Reflective Report on Module Academic Writing and Research

This reflective report covers the learning and development process in the construction industry in relation to innovation and technology. It also includes a personal development plan focusing on relevant skills to be developed in the future.

Reflective report of
Module Academic writing
and research

Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Reflective document regarding learning and development process in construction industry in
relation to innovation and technology .........................................................................................1
Reflection on completion of presentation....................................................................................2
Personal development plan .........................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Technological innovation can be understood as an opportunities relating to new market or
service which is typically based on invention and development (Bottomley, Pryjmachuk and
Cartney, 2018). Technology supports innovative practices in an effective manner which becomes
a source for organisations to gain competitive advantage. Technological innovations is beneficial
for organisation as it aids them to increase their productivity as well as improving overall
standards of living of individuals. This project report aims to demonstrate individual's learning
through a reflective journal This project report essentially covers learning and development
process which is learned by me in my university module that is academic research and writing. It
also includes a personal development plan that principally focuses on relevant skills that are to
developed by me in future.
MAIN BODY
Reflective document regarding learning and development process in construction industry in
relation to innovation and technology
I have attended a module in my university called 'Academic research and writing' which
help me in enhancing my learning and development. In this presented module, I was given a
topic of innovation and technology in a construction industry. At initial phase of my learning, I
gained basic knowledge about the topic which is significance of innovation and technology in a
construction industry. I learned that constant innovations with the help of advanced technology is
important for any industry to grow and develop in a sizeable manner (Bowman, 2021). I also
learned about varied aspects related to construction industry and how innovations are used in this
sector. I learned that for making the construction industry more viable and efficient, automated
techniques and artificial intelligence has been used in an emergent way which help me to have a
deep understanding regarding the desired sector. At later stages, I got the knowledge regarding
how artificial intelligence is used in organisations operating in construction industry uses for
making collaborative robots for making their work easy and quick. Through this organisational
managers in construction industry try to eliminate complexities and sophisticated activities. This
technology also helps organisation operating in a construction industry to forecast varied
outcomes which help them to make the processes simpler and can work in a proactive approach.
I have assessed during my research that people desires are lift up to make a house with high-
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quality materials. By assessing this needs, construction companies have chose to build a platform
known as industrialised housebuilding for offering a desirable position to their clients.
During my research in my university module, I have enhanced my knowledge through
having a deeper understanding regarding various technological-based practices adopted by
construction establishments. I learned about drone-based inspection, as well as lesar-based terrin
which aids them to provide larger amount of protection and safety to their workers. I have
analysed that this technological practices also assist organisations in reducing their labour cost as
well as increasing accuracy. I have also learned that machine learning, artificial intelligence and
collaborative robotics procedures assists organisational managers of construction companies to
make critical decisions in a simpler way (Dugartsyrenova, 2020). I also learned about resource
as well as workflow management software which is typically used by companies operating in a
construction industry. Through learning and researching about this topic, I have gained my
knowledge about computing, artificial intelligence and robotics. This module has also enhance
my time management skills as I have to research and also have to submit my work before
deadline. This reflective journal has also provided me knowledge about my existing as well as
new skills which I have to develop further. I assessed that I am lacking in a time management
and presentation skills which I have to develop and also prepared a personal development plan
for this.
Reflection on completion of presentation
In order to reflect on my experience from the presentation, I applied Gibbs Reflective
Theory. My experience is describe briefly below in six stages of Gibbs Reflective Theory:
Description- I performed better while making presentation about “Innovation and
Technology”. I take on various researches about techniques and software that can assist in
reducing construction firms costs and enhances efforts of workforce (Gibbons, 2018). I outlines
various measures and standards by which enterprises can operate their activities swimmingly by
avoiding obstacles and risks. After making full presentation, my understanding in terms of
innovation and various technologies have improved which will help me in my future
assignments.
Feelings- While researching about techniques used in construction industry, I feel that it
have helped me in increasing my knowledge about technologies and software present. Also,
when I present my work to my peers, I felt confident as I take on thorough research about the
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topic. I was ready to answer any questions related to subject as I felt I have gained accurate
knowledge about Innovation and Technology. I worked with my full potential on this
presentation and finished it in specified time which improved my self esteem. My peers showed
great interest in my presentation and give me positive feedback about how I can improve it
further.
Evaluation- I properly assess my full presentation after finishing it. From the stage to
research to the stage of completion, I makes proper evaluation. By accurately examining full
presentation, I comprehend which measures as well as ways worked in positive outcome and
which ends up wasting my time (Holtham and Dove, 2018). I assessed that I should have
research about more organisation which develops innovation and technology as well as to
evaluate macro factors affecting construction industry. Things that leads to positive result is my
extensive research about various kinds of techniques used. I thoroughly studied about sustainable
options in technologies and robotics total stations adopted by companies which assists them to
effectively minimise carbon emission to save nature.
Analysis- At this level, I creates accurate analysis of what leads to constructive outcome
in my presentation and what did not get attention of my peers. My extensive investigation about
various innovations and techniques in construction sector has proven to be successful in creating
my presentation captivating. This also facilitate me to comprehend how essential it is for
organisations to adopt technologies which are sustainable in nature in order to achieve quick
growth. But in addition to that, I face some difficulties too which I analysed after acquiring
response from my peers.
Conclusion- At last, exploring about various methods of technologies and innovation and
creating a presentation, it facilitate me to learn about how fast technologies are advancing and
how crucial it is for organisations to maintain the pace (Howard, 2021). I have been successful in
improving my research skills about particular topic and elements that can impact those directly
or indirectly.
Action plan- My action plan includes activities that will enhance my confidence while
presentation information I collected. To attain this, I will set up my procured data in a way which
will capture attention of listeners. I will work on my weakness of public speaking skills which
will aid me to communicate my knowledge to my peers. I will also strive to develop my
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technical skills so that I understand about various techniques, innovations and technologies
adopted by construction industry.
Personal development plan
Academic skills to develop Plans to develop the skills Future implementation
Time management skills – It
refers to the ability to manage
time and utilised it in most
productive work in order to get
better results with in given
time.
For building time management
skills, I will dividing and
prioritising my activities into
small tasks according their
importance in order to
complete it on time. I will
make pre plan and time table
for my day to day working and
then follow it on regular basis
for getting clarity (Jaidev,
2021). I will set my time target
for all the activities and give
my full efforts to complete
task before deadline. For
improving my time
management skills I will do
continue practices for working
as per time table and save
more time for improving my
health and hobbies for
developing my personality to
get better opportunities. I will
set time alarm for each work
by using digital technology in
smart phones to get same
routine in order to increase my
This skills helps me to manage
my workload in my academic
and higher studies. As by
making proper time table for
every subject and activities I
will able to do more creative
activities which will develop
my talent and personality. This
specific skills will aid me to
manage the schedule of busy
and create more discipline in
me which will keep my
memory and knowledge better
to get higher grades in studies.
It will also helps me during my
examination to compete my
whole course in time and save
more time for revision. I will
also capable to submit all my
projects on which reduce my
stress during preparation of
exams.
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productivity.
Presentation skills- This skills
refers to ability to present the
project and ourself in a most
effective way so other people
can understand it easily.
For developing presentation
skills in me first I will work on
making a rough plan and
blueprint for real presentation
as this will help me to put all
the details and data which is
necessary for effective
presentation (Langum and
Sullivan, 2020). For this
presentation seems more clear,
informative and attractive. I
will learn proper steps and tips
form internet to make good
presentation so I can not miss
a single point which make it
improper.
This skills will useful for me
in my school, college and
professional life to make my
project more attractive and
complete with proper
accuracy. By making good
presentation I will get more
better future opportunities to
grow and achieve success. I
will enables me to show most
informative and reliable
presentation to potential
viewers for gaining good
grades in academic life
(Maxwell, 2020). This will
assists me to present my
viewpoint and thinking better
to people in future so they
understand it better and give
me a chance to lead the
project.
ICTs Skills- It refers to the
talent and capabilities to use
computer systems and its
software to conduct innovative
and easy work.
For developing ICTs skills in
me I will take participate in
training and development
programme (Palmer and
Lindley, 2018). I will join
coaching in order to get
accurate technical knowledge
about the functioning of
After I improved my skills I
will be utilising it in my
academic and professional life.
I will use many features of
computer such as notes, Ms
word, Excel, power point,
video calling, gmail and
chatting to share information
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computer system and software.
By enrolling in online class
and live lectures I will improve
my ICTs skills which support
me to perform better and use
this in my projects and
presentation to make it more
effective. I will use and do
regular practice of various
tools and software related to
computer that will assists me
to get better job opportunities
in technical market.
and conect more with people.
By using Excel I will store
more information and data
related to my work. It will also
assists me to utilise innovative
tools while my learning
process and performing a job
role in an organisation
(Webster, 2020). In today
world most of the big
companies demands this skills
in their employees so it will
helps me to get better job
opportunity with higher pay
scale which is beneficial for
my better life.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned information, it has been assessed that reflective journal helps
in recalling all the previous experiences that would help an individuals to learn and develop in an
effective manner. Personal development plan assist an individual in analysing varied skills that
are to be developed for future to gain success in future. Gibbs reflective cycle is a six step cyclic
model which majorly consists of description, feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action
plan which assist an individual to exploring their experience for making their learning experience
better.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Bottomley, J., Pryjmachuk, S. and Cartney, P., 2018. Academic Writing and Referencing for
Your Social Work Degree. Critical Publishing.
Bowman, M., 2021. A framework for scaffolding academic reflective writing in
dentistry. European Journal of Dental Education. 25(1). pp.35-49.
Dugartsyrenova, V. A., 2020. Supporting genre instruction with an online academic writing
tutor: Insights from novice L2 writers. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 44,
p.100830.
Gibbons, J., 2018. Reflection, realignment and refraction: Bernstein's evaluative rules and the
summative assessment of reflective practice in a problem-based learning
programme. Teaching in Higher Education.
Holtham, C. and Dove, A., 2018. Genre and regenring for educating managers in reflective
practice. Journal of Writing in Creative Practice. 11(1). pp.139-150.
Howard, V., 2021. Undergraduate mental health nursing students’ reflections in gaining
understanding and skills in the critical appraisal of research papers–An exploration of
barriers and enablers. Nurse Education in Practice. 55. p.103143.
Jaidev, R., 2021. Transforming the Teaching of Writing from a Skills-Based Approach to a
Knowledge Construction Approach in a University in Singapore. Composition
Studies. 49(3). pp.145-213.
Langum, V. and Sullivan, K. P., 2020. Academic writing, scholarly identity, voice and the
benefits and challenges of multilingualism: Reflections from Norwegian doctoral
researchers in teacher education. Linguistics and Education. 60. p.100883.
Maxwell, C., 2020. Exploring Clarity in the Discipline of Design. What is Good Academic
Writing?: Insights Into Discipline-Specific Student Writing, p.57.
Palmer, P. and Lindley, J., 2018. The Us in Museum: Promoting student engagement through
regenring academic writing and collaborations. Journal of Writing in Creative
Practice. 11(2). pp.191-209.
Webster, S., 2020. The Written Discourse Genres of Digital Media Studies. What is Good
Academic Writing?: Insights Into Discipline-Specific Student Writing, p.31.
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