CW2: Portfolio: Skills Reflection and Academic Development

This portfolio, titled CW2, is a student's self-reflection on the skills they developed and utilized during their academic journey. The introduction defines a portfolio as a tool for reviewing learning and assessing progress. The 'Skill Reflection' section details the application of various skills, including communication, critical thinking, reflective thinking, data interpretation, research, and academic writing. The student discusses how each skill was employed, providing examples of their use in coursework and weekly sessions. Furthermore, the portfolio highlights the importance of skills like plagiarism awareness, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills in academic life. The 'How Skills Help in Academic Life' section emphasizes the significance of these skills for personal and professional development. Finally, the conclusion reiterates the value of these skills and the references include a list of books and journals consulted.

CW2: PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SKILL REFLECTION.....................................................................................................................1
Communication Skills............................................................................................................1
Critical Thinking....................................................................................................................1
Reflective Thinking................................................................................................................2
Plagiarism...............................................................................................................................2
Data interpretation..................................................................................................................2
Research Skills.......................................................................................................................2
Analysis Approaches..............................................................................................................3
Problem solving skills............................................................................................................3
Interpersonal skills..................................................................................................................3
Academic Writing..................................................................................................................3
HOW SKILLS HELP IN ACADEMIC LIFE.................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Portfolio is defined as the integration of academic works of a student along with other
types of academic evidences in a bid to do the review of quality of the whole learning process
and assessment. This provides aid in tracking the development or progress of student over the
course of time. This paves way for determining whether an individual studying in University
deserves to get graduated, promoted or pass. The below mentioned project is a reflection done by
a student’s inclusive of the usage of some skills by them over course of time in college.
SKILL REFLECTION
While I was studying in University, I undertook the use of several skills, out of which
some were already present in me and some were developed or acquired during the execution of
coursework. The description regarding the usage of these skills while undergoing the current
module is given underneath:-
Communication Skills
This is the skill that helps a person to communicate or to speak with other person . In a
wider sense it can be said that this assists a person in the way a person talks to another person.
This can be simply understood by a thing that human beings are 'social animal' and they need
someone to talk to them. I applied communication skills in my college life and they have helped
me to communicate effectively with my classmates, this skill is also important in our personal
lives. The observation made by me during weekly sessions made me realise that these skills are
of three types oral, written and visual. All these sessions have helped me to improve my
academic performance and helped me in enhancing my growth in future time.
Critical Thinking
This is the ability to criticise something by analysing facts, data and phenomena of a
particular thing or object. In a general sense it can be said that it is a skill that is based over
analysing of a particular situation that is impacting day to day activity in life. This had a very
crucial impact over me during the tenure of my academic year. Over the time period in university
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this has helped me to analyse the various opinion of individual and to present my ideas to others.
This has further provided me to judge and take out the best ideology.
Reflective Thinking
This is a skill which provides aid to an individual in analysing a particular thing or
situation in an effective manner. In this regard, the weekly sessions in University made me learn
about Gibbs reflective cycle which is a widely used model for exhibiting reflective thinking. In
the lectures, I learned that Gibbs reflective cycle has an effective model that assists a person in
executing thinking and writing. This model was useful in an assignment that was assigned to me
for which I got appreciation from my assessors. In future time also, this skill will help me to
complete my assessments in given course of time.
Plagiarism
This means to put the views and opinions of other writers, authors or academicians as our
own. At university I have learned that this is an academic crime. It is of two types, intentional
and unintentional. The lecture classes given in the university provided help to me in learning that
if an ideal student carries out any project, he should give credit to the original writer by doing in
text citations. Also I have learned that a student who does plagiarism then action is take byn
disciplinary committee. This helped me to learn that in-texting is an important part of any project
done by a student in his academic life. This would provide aid to me from committing the crime
of plagiarism during academic life.
Data interpretation
Data interpretation can be referred to as the skill associated with execution of processes
by which information is reviewed in a bid to arrive at a meaningful conclusion. Interpretation of
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data needs to take into account analysis of data with the help of which inference can be drawn
from the enquiries. During the lectures at university, I learnt that there are several types of graphs
such as pie chart, bar graphs, pictogram, broken line graphs and many more such types. I made
use of this skill a number of times while doing the assignments. In future, this skill will provide
aid to me in interpreting the data from bars and charts in an effective manner.
Research Skills
This is the skill which provides aid to students in gaining knowledge about a subject
matter in rapid course of time. This skill provided aid to me in gather detailed information on the
subjects belonging to my assessments and class assignments. By having effective command over
this skill, it would be easier for me to find out suitable and authentic sources from which
information can be attained to make an appealing assessment in future.
Analysis Approaches
SWOT and PESTLE analysis are regarded to be 2 of the most important business
management models which are taken into use by individuals with a view to do comprehensive
study about a firm. Analytical skills and approaches like the 2 mentioned before are quite helpful
for individuals in academic life. These skills provided assistance to me in completing my module
course and assessment within stipulated course of time. Such skill will further provide guidance
to me in gaining knowledge of the internal and external environment of a firm.
Problem solving skills
These skills are handy at the time whereby an issue arise between two or more
individuals. Problem solving skills provided assistance to me in dealing with a problem which
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arose while I was undergoing a group task in university. This skill will further aid me in dealing
with any kind of complexity or problem at college or work.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skill is considered as one of most important skill in academic life. This is so
because, individual have to communicate to their teachers, batch mates and other for the
discussion of their topic on one on one basis. Along with this, strong interpersonal skill is also
required at the time of giving power point presentation in the class in order to explain their topic
to the respective audience in appropriate manner. With respect to my own experience, it can be
said that by developing this skill I can give effective presentation in the class.
Academic Writing
Academic writing refers to a specific style utilised in formal assessments or essays of
coursework. This makes use of a well devised and logical structure, formal language and is
generally supported by evidence. As per the learning from lectures, I acknowledged that there are
4 types of academic writing, analytical, descriptive, persuasive and critical. I learnt that each of
these forms of writing possesses its own specific purpose and language features. The academic
writing skills have helped me in completing my assignments in an effective manner in past and
will further provide assistance to me in carrying out the same in a feasible manner.
Blackboard
This is regarded to be an effectual tool that is put to use for strongly expressing one's
views and opinions about a subject matter. I made use of blackboard to put forward my view
point in front of others in a clear and specified manner. The practice sessions acquainted me with
the manner in which I can use it for discussing important topics with others and gain their
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ideology regarding the same. This would further aid me in future to make others understand my
perception over an object or concept.
E-book
Electronic book abbreviated as e-book can be accessed by readers through usage of
computer, tab, mobile phone or any other kind of smart device. The lectures acquainted me with
the manner in which I can use e-books to enhance my existing knowledge about a subject matter
and being aligned with the requirements of University. This would further provide assistance to
me in gaining an insight into several topics of my importance and relevance.
HOW SKILLS HELP IN ACADEMIC LIFE
On the basis of my overall experience related to academic life it has been acknowledge
by me that learning plays essential role in the growth and development of every individual. With
reference to my own experience it can be said that there are range of academic skills such as
research skills, reflective thinking skills, problem solving, academic writing, plagiarism,
interpersonal, critical thinking, communication, benefit of data interpretation and many more. It
can be said that by developing these skills I can easily make my academic life more stronger and
attain huge never of benefits that will contribute in enhancing chances of success in the
professional life too. On the other hand, while talking about academic writing skill it can be said
that the in academic life this skill plays an essential role because by having effective command
over this skill will allow me to express my knowledge over the subjects in appropriate manner.
In addition to this, it can be further said that I can also score good range of marks with developed
and strong academic skill. Additionally, strong communication skills will allow me to represent
my own point of view in front of audience in right manner which seems to look good for my
academic life.
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CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it can be interpreted that there are certain essential
skills which provide assistance to students in effectively undergoing the coursework. Further, it
has been analysed that it is important for students to make use of academic skills such as
communication, referencing, academic writing, research in order to ensure the progression of
personal and professional personality of a student. These skills pave way for the career
enrichment of individuals.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baker, C. N. and et. al., 2015. Teacher (mis) perceptions of preschoolers’ academic skills:
Predictors and associations with longitudinal outcomes. Journal of educational
psychology. 107(3). p.805.
Basturkmen, H., 2014. Ideas and options in English for specific purposes. Routledge.
Flores, N., Kleyn, T. and Menken, K., 2015. Looking holistically in a climate of partiality:
Identities of students labeled long-term English language learners. Journal of Language,
Identity & Education. 14(2). pp.113-132.
Valentino, R. A. and Reardon, S. F., 2015. Effectiveness of four instructional programs designed
to serve English learners: Variation by ethnicity and initial English proficiency.
Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 37(4). pp.612-637.
Jackson, D., 2015. Employability skill development in work-integrated learning: Barriers and
best practice. Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), pp.350-367.
Maurer, H. and Mawdsley, J., 2014. Students’ Skills, employability and the teaching of
European studies: Challenges and opportunities. European Political Science, 13, pp.32-
42.
Peet, M.R., 2016. Transforming students' beliefs: Developing employability skills and generative
identities through the Integrative Knowledge Portfolio Process. Journal of
Transformative Learning, 3(2), pp.15-36.
Smith, A., 2016. Experiential learning. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
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