Project Design and Implementation: Learning Contracts Report

This report explores the concept of learning contracts as a tool for professional development, focusing on how they facilitate skill acquisition and practical application. The assignment begins by defining learning contracts and their benefits, citing various academic sources to support the importance of this learning approach. The report then outlines specific learning outcomes, including building a portfolio of evidence, identifying work-related skill development, demonstrating contextual knowledge, and evaluating preparation and planning. The justification section details the importance of teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills in the workplace, and it highlights how the learning contract helps in developing these skills through simulation. The report also provides a timetable and evidence of accomplishment, including a learning contract, project report, log, diary, and Gantt chart. The methods employed involve simulation to provide practical experience. The report concludes by emphasizing the value of learning contracts in enhancing professional skills and preparing students for the challenges of the workplace. The student also provides a list of references used in the report.

LEARNING CONTRACTS

Table of Contents
Section 2 : Focus.........................................................................................................................3
Section 3: Justification................................................................................................................4
Section 4: Methods......................................................................................................................5
Section 5: Timetable...................................................................................................................6
Section 6: Evidence of accomplishment.....................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7

Section 2 : Focus
Aim/Problem Statement
Learning Contract acts is a set up which enables the master and the student to learn the
new things effectively (Aeberhardt, Buonoand Fadinger 2014). As specified by Helyer, (2015;
Pg. 238); “A learning contract is the critical evaluation of one's aim, where he stands and how
the aims would be achieved”.
According to Boak, (1998) “ it is contract that specifies the obligations of the teachers or
students and how that learning will help them in reaching their aims”.
The profits of the Learning Contract can be analysed by the statement of Michael Knowles,
(1900) who said
“ From the experience that I have gained it is concluded that, the most important tools that
can help in adult eduction is learning contract”.
The objectives of learning contracts and use that outcomes to develop team working, problem
solving, communication, time management and data analyses skills which will help in sourcing
best talent for the organisation and building personal development are discussed below.
Building consensus with this learning will help the student in real life as described.
“Implementing academic skills in the real life will help in bringing most out of the student
and will create a process where student will build and seek the knowledge practically”
Building consensus is the plan to accomplish the project design and implementation module.
Hence learning contract will help in guiding and analysing the facts in this report.
As reported by Nikolou-Walker, (2007) “this agreement specifies the means of high level
motivation as well as building profound learning among the students.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of this project I am able:
1. Build a portfolio of evidence using a range of methodologies and activities (log books;
critical incident diaries; employer or supervisor feedback).
2. Identify and articulate the development of work related skills mapped to evidence drawn
from either the project or placement.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the background and context relative to the
chosen project or placement opportunity.
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4. Evaluate the effectiveness of preparation and planning undertaken prior to the placement
or project implementation.
Section 3: Justification
The report will enable the student to build new learning skills and implement them in
achieving the goals and learning objectives desired from the contract (Anderson,Boud and
Sampson 2014).
Action learning is best defined by Martin et.al (1981) as
“Adults use to learn more efficiently and quickly from the live examples that they watch,
they learn constructively from the peer group and colleagues. They acquire knowledge or
skills from rigorous self reflection that leads to interpretation from previous experience and
after implementing these they test their knowledge by using it in open market.
Team Work: As specified by Taylor and Humphrey, (2002)a team work is,
“The main aim of the management is to find and keep a good team through which the
organisational gaols can be accomplished.
This helps in knowing how teamwork helps in success of any organisation (Boud 2013). Hence
for success of any organisation it is important to work in the team and creating a culture which
gives team work a priority so for any team player it is necessary to develop the skills required for
team work. The management in any organisation is always looking for the team players as they
have the skills and knowledge to work in the organisation and help in achieving the targeted
goals more quickly then others they are preferred as an asset for the organisation. According to
Vince Lombardi (2003); “A team work can be successful only by individuals commitments
towards the group gaols that is how a corporate works, society works and a civilisation works.
Communication: “The main motive of communication is to get the messages across
others clearly and without ambiguity. This learning process is used to develop and improve the
communication skills in individual and the organisation (Brown and Knight 2012).
Communication skills are divided into two parts that are oral and written communication. These
skills are very useful as both skills will help in building consensus among the employees and
managers through which the work will be properly communicated and will be effectively done.
Danella Bagnall, Vehicle Architecture Planning Director. Jaguar and Landrover stated that;
“He sated that both oral and written communication is most important skills employees as it
will lead to engage spark and energy among them”.
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As specified by university of Pittsburgh katz business school,recruiters from companies with
more than 50,000 employees focus on communication skills and was inspected as the most
decisive factor used in choosing managers. Both oral and written communication skills plays a
decisive role in success of any individual and organisation. Good communication skills are
needed to stand out in the organisation.
Problem Solving:“ it is a way by which the problems are solved in the organisation and a
way of getting things done. As per According to Armstrong (2016);
“ it is a way of analysing and understanding the problem among the employees and setting
out the solution for the same and preventing it from being repeated”
Having good problem solving skills are of great importance so as to achieve success in the
organisation. As the organisational success depends on the smoothness of the environment
(Cherry 2013). As there are number of people working in organisation the problems will appear
for sure among them so the employee should have a skill that will enable them to provide the
solution at a immediate point of time. Hence this will help the student in creating value towards
his personality and will help him in tackling prospective employers.
Time Management: According to Mind Tools (2018);
“it is tools that helps the organisation in managing the time and planning the activities
accordingly so that overall objective of the organisation is achieved within the specified
time.
Armstrong (2016) also stated that
it is a skill that helps the organisation in getting the things done by the employees at time
with the use of limited resources. The requirement of any professional is to manage the time
effectively and prioritising tasks and feedback skills to get success in the organisation. Thus
this report will enable to develop the skill in the professional as most of the managers are
looking at this skills at the time of recruitment.
As Albert Einstein specified that, time is really the only capital any human has; and the only
thing he can’t afford to lose.
Section 4: Methods
The method chosen to achieve this goal is simulation. The most effective way of learning
is to learn by doing. As per learning Pyramid the most effective way of retaining knowledge is
by doing it practically. Simulation will help individuals to use the theory that they have learned
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through text by implementing it in real life business scenario (Cunningham 2017). This project
will help the individual in developing the soft skills like communication and teamwork. This
report will help the individual in deployment of dominant strength and surpass the weakness that
they have. The simulation of the report will enable the individual with the work experience that
the employers demands as the individual will be using both his hard and soft skills in
accomplishing the task and the failures that occurs in the learning process. The person will gain
valuable lessons that will help in improving employees skills (Frank and Scharff 2013). The
student should keep with him learning log and journal as a evidence for his learning. This will
help him to write down the thoughts, ideas and actions that he had developed during the process.
Section 5: Timetable
The time duration of this project is six week but the entire module is expected to run for
ten weeks. Lectures for this project will start from week one and will end at week eight. The last
two week will be used in doing the project report and preparing the evidence and receiving the
feedback for the same. Apart from this other task would be involved in the project so as to
achieve the learning outcomes.
Benjamin Franklin said that; “Success is the residue of planning.”
I attach in (Appendix B) the Gantt Chart that clearly details out my PPDI module
timetable.
Section 6: Evidence of accomplishment
By the end of this project I will produce a portfolio of evidence containing:
The learning contract and associated appendices
Project report
Weekly Log
Critical Incident Diary
Gantt Chart
Weekly Journal.
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References
Books and authors
Aeberhardt, R., Buono, I. and Fadinger, H., 2014. Learning, incomplete contracts and export
dynamics: theory and evidence from French firms. European Economic Review. 68.
pp.219-249.
Anderson, G., Boud, D. and Sampson, J., 2014. Learning contracts: a practical guide.
Routledge.
Boud, D., 2013. Enhancing learning through self-assessment. Routledge.
Brown, S. and Knight, P., 2012. Assessing learners in higher education. Routledge.
Cherry, M.A., 2013. Review Essay-Learning Contracts through Current Events: Lawrence
Cunningham's Contracts in the Real World: Stories of Popular Contracts and Why They
Matter. U. Haw. L. Rev. 35. p.129.
Cunningham, I., 2017. The wisdom of strategic learning: The self managed learning solution.
Routledge.
Frank, T. and Scharff, L., 2013. Learning contracts in undergraduate courses: Impacts on
student behaviours and academic performance. United States Air Force Academy Air
Force Academy United States.
Gregory, R. and Thorley, L., 2013. Using group-based learning in higher education. Routledge.
Knight, P., 2012. Assessment for learning in higher education. Routledge.
Laycock, M. and Stephenson, J., 2013. Using learning contracts in higher education. Routledge.
Saunders, D. and Hutson, B., 2012. Uncovering assets of college students through learning
contracts: An application of appreciative advising. Journal of Appreciative Education.
1(1). pp.1-13.
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