Enhancing Academic Skills: A Reflective Teamwork and Learning Report

This report reflects on the development of academic skills, focusing on academic writing, teamwork, and paraphrasing. Using Gibbs' reflective model, the author describes experiences in a classroom setting, including challenges and opportunities faced while working in teams. The report highlights the importance of academic skills for personal and professional growth, emphasizing the role of teamwork in achieving common goals. Specific incidents, such as an essay competition, are analyzed to illustrate the impact of these skills. The report concludes with action plans for improving academic writing, teamwork, and paraphrasing abilities, stressing the need for continuous learning and collaboration. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and resources for students.

ACADEMIC SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................6
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................8
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................10
MAIN BODY.................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
Books & Journals:......................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Today's business environment gets very complex and competitive that's why it become
very necessary for every individual to develop some important skills. This will helps in personal
as well as professional development (McCormick and et. al., 2018). This report will be covers 4
to 5 important topics that were discussed in the classroom. It covers academic writing.
MAIN BODY
Academic skills are the approaches that applied by students in their learning process. It is
using in schools and colleges for acquiring good marks and grades. Academic skills play a vital
role in the life of students as they become more efficient learners. Gibbs reflective model is
defined as a cyclic model which consists of 6 important stages that followed by an individual
during the process of reflection. This model was developed by Graham Gibbs in 1998. It
provides a structure to learning from experiences. This is an effective framework which
examines experiences in a cyclic nature. So the experience of team members will be better
understood with the help of Gibbs reflective model where it shows that how academic skills how
developed in the classrooms by team members (Ye, 2019). It also shows the process of learning
with their personal experience which includes challenges and opportunities they faced. It is
necessary for or a team leader user reflective model so that they are able explains the reflection
in an effective way. It provides clear idea and purpose to individuals. Gibbs reflective model is
consists of 6 important stages that are discussed with a personal reflection of team members.
Description
It is the first stage of reflective model in which a person describe their experience of
selected learning topic. Academic writing is defined as a way of writing which focusing on
clarity, conciseness, structured with evidence, etc. So that readers are effectively able to
understand their aim. It is an important for students that they should develop academic writing
skills as they will be used in their lifetime. I analysed that there are some students who lack in
academic writing skills. So that’s why as a team leader I explained the importance of academic
writing skills to my team number so that they will get inspire and motivate towards development.

Feelings
It is the second stage of Gibbs reflective models where an individual reflected their
feelings and thoughts. There was an essay competition where my team members took
participation (Dressler and et. al., 2018). After analysing their performances with the help of
their scores card, I really was very shocked as I got to know that some of the team members are
not good in academic writing. It was very difficult for me that how I helped my team members in
order to improve their academic writing skills. I felt that team members need to focus on their
academic writing skills with the help of teamwork.
Evaluation
Evaluation is considered as a third stage of Gibbs reflective cycle where an individual is
expressing their good and bad experience in their learning. This is an important stage very
readers get to know that what are the challenges and opportunities faced by an individual who
share their experience (Arumugam and et. al., 2017).
In the case of academic writing, it was very difficult for me to develop as for that
purpose; they needed to improve their knowledge. This can be done with the help of reading
skills. That mean it was very compulsory for them to start reading books in order to improve
their academic writing skills. Team members had not enough to start reading as they had another
work also. So it became very tough to manage their time.
Analysis
I analysed from my experienced that academic skills plays a very important role in
personal as well as professional life. It is necessary for me to develop academic skills in my team
members as they have to in their future which can be possible only because of their academic
skills (Sharp, 2018). I analysed that in every sector, people need to write something which can be
only possible because of academic writing skills.
Conclusion
I concluded after analysis of my experience that academic skills are very important for
every individual as they can improve their skills as well as increase their career opportunities. I

could say this because of analysing the career growth of team members. There were many cases
in which I analysed that academic skills are necessary for every individual. This can be better
understood that with the help of example. For example, there were my students who gave
competitive exams in which they use their academic writing skills for the purpose of getting
good grades. Due to their academic writing skills, they got clear in their exams. So I analysed
that it is necessary for students to develop academic skill.
Action plan
After conclusion I formulated an action plan which is effective in order to improve the
academic skills (Escolano-Pérez, Herrero-Nivela and Losada, 2020). With the help of an action
plan, an individual is able to achieve their goals and objectives effectively. So there is an action
plan that mentioned in below table:
Skills Why it choose? How to improve? How to measure?
Academic
writing
Academic writing is the way
of writing that learns in
school and collages. It is
important for not only
students but also for
employees as it requires in
every sector. In schools and
colleges, academic writing is
required for getting good
marks and grades whereas in
business environment,
employees required
academic writing for the
purpose of write formal
letters, reports, notice, etc.
For the purpose of
improving academic
writing skills, I will
give a daily online test
of writing letters,
notice, essay, etc. I
also learn daily new
words that improve
my vocabulary.
In order to measure
my performance, I will
be checking my initial
score with the last
score.

INTRODUCTION
Team work skills are important for a;ll the individuals. This is necessary for an individual
to analyse the strength and weakness in order to develop teamwork skills. It will also use a
reflective model so that every individual is able to reflect their experience in an effective way.
MAIN BODY
This will be understood by reflection of team members in which all learners an
experience of learning of academic skills has. With the help of personal reflection, individual can
better understand that why academic skills are very important and they should develop in in
classrooms.
Description
The class was divided into teams and assigning task to develop some academic skills
after analysing their strengths and weakness (Mallia, 2017). As a team leader, identified four
important academic skills which should be developed in the group members that include
teamwork, etc. I learnt that teamwork is necessary to present in the group because people need to
work with each other so they need a team work. So I divided some duties and responsibilities to
each team member in order to achieve an objective (Harerimana, 2018). But at that stage, I
analysed that teamwork is very important for achieving a common goal.
Feelings
This stage is very important in order to understand the experience. As a team leader I felt
that developing of academic skills are very important for my group members. There was an
incident where I felt that academic skills play a crucial role in the life of an individual. I felt that
teamwork is one of the way which helps to achieve a common goal. I also realised that team
members are efficient in teamwork it becomes relaxing for me to develop skills. Teamwork is
very important for achieving a common objective because it builds morale not for a single
member but also for all team members. Due to this, I relaxed that development of skills are
possible for them. But still it was not an easy task for me as I have to focus on other important
skills also.
Evaluation

I was used teamwork in order to develop academic writing, paraphrasing and time
management in team members. It was not only a challenging but also an opportunity for me and
my team members. It provided me an opportunity to show my skills and knowledge to the team
members and an opportunity for all the team members that they can improve their skills and
knowledge. Due to this, I also benefited in respect of my career opportunities as my leadership
skills provided many options for growth and success. Overall my experience was good as well as
bad. With the help of my experience, I learnt many things which improve me.
Analysis
I analysed that all the skills are of no use without team working skills. An individual
should work effectively in team in order to complete the assigned task on time.
Conclusion
Team work is very necessary for a group as it assist in achievement of common goals
(Kikas, Soodla and Mägi, 2018). In today's business environment, it becomes complex that
creates many challenges for organisation. They need teamwork in order to deal with the
challenges. In team work, people are ready to work in a collaborative way because of that their
ideas get interacted with each other that create many creative solutions. It can be concluded
from the above discussion that academic skills are necessary for every person as it helps in
improving their skills and knowledge.
Action plan
Teamwork Teamwork is necessary for
the purpose of achieving
common goals. I want to
improve teamwork skills in
order to achieve desired
results.
More engagement with
people helps me to
improve teamwork
skills. As I will be able
to interact with more
and more people. This
is necessary for me as
well as for my
colleagues as it will
I will be compare my
result with the desired
result. It will helps me
to measure my
performances.
Measurement is
necessary for my
skills. This needs to be
free from bias so that

improve collaboration
working conditions.
actual result can be
found.
INTRODUCTION
It is necessary for an individual to develop paraphrasing skills as it is helpful in personal
as well as professional life. This report will be covering paraphrasing which is necessary for an
individual.
MAIN BODY
Students are easily built their confidence with the help of academic skills which are
valuable outside their classrooms (Boettler and et. al., 2020). It is not only important in higher
education but also important in business environment.
Description
There was a task where students need to paraphrase a topic. I give many topics to each
team member for the purpose of paraphrasing as it is important for them. The reason behind of
giving paraphrasing to members is they can easily convey their message in a simple language
which understands by everyone in an effective way (Tanaka, Okamoto and Koide, 2018). I
analysed that reason is an important still which is not easy for anyone. There were many students
who were unable to understand the exact meaning of paraphrase. They have confusion as they
believed that paraphrasing is just replacing words with synonyms. So that’s why I explained a
meaning of paraphrasing which is defined as a idea or information from many sources that
express inn in their own words. It is not a replacing of words.
Feelings
I also realised that paraphrasing should be developed in individuals. I felt that
paraphrasing is necessary in order to personal views for a particular subject matter. I felt that I
am average in paraphrasing skills which is necessary for showing my own feelings in a right
way.
Evaluation

In the case of academic skills, where I decided that as a team leader I have to focus on
developing some important academic skills in my team numbers. That was not an easy task for
me because every person had a different mindset and perception level. Sometimes I realised that
it was not possible for me to develop academic skills in my team members. Due to the different
knowledge and perceptions, sometimes it was becoming very challenging for me that how I
integrated each personal goal with a common goal. I evaluate that paraphrasing is very helpful
for completing my future projects.
Analysis
It just not helps in writing in academic activities but also a person can improve their
paraphrasing. With the help of academic writing, a person can improve their vocabulary and
sentence formation skills which results in good paraphrasing. This is necessary for every
individual that they have good academic writing and paraphrasing skills. I analysed that it will
not only important in school and colleges but also in professional life where people have to do
work should have knowledge of academic writing and paraphrasing. It will use in every field as
without writing skills no single job can be able to perform.
Conclusion
Paraphrasing is also an important skill which needs to be developed by students so that
they can able to express in their own words (Holewik, 2020). I also concluded that paraphrasing
skills needs to be managed by students so that an individual achieve their goals and objectives
effectively and efficiently. This needs to be understood by students in today's competitive life; it
becomes essential for everyone that they should improve their skills in order to stay competitive
in the market. For improving skills and knowledge of individual they need to make a plan that
includes all important academic skills. This report discussed an importance of academic skills
with the help of personal reflection.
Action plan
Paraphrasing Paraphrasing is an activity
that used for the purpose of
Regular practices of
writing improve my
Take a feedback from
teachers and

restatement. This is
necessary for me that I
should improve paraphrasing
so that I will be able to
explain my own words in a
better way.
paraphrasing. It also
includes reading of
novels and personal
biography that
improves my writing
style. I will be able to
know that what words
should be taken in
order to paraphrase.
experienced person in
order to check my
paraphrasing skills.
INTRODUCTION
Academic skills become very important for an individual during their learning time as it
will help them to overcome the challenges of upcoming business environment. This report will
be cover some important topic which reflect a personal learning experience of team members. It
covers time management skills.
MAIN BODY
Students are using their academic skills in their professional life which makes them
efficient. It includes many skills such as time management, etc. For that purpose, Gibbs
reflective model is used in this report as it helps to clarify the purpose and idea of reflection
effectively and efficiently.
Description
In addition to this, time management plays a crucial role where I realised that team
members need to be punctual. In classroom, there were many students who were not give
importance to time. So that's why I also realised that time management is crucial skill which
needs to be developed by students.
Feelings

I felt that if a person achieve their goals after lapse of time then it will no meaning for
them. I fell that by managing time I am able to complete the work on time and with full
confidence.
Evaluation
I and my team members faced a problem of time management. That's why I need to work
on time management as well. But fortunately, I was had a significant point that teamwork and
learning behaviour. Every person of team was always ready to learn something new that was a
positive point for me.
Analysis
Time management is necessary for every individual as they can easily complete their task
within time (Aslam, 2018). It is found that team members are lacking in time management as
they were not serious about the time management. For example, a person needs financial support
in order to pay a bank loan. But he is unable to arrange money before due to date of loan. Due to
this, a person is not able to pay a loan amount and then after lapse of period he arranges money
so there is no mean for them.
Conclusion
Time management is not only effective for students but also essential for me. Due to time
management, I was able to teach and lead my team members in an effective way. I was achieving
my goals within time. I also learned that a person can overcome with big challenges if they are
ready to work with team. It also used a reflection model in order to give the clarity and purpose
of reflection. Gibbs reflective model is used in this report that includes 6 important stages. It
involves description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. This model
provides a clear guidance to the people so that they can understand the reflection purpose that
covers experiences.
Action plan
Time
management
Time management is an
important skill as it helps to
Making a daily
schedule for small as
Measure my
completion of task

achieve the goals and
objectives within time
period. I choose this skill so
that I will not waste my time
as I want to invest time in
other activities also.
well as large activities
that improves my time
management skills.
with the allocated time
so that I will be able to
know that what time I
was taken.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Arumugam, B., and et. al., 2017. Reflective writing–how a medical student can reflect?. Journal
of Education Technology in Health Sciences, 4(2), pp.47-53.
Aslam, M., 2018. Current trends and issues affecting academic libraries and leadership
skills. Library Management.
Boettler, L.M., and et. al., 2020. Academic skills, community engaged, leadership, and global
themed first-year seminars: Comparisons in student success. Journal of College Student
Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, p.1521025120912696.
Dressler, R., and et. al., 2018. The cross-cultural reflective model for post-sojourn
debriefing. Reflective Practice, 19(4), pp.490-504.
Escolano-Pérez, E., Herrero-Nivela, M.L. and Losada, J.L., 2020. Association between
preschoolers’ specific fine (but not gross) motor skills and later academic competencies:
Educational implications. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, p.1044.
Harerimana, B., 2018. Reflective Practice for Professional Development Among Nursing
Instructors. Teaching Innovation Projects, 8(1).
Holewik, K., 2020. Peer Feedback and Reflective Practice in Public Service Interpreter
Training. Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition, 2(6), pp.133-159.
Kikas, E., Soodla, P. and Mägi, K., 2018. Teacher judgments of student reading and math skills:
Associations with child-and classroom-related factors. Scandinavian Journal of
Educational Research, 62(5), pp.783-797.
Mallia, J., 2017. Strategies for developing English academic writing skills. Arab World English
Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 8.
McCormick, M., and et. al., 2018. Instructional support and academic skills: Impacts of
INSIGHTS in classrooms with shy children. Early Education and Development, 29(5),
pp.691-715.
Sharp, L.A., 2018. Reflective practice: Understanding ourselves and our work. Australian
Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 25(10), p.48.
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.
Ye, J., 2019. Designing an Academic Skills Bridging Course for University
Freshmen. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 9(11),
pp.836-842.