Academic Skills and PDP Report - Bolton University, Semester 1

This report, focusing on Academic Skills and Personal Development Plans (PDP), explores the core skills essential for academic and professional growth. It defines personal and professional development, emphasizing the value of short, medium, and long-term goals. The report details how to create a PDP, providing examples based on identified goals. It also examines the importance of source evaluation, using the CRAAP test, considering author, purpose, reliability, and relevance. The report evaluates eight sources used in a project plan, assessing their reliability and relevance to the PDP. The conclusion highlights the significance of a well-structured PDP for achieving goals and enhancing personal attributes, supported by reliable sources. The appendices include a practical example of a PDP with specific goals and action plans, followed by a comprehensive list of references.

ACADEMIC SKILLS AND
PDP

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
TASK ONE.................................................................................................................................................3
Define personal and professional development.......................................................................................3
Description of value of short term goals..................................................................................................3
Description of value of medium term goals.............................................................................................3
Description and discussion of value of long term goals...........................................................................3
Describe the value of personal development plan and construct an example using identified goals........4
TASK TWO................................................................................................................................................4
Description and discussion of how author, purpose, reliability and relevance affect use of source.........4
TASK THREE.............................................................................................................................................5
An evaluation of eight sources used in project plan.................................................................................5
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................8
APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................................9
Discuss personal development plan by constructing example using identified goals...............................9
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Academic skills refers to a core skills that includes and academic writing, referring,
presentation etc. that subdue more critical skills that helps in developing personal and
professional terms (McGill, Heikkila and Lazarowicz, 2020) . This report includes the concept
of PDP along with discussion of short, medium and long term goals with the explanation of
reliability, purpose and author which helps in creating personal development plan effectively and
appropriately.
TASK ONE
Define personal and professional development
It refers to that process in which an individual person indulges in the activity of learning
to fulfill the challenges and desired targets (Mulherin, Walter and Cox, 2018). This process is
linked with the development of individual and group with the help of examine current skills.
Description of value of short term goals
Short term goals are very valuable as it helps in minimizing delays in tactics. It represents
a clear path that helps in attaining a target on time. For example- Developing the practice of good
habit, ritual of saving to attains future goals, practice on daily basis so that all targets are attained
on specified period of time, focus on improving English speech and writing, get success in
foundation of business management and all these reflects the value of short terms goals. These
goals are attained in a short period of time that is around one year (Cottrell, 2019).
Description of value of medium term goals
Medium term goals are those which are big enough to make a high progress and short
enough to become a different person by the time frame an individual attain goals. For instance-
Focusing on improving weak skill through study, do job as an intern so that lots of skills and
knowledge related to business profession are gained, focus on developing an idea related to open
a business. All these goals are attained in a period of around 3 years (Cameron, 2007).

Description and discussion of value of long term goals
It defines a goal that encourages a person for self improvement to attain long term
objectives with full perfection. It helps in presenting the successful and positive results within
day to day activities that helps in sustaining for a longer period of time. For instance-
Completion of specific module or a degree from Bolton university, Identifying stability in
personal and professional life along with focus on becoming specialist in particular field, starting
own organization. These goals are attained in a period of around 5 years (Pool, Gurbutt and
Houston, 2019).
Describe the value of personal development plan and construct an example using identified goals
It includes significance that is associated with personal and professional development plan
because it helps in making a positive career. It also provides individual strength and weakness
that helps in getting long term progress with perfection (Gamble and et. al., 2020). For instance-
plans are made to attain the high position within future perspective along to accomplishing
objectives in appropriate manner. To operate own business an individual can save money by
setting the short, medium and long terms goals so that objectives are achieved on time. Attending
all classes helps in enhancing knowledge related to business management managing time helps
in accomplishing aim on specified period of time.
TASK TWO
Description and discussion of how author, purpose, reliability and relevance affect use of source
Sources are used by the authors to make appropriate outcomes in collecting data and
information on specified topic. It is very essential for a person to examine what are the needs and
what a person search. And for this CRAAP is best tooling that was developed by Merriam
library.
C stand for currency that helps in determine that date of publication is reliable or not. As
per this to attain short term goals, an individual use specific source that was published in 2019.
For attaining long term goals a person used the sources of 2019 year whereas for attaining
medium term goals that improving weak skills and many more that listed above an individual
used the source that was published on 2007.

Relevance represents the relevancy of particular source. In this to attain the short term
and long terms goals the used sources are relevant because it gives proper information related to
developing my career, enhancing English speaking skill, getting degree of Bolton University etc.
Author denotes that the information is used is knowledgeable or not. In terms of
attaining short terms goals within a period of one year author (Cottrell, S.,) sources are used. For
attaining medium terms goals (Cameron, S.,) sources are used that gives information about
developing career in business. In this for attaining long term goal an individual use the
information from (Pool, L.D., Gurbutt, D. and Houston, K.) so that goals are attained on time
related to opening own business.
Accuracy determines correctness of content. In this sources which are used to attain short
goals are provide accurate information based on opinions. For attaining medium term goals
above source is not accurate because it is not belong to past 10 years. For achieving long terms
goals the sources are used is correct because it belong to past 10 years (Mercer and Weaver,
2020).
Purpose examine the aim of exist information. The main aim of using the source of
attaining short term goals, medium terms and long terms goals are that it helps in providing the
information related to completing the targets to gain knowledge.
TASK THREE
An evaluation of eight sources used in project plan
Sources Author(s) Purpose Reliability Relevance
Dialogical coaching:
An experiential
approach to personal
and professional
development. Consulti
ng Psychology
Journal: Practice and
Pugh and
Broome,
(2020)
This source
represents to
examine the
significant
needs related
to coaching,
training and
It is reliable
because it is
related to
previous year
as it also gives
current
information
This source is
relevant as it is
based on
present year.

Research. 72(3). p.223. development. related to
topic.
An autoethnographic
exploration of learning
and teaching reflective
practice. Social Work
Education, 34(4),
pp.363-376..
Watts, (2015) To
understandin
g the
requirements
of PDP using
counseling
that are
associated
with training.
This source is
not reliable
because it is
not belong to
the past 10
years due to
which old
information is
reflected.
This shows
relevant
because it
provide the
knowledge
related to
personal
development
plan that are
linked with
training
advancement.
Categorizing the
broad impacts of
continuing
professional
development: a
scoping
review. Medical
education. 53(11).
pp.1087-1099.
Allen and et.
al., (2019)
To identify
the impact of
continuous
learning
development
that helps in
enhancing
self
motivation.
It is reliable as
it is belong to
previous year.
It is relevant
because it gives
an overview
related to
personal
development
plan.
Teacher professional
development in
changing conditions.
Beijaard and
et, al (2005)
To determine
the condition
changes in
It is not
reliable source
because it is
It is relevant
because it helps
in

Dordrecht: Springer. teacher
professional
development.
not belongs to
previous 10
year source.
implementing
changes within
professional
and personal
growth.
Personal and
contextual factors
associated with growth
in preschool teachers'
self-efficacy beliefs
during a longitudinal
professional
development
study. Teaching and
Teacher Education. 75.
pp.278-289.
von
Suchodoletz,
and et. al.,
(2018)
To
understand
various
factors
related to
growth
during
professional
development
study.
It is highly
reliable in
present
working.
This source is
relevant as it
offer belief to
professional
development
study.
Semi-formal learning
communities for
professional
development in mobile
learning. Journal of
Computing in Higher
Education. 20(2).
pp.35-47.
Kukulska-
Hulme and
Pettit, (2008)
To get the
knowledge
regarding
mobile
learning.
Reliable
source because
it is belong to
previous year
and effective
for present
criteria.
Relevant
source because
it offers
advanced and
improvised
learning
scheme that
also develop
professionalism
and
personalism.
The teacher’s role and
professional
Makovec,
(2018)
To examine
the role of
It is reliable as
it includes
Relevant
source because

development. Internati
onal Journal of
Cognitive Research in
Science, Engineering
and Education. 6(2).
p.33.
teacher in
professional
development.
under the
previous year.
it offers
significance of
teacher or tutor
in enhancing
individual
personality.
Minding the form that
transforms: using
Kegan’s model of
adult development to
understand personal
and professional
identity formation in
medicine. Academic
medicine, 94(9),
pp.1299-1304.
Lewin and et.
al., (2019)
To examine
the use of
several
models for
developing
personal and
professional
identify.
Reliable
because it
belong to not
more than 10
year.
Relevant
source as it
offers the use
of models for
forming
personality.
CONCLUSION
From the above information it is concluded that developing a personal plan is significant
for creating values of short, medium and long terms goals. In this study use of sources are
included that are useful to get the reliable outcomes by reducing conflicts and misunderstanding.
It helps in developing an individual personality. At last it involves eight sources that help in
reflecting reliable, relevant and purposeful outcomes.

APPENDICES
Discuss personal development plan by constructing example using identified goals
Personal development plan refers to a process that helps an individual to gain collective
results that increases satisfaction. Personal development is addressed below:
Skill Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Course of Action Time period
Time
management
5 8 Get the guidance with top
authority that helps in
presenting clarity with
appropriateness.
35 days
Verbal
Communicatio
n
4 6 This skill is developed by taking
participation in seminars, group
discussion etc. that helps in
encouraging to connect with
number of people by sharing
information effectively and
efficiently. It helps in
developing English speaking
and writing skill.
40 days
Group
Working
3 6 By working in a team and
allocating task equally among
all group members.
30 days

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Cameron, S., 2007. The business student's handbook: learning skills for study and employment.
Pearson Education.
Cottrell, S., 2019. The study skills handbook. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Gamble, S.C., and et. al., 2020. Students as co-authors of an academic development service: A
case study of the Study Skills service at the University of Bristol. New Review of
Academic Librarianship, (just-accepted), pp.1-12.
McGill, C.M., Heikkila, M. and Lazarowicz, T., 2020. Professional development, performance
expectations and academic advisors’ perceptions of relational skills: a sequential
explanatory mixed methods study. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human
Resource Development, 32(4), pp.50-69.
Mercer, K. and Weaver, K.D., 2020. Evaluative Frameworks and Scientific Knowledge for
Undergraduate STEM Students: An Illustrative Case Study Perspective. Science &
Technology Libraries, pp.1-17.
Mulherin, K., Walter, S. and Cox, C.D., 2018. National preceptor development program (PDP):
influential evidence and theory. The first of a 3-part series. Currents in Pharmacy
Teaching and Learning, 10(3), pp.255-266.
Pool, L.D., Gurbutt, D. and Houston, K., 2019. Developing employable, emotionally intelligent,
and resilient graduate citizens of the future. In Employability via Higher Education:
Sustainability as Scholarship (pp. 83-97). Springer, Cham.