FDN012 Project Portfolio: Analysis of Holiday Destination Selection

This project portfolio, submitted for the FDN012 course, presents a critical analysis of selecting a holiday destination. The student applies the Plymouth Model of critical thinking to evaluate potential locations like Costa Rica, Budapest, Italy, India, and Bulgaria, ultimately recommending Budapest. The portfolio includes a reflection on the academic writing process, employing Gibbs' reflective cycle to analyze experiences, feelings, and learning outcomes. The student identifies key moments, lessons learned, and areas for improvement. The project concludes with an action plan outlining strategies for future decision-making and knowledge application, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of critical analysis and reflective practice. The portfolio showcases the student's ability to apply theoretical frameworks to practical scenarios, fostering effective decision-making and self-assessment.

FDN012 Project
PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................1
Plymouth Model...............................................................................................................................1
What is this about?.................................................................................................................1
What is the main point?..........................................................................................................1
Where does it take place?.......................................................................................................1
Who might be interested?.......................................................................................................1
How do the parts fit into the whole?......................................................................................2
What are the alternatives?......................................................................................................2
Why is this significant?..........................................................................................................2
How does it meet the criteria?................................................................................................2
What can be learnt from it?....................................................................................................2
Task 4- Academic Writing Reflection.............................................................................................3
What happened?.....................................................................................................................4
Have I provided detail about this?..........................................................................................4
Is it about the experience or me?............................................................................................4
What critical moments or events occurred?...........................................................................5
Were there any ‘light bulb’ moments which led to learning?................................................5
What did I learn or get out of this experience?......................................................................5
What positives can I take out of this? Why?..........................................................................5
What were the negatives and Why?.......................................................................................5
Was there evidence of theory in practice?..............................................................................5
What will I do differently based on what I now know?.........................................................6
Task 5-Action Plan..........................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Critical analysis is an approach by which high degree of concentration can be out upon
something and results can be drawn out in effective manner (Paul and Elder, 2019). Critical
thinking is used so as to understand the problem and take out appropriate solution by considering
various sequences of questions. In this report an analysis is drawn on the basis of a topic and by
using Plymouth Model and its linear application problem is sorted and executed in a well
performed manner. Along with this another part of the report includes reflection of all the skills
and capabilities which were used during the project and enhanced if somewhere lacked with the
help of action plan.
MAIN BODY
TASK 3
Plymouth Model
Critical thinking is about asking various questions and analysing the same in a very deep manner
so as to reach upon a conclusion(Garagnani and Pulvermüller, 2016). Within this context the
assigned problem is based on the topic “You want to go on a holiday". This problem is analysed
with the help of Plymouth Model of critical thinking by using linear model of the theory. The
questions which are associated with these concepts are elaborated as under:
What is this about?
This is about the topic of “You want to go on a holiday" under which a holiday
destination is to be selected by individual.
What is the main point?
The major point of the topic is to critically analyse places for holiday then draw a perfect
conclusion in the way by selecting the most appropriate place.
Where does it take place?
The places to be involved for holiday destination can be anywhere on the earth which is
core at its beauty and sceneries by which high public are attracted and enjoying its scenic beauty.
1

Who might be interested?
The parties who are interested and associated are to be given a clear written documents
along with all the required and possible information as well.
How do the parts fit into the whole?
The major objective of drawing conclusion is to find out the best suitable place for
holiday as per specifications given by the individuals(Battersby, 2018).
What are the alternatives?
The places which are taken for holidays include Costa Rica, Budapest, Italy, India and
Bulgaria, as these are the places which are known for their speciality of scenic beauty and natural
beauty as well which is the primary requirement of individual.
Why is this significant?
Costa Rica is famous for its beaches, gold museum, biodiversity and volcanoes.
Budapest is one of the most beautiful and photogenic city in Europe. The city is famous
for its old style architecture, majestic riverside and notable landmarks.
Italy is famous for its building Pisa which is one of the seven wonders in the world. On
the other side Italy is the hub of fashion and known for its mountain, art, culture and priceless
ancient monuments.
India is known for its diversity, film industry, spiritual connection, delicious food, and
scenic beauty.
Bulgaria is known for their rituals, opera singers, folklore traditions, and folk music and
dance.
How does it meet the criteria?
The most convincing place according to the given options for individual is Budapest as
this place is famous for their architecture, landmarks, riverside and scenic beauty which makes
the place highly identifiable form others and recognisable as well.
What can be learnt from it?
As the place is high at its beauty so the major learning is to upkeep the beauty and
cherishes the same. On the other side the place is having ample amount of old style architecture
which makes us understand that things never fades the major requirement is to taking care of the
same in order to enhance their life.
2

The Plymouth Model was enough to address the topic and this model is having clear
understanding for the same as this covers all aspects of critical thinking. The model has
demonstrating all the three stages which is description, analysis and evaluation in a very apt
manner.
Task 4- Academic Writing Reflection
Gibbs’ model of reflection: Thus model has more focused about the feeling, point of view
and the perception of an individual towards the learning and it reflect the attribute of the
effective idea of understanding that get processed out in continuous period with that include the
different factor that improvise the learning capabilities and that is as define below as:
(Source: Gibbs - Reflective Cycle model, 2019)
Description – It is the part of cycle in which the briefing and detailing about the certain
topic will get established but the conclusion didn’t get find away and the vital detail are not
included that must get left out and have covered in different other parts (Anders, 2018). Thus it is
needed that the various factors as hat, where, when will get induce that help to gain valuable
outcome in timely basis.
Feelings – It is the most factors that improvise an individual so as to develop the efficient
skills of thinking as well feeling that get developed as per the different experiences. It is must
3

that in this the emotion must get controlled and has more concern about the sufficient listening
and after the analysis make own judgment.
Evaluation – It is the next stage in which all the individual must have take appropriate
training and couching to make the clear prospect about some particular aspect that helps to make
perfect analysis in between the right and wrong forecast.
Analysis – In this stage it is needed that the certain analysis must get performed by which
effective interpretation and accessibility will get developed by which the learning efficiency will
get developed in appropriate manner (Boylan, 2018).
Conclusion – It is the next stage of the evaluation in which the individual must get make the
systematic understanding by which all the individual that get associated for the same project
must get worked with more sufficiency to achieve the learning on timely basis.
Action Plan – It is this at last the action plan get developed about the different places of the
holiday and with that most appropriate and affordable place will get selected for the holiday.
What happened?
The topic was given to me is to decide holiday place which is undertaking the entire
dimension which has been mentioned by the individual. The given topic is “You want to go on a
holiday" and this was critically examined by me. Within this various places were taken by me
and then their specialities were examined and thoroughly examined in order to find out the place
which is highly suitable within given specification. So as per the provided specifications I
concluded that Budapest is the place which is most suitable for the individual to pass their
holidays(Cottrell, 2017).
Have I provided detail about this?
The details regarding the topic were researched by me as this is wholly based on critical
thinking in which my abilities were tested. On the other side some of the details were provided
such as details regarding Plymouth Model and its uses and implications. This was the model
which helped me throughout my process of finding solution and led me to reach to a specific
conclusion by fulfilling all contained question in that theory.
Is it about the experience or me?
This is about me and my thinking abilities as this led me to think in more critical and
deep manner by which I have become sound to find out solution of various complex problems in
4

future. On the other side this topic gave me high experience of dealing with topics and solving
them with critical thinking so as to find out accurate solution thereon.
What critical moments or events occurred?
In this at the time to get over from the feeling and then to evaluate some certain changes
get measured at where I have selectively differentiate in between my feeling and the expectation
that helps me to make the validate judgement by developing the effective understanding.
Were there any ‘light bulb’ moments which led to learning?
Yes, there is the light bulb moments at where I get to know more about the different
places at where the critical thinking ability will get developed more and at this point I have gain
more knowledge and attractive possibilities about the different holiday positions. While knowing
about the different places I have been more selected and confused as well like which one is to
select or not.
What did I learn or get out of this experience?
As from this experience I have learn more about the communication possibilities as much
we get communicate to the other person that much our knowledge get expand that helps to make
the validate judgments (Fedotova, 2018). I have also learn that patience is the key factor and in
this critical thinking ability also get developed that helps to select better place for holiday.
What positives can I take out of this? Why?
It helps me to make suitable learning in continuous process by which the ability of
thinking will get more suppressed and with this it is easy to select the better places that is
reasonable at all and also suitable to make perfect decision that helps to make a memorable
memory.
What were the negatives and Why?
There are some negatives as well as some point of time more confusion get developed as
there are a lot of path ways get opened and it is hard to select the one and for that the deeper
understanding is more needed and for this I have to make more research about some certain
holiday places that takes much time as well (Gabrys-Barker, 2018).
5

Was there evidence of theory in practice?
Yes this theory has the evidence and with this the continuous approach to get the
outcome that is more liable as well as suitable will get achieved and in addition to this more
information about the certain topic also get developed by which the probability of effective
decision making get developed and with that the critical thinking also get more developed.
What will I do differently based on what I now know?
As I have gain more of the knowledge and information about the certain places as with
this it is more easy for me not only to make the best holiday for this time it is even more useful
while helping out some other for the holiday or for my next holiday as well. It assist me to
collect the perfect knowledge about the different aspect which lead to choose the adequate place
that is in budget, thinking as well as expectation too.
It is overall a very good experience as I have learned more about the different places that are
majorly known for some other specialisation as well and it have make the effective analysis thus
after this know more about the different places that helps me to make the valuable placement of
my thoughts and reality (Rubens, 2018). I have learned that it is good that the appropriate
information and learning must get implies that aid it perfect balance in future and with that my
approach toward the selection of the holiday place also get changes by include positive
modification. The integration of the learning theory and its practices brings better advancement
through which the ability and attractiveness towards the place selection will get changes and it
helps me out thoroughly and with this I have selected the most fitting place that is Budapest.
Task 5-Action Plan
SMART model is that kind of model which is very helpful in achieving if of objective that
has been set-up by an organization or an individual. In this task this goal has to be made on
critical and communication analysis and has been done as follows:
SMART
Specific: In order to develop communication skills within in myself I am required to
develop my communication skills that are going to be done by motivating myself. Critical skills
are going to be developed by understanding the concept in deep manner (Salter, 2018).
Measure: Communication skills can be measured by talking to people and critical skills is
going to be developed by deeply understanding behaviour of people.
6

Action: To improve communication it is required to have command over language and to
improve critical skills one should always have knowledge about particular subject or topic.
Realistic: Communication skills can be analysed by conducting survey and critical skills
can be analyzed through observing behaviour of persons towards each other
Time bound: Time is required to set for achieving of gaols of improvising of both
communication and critical skills.
Action Plan
Skills Measurable Activities need to be
undertaken
Resources Attainable
goals
Time
period
Communicati
on
It can be
measure with
the way of
speaking and
talking with
other persons
around.
I am required to
provide myself
training upon various
pattern of speaking
and should gain. As
this is going to help in
building of
relationship.
I can use book,
read journals,
articles and do
excise that is
going to help me
in gaining
motivation
towards
improvement
(Wagner, 2018).
Through
reading I can
improve my
communication
skill. Also
enhancement of
my knowledge
is also going to
be done
3 Months
Critical I am able to
analyze the
problem and
also reason
behind it
I am required to do
planning and
understanding
behaviour of people
around me is going to
be helpful in problem
solving. For this
communication is
required.
I should develop
these skills to
deal with
problem and
giving my
opinion over it.
I am required to
record the
performance of
myself over
tackling of an
situation.
15 days
7

The goal and objective of the plan is to develop two skills which are necessary for an
individual to enhance it. Communication and critical are those skills which has been explained in
this plan. In order to develop these skills enhancement of knowledge is going to be required with
behavioural observations (Paul and Elder, 2019). To achieve communication lot of books,
journals and articles is required to be studied. Behavioural observations, books, journals are
going to require with the objective of enhancing these skills. Communication is going to
achieved within 3months and critical skills is required to be developed in 15 days. For analysing
the progress recording of my voice and then judging it is going to be done. Taking feedback is
also going to be very helpful because it is going to make me understand my areas of
improvement. Improvement can be judge through feedback and observing of behaviour.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that critical thinking is the ability by which
complex problems can be solved via searching out various questions and deeply studying them
as well. This is an approach which is helpful in analysing negative and positive factors of the
given problem in prominent manner and provides solution which is suitable for the situation to
the best manner.
8

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anders, A.D., 2018. Networked learning with professionals boosts students' self-efficacy for
social networking and professional development. Computers & Education, 127, pp.13-29.
Battersby, M., 2018.Critical thinking as applied epistemology. Windsor Studies in
Argumentation.
Boylan, M., 2018. Enabling adaptive system leadership: Teachers leading professional
development. Educational management administration & leadership, 46(1), pp.86-106.
Cottrell, S., 2017. Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Fedotova, O.S. and et. al., 2018. Empathy as a part of professional culture of the specialist. In
The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences (pp. 32-40).
Gabrys-Barker, D., 2018. On teacher beliefs, self-identity and the stages of professional
development. Linguarum Arena: Revista de Estudos em Didática de Línguas da
Universidade do Porto, 1, pp.25-42.
Garagnani, M. and Pulvermüller, F., 2016. Conceptual grounding of language in action and
perception: a neurocomputational model of the emergence of category specificity and
semantic hubs. European Journal of Neuroscience.43(6).pp.721-737.
Paul, R. and Elder, L., 2019. The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and
tools.Rowman& Littlefield.
Paul, R. and Elder, L., 2019. The nature and functions of critical & creative thinking.Rowman&
Littlefield.
Rubens, A. and et. al., 2018. Self-awareness and leadership: Developing an individual strategic
professional development plan in an MBA leadership course. The International Journal
of Management Education, 16(1), pp.1-13.
Salter, M. and Rhodes, P., 2018. On becoming a therapist: A narrative inquiry of personal–
professional development and the training of clinical psychologists. Australian
Psychologist, 53(6), pp.486-492.
Wagner, J.P. and et. al., 2018. Professional use of social media among surgeons: results of a
multi-institutional study. Journal of surgical education, 75(3), pp.804-810.
ONLINE
Reflective Cycle model, 2019. [Online] Available through: <https://www.businessballs.com/self-
awareness/reflective-practice/>.
9