Work Based Learning: Skills Acquired and Action Plan

This report discusses the skills acquired during work based learning, including stress management, reflective writing, interview tips and more. It also includes an action plan to enhance these skills. The report emphasizes the importance of communication, problem solving, planning and organizing, negotiating and developing a positive mental attitude. The report is relevant to the course code LFBM202 and is suitable for college and university students.

LFBM202 WORKBASED
LEARNING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Things learned in the module.......................................................................................................3
Gibb's reflective cycle model.......................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Work based learning can be described as the different types of learning that takes place
within the lives of different people. The work based learning includes various types of training
programmes such as internships, on the job training methods. The present report will provide an
overview of what an individual has learned during the module. It will also include a list of
workplace skills that needs has been acquired by an individual and an action plan.
MAIN BODY
Things learned in the module
Gibb's reflective cycle model
Description
Work-based learning can be defined as knowledge or information about certain theoretical things
that are learned through its simultaneous practical application. During my learning course
regarding workbased learning, I specifically learned about the distinct interactional topics such
as stress management, secret to working happily, reflective writing and tips for a great interview.
One of the first things that I learnt in this work-based learning session was the topic of 'stress
management' that was taught to us in week 2. It basically dealt with the various effects that stress
has over individuals and I found out from it that how very much detrimental these effects of
stress can get. The teaching and training of this session also included along with its definable
repercussions the different ways in which stress can be handled and managed effectively. This
was shown by the several ways in which unwanted stressful situations can be reduced and
eliminated along with how it can be avoided or prevented beforehand.
The second most influential topic that was taught dealt with the secret approaches of how to
work happily. The learning outcomes out of this session were to identify the different skills that
are required for workplace opportunities that will eventually help in developing an enhanced set
of skills. Basically the third week (week 3) consisted of this topic. It included psychologically
backed arguments about how productivity derived out of happiness and sane mindset further
boosts workplace management skills. I observed that it was an intrinsically insightful training
class that majorly focused on the importance of gaining constant progress in all sorts of work –
personal, professional and academic through happy attitudes towards working.

In the third week of my work-based learning module I attended the online class of reflective
writing and the related elements its process entails. The class happened at our university
campuses and its participants contained our module professor, the pupils and at times guest
faculties. In the online class we were made to draft some reflective essays and text pieces for our
own practice of crafting out personal and professional development plans. In this regard we were
taught two main models that are used to assist in how to write reflective pieces. I attended the
class online as I was interested in writing. The outcome of the session was informative.
The fifth week's topic that we learnt in this module training was that of helpful tips for acing our
future interviews in particular fields of interests. In this it was shown and illustrated that how a
curriculum vitae (CV) is subtly different from a full-fledged informative resume that is sent out
to prospective companies in our pursuits of job searches. It was taught in smart classes using
electronic equipments and I along with my classmates were asked to prepare our sample CV
handouts so that we can learn and practice how to draft the same at the needful time.
Feelings
In the second week of my stress management class, I learned several aspects of managing stress
that I had not known before. Prior to learning the gravity of carrying stress, I tend to indulge a lot
in overthinking which made me more stressed. After learning about how to manage and handle
stress I along with my classmates learnt various techniques that is helping us now to overcome it.
The third week which consisted of learning happy secrets to working better at either workplaces
or at academic centers helped me to understand that work goes hand in hand with being happy. I
was able to further enhance my positive psychology about working in a better way that exudes an
accepting mentality about workload. It was an eye-opener learning session as I grasped fully that
a healthy mind and body accelerates productive work.
Evaluation
In this particular model, I have majorly developed an understanding towards four
different kinds of skills. This skill includes stress management skills, developed an
understanding about the secret to a happy and better working, learned how to write reflections
and lastly, interview tips to get a better job. While learning about this module, I realized that in
order to enhance my working and professional life, it is required for an individual to inculcate
communication, problem solving, planning and organizing, negotiating and developing a positive
mental attitude within the myself. Similarly, in order to learn how to write reflections, I

developed an understanding towards how to reflect on my actions and then determine what I
have learn while doing something or what was wrong while I was doing the work. On the other
hand, I came to determine the in order to get a job in the future, it is essential for me to work on
my interview skills that includes developing a CV, and learn how it can be used within the future
for the purpose of career development.
However, during this learning process, I came to determine that there are certain skills
within myself that I have improved during this course and there are certain skills that I still need
to work upon. The skills that I enhanced during this module includes communication skills,
enhanced ability solve several problems, developing a positive mental attitude within myself.
The enhanced level of communication skills will be helpful in each and every field that I will
choose in the future for the purpose of my career development. Similarly, the ability to solve
different types of problems will also add to my list of employability skills (Davies, and et.al
2018). In each and every organization, there are several problems that the employees have to
face within their routine lives, similarly, the development of problem solving skills within myself
will help in my job profile and in resolving the different types of issues that arises in the
organizational context. Moreover, the positive mental attitude is the key to learning each and
every new skill. Therefore, I can now say that I have inculcated a positive mental attitude in
myself which will help in learning new skills in my personal and professional life.
But, during this module, I have determined that there are certain skills that are important
for me in order to get ahead in my career but I lack certain skills within myself that are must for
me. The skills that I specifically need to improve in order to enhance my productivity and
efficiency includes the ability to reflect upon my own actions, decision-making skills,
negotiating skills, ability to manage stress and the ability to handle the work pressure. I have
identified that decision-making skills are essential for individuals within an organization or work
for a business of their own as there is a need for them to make important decisions now and then
within the company or their own business enterprise (Gratton, and Gratton, 2020). I have
noticed that, nowadays the work pressure within the enterprises is too much and therefore, it is
essential for the workforce to know how to manage the work pressure and similarly manage the
stress that has been caused to them. Therefore, I need to inculcate a list of skills within myself
that will help me in my career development and these skills includes decision-making skills,

negotiating skills, the ability to reflect upon one's own actions, ability to handle work pressure
and manage the stress and know how to enhance the interview skills for themselves.
Analysis
I think I was able to easily enhance my communication skills was because I have keen
interest in enhancing my ability to communicate with others. I had my own understanding of
how I work on my communications and what can I use as a strategy in order to enhance my
ability to communicate with others. The interest that I had within myself in order to improve my
communication skills helped me in developing an understanding towards the tactics to be used
while communicating others. My interest in enhancing my communication skills helped me in
making me understand the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication and also
determine the importance of confidence while communicating with others.
Similarly, I think what helped in developing an ability within myself to solve the
problems of myself and others is that I already had a jolly nature. I am an extrovert and I like to
talk with each and every individual that is around (Mulder, 2018). My ability to interact with
different individuals freely helps me in making a good bond and relationship with them. When
people communicate with me about their issues, it provides me an opportunity to analyse the
situation that they face and thus provide them with a solution that has the potential to resolve the
issues faced by them. I think , in my opinion this extroverts of myself has helped me in
improving my ability to solve the problems of an individual.
However, I think skills that I was not able to develop within myself was because I think
did not have any kind of understanding towards them . The skills that I was not able to develop
within myself included negotiating skills, stress management, ability to handle work pressure,
decision-making skills. I think I lack the ability to manage my stress is because I do not have any
kind of patience. I do not provide myself with sufficient amount of time that could help me in
determining ways of doing something easily. I just something that I will face difficulties in
carrying out the specific tasks just by having a look at it without trying to gain an in depth
analysis of a situation or the work allotted to me. I think were the weaknesses that made if
difficult for me to develop the stated skills within myself. I have realized the importance of all
these skills in association with the career development of myself and other individuals too.
Conclusion

I learned a number of things while developing an understanding towards the module.
From this module, I learned the importance of communication skills within the personal as well
as the professional lives of an individual. I realized that in order to crack an interview even
within one of the leading enterprise all over the world, one must know how to communicate
effectively along with having sufficient amount of academic knowledge (Sekarwinahyu, and
et.al 2019). Similarly, I also learned how essential it is know how to solve the different kinds of
problems that takes place within the day to day working of an individual. The ability to be to
solve the problems that arises within an organization will help me making an impactful position
for myself in each and every organization where I plan to work in the future.
While studying this module, I also came to realize that in today's world, it is not easy
work within any organization , be it a business enterprise or an organization that has a social
cause. If an individual including me, decides to work in order make a living, I will need to
develop an ability within myself to handle the work pressure and also manage the stress
associated with the same. This is because, in today's organization, the management of a company
does not leave their employees freely. They make effective utilization of each and every
employee that is working within the company . In such a scenario, it gets essential for me to
understand the importance of having the ability to manage the work that has been allotted to me
within the company and similarly, the stress that I have because of the work pressure or there
might be issues within my personal lives.
After studying this module, I also learnt that decision-making also plays an essential role
in the future career of an individual (Sicora, 2019). I will have to make several decisions in my
routine life professionally personally , and therefore, this module allowed me to understand the
importance of decision making skills as a part of my career development.
Action Plan
Skills Strategies Resources Time frame
Negotiating skills In order to develop
negotiating skills
within myself, I will
find myself a coach
that will help me in the
development of my
Tutor, books for the
purpose of enhancing
communication skills.
3 months

negotiating skills.
Even though, I have
good communication
skills within myself
but still I will work on
my communication
skills as they play a
vital role in enhancing
the negotiating skills.
Also, I will learn the
ability to influence
others in order develop
the ability to negotiate.
Decision making skills I have determined for
the purpose of
developing decision-
making skills within
myself, it is important
for me to develop
active listening skills
and patience within
myself. When I will
learn to listen to the
views and perceptions
of different people, it
will help me in
determining what is
right and what is
wrong. This, in turn
will provide a basis to
make important and
Books 4 months

quick decisions.
Also, I will need to
develop critical
thinking skills within
myself.
Stress management
skills
For the purpose of
managing the stress
effectively, it is
important for me to
find certain time for
myself in order to
exercise for a while.
Another way of
dealing with the stress
is to make time for my
hobbies such as
singing, painting,
dancing, swimming,
exercising, etc.
Equipments for
exercising such as
skipping rope and
other such tools such
as colours, pencils for
the purpose of
painting.
2 months
Ability to handle work
pressure
I have determined that
in order to develop the
ability to handle work
pressure, it is
important for me to
work on my mental
attitude. I need to
inculcate a positive
working environment
for myself and keep on
motivating myself that
Scheduling the work
using a time
management tool or
application.
2 months

does not make me feel
the pressure of work,
rather I should focus
enjoying my work
(Tanaka, Okamoto,
and Koide, 2018). This
will help in
eliminating the
pressure associated
with the work.
Reflection skills For the purpose of
developing and
inculcating reflection
skills within myself, I
will learn the ability to
analyse the
information. The
analysis skills will
help me in
determining what
actions that I carried
out and then
determining what was
right and what was
wrong. This will help
me in reflecting upon
my skills and then
making the required
changes.
Pen, paper, notebook 3 months

CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that this module has been found helpful in the
academic and professional development of an individual. The present report has provided an
insight of the skills that have been developed by the different individuals during this module and
also states the strategies that are needed in order to develop skills that are essential for the career
development of an individual.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Davies, V., BECOMING A REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONER.
Dhaliwal, U., Singh, S. and Singh, N., 2018. Reflective student narratives: honing
professionalism and empathy. Indian J Med Ethics. 3(1). pp.9-15.
Gratton, P. and Gratton, G., 2020. Reflection. In Achieving Success with the Engineering
Dissertation (pp. 177-184). Springer. Cham.
Mulder, P., 2018. Gibbs Reflective Cycle by Graham Gibbs.
Sekarwinahyu, M., and et.al 2019, February. Development of problem based learning for online
tutorial program in plant development using Gibbs’ reflective cycle and e-portfolio to
enhance reflective thinking skills. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1157,
No. 2, p. 022099). IOP Publishing.
Sicora, A., 2019. Reflective practice and learning from mistakes in social work student
placement. Social Work Education. 38(1). pp.63-74.
Tanaka, M., Okamoto, R. and Koide, K., 2018. Relationship between Reflective Practice Skills
and Volume of Writing in a Reflective Journal. Health. 10(3). pp.283-288.
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