FDN012 Project: Portfolio 1 - Personal Development & Action Plan

This project portfolio, created for the FDN012 course, details a student's personal development journey through self-reflection and critical analysis. The assignment begins with an application of the Plymouth model to evaluate a holiday destination, demonstrating critical thinking skills. It then uses the Gibbs reflective model to analyze the student's university experience, highlighting both positive and negative aspects, and identifying areas for improvement. The portfolio includes an action plan based on this reflection, outlining steps to enhance skills and address identified weaknesses. The student reflects on classroom activities, group work, and the development of skills such as presentation and research. The project showcases the student's ability to apply theoretical models to practical experiences and create a plan for future growth. The document also mentions the importance of time management, research skills, and referencing.

FDN012 Project
PORTFOLIO
1

CONTENTS
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
Plymouth model...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................4
Aceramic writing reflection.........................................................................................................4
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................7
Action plan...................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSUION.............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
The personal development is a consider to be a key to success for every student as it
supports an individual to regularly explore about themselves and identify the area of
improvement for the future development. The current study is divided into three tasks where first
task discusses about the Plymouth model which help in forming up a better decision by critically
evaluating the thing or situation. After than it involves a reflection of a student in term of
university experience and action plan for area of improvement.
TASK 3
Plymouth model
The Plymouth model is one which focuses toward answering the set of questions that are
connected with a particular thing or event in such a way so that it yield a coherent and credible
story. Hence, these allows to perform critical thinking by assessing the several aspects of
particular topic with the help of answering several W and H questions in a sequential and
systematic manner (What is critical thinking? 2020). Currently, this model is implemented over
the topic “You Want to go n holiday”, so that it become easier to represent the main aim or
reason behind choosing a particular place for spending holiday. To effectively answer this
Plymouth model is used in term of linear model that consist of three stages which is mentioned
below:
DESCRIPTION:
What This is based on determining the best place to visit for spending holiday where
there are several options for adventure is possible.
Where For this, I decided to visit Sherwood Pines Forest which is in Edwinstowe,
Nottinghamshire, which is situated in England.
Who I decided it to visit with my friend’s circle as they are also interested to visit this
place due to its famous rugged track which wind the way through pine and
bracken.
When I decided it to visit in next vacation when all of my friends are free from their
classes.
ANALYSIS
Why I decided to visit this place only out of other available one is that it is most
famous forest of midland which involves activity trails, wild running, mountain
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biking trail, bike hire and Sherwood pines which provide many things to do at a
single place. It is one of the most beautiful place where camping is also allowed
in forest there one can stay and experience the beauty of nature (Sherwood Pines,
2020).
How This is best place to visit as it actually designed in such a way by considering the
need of people to visit a place which provide a nature’s view and at the same
time involve set of fun activities that usually people prefer wile spending their
holiday.
What If If this plan doesn’t get successful then we will visit Gorleston on sea, a home of
several beaches and restaurant and a best place to chill out (Visit beautiful
Gorleston-on-Sea, home to a stunning beach and great restaurants, 2020).
EVALUATION
So, what This is convincing as the Sherwood Pines Forest is best place to visit for holiday
as it involves several activities that are adjusted to a single place where one can
stay for some days and enjoy which going through all these adventures activities.
What Next From this it is learnt that in order to make better decision about choosing a place
to visit it remains better to explore all H and W questions which help in forming
decision effectively. This can be applying in future decision too as it result out in
more valuable outcome.
From the application of Plymouth model, it become easier to decide that Sherwood Pines
Forest is best place to spend holiday with friends. This model supported effectively in clearly
addressing the issue by demonstrating the information while moving through three stages such as
description, analysis and evaluation. This in turn help in completing eth task effectively.
TASK 4
Aceramic writing reflection
My experience within the university till now was great as I learnt so many things here and
also be able to develop myself in term of my skills and knowledge with the support of all my
teachers and mentors. While entering into this university for performing my under graduate study
I was quite nervous and don’t know much things about how things will go, how I will manage,
but as the time passes all things get settle down, I get adjusted to this environment and started
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developing my self which all contribute toward preparing me for the future career. To present my
whole experience I am using Gibbs model which was given by Graham Gibbs, the concept
behind it is to learn from reflecting over experiences so that things that was effective can be used
for performing well and things that are lacking behind can be improved by taking corrective
actions. This consists of five stages that are description, feeling, evaluation, analysis and
conclusion (Wain, 2017).
Description: When I firstly enter in to this undergraduate course while talking admission
in this university I was not much familiar with what actually the course involve, range of
acti8vities that are going to be performed. So it was very much challenging, but I actively take
participate in range of activities as these was steps toward making me further better for getting
good grades in coursework. There are several classroom activities that are being assigned by my
tutors in order to develop better understanding about the course and to develop our skills and
capability in this regard (Wareing, 2017). One among these event was presentation which was
one of the most grateful task that help me in a lot in learning so many of things. So, I want to
reflect over my presentation task where we have to present in front of whole class and topic was
assigned over which we have to study and then prepare that presentation. So, it was quite
challenging as I don’t know how to prepare and present it effectively as I never performed such
task previously. But this was a step to learn new skills, so I want it to be happen more
effectively. So, I decided to divide the whole task in few activities so that it become easier to
perform it effectively with more concentration. Hence, I scheduled all the activities and given
each of them equal time that support me in submitting my assignment on given deadline. Other
tasks assigned through out my journey in this university was group discussion, referencing test
and many more, these all are also bring up great experience.
Feeling: When I was assigned with the task I was quite nervous as I don’t have much
understanding about what to perform and how to perform. But then I decided to divide tasks into
sub activity which was great decision according to me and I was very happy that I work smartly
as it make my task easier. This actually happens too but not fully, as the time assigned was not
correctly as it was very much time consuming (Langen. and et. al., 2015). This is because when I
started studying about the topic which assigned to me and started gathering data, then it take so
much of my time and I was not clear about what to consider to add in presentation and what as
everything seems to more important. But then I decided to note down some of the important
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point out of the sources from where I was assessing data at one side so that by integrating all the
understanding I can present the better information. Though it was time consuming too and
required hard work but at the end supported me in completing my assignment with some good
quality work.
Evaluation: The experience throughout the task assigned to me was great as I become
able to learn several things. This brings up several ups and down within the duration and I came
in contact with several kind of good and bad experience. From the whole journey, the good
experience was I become able to learn about how to perform the assigned task effectively and
timely manner, things to be consider while preparing and delivering a presentation, manner in
which the investigation about a topic to be performed etc. Addition to this group discussion was
also a good experience of my where I get familiar topic to discuss and I present it so well that I
get appreciated from my tutor. These all support in improving my researcher skills as well as
presentation skills by making me aware about the several tips and tricks to be consider in order
to prepare a presentation was a good experience of mine (Potter, 2015). Other than this the bad
experience was all my work get delayed due to studying and gathering all the information so
deeply which in turn also left me in frustration. Addition to this I was not having prior
knowledge about how to create the presentation in more professional and effective manner which
also make it harder for me to prepare it. at the starting stage I also rearrange the presentation to
make it effective this was the bad experience of mine. Another bad experience that I have during
my journey in university was that I was not much into group work that make it difficult for me to
perform group task effectively and due to which when in group work we divided tasks I found
difficult to coordinate with my team mates which hamper their work too and I felt guilty.
Analysis: From the analysis of my experience I found that my presentation task get
successful as I never give up and also didn’t stick to a single plan. I have taken quick decision as
per the present situation which in turn help in completing my project on timely manner without
giving up over the quality as I summarise all the gathered information by using two step which
was the good decision of mine. Through this I realise the critical thinking and quick decision
making skills are very much important for an individual to [perform well as it help a lot in
performing given task much effectively (Coquille, 2015). But despite of this positive side, I also
found that the first strategy of mine to divide the time without effectively determining the
duration taken by each task was not effective which cost me over time. Addition to this the group
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discussion was went well due to my familiarity to the topic which was assigned to me and my
communication skills which allowed me to perform well in front my tutors. But the my team
work was not performed effectively as I haven’t done this previously and not put some extra
efforts toward it which I can do by understanding the berlin theory of team. But this group task
get successful as I found good team mates who supported me in doing my work effectively and
teach me the importance of group work and manner in which I must be managed.
Conclusion: From this whole journey of mine I learnt that being active in classroom
activities help you a lot in developing your skills and capability which create a base for a future
successful career. Through these activities I learnt that while dividing the time duration for each
activity to be performed it is wise to firstly check how particular activity is to be performed so
that time it will take can be determined effectively (Brock, 2014). Other than this I also learnt
that while performing the research about a particular topic, it is very crucial to firstly judge the
effectiveness of a particular source or whether it provide valid information, so that time can be
utilise effectively. Addition to this I become able to improve my referencing skills which is very
much crucial for providing evidence to work.
TASK 5
Action plan
From the reflection of experience, it has been found that I am lacking behind in certain
areas which I required to improve in order to perform well in rest of my journey in this university
for undergraduate course. So, from my reflection I found that I required to improve my
presentation skills, team working and time management skill. To improve this, I prepared an
action plan which is mentioned below:
S
no.
Learning
objective
Development opportunities Measurable Time
scale
1 Time
management
skill
First think I found to develop is my time
management skills so that I would be able to
perform my tasks on timely manner.
For this I decided to assign task to my day to
day activities and try to finish those tasks on
given time period so that I get in use to with
this and be able to improve my time
The
improvement
in time
management
skill will be
measured
from my
2
months
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management skills. future tasks
2 Presentation
skills
For improving my presentation skill, I
decided to attend seminar to get tips about the
things to be consider while preparing a
presentation and delivering it which help me
in avoiding mistakes.
Other than this I decided to take participate in
debate competition so I learn to spoke up in
more professional manner and ways through
which I can present my thoughts in more
effective manner.
Additionally I also decided to prepare
presentation in my free time and ask my
tutors or mentors for giving feedback and
recommendations for improvement so I can
realise my mistake and can fix it instantly.
Improvement
in my
presentation
skill will be
measured by
my mentors
when they
give me
feedback.
Additionally,
it can also be
judge by my
delivering of
presentation
in next task
4 month
3 Team
working skill
I also required to work over team working
skills which is very crucial not only for the
academic purpose but also for performing
better job in future. So for this I decided to
being more socialise and develop better
relationship with my class mates and try to
join them in group study or other group task
so that I learn to perform team work
effectively.
Other than this I will also go through several
online lectures that develop my understanding
regarding the actions that I must perform in
order to improve team dynamic and
performing well within group by coordinating
with them effectively so that appropriate
This will be
measured by
my team
mates in term
of positive
relationship
which is
being shared
among
people within
group with
me.
3
months
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result out of group efforts can be achieved.
CONCLUSUION
From the above performed report it can be conclude that a student must focuses toward
improving their performance by. learning from their experience. This can be done by reflecting
over the experience so that good and bad side a particular journey can be determined which
provide an idea regarding area of improvement so that corrective actions can be taken to remove
a particular weakness. This support in determining area of improvement and then working over it
to ensure regular development of a student to perform well.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Brock, A., 2014. What is reflection and reflective practice?. The Early Years Reflective Practice
Handbook, 7.
Coquille, L., 2015. Examples of DLR states which are not weak limits of finite volume Gibbs
measures with deterministic boundary conditions. Journal of Statistical Physics, 159(4),
pp.958-971.
Dressler, R., Becker, S., Kawalilak, C. and Arthur, N., 2018. The cross-cultural reflective model
for post-sojourn debriefing. Reflective Practice, 19(4), pp.490-504.
Eden, S., 2014. Out of the comfort zone: Enhancing work-based learning about employability
through student reflection on work placements. Journal of Geography in Higher
Education, 38(2), pp.266-276.
Langen, T. and et. al., 2015. Experimental observation of a generalized Gibbs
ensemble. Science, 348(6231), pp.207-211.
Potter, C., 2015. Leadership development: an applied comparison of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and
Scharmer’s Theory U. Industrial and Commercial Training.
Wain, A., 2017. Learning through reflection. British Journal of Midwifery, 25(10), pp.662-666.
Wareing, M., 2017. Me, my, more, must: a values-based model of reflection. Reflective
Practice, 18(2), pp.268-279.
Online
Visit beautiful Gorleston-on-Sea, home to a stunning beach and great restaurants. 2020. [Online]
Available through: <https://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/explore-the-area/gorleston-on-
sea.aspx>.
Sherwood Pines. 2020. [Online] Available through:<https://www.forestryengland.uk/sherwood-
pines>
What is critical thinking? 2020. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/uploads/production/document/path/1/1713/
Model_To_Generate_Critical_Thinking.pdf>
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