch,
tone of voice etc. It helps employees to reinforce or modify what is said in words. In
addition, this also cooperative in providing feedbacks to another person and regulate the
flow of communication in firm.
4.3 Effective time management strategies
Uses of effective time management strategies are really helpful for managers as they can
easily finish all tasks and activities on the given time period. It is useful for employees in
increasing their performance as well as productivity (Ebert-May and et. al., 2011). Below
mentioned some time management strategies and its uses: - Be punctual – It is one of the most important time management strategy. If an individual
is always punctual towards all activities and tasks then such person can easily achieve its
goals and objectives. Punctuality makes a person determinant and goal oriented.
 Take decisions according to the plan – If the manager of Hotel Hilton is able to make
resolutions or take actions according to the plan, they can easily attain aims and targets
in competitive market. This will help to start an activity on certain time period. If
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decisions are effective then it will improve market image and reputation of business
organisation.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies
CURRICULUM VIATE
Name:- XYZ
Mobile No. - 1324158255
E-Mail ID -
CAREER OBJECTIVE –
 To seek professional knowledge in an environment which is offering various
experiences while working in it.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION -
 Bachelor of Commerce
 Master’s in Business Administration
TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Having a good knowledge of M.S word, EXCEL (V look up and H look up),
PowerPoint, Outlook.
 Windows operating system
 Internet access
 Tally 9.0
PERSONAL SKILLS
 Ability to team building
 Effective communication skills
 Punctuality and Honesty
 “Can Do” attitude
DECLARATION
I solemnly declare that above mentioned information is true to best of my knowledge.
Below mentioned furthermore own skills and competencies of an individual: -
5

 Leadership skills are the necessity of a human being. It helps to take initiative and
corrective actions as well as decisions at the time when it needed.
 Managerial skills support a person to manage all employees who are working under him.
 While effective communication skills are helpful to communicate and dealing with
others in business organisation.
2.2 Identify own development needs and activities
SWOT analysis is the tool through which I can identifies my strength, weaknesses and
future opportunities or threats. It is too indispensable to know the requirements of personal and
professional development for improvising learning skills which is used while doing particular
job.
STRENGTH WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
I am articulated and
ambitious towards my
career.
I do not have specific
knowledge about
corporate world as my
working experience is
also low.
As I have ability to
interact with people so
that I can learn many
things from them.
Lack of money and
family restriction.
My communication,
technical, writing and
learning skills are also
good.
Another weakness is, I
have lack of
managerial skills. I
am an emotional as
well as impatience
person.
I can remove all
personal as well
professional
obstructions and feel
freely while doing
tasks.
Working with large
environment can also
bring many
complexities and
issues.
I am a hardworking
and honest person. I
have ability to work
under pressure.
Feeling hesitated in
meeting with new
people or strangers. I
also have lack of
leadership skills due to
my low experience.
Many multinational
companies are
established that can
provide me better job
opportunities.
Always willing to
learn new and
I am not able to take
quick and fast
I have great field of
job and to earn money.
6

innovative things. Due
to my friendly
behaviour, I can easily
mingle with my co-
workers.
decisions. My anger is
also one of the biggest
barrier in my own
development.
I can easily have
engaged with people
as per their experience
they give me
feedbacks for my
personal development
and growth.
2.3 Identify current needs and future needs Current Needs – As I have competed my studies, so my current needs to get a job within
a repute business organisation. Along with this, right now I am focusing on my leadership
as well as managerial skills. Due to my articulate nature I can easily convince people at
workplace. My honesty and hard working helps me to do well in business entity. I also
have to increase my network and interact with new people; this will help me to improve
my communication skills and reduces hesitation. To enter into a corporate world, I have
to work more on my leadership and managerial skills. This will support me to become a
good manager.
 Future needs – I want to do work with a reputed company as I have to improve my
personal as well as professional skills. Not to cope up with time pressure may be my
future job vulnerable. For the weakness of decision making, I have to work on it. I also
have to do work on my managerial skills as I can take initiative actions for the
development of company. As per my emotional nature, people can try to make me
emotionally hijacked so as I have to become strong and will focus on my career goals.
2.4 Devise a personal and professional plan
S. No. LEARNI
NG
OBJECTI
VES
CURREN
T
PROFIE
NCY
TARGET
PROFICI
ENCY
DEVELO
PMENT
OPPORT
UNITIES
CRIETR
EA FOR
JUDGIN
G
SUCCES
S
TIME
SCALE
EVIDEN
CE
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1. Improving
my
manageria
l and
leadership
skills
As I have
low
experience
of
corporate
world so I
have lack
of
manageria
l and
leadership
skills.
Right now
I cannot
handle a
team at
workplace.
I want to
lead a
team and
become a
manager
of reputed
business
entity.
With the
assistance
of this
improvem
ent, I will
be capable
to manage
all
activities
and
functions
of
business
organisati
on. After
that, I can
lead a
team
which
works
according
to my
rules and
regulation
s.
With the
judgement
of higher
authorities
and
directors.
20 Days Managers
2. Developin
g my
communic
ation skills
I think my
communic
ation skills
are also
not good. I
am feeling
I want to
become a
good
communic
ator as I
can deal
With this
improvem
ent I can
easily
communic
ate with
With the
identificati
on of my
friends
and
colleagues
15 Days Co-
workers
and staff
members
8

anxious
and
hesitated
towards
talking
with new
people and
strangers.
and work
with a
team in
efficient
manner.
all people
in my
departmen
t. I can
also share
necessary
informatio
n with
them.
.
3. Improving
decision
making
process
In present,
I am not
able to
take
correct
and
initiative
actions.
Due to
this,
sometimes
have lost
many
great
opportunit
ies in my
career.
If I am
able to
take
quickly
and fast
decisions;
it will
helps me
to
implement
effective
strategies
and
policies.
With that,
I can take
quick and
fast
decisions
as per the
requireme
nt of
higher
authorities
.
Directors
and
chairperso
ns will
judge it
according
to my
performan
ce.
30 Days Higher
authorities
and
directors.
4. Improving
presentatio
n skills
Sometime,
I am not
able to
give an
I want to
become a
good
presenter
I can
become a
good
presenter
With the
help of
senior
managers
10 Days My
colleagues
and other
departmen
9

effective
predetermi
nation.
Through
which,
people
cannot
understand
what I
exactly
want to
say.
with
excellent
Communi
cation
skills.
who can
give
presentatio
n on each
and every
topic.
and
leaders.
t's
managers.
3.1 Processes and activities required for the development plan
Below mentioned are two activities that are required in personal and professional growth
of an individual, that are as follow: - Long term activities – Long term activities are related with continuous and lifelong
learning. For future my long term goals are, I have to build up my strengths and learn
more and more from working environment. In addition, I will have to groom up my
managerial as well as leadership skills through which I can become a good manger. In
future I also want to establish my own company so that I can earn more money and set up
operative plans for the same.
 Short term activities – My short term competencies are; I think, I have to change my
weaknesses into my strengths. I have to improve my communication skills; it will help
me to deal with people. With reference to this, I can easily communicate with divergent
cultural people in business organisation. I also have to develop my presentation skills; it
will support me to present my point of view in front of others.
3.2 Documentation development activities as planned
As per above stated objectives which I set for my own concern. On the basis of all these
goals and targets I will be capable to improvise my competencies as well as skills. Personal and
10

professional development plan is related with enhancing the knowledge as well as interpersonal
qualities of an individual. Below given some activities from which I have to go through: -
 For my long term activities, it will help me in my own development and growth. As I
want to gain experience of corporate sector, for that I will have to work with large
commercial enterprise. Through which I will be capable to improve my managerial as
well as leadership skills. Both are beneficial for me to become a successful manager in
my life.
 As per my weakness, there is lack of decision making power; I have to groom up the
same. This activity can take 25-30 days but it is helpful for me to take quick and fast
decisions while making effective strategies and policies.
 My short term activities are facilitating my communication and improves presentation
skills. It takes 15 – 20 days; after that I will be able to deal with strangers in effective
manner.
3.3 Reflection on own learning
With the help of using competencies and learning styles I can improve my interpersonal
qualities and abilities. I also have to complete my learning classes on the given time period. I can
consult with my senior managers; they give me better suggestions on the part where I have to
work more and more. I also have to attend all seminars and workshops regularly, that are held on
business organisation through which I can gain more and more knowledge, this will assist me to
develop my managerial and leadership qualities.
3.4 Development plan based on feedback and evaluation
As per above stated updated plan my competencies and skills are getting improve as day
passes. Now I can easily communicate with people and my hesitation is also getting declined
while talking with strangers. After attending seminars and conferences my managerial and
leadership skills are developed. Now I am handling a team of 7-8 person in an effective manner.
But I have to work more and more on my decision making skills for that I have to ask to my
senior managers and higher authorities for being a part of their crucial meetings and group
discussions. By this, my intellectual skills will be furnished.
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CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that personal and professional
development is the requirement of every person. It is very indispensable to improve skills and
knowledge of employees towards his job or duty. The present report involves the approaches as
well as benefits of self managed learning. It is helpful in order to identify competencies and
abilities of employees. There is a personal and professional development plan that aids in finding
learning and target objectives of an individual. Along with this, the report also describe
strategies of time management through which managers can easily achieve goals and objectives
of business organisation.
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