Reflective Report on Learning: Skills and Employability Development

This reflective report details a student's learning journey, focusing on academic and professional skill development. The report is divided into two terms, with the first term exploring paraphrasing and summarizing techniques, and the second term concentrating on CV and cover letter writing. The student reflects on their experiences using Gibbs' reflective cycle for the first term, analyzing descriptions, feelings, evaluations, analysis, conclusions, and action plans related to paraphrasing and summarizing. The second term utilizes Kolb's experiential learning model, examining concrete experiences, reflective observations, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation in relation to CV and cover letter creation. The report highlights the importance of these skills for academic and professional growth, identifying challenges and outlining future plans for improvement. The conclusion emphasizes the value of self-reflection and continuous learning for professional success.

Reflective report

Contents
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.......................................................................................................................................3
TERM 1.............................................................................................................................................3
TERM 2.............................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Learning is a core process of acquiring new ideas, knowledge, behaviours, skills and values.
It is essential for everyone to learn several aspects at several stage of their life (Coleman and
Willis,2015). These kind of practices assist to gain experience of life by implementing practical
approach in their learning. This report is based on academic reflection which determine own learning
on the basis of some specific topics as paraphrasing and summarising on the other hand, CV as well as
cover letter writing. It also determine reflection of own learning by using recognised models of
Reflection as Gibbs and Kolb’s learning.
MAIN BODY
TERM 1
Learning is a most important term in individual’s life through which they grab a
knowledge for specific topic (Bassot, 2016). My learning experience was quite interesting at
the time I started understanding meaning and uses of some topics as use of Paraphrasing and
summarising of document at the time of academic writing. Both these topics are essential
trough which I can express my ideas by rewording the paragraph.
Paraphrasing and summariseis an act of writing in which individual can use their own
words to express someone else’s ideas and views (Shum and et.al., 2016). But at the time of
paraphrasing, individual needs to look closely at the meaning of sentence and needs to
consider the exact context that provide similar sense.
It is essential for me to reflect my experience as it assist in enhancing the meaning of
such topics on the basis of complex learning of academic writing. These topics are reflected
through Gibbs reflective cycle which was developed by Graham Gibbs in the year of 1988in
order to give a structure to learning on the basis of own learning as:
Description: At the time of my learning I experienced uses of Paraphrasing and
summarising which is a very interesting topic that assist in to rephrase ideas and views of
others on the basis of own understanding. In my academic work, these kind of activities
provide me a guidance to use crux from the secondary sources in order to make them more
sensible in own language by taking its meaning same. My teachers provide me appropriate
guidance that how I can use them, where I needs to use them and what are the benefits and
drawbacks of such academic practices. Unable the uses of paraphrasing can make issue of

academic misconduct for students therefore, I make things clear to use such aspects
appropriately before its certain uses.
Feeling:My feelings towards Paraphrasing and summarising is to use them at a
specific time. While I started learning upon such topics, I analysed that my teacher always
restrict us to such activities continuously. Before started learning for paraphrasing, I felt that
it is quite difficult to reframe others word by making same sense. Thus, a proper guidance by
my teacher provides a clarity that how I can use such aspects in my academics. Some of my
classmate also felt that it is hard to maintain same meaning of ultimate sentence by making
transformation between some of the words. Thus, a proper guidance always provides a path
through which a student can earn success in their life.
Evaluation: In respective stage of Gibbs cycle includes the objectively evaluation of
situation regarding attribute that going well or which did not. While learning about the
paraphrasing it has been analyze that I learn the way to change the words that depict the same
meaning but looking new and meaningful that is very much important for me. While learning
paraphrasing I evaluated that not sure about the idea that have absorbed from the other
individuals.
On other hand while learn summarising I analyze that I am not able to summarise the
big paragraph or written knowledge into short one. As it takes too much time and efforts to
summarise. but due to practices a lot I can be able to pursue it positively.
Analysis: In respective step of Gibbs reflection cycle helps an individual to analyse the
situation that make the sense to reach at desirable outcomes. In context of Paraphrasing I can
be able to recreate because I have the command over the language and in that situation I feel
very happy. With I get confused and not sure about the idea that absorbed from other
individuals that affect my level of understanding.
In context of Summarising I can be able to read the whole content and understand in
proper manner. respective activity helps me to gain important kind of knowledge and
information to bring gist of the whole content. So analysis of the whole content process in
proper manner but it takes too much time create boredom in point of time. In that regards it
is very much important to involve oneself in potential manner for gaining desirable outcomes.
Conclusion: In respective section of Gibbs reflective cycle an individual reach at conclusion
regarding activities happened in it. Respective section helps to summarise and improve the

outcomes in the near future. In context of Paraphrasing I learnt that for an individual having
command over the language is very much necessary and for that s/he has to actively put
efforts to improve the outcomes. The positive aspect that analyze by me that it helps me to
evaluate myself that not only show strength but also weaknesses.
In context of summarising I learned that positive mindset of an individual is very
much essential and faith on oneself is very much potential to reach at desirable outcomes. As
it has been evaluated that by learning summarising it develop the ability to understand the
abstract aspects that is very much essential to lead the career positively.
Action plan: In respective attribute an individual plan for the what would do in different
manner and potential outcomes of it. In context of Paraphrasing, I plan that while doing it
next time required to develop the basic understanding of the subject as it proved beneficial
for an individual to recreate.
In context of summarising to improve the outcomes the different way to pursue it that
by reading the whole content and then note the whole gist and then arrangement of whole
task in sequence proved beneficial.
TERM 2
The term 2nd of the module was an advanced one, it focused on aspects which were
related to employability skills and its nearby aspects. The major module learning which I
undertook was formulation of the CV and cover letting. The tutor informed me that these are
the first point of contact with the employer therefore needs to be impressive. The study was
detailed on such CV writing and formulation of cover letter considering their importance to
the future possibility of employment of a student.
It is very important for me to reflect on my experiences as it is helpful in enhancing its
meaning and at the same time making sure that complex learning is developed (Ryan, 2019).
The topic which are undertaken in 2nd term is further reflected through undertaking of Kolb’s
model of reflective cycle. This model has been formed by David Kolb’s in the year 1984
highlighting the importance of reflection in the process of learning. Below is the brief
description of my reflection focusing on the four stages of reflection mentioned under Kolb’s
experiential learning model.
Concrete Experience: This is primary stage in the reflective model which highlights
the feeling of an experience. There is an interpretation of the experience which has been

encountered by an individual (Plaza, 2016) I am particularly reflecting on my experience of
module 2nd term particularly which focused on understanding how to form CV and cover
letter. This was a new experience for me as I was not able to understand why the tutor is
emphasizing on this aspect so much. I was initially a bit reluctant and non-cooperative to this
topic due to my lack of knowledge. There was numerous session devoted to make sure that
students are able to develop an attractive and impressive cover letter and CV for themselves. I
comparatively felt better when I was able to understand its importance in the competitive
market that we are going to face very soon. At the end of this stage I can say that it was a
different experience and I have learnt some useful things relating professional domain.
Reflective Observation: This is second stage to Kolb’s reflective learning which
focuses on reviewing and reflecting on the experience that has been undertaken by me. This
stage relies on evaluation of the experience and identify the areas which worked and areas
that doesn’t (Barker, Lencucha and Anderson, 2016). The thing that worked for me is that I
was able to identify the importance of building a right CV and cover letter and was able to
develop one which was well appreciated by the tutor. However, there were some aspects
which I would have been better. For instance, the initial inattentiveness that I show in the
session was something I regret. If I would have been more attentive learning could have
reached to a different level altogether. Now I am not that proficient at fundamentals when
compared to my other mates. Due to some personal obligation I was not able to attend all the
session in which practice tests were carried out. This was another setback that I am not very
clear on my errors which I may commit while forming a cover letter and CV for my future
endeavors.
Abstract Conceptualisation: This stage gives rise to a new approach or an idea which
can be considered for doing the tasks in the future. This stage is crucial as it helps in
minimizing the mistakes in the future gives a new approach of doing the tasks as well
(Cathro, O'Kaneand Gilbertson, 2017). At first I will try to be more attentive during the
session. This strategy will be helpful in identifying and capitalizing upon the experience and
knowledge of the lecturer’s. If I will be able to understand importance of a topic and will be
able to relate to my personal growth and experience, then I will be more attentive. Second
aspect that I will be working on is my time management skills. I have always been struck
between personal and professional obligations. I will be trying to prioritise my tasks and will
be allotting time and attention equals to that aspect. These new approaches of ideas will be
helpful in dealing upfront with challenges that I face during learning.

Active Experimentation: This is the final stage of Kolb’s reflective model which aims
to experiment upon the new ideas and strategies so that areas that does not work are identified
and further reflected upon. I feel more confident relating to the tasks that I have been doing
now-a-days. The reason being I prioritise the tasks according to their relevance and
importance in my life and work accordingly. However, I am still not able to attend all the
necessary session relating to the education which is hampering the knowledge and learning
that I should be possessing at this stage of my life. I still have to make numerous more
changes in my life to be punctual which will definitely reflect in my grades. Failure to do so
will be emerge as an opportunity to reflect upon the same.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above reflective report that this module has been very
important for the growth on professional grounds. Through the module I was able to
understand some of the core aspects of writing such as paraphrasing and summarizing during
the first term. The second term focused on developing my knowledge on formation of CV
and cover letter which are essential for professional growth. However, undertaking of this
reflection was helpful to me in identifying my challenges relating to paraphrasing and
summarizing as it was not able to conclude all the major aspects in that one paragraph. My
paraphrasing often resulted in similarity due to the lack of experience on such grounds.
During 2nd term I encountered some challenges which were relevant to my unpunctuality and
failure to prioritizing of tasks. Undertaking of time management practices have helped me in
creating a balance between personal and academic activities. Attempts are still being made to
be more punctual to the session.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Barker, D.J., Lencucha, J. and Anderson, R., 2016. Kolb’s learning cycle as a framework for
early fieldwork learning. World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Bulletin, 72(1), pp.28-34.
Bassot, B., 2016. The reflective journal. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Cathro, V., O'Kane, P. and Gilbertson, D., 2017. Assessing Reflection: Understanding Skill
Development through Reflective Learning Journals. Education & Training, 59(4),
pp.427-442.
Coleman, D. and Willis, D.S., 2015. Reflective writing: The student nurse's perspective on
reflective writing and poetry writing. Nurse education today. 35(7).pp.906-911.
Plaza, R.V., 2016. The importance of reflection within the academic assignments of study
abroad programs (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Tech).
Ryan, S.M., 2019. The Importance of Reflection in Study Abroad. The Sanyo Revew, 25,
pp.69-79.
Shum, S.B. and et.al.,2016, April. Reflecting on reflective writing analytics: Assessment
challenges and iterative evaluation of a prototype tool. In Proceedings of the sixth
international conference on learning analytics & knowledge (pp. 213-222).