Exploring Learning Styles for Enhanced Development

This assignment delves into the significance of learning styles in fostering effective professional development. It investigates prominent learning style models, such as Kolb's Experiential Learning Model and Honey & Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire, and analyzes their practical applications in enhancing individual and collaborative learning experiences within educational and professional settings. The assignment encourages a critical examination of the relationship between learning preferences, teaching methodologies, and overall professional growth.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Comparing personal values and principles in health and social care....................................1
1.2 own personal culture and experience would influence the support you would give to the
service user..................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Impact of new development and persona values on the working in health and social care. .2
2A Key influences on learning........................................................................................................3
2A 1 Influences of learning process............................................................................................3
2A 2 personal learning and development may benefit others......................................................3
2B Self Assessment.........................................................................................................................4
2 C Action Plan................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Development plan..................................................................................................................5
2.3 monitor and evaluate your progress against the plan according to the requirements of a
health and social care practitioner over period of 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.....................6
2.4 evaluating the effectiveness of the PDP to own development as a health and social care....6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 nature of different professional relationships........................................................................7
3.2 personal effectiveness in promoting and supporting the rights of the individuals................8
3.3 ways to resolve issues encountered in professional relationships.........................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 effectiveness of your own personal contributions...............................................................10
4.2 the limits of work role impacts on service users..................................................................10
4.3 role in minimizing barriers to effective teamwork in health and social care practice.........10
4.4 to improve your own personal contributions to the collective effectiveness of a
multidisciplinary team...............................................................................................................11
5 B Organizational structure and Role...........................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a systematic and planned approach to develop
skills and talents required to match with the professional standards. This is the initiative taken by
an individual himself or herself to enhance capabilities for the career progression in the particular
field. I am a care worker in the health and social sector organization which provides treatments
for cancer. I would like to pursue my career in the field by developing required personal values
and principles that will influence my contribution in services provided to the patients. The
present report is prepared to elucidate different components of personal and professional
development in relevance to the working in health and social care.
TASK 1
1.1 Comparing personal values and principles in health and social care
Personal values and principles in health and social care influence the manner in which
employees process their works that they are assigned. These values and principles influence the
decision making process in the organization along with the actions taken by the care workers.
Values such as dignity, respect, confidentiality, choice, privacy, independence and others have
the significant impact on the efficiency level and productivity of the organization. By
incorporating these values in the services provided to the patients: Dignity: Heath and social sector is the area where service users feel high degree of
intrusion to their lives. It is imperative for the care takers not to feel humiliating and
demean them. Considering the fact, I always maintain the dignity of patients as well as let
them feel worthy and value their existence (Busse, Aboneh and Tefera, 2014). Confidentiality: It is necessary for the care worker to keep the information of patients and
concerned people confidential and complying with the law of right to private life. I
respect the personal information of service users handled by me in all aspects. Independence: It refers to providing sense of own capability to the patients. Disability or
any disease does not bound them to enhance any skill. My efforts are always towards
providing support to the patients for retaining their independence. Respect: It is a trait that I possess to give people positive environment and value their
individuality. Respect benefits the care worker to function all the tasks properly (Honey
and Mumford, 2006).
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 Protection: Along with providing treatment, it is the prime responsibility of care taker to
protect the service user. As they are vulnerable, they can be easily targeted and
approachable. I protect my patients from any kind of abuse of mistreatment from others.
1.2 own personal culture and experience would influence the support you would give to the
service user
Personal culture plays a vital role in the working at health and social sector. I have gained
considerably with the working at care center to cure cancer patients. From my experienced at the
institute, I have learned that personal values such as respect, empathy and care significantly help
patient to come out of the disease and experiencing less pain from that. I have worked as a
subordinate of the chief care taker. I have learned different aspects of caring and supporting
patients. Both of my parents are in medical field, they are practicing medicine. Therefore, I have
been growing in the environment of serving patients with the utmost care and treatment. Thus,
these qualities are naturally imbibed in me. Further, in my education, I have gained formal
training to practice in this field that built in me preciseness and discipline. Undergoing through
different stages of development, I have the knowledge of treating service users and helping them
to heal faster.
1.3 Impact of new development and persona values on the working in health and social care
Working in social sector gets influenced by number of factors that surround it.
New research
With the advancement in technology and new research happening in medical and health
care, there are new ways of treatment that are getting introduced. Due to this, new ways are
adopted by care takers to treat their patients.
New targets
Scenario of health and social sector is changing in its essence as earlier it was confined to
provide treatments through medicines and related methods whereas at present, various ancillary
services are provided to heal the disease of service users such as meditation, palliatric treatments,
yoga that help them to recover faster (Bolton, 2010).
Priorities
It has been seen that there is significant change occurred in the priorities of health and
social sector. It gets broadened with the inculcation of various other elements in it.
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New legislation
Government and other legislative bodies have laid many rules and regulations with
respect to the working at health and social sector. Organization where I have worked has
complied with all the laws such as related to patients that is right to life, dignity and respect,
confidentiality of information about them which is stated by data protection act etc.
Working in health sector comes with various challenges at different times. While,
undergoing through those situations, I have learned a lot that helped me in improving my work at
health and social care. Changes came in me while working has enabled me to deal with certain
situations that could negatively affect my work. Quality of work and preciseness in delivering
services is must for the care taker (Neuhauser, 2010). I have developed the abilities to manage
work. Further, imbibing principles of good practice to work in health and social sector has
overpowered the situation of conflicts and tensions.
2A Key influences on learning
2A 1 Influences of learning process
There are significant impact of learning in the level of working and its style.
 I have taken formal coaching in medical sciences that have built in-depth knowledge in
me about the field to work with high degree of efficiency.
 Adopting different methods I have figured out that my learning style is read and write
and kinaesthetic approach. Hence, at work I learn new techniques and way by
understanding the concepts and using it practically.
 I have articulated may things from my surroundings such as sense of empathy,
responsibilities, respect, dignity and work ethics at the place where I have practised. My
supervisors and mentors have made me learn my duties and responsibilities towards
service users (Brinkerhoff, 2006).
 Along with conventional information, growing competition has made to learn certain
other skills such as literacy, research skills, access to internet to get acquainted with the
latest technology and other related (Klosowski, 2014).
2A 2 personal learning and development may benefit others
Personal learning and development is important to enhance the current skills and talents.
It enables to develop the talents and capabilities to establish prominent position in market place.
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It is the systematic and planned approach that leads to imbibing required future needs. It help I
the career progression and to avail better opportunities. Further, in medical field there are
frequent up-gradation in the process of treatment and cure. Hence, it is imperative to keep
updated with the latest discovery and ways of treatment. Such as earlier it was confined to
conventional modes to treatments but at present times it inculcates into it various ways to reduce
the sufferings and faster recovery.
2B Self Assessment
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In order to know the learning style I possess to process the information, I have taken self
assessment test. From the score of those test it is stated that I use visual mode to understand and
imbibe information in me. According to this I learn things better with diagrams and pictures
which helps me to retain the information for longer duration of time.
2 C Action Plan
2.2 Development plan
SMART
OBJECTIVES
(Short term)
Activity and
methods
Skills required Time scale
Increase the team
efficiency
Adopting suitable
team building
models to
encourage
coordination and
cooperation
among members
and
Team work 3 months
Developing skills
and talents for
heath and social
care
Supervise the
senior
management.
Consulting
counselors and
mentors for the
guidance.
Management of work 3 months
SMART
OBJECTIVES
(Medium term)
Activity and
methods
Skills required Time scale
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Improve
efficiency of
organisation and
lead subordinates
Adopt different
leadership model
using pragmatic
approach
Imbibe leadership qualities 5 months
Provide
assistance to
doctors and senior
staff
Analysis of work
done at health and
social care.
Improve technical
knowledge about health
and social care
5 months
SMART
OBJECTIVES
(Long term)
Activity and
methods
Skills required Time scale
Improve services
to users.
Increase in
interaction with
patients and
service users.
Communication and
affability.
1 year
Increase the
goodwill of
organization.
A holistic
approach to target
all the
components.
Better services and
management.
1 year
2.3 monitor and evaluate your progress against the plan according to the requirements of a health
and social care practitioner over period of 3 months, 6 months and 1 year
Referring the above development plan I have figured out that I have attained certain goals
but lagging behind in some.
 Need to improve team building skills to increase the efficiency of organization.
 Need to improve communication skills to have good interaction with service users and
doctors.
2.4 evaluating the effectiveness of the PDP to own development as a health and social care
 Plan prepared is as per the need and requirement to improve the productivity at health
and social care.
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 Analysis the plan has articulated that there is the need of updatation in that requiring
inclusion of some skills such as time management.
SMART
OBJECTIVES
(Medium term)
Activity and
methods
Skills required Time scale
Process the work
at the particular
time frame.
Adopting time
management
strategies such as
electronic planner
to feed data about
patients and
organization,
avoiding delays,
delegating work
to different
people.
Time management 5 months
TASK 3
3.1 nature of different professional relationships
Professional relationships in health and social care are maintained in the context of
different ways with different people. Line managers: They are the individuals who are accountable to execute their tasks in
their respective departments. Formal and healthy relationship is maintained between
different line managers on horizontal hierarchy. Service users: Affable and cooperative relation is maintained with the service users to
provide them optimum level of services and help them heal faster. There is always an
effort made to build comfortable relationship with them to seek their needs, requirements
and issues they are facing. Further, they are resolved by adopting effectual methods and
techniques to treat them in dignified and proper manner (Wellington and Sikes, 2006). In
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that relationship certain attributes are follower such as trust, advocacy, confidentiality of
their information and respect towards them to make them feel worthy. Employees: there are many other employees who work in the organization such as other
care takers and professionals in their fields who perform their respective duties.
Professional codes are followed by the care takers with respect to the other so that
healthy and resourceful environment can be created to heal their patients and make faster
recovery (Glazer and Hannafin, 2006). Other institutes and organizations: Health and social care is the integrated industry
which functions in the collaborated manner. With vertical and horizontal integration it
caters to enhance their abilities and quality of services. In that respect, good relational
constructs are built with the other hospitals and suppliers that update them with
installation of the latest medical equipment and also to process the movement of
employees between different organizations (Kostovich and et.al., 2007).
 Family and relatives of service users: In order to console them and encourage them with
the hope of betterment, there is the team of counsellors and mentors who provide support
to the family and relatives of service users.
3.2 personal effectiveness in promoting and supporting the rights of the individuals
In order to promote and support the rights of an individual in health and social care,
instead of conventional means, scientific approach is adopted. In by using two models of health
that is social model and medical model is adopted. Both have different domain and approach to
promote health and social care in society. It has varied benefits to individuals and society as a
whole.
Medical model is the comprehensive structure which includes set of activities to train
service providers to heal their patients. It is a holistic approach in which different components
are included to proceed such as medical history of the patient, his compliant, examination,
medical tests required for the same, diagnosis of the disease and treatment. With the target on
making the individual disease free, its approach is person centric (Callister and Cox, 2006).
Using that I have been able to process the treatment and healing process of service users in the
organisation I was working with the sole target on them. On the other hand there one more model
that is social model which states that to make the individuals healthy it is imperative of make the
surroundings favourable on all respect such as social conditions in which it is living, improving
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economic conditions, legal support to improve the standard of living and making the
environment eco-friendly and healthy. This model has taught to adopt the broad approach.
Hence, I have realized the importance of factors other than medical treatment and cure which
includes hygiene, affable nature of care taker, healthy environment etc.
3.3 ways to resolve issues encountered in professional relationships
While working in social and health care I have encountered various challenges to deal
with.
Communication
I have faced challenges to communicate to the service users to seek their needs and
complaints. I found it difficult to deal with different types of patients. Further, communication
factor also included the issue I have faced at the time of intimating service user's issues to the
professions who treating them. To resolve that matter I have learned from senior management to
be resourceful in this respect (Kolb and Kolb, 2013).
Conflicts
Having diversity and differences in the views and opinions of the employees is common
in any organization (Hawk and Shah, 2007). I have also seen some issues occurring in health and
social care with regard to the lack of mutual consent for treatment, of in adopting any strategy.
Experiencing clashes of opinion was difficult to deal for me. For that I have learned certain
attribute such as respecting others opinion and resolving the conflicts rationally.
Confidentiality vs disclosure
Confidentiality is the basis practice required while working health and social care. I faced
many situation in which I was in dilemma to deal with such as many times no single doctor treat
a patient in that respect with each new doctor I had to disclose its history along with to their
subordinates. That challenges his right to data protection.
Expectations changing over time
Medical industry is facing challenges due to the changing scenario and domain of
demand and supply. On both the side situation is altering to the significant extent. Suppliers such
as hospitals and other similar institutes are widening the domain of services to expand its
operations. Along with medical treatment other ancillary services are also provided to heal them
faster. Further, on demand side patients or other service users caters optimum level of treatment
and utmost best possible (Webster-Wright, 2009).
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TASK 4
4.1 effectiveness of your own personal contributions
Figuring out my contribution in a multidisciplinary team in health and social care, I have
figured out that:
 My knowledge that I have gained in academic credentials has helped me to assist my
seniors in treating patients in proper manner. It has saved my time of training and
development sessions.
 My critical thinking and understanding helped me to take crucial decisions at the time of
emergency and lack of guidance of seniors.
 Attributes such as affability and cooperativeness learned from counseling and supervision
of seniors has enabled me to help service users efficiently (Hunter, Laursen and Seymour,
2007).
4.2 the limits of work role impacts on service users
There are certain limitations in work hat impacts considerably on the efficiency of
services provided.
 Lack of accountability provided wit respect to decision making hinders the smoothness of
working.
 Rigidity of professional codes limits the process of bringing flexibility in the approach
towards working in health and social care.
 Though I possess the theoretical knowledge about the field, I lack experience due which
my preciseness and efficiency was not as per the professional standards.
 I had the lack of interpersonal interactions with the care takers and service users
(Schmeck, 2013).
4.3 role in minimizing barriers to effective teamwork in health and social care practice
Being the immediate subordinate to the manager, have assisted him to introduce better
methods in organization.
 In-spite of individual plan I have introduced collective approach t treat a patient of
service user by including all the professionals such as dietitians, care takers, nurses,
doctors and professionals. Working towards single goal encourages team work.
 Encouraging discussions to drive innovative ideas and ways to resolve issues encountered
in working at health and social care (Joy and Kolb, 2009).
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 In case of issues and conflicts, they are solved rationally by discussions and figuring ad
resolving out the basis problem.
4.4 to improve your own personal contributions to the collective effectiveness of a
multidisciplinary team.
Collective effectiveness of team can be improved by introducing the inculcating
following methods in process.
 Preparing the suitable and effective organizational structure by defining respective
responsibilities and duties of each member. Defining roles enhances the sense of
accountability and derives netter results.
 Improving team performance of each member by identifying strengths and targeting their
weak areas (McNiff, 2010).
 Preparing short term and long term objectives by specifying the particular time frame. It
will induce the team building spirit among member.
5 B Organizational structure and Role
Job Title
Care giver at UK heath Care
Qualifications needed for this Role
High school diploma in health and social care. Graduate in medical assistance along with
experience competency to work in health and social care unit.
Role within the organization
 Extending care as per the individual care plan prepared by professionals for the patients
and other service users.
 Monitoring of patient’s condition and communicating it to respective reporting person.
 Providing specialized nursing skills.
 Maintaining clinical records properly in competency with all the laws and regulations.
 Counseling of patients and their relatives for their needs and motivation.
Responsibilities in regard to the client group
 Providing assistance to all the service users such as who are medically ill, injured in some
sort of accidents, mentally or physically challenged, old people and vulnerable.
 Help their clients in their daily activities taking medicines, providing meals and other
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housework.
 They make appointments with doctors and other medical consultants
 Provide help to service users for their movement to any place.
Governed by any professional body
It is an independent health and social care unit but works under the guidance of NHS.
Governance link to code of practice
Governance at the health and social care unit follows the follows code of practice:
 All the care givers are accountable for their actions
 Uphold the rights, dignity, health and well being of all the service users
 Working in collaboration with co workers to deliver high quality services
 Respects and maintains service user’s right to confidentiality
 Always strive to bring improvements in services.
 Promotes equality and diversity.
Opportunities for further training and development in the area
Organization caters to enhance the skills and knowledge of care givers through organizing
apprenticeships and training programs. Further, they are provided counseling ad mentoring
sessions for other improvements.
Job role as the part of multi-disciplinary team
Multidisciplinary team is the group of people who are specialist in their fields such as doctors of
their respective fields, dietician, physiotherapists and others. Care giver extend their services by
assisting them in their work and suggest if any improvements are required as they are directly
connected to service users and patients.
CONCLUSION
Personal and professional development is the structured way to develop skills and talents
in order to establish the prominent position in the market. It plays vital role for working in the
health and social care. Health and social care demands the affable and precise nature of care
taker to provide services to patients. With the aim to provide optimum level of services I have
prepared the set of activities which includes the current needs and future requirements. It has
enabled me to match the professional standards.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bolton, G., 2010. Reflective practice: Writing and professional development. Sage publications.
Brinkerhoff, J., 2006. Effects of a long-duration, professional development academy on
technology skills, computer self-efficacy, and technology integration beliefs and practices.
Journal of Research on Technology in Education. 39(1). pp.22-43.
Busse, H., Aboneh, E. A. and Tefera, G., 2014. Learning from developing countries in
strengthening health systems: an evaluation of personal and professional impact among
global health volunteers at Addis Ababa University’s Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital
(Ethiopia). Globalization and health. 10(1). p.1.
Callister, L. and Cox, A., 2006. Opening our hearts and minds: The meaning of international
clinical nursing electives in the personal and professional lives of nurses. Nursing & health
sciences. 8(2). pp.95-102.
Glazer, E. M. and Hannafin, M. J., 2006. The collaborative apprenticeship model: Situated
professional development within school settings. Teaching and teacher education. 22(2).
pp.179-193.
Hawk, T.F. and Shah, A.J., 2007. Using learning style instruments to enhance student learning.
Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education. 5(1). pp.1-19.
Honey, P. and Mumford, A., 2006. The learning styles questionnaire: 80-item version. Peter
Honey Publications Limited.
Hunter, A. B., Laursen, S. L. and Seymour, E., 2007. Becoming a scientist: The role of
undergraduate research in students' cognitive, personal, and professional development.
Science education. 91(1). pp.36-74.
Joy, S. and Kolb, D.A., 2009. Are there cultural differences in learning style?. International
Journal of Intercultural Relations. 33(1). pp.69-85.
Kolb, A. and Kolb, D.A., 2013. Kolb Learning Style Inventory: LSI Workbook. HayGroup.
Kostovich, C.T. and et.al., 2007. Learning style preference and student aptitude for concept
maps. Journal of Nursing Education. 46(5).
McNiff, J., 2010. Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
researchers. September books.
Neuhauser, C., 2010. Learning style and effectiveness of online and face-to-face instruction. The
American Journal of Distance Education.
Schmeck, R. R., 2013. Learning strategies and learning styles. Springer Science & Business
Media.
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Webster-Wright, A., 2009. Reframing professional development through understanding authentic
professional learning. Review of educational research. 79(2). pp.702-739.
Wellington, J. and Sikes, P., 2006. ‘A doctorate in a tight compartment’: why do students choose
a professional doctorate and what impact does it have on their personal and professional
lives?. Studies in Higher Education. 31(6). pp.723-734.
Online
Klosowski, T., 2014. The Importance of Self-Awareness, and How to Become More Self Aware.
[Online]. Available through: <http://lifehacker.com/the-importance-of-self-awareness-and-
how-to-become-mor-1624744518>. [Accessed on 12th February 2016].
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APPENDIX
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