Learning Journal: Evaluation & Reflection EVERE5017 Spring 2018

This learning journal documents a student's reflections and activities in the Evaluation and Reflection module (EVERE5017), focusing on self-assessment, critical incident analysis, and career development planning. The journal includes reflections on group project experiences, the application of reflective models like Boud's Triangular Representation and Lewis' framework, and the use of tools such as Gibbs' reflective cycles and Belbin's Behavioural test. Key themes include the importance of experience, reflection, and learning, as well as the development of work-related skills and personal strengths. The student also addresses challenges encountered during group projects, conflict resolution strategies, and recommendations for improving their learning experience. The journal culminates in a career development plan outlining future goals and strategies for professional growth.

Learning Journal 1
Learning Journal
Student Name:
Student Number:
Module Code:

Learning Journal 2
Week 1 Jotting down initial reflections
My learning experience was guided the work of Boud’s concerning the Triangular
Representation. While there are other models of reflection, Bound’s model has been considered
as being the simplest model of reflection. Most of the other models have been found to be
cyclical in nature. In his model for example, Bound brings out the use of experience and
reflection to achieve learning. One must first go through different events to gain an experience to
make it possible to reflect and learn.
My first experience started after becoming a member of PPDI class. I was allocated as a
member of a life project named Vamanos. The fact that I had not participated in such a group
and project before, I felt much confused in my first few days. Even though I have previously
participated in other projects during my study period, I think my confusion was because I was
made to participate in a project that was never my choice. I had a perception that I would face
difficult tasks ahead of me. However, my efforts to be reassigned to another group where I could
feel comfortable were overcome by persuasions and motivation from not only my colleagues but
my lecture. According to my colleague, I stood a better chance of experiencing new friends as
well as learning point. Similarly, my lecture maintained that the project was the best way of
providing every one of us the better place to interact with others and develop our future
professional careers.
Scholars such as McLeod (2017) argues that anyone who dares to use past events to
reflect, could do so by being transparent, self-evident, and self-aware that past events could
provide a better point of learning and not self-harm. Therefore, I prefer reflecting on my actions.
I do this not through research issues or theories but by sharing with my friends. It was a better
place to find solutions and value their opinions. For instance, I had to reflect on the days that I

Learning Journal 3
had participated in different activities and the assignment that I had at hand. My reflection made
me develop a clear picture out of my experience concerning the importance my module as well
as my project (Reynolds & Vince 2016).
My reflection made me learn that I should not always be quick to dismiss issues even
before getting clearer understanding of entire details. I now seek to develop open-mindedness
when approaching issues.

Learning Journal 4
Week 2 Screen shot of your response in the class forum

Learning Journal 5
Week 3 Key reflective words
I applied critical, reflection, and experience as three key reflective words. Lewis (2013) refers
to critical thinking as a way of making objective and careful judgement or views as well as
evaluation of an idea. Jaiswal and Srivastava (2013) suggest that an individual should look at
every possible angle to help think objectively and in a critical manner. According to Lewis, to
reflect implies turning one’s thoughts back, meditating, and pondering about an experience
with an event. In this case, an experience implies a skill or knowledge within a particular
activity or a job. An individual must have gained because of participating in the event for
considerably long time.
Application of Lewis (2013) framework to my recent learning and participation in Life project
name Vamanos provided me with an opportunity to interact with my team members and shape
my behaviours. Most importantly, my participation in PPDI group showed that I have traits of
interacting with people from different backgrounds. I am able to consider the contributions as
well as opinions of other people. I did this with the understanding that we cannot all be equal
and have similar perceptions. Similarly, I have come to appreciate other project members on
the basis that they did not brash me off. They treated me with a high level of resect.
Lewis (2013) model of reflective learning encourages an individual to go through a systematic
thinking concerning their knowledge and skills gained from different jobs or events. She further
explain that an individual must consider experiences, observe, and reflect on best ways to
modify o enhance own kills. Therefore, in applying Lewis argument to participation in my
project work, it would help me think about ways to develop my skills and knowledge.
Furthermore, I can also understand how to start interacting with other people bend my team.

Learning Journal 6
Week 4: Reflective writing: completed self-assessment form.
My reflective writing involved completing a self-assessment form to understand my reflection
after participating in our life project named Vamanos. In total, I answered 8 different questions.
My explanation about the reasons for participating in my group showed that the project was
way of learning from a new experience. I said this with the understanding that even though I
have previously gone through new experiences, was unique. Its uniqueness was because of
participating with other members of the team who also had no prior experience by the project
of developing a portfolio through different methodologies and activities. Second, I wanted to
understand ways to identify and articulate development of work related skills all drawn from
the project. Third, I sough sought to start demonstrating my knowledge and awareness
concerning the context and foundation of our life project. Further, understand the best way to
evaluate the effectiveness of having to prepare and plan when seeking to implement a project.
Edmondson, Dillion and Roloff (2006) review different empirical studies that focus on team
learning through new learning curves, psychological experiments (through coordination of
work), and field research on learning process (through group process). They found that new
learning curves are important when one is beginning a new initiative such as a process or idea.
Second, learning curves help improve performance during the experience phase (Linton and
Walsh 2013). However, with time, the learning curve starts to flatten. Nonetheless, Waterworth
(2000) argue that a learning curve help team member to improve in areas such as sharing of
ideas, knowledge, develop common ownership of a project, increases team stability, and
promotes efficiency. Hence, in overall, I wanted to gain a new learning curve that relates to
Boud’s triangle theory about experience, reflection, and learning (Lewis. 2013).

Learning Journal 7
Week 5: Three recommendations to improve my learning experience
I received three feedbacks recommending the best ways that I could improve my learning
experience. The first recommendation was linked to integrating my tradition approach to
learning and academic context. This recommendation that was based on the foundation that
even before introducing learning contract though PPDI class, I had a totally different perception
about learning. Hence, the class helped by introducing me to a new concept of using academic
context to learning.
Fedeli, Giampaolo and Coryell (2013) refer to a learning contract as an agreement occurring
between a tutor and a student. The parties must agree and achieve behavioural objectives. The
second recommendation required that I indicate my initial thoughts about learning contract. I
had unimpressive initial thoughts concerning learning contract. The thoughts made me
conclude that it was irrelevant to my studies. However, I have come to realise that it is even
more relevant to me. More specifically, it has helped me participate in education and assist me
in realising my future potentials and current weaknesses.
The third recommendation indicated that I explain ways that I will apply my new learning
contract. I will apply it through start, stop, and continue approach. For instance, I will start by
identifying areas to enhance my performance. As the same time, I will identify things to stop
doing to maximize on my performance. The proposed approach focuses on doing things that I
perceive are important in achieving my goals. For example, some of the important things
include dedication; design a time frame, ensuring that I attend all classes, paying close attention
to feedbacks from my peers as well as tutors. While at the same time, I will continue showing a
strong commitment to my timeframe, attending classes, and responding to all feedbacks.

Learning Journal 8
Week 6: Reflection on a Critical Incident Using REFLECT
I remember on how I became anxious when I was first introduced to my PPDI group project.
Our role was to build a database. I found the experience to be total new to me. The approach for
me to follow gave varying ideas from the members. Consequently, we also spend a lot of time
on the best way we could move forward.
When I reflect on what happened, I remember experiencing difficulties on my new experience.
For example, views made by members made us think that we could not move forward. The
initial bottleneck brought about a lot of apprehension on my part. I had some fears that we
could waste a lot of time. This made us take a break to make us start reflecting on the best way
we could move forward and recover and approach the task in a more different way.
I ended up developing a nasty experience from my PPDI class. It left an indelible and long
lasting impression. I was filled with fear that our group was finally going to fail. Our focus on
the project was to start by forming a working group. We met in room G11 GSM London. In an
entire incident, I was full of doubts on whether our group would accomplish any task.
However, I managed to learn a lot of lessons from the incident. Most importantly, the incident
took place out of necessity for the group to work together and produce a database for our PPDI
project. In retrospect, I would consider the incident as positive. It helped model the best out of
us. When I evaluate or form an idea about the incident. One thing that stands out is how I really
managed to apply my computer skills. I have also learnt that determination and concentration
can make us achieve a lot of things.

Learning Journal 9
I consider tension and apprehension bring out the best out of me. I should have had a more
confidence in my ability and more confidence in my ability and more confidence I my team
members. In case the situation arises again, then it is apparent that I will become an open
minded person. I will do this to my ideas not to underrate my abilities.
Week 7: Reflection on leadership and conflict resolution using REFLECT
Conflict involves a state of disagreement between two or more parties (Dahlgaard, et al 2013).
Bercovitch and Jackson (2009) uses the below model to explain the conflict situation that
occurs at the place of work. Hence, a conflict situation experiences assertiveness as well as
cooperativeness (Sogra 2014). Bercovitch and Jackson illustrate that the former refers to a
situation when an individual strives to satisfy own desires. The later situation involves
individuals in conflict working together to resolve the conflict (Kirti 2016; Mukundan, Dhanya
& Saraswathyamma 2013). In overall, the two aspects define how individuals could solve
conflict – avoiding, competing, collaborating, compromising, or accommodating.
Figure 1: Conflict Resolution model

Learning Journal 10
Source: Bercovitch and Jackson (2009, p. 85)
My experience with the model of conflict resolution makes me to remember how everyone in the
group compromised to reach at an agreement with other members (Tugu, Samra & Almallah
2015). However, I only experienced conflict when some of the members failed to contribute to
the group. The situation made me lose focus and feel as though I was not wanted by other
members. However, other members realized how I was feeling and accepted to accommodate
me.
Task 2: Career Development Plan
This section explains my personal plans to develop my future career. More importantly, the plan
demonstrates my reflection about my achievement and person education and future career. The
plan also covers appraisal of my current strengths and weaknesses. This will also require that I
set my future goals that will assist me achieve my goals. Even though I have managed to go
through and cover theories in in my class work, I would like to apply what I have learnt in class
by starting a research company. Besides, I will do this after completion of m studies at the GSM.
Furthermore, while there are different models of self-evaluation, this section relies on SOAR
model (in terms of strengths, opportunity, aspiration, and Results).
In my class work, I have managed to cover a number of units that relate to project handling,
management, project design, and presentation skills when it comes to marketing our skills. In
addition, I have managed to cover a number of reflective practises that are now essential not only
in my current academic but also future career as a director of my company. I have also had to
conduct more research in areas of leadership and conflict resolution when dealing with people
from different cultural background (Qadir & Khan 2016). All these will come in handy when
managing different teams to accomplish market research projects from clients.

Learning Journal 11
It is also critical to note at this point that establishing a small consumer insight research company
and pitching to potential clients, would become fascinating exercise. I will depend on such
characteristics to allow me manage my company. I will also consider patching my new company
to my clients. The strategy will target at winning the hearts of clients that would want to conduct
market analysis to understand their consumers, trends, as well as other variables but do not have
resources and capability (Zia & Syed 2013). Other skills that I will find essential in case the
company secures a contract will be application of a new learning curve (Anjum, Karim & Bibi
2014). After reviewing several literatures, I have come to appreciate about its role in team
management.
While participating in my life project, I was successful in gaining new insights and dimensions
about a number of challenges that organisations experience. Furthermore, the project gave me an
opportunity to understand ways to apply skills of leadership, interpersonal, planning and time
management, teamwork, and conflict resolution. I also enhanced my skills on conflict resolution
while writing my journal on week 7. All these skills will play essential roles in ensuring that I
develop my future career. They will strengthen my personal and professional development. The
exercise conducted within my journals assisted me in understanding ways I could assist other
employees in my research company to acquire skills and identify some of the potential problems
likely to affect their performance.
I will use the above skills to become a professional person. Even though my position at the
company will be as a company director, I will first start off my managing a small group of
employees. I will be required to understand ways to communicate with culturally diverse
employees. For example, I will adopt the work of Kilman (1994) to understand five ways of
solving conflict – competing, collaborating, accommodating, avoiding and compromising.

Learning Journal 12
The work of Lewis (2013) focuses on the best reflective cycles that will become essential in
advancing my behavioural characteristics. For example, Lewis reflective cycle will become
important to use in my entire company and personal life. The model incorporates ways to reflect
on experiences and come up with the best response mechanisms at the place of work. Just in the
same way we managed to compromise our position in our groups by listening to the opinion of
other people, my company will also require that I adopt leadership styles such as democratic
(Limbare 2012). Even though my research revealed that there are also other leadership traits like
autocratic and transactional, I will take steps to conduct more research into understand other
available leadership models and theories. The explanation provided by Jarkas and Horner (2011)
in their journal explain that leaders can combine leadership traits and motivational models to
motivate their employees.
After we selected on internal GSM departmental as our project pathway method, I came to
learnt that it was effective in providing individuals with rich and massive learning experience.
The method does this in the most effect way of saving on costs (Shabbir, Atta & Adil 2014).
Furthermore, the approach also allows an individual to learn ways to experiment different
techniques of solving problems. Enault (2016) effective application of this method can make
an individual start practising skills learnt as well as identifying so of the areas that need
improvements. In addition, internal GSM departmental will offer e with the best way of
making decisions and identifying errors that occurs in different departments in my company.
My past review of work of Kolb methodology will provide me with an opportunity to
understand four experiential learning styles. Even though I selected on the triangular
representation of Boud to guide my journal in week 1, I realized that such a model will not
allow me apply what I have learnt in class in real life situation and more specifically, in my