FDN012 Project Portfolio: Critical Thinking, Gibbs Model Reflection

This project portfolio, created by a student, encompasses critical thinking skills and reflective practices using the Plymouth and Gibbs models. Task 3 applies the Plymouth model to a holiday planning scenario, breaking down the process into description, analysis, and evaluation stages. Task 4 delves into a reflection on the university experience using Gibbs' reflective cycle, detailing descriptions of the university journey, associated feelings, evaluations of experiences, analyses of events, and a concluding action plan for future endeavors. The student reflects on both positive and negative experiences, skill development, and personal growth, focusing on the development of skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The project culminates in an action plan to apply lessons learned to future situations, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to self-assessment and professional development.

FDN012 project
PORTFOLIO

Contents
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
The Plymouth Model of critical thinking....................................................................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................4
Reflection on the University experience using Gibbs model......................................................4
TASK 5 ACTION PLAN................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

TASK 3
The Plymouth Model of critical thinking
Plymouth model is based on the critical thinking aspects. It basically considers the analysis
of facts so that better judgement can be provided. There are various ways of critical thinking
process like for example observation, analysis, inference and communication. The Plymouth
model under covers all such aspects (Waltz, 2019). Critical thinking then, is the attempt to ask
and answer questions systematically. The present Plymouth model will lay emphasis on the
question about “I want to go on a holiday”. The model will be based on the three stages which
are description, analysis and evaluation. There are various modes related to general critical
thinking process. This will include the following:
Description: The situation is about I want to go on a holiday. In this part the description
will include information about what this situation is related to and why it is important to be
engaged in critical thinking process about this situation. The next thing which has been discussed
is where I want to go (Tanaka, Okamoto and Koide, 2018). Thought lot about and it for holiday
Paris is much suitable place. The next thing which will be considered in the description part is
when and the answer related to it also includes critical thinking. In about a month I would prefer
to go on a holiday. The next question related to ply mouth thinking involves why. In this the
answer can be based on the questions like why does it occur. After engaging in critical thinking
process, I have analysed that I need a break from the day to day mundane life and change is all
what an individual want in their life.
I want to go on
a holiday
Description
Analysis
Evaluatio
What-
Going to
holiday
When- in a month, Who-me, Where-Paris,
Why- I need a break
What next- to decide what will I do
there
So What- It is important
What if- Flight got delayed

Analysis: In this stage the description will become analysis and the first question related to
critical thinking will be what was the purpose of going to the holiday. The answer is basically an
individual needs break from day to day mundane life. The other question based on the Plymouth
model is how will it work. The answer is by getting the desired holiday an individual will feel
fresh and refreshing (Emery and Chang, 2017). He or she will be able to work more effectively
once the holiday is being over. The other question which can arise why not something else. An
individual can think that get refresh he can also try something else.
Evaluation: In this stage the individual can think about what if the flight got delayed or
there is some natural calamity at the place where the person wants to take the holiday. These
questions will be answered by critical thinking. The individual will also think about what next if
the holiday gets cancelled. He or she will think about the different plans which they can make if
it got cancelled.
TASK 4
Reflection on the University experience using Gibbs model
Gibbs reflective cycle provides the structure so that one can learn from the experiences. It is
a framework which can be used to analyse and evaluate experiences. It also allows an individual
learn from the experience which does not go well or went well. The model includes the
following steps:
Description: My experience of the University was just like roller coaster rider. I have faced
many ups and downs in the University. As my University is really popular and all the elite class
students study over here. I have got the admission in University because of the scholarship, and I
also belong to a lower middle class family so it was really difficult for me to adjust in an elite
environment. At first nobody wanted to become my friends as I was from different income class.
But after sometime when our teacher started giving us the group work projects, I was able to
make few friends. I have also analysed that my tutors in the University were really supportive
and also there exists no biasness from their side which was a really good thing for me. In the
initial days of my University, I also got bullied as the elite class students were not able to accept
me in their group. There were lots of positive and lots of negative aspects which I have faced
while studying in the University. Despite all such situation I was really clear in my goal which
was I wanted to become successful manager working in corporate company in future. I have also
analysed that after sometime students in the University has started accepting me and I was no

stranger for them. I have learned so many skills by studying over there like for example
previously I was not good at communicating. While studding in the University my
communication has improved. There were so many light bulb moments which has increased my
learning. I have also developed team work capabilities while working in the University. This has
helped me in achieving my professional as well as personal goals and objectives.
Feelings: At first when I have joined the University, I was really anxious and stressed as I
came from a lower middle class background and I have no idea whether the students and teachers
were going to accept me or not. But the one thing which gave me confidence was my scholarship
and also I was really focused for achieving the goal which I have set for myself. I have gone
through so many negative things while studying in University which has made me nervous. On
the other hand, there were so many positive aspects which has increased my self-esteem. I was
really enthusiast to learn new things in University so that my skills and abilities can be improved
and I was being able to achieve my personal as well as professional goals and objectives. I was
really satisfied to study in this University. I was also happy that my teachers have supported me
throughout my journey in the University. I was really satisfied by learning so many new skills in
like communication, problem solving, critical thinking and decision making skills. Sometimes I
also felt like I could have done better in University which could have helped me in getting better
grades. During the time of my first examination in University, the teacher gave us group work
project. The group work project in the University has helped me in making better bond with my
peers and also I have developed the capabilities of working in the team.
Evaluation: In the University I have experienced both good and bad. I have evaluated that
my experience in University was overall good so I am quite happy. I have also analysed that
while studying over there I have developed so many skills which can help me in future to
achieve the set target. I have evaluated that I have learnt skills like inter-personal,
communication, critical thinking, time management and many more which has helped me in
surviving the college. I have also experienced that there were few students who were my
toughest competitors. I was able to analyse their weakness and make better decisions which has
helped me in gaining better grades in the University. My teachers have also provided me support
throughout my journey and this has helped me in making better bond with teachers. I have also
evaluated that without the assistance and guidance of my seniors and teachers I was not been
able to achieve the set target and be in the position where I am today. The experience faced by

me in University has helped me in seeing and learning things differently. Now I have learned
that as a student I need to develop as a whole and this can only be learning by gaining
experiences through doing practical aspects. I have been able to enhance my efficiency as well as
abilities because of this. I have also enhanced my problem solving and decision making skills as
I have engaged in gaining experience from the practical life experience. I have also evaluated
that being and learning in University, I have been able to see things and people differently. I
have gained that there are so many things which you could learn from your teachers and peers by
just being there. I have also evaluated that I have also enhanced my research skills and my fellow
mates has helped me in improving it.
Analysis: I have gained abundant knowledge from the University in which I have studies. I
have made few good friends and also I was bene able to gain trust of my teachers. I have
analysed that this has led to increase in my confidence level and self-esteem. Previously I have
lacked these qualities but now I am confident enough that I will be a good business manager and
also I am confident that I will be able to make better business connects and strengthen my
business network. There were few skills which I have lacked when I have first joined the
University. These were communication, decision making, problem solving, research. I have
analysed that I need to enhance them and with time I know I will learn them as these are really
important for my career growth and also it will help me in excelling in my career. I have also
analysed that in University I did not have friends in starting but after engaging in group work
assignment, I was also being able to do team work. I have developed this skill with time and also
with the support of my fellow mates and my teachers. I have analysed that there were so many
learning bulbs which has motivated me to learn something new. Like when I see my fellow
mates and know how focused they are, I also wanted to be like. There was a point when I did not
get good marks at that moment I have analysed that without hard work there is nothing in this
world which I can achieved. So, I worked really hard in order to achieve my goals and
objectives. For this I also got support from my seniors and teachers.
Conclusion: I have concluded that my University experience has helped me in developing
so many skills which I was lacking when I have joined the college. I have also been able to
create trust for my teachers and also with my seniors. At first I was not being able to make
friends but after the group work assignment, I have also made few good friends who have helped
me in surviving the University. I have also been able to learn about how to work in team. This

has also helped me in becoming more productive. I have analysed that previously I was unable to
work in team but now I laid focus on developing this skill. I have also been able to achieve my
set target and objectives as I was really focused despite of the barriers and negativity which I
have faced during my college life. But the experience of University has helped me in gaining
those skills which I was really lacking. This has assisted me in enhancing my efficiency as well
as my productivity. There were so many learning bulbs that has assisted me in growing and
achieving objectives.
Action plan: In future when I will find similar situation or when I am stuck somewhere, I
will make sure that I do not become anxious as I did when I joined the University. I will try to
stay calm and will also be engaged in analysing the current situation. I will also make sure that I
have full knowledge of the situation which I am going to face as this will help me in overcoming
the problems. I will also take help from people who have been in similar situation, this will assist
me in growing and achieving my set target.
TASK 5 ACTION PLAN
Development
Objectives
Priority Activities to be
undertaken
Resources Target
Start
Date
Target
End Date
Criteria for
Success
To improve
problem
solving skills
Very
High
In order to
improve this
skill, it is really
necessary to be
engaged in face
to face
communication.
This will assist
in understanding
the task more
concisely
(Markkanen and
et.al., 2020). In
this self help
In this speak to
teachers who can
provide some
techniques on how
to enhance the
problem solving
skills. Assistance
can also be taken
from the self help
guide and online
websites and
university library.
1/10/19 1/12/19 Feedback
from the
peers and
tutors.

guide can also
be taken so that
the listening
skills will be
improved and it
will also help in
analyzing the
problem
adequately.
To improve on
presentation
skills
High In this research
can be done on
how to provide
better speech
and working can
be done on
improvising the
body language
and gestures.
This will help in
enhancing the
presentation
skill which will
be useful in
future.
In this speak to the
teachers on how the
skills related to
presentation can be
improved
(Dhaliwal, Singh
and Singh, 2017).
Online Videos can
also be watched of
successful
managers.
Attending the
conference of
successful
managers can also
help in enhancing
presentation skills.
1/10/2019 1/11/2019 Feedback
from the
peers and
tutors.
To improve
communication
skills
Medium Face to face
communication
with team
members and
teachers.
In this assistance
can be taken from
the internet by
watching the
videos related to
1/10/2019 15/10/2019 Feedback
from the
peers and
tutors.

Attending more
debate events
and speaking in
public can help
in enhancing the
communication
skills
(Sekarwinahyu
and et.al.,
2018).
Frequently
communicating
with other
members of
team will also
assist in
upgrading the
interaction
abilities
enhancing
communication
skills. Books
related to it can
also be read.
Various other
toolkits can also be
used.
To improve
decision
making skills
Low In this by
communicating
with tutor and
gaining
experience from
them about how
they have acted
in this type of
situation
(Dressler and
et.al., 2018).
This will help in
In this guidance
can be taken from
the internet or the
videos of famous
managers can be
seen about how
they have acted in
certain situation
and what decision
they have made.
Online toolkits can
also be used to
1/10/2019 7/10/2019 Feedback
from the
peers and
tutors.

enhancing the
decision making
skill during the
time of problem.
It is really
important to
enhance
communication
skills.
enhance the
decision making
skills.
To improve
research skills
Medium This can be
improved by
joining coaching
related to it. The
research skills
can also be
improved by
regularly doing
the research on
subject matter.
This will assist
in making the
research skill
better.
In this the
resources like
tablets, computers,
desktop and many
other things can be
used. The online
coaching classes
can also be used in
order to enhance
research skills.it
will help student in
growing
1/10/2019 20/10/2019 Feedback
from the
peers and
tutors.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Sekarwinahyu, M. and et.al., 2018. 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).
Markkanen, P. and et.al., 2020. A reflective cycle: Understanding challenging situations in a
school setting. Educational Research, 62(1), pp.46-62.
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.
Dhaliwal, U., Singh, S. and Singh, N., 2017. Reflective student narratives: honing
professionalism and empathy. Indian J Med Ethics, 3(1), pp.9-15.
Emery, C. and Chang, J., 2017, July. Reflection in a new light: updating Gibbs' reflective cycle
on a foundation degree in healthcare sciences. In HEA Conference, generation TEF.
Waltz, C., 2019. Impact of Reflective Practice within a Residency Program on New Graduate
Nurse Satisfaction, Stress, Support, and Retention Rates.
Dressler, R. and et.al., 2018. The cross-cultural reflective model for post-sojourn
debriefing. Reflective Practice, 19(4), pp.490-504.

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