Professional Development and Learning: Self-Evaluation Report

This report provides an executive summary of professional development and learning, emphasizing its importance in the workplace. It explores various learning theories, including behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, and their applications. The report includes a self-evaluation using SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A personal professional development plan is outlined, focusing on objectives, actions, resources, success criteria, and a timeline. The plan addresses leadership and interpersonal skills development. The report concludes with a critical review of the development plan, offering insights into personal and professional growth strategies and the benefits of continuous learning. The document highlights the value of self-assessment and planning in achieving career goals and enhancing workplace performance.

PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The objective of this report is to know that how an individual can have professional
development with learning and how it can be used at workplace in effective manner. It will also
discuss how professional learning can help in developing the carrier goal of individual in proper
manner. Moreover, a individual should have a knowledge and skill which make them to
understand different criteria of learning and their development in the better manner. The learning
does help individual to grow in better manner and thus it also make to increase their performance
and with all such company also attain their goal and objective in effective way as well. Although
knowing own self assessment help individual to make a good decision and make them to know
that which thing has to be developed in right format. Professional development and learning is
such which also help firm with professional development to attain their goal and objective in
correct format. Learning can be done in various ways as self-managed, internet, books and
learning from seminars and conferences etc. all such per-forma are there which is making them
to learn and use such in their professional development in effective way.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................4
Learning theories and professional development............................................................................4
Self evaluation needs ......................................................................................................................6
Professional development plan........................................................................................................8
Leadership and interpersonal skill with development plan ...........................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
Online.............................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Professional development and learning is important criteria to build up a personality of a
individual which help in their professional life. Development of people can be done with many
resources like training and development, conferences and internet etc.. Learning and professional
development is a continuous process and can be used at anytime in their professional life. In
professional development individual learn various skill, knowledge and ability which help them
to work in better manner (Trust, 2012). In this competitive world it is required to have
professional development as because this makes them to compete with others in perfect way. The
report is based on my professional learning and development which help me to work in effective
way and this could result into appraisal of performance and organisation will be able to attain
their goal and objectives. In this assignment I will discuss about, contemporary theoretical
perspectives, a self assessment will be there including SWOT and analysis of such and personal
professional development plan and in last critical review would be there of development plan.
Learning theories and professional development.
Professional development is such which help individual to develop themselves in proper
manner and to compete with other in better way. Learning is a continuous criteria which help
person to learn and develop themselves in great way (Thessin and Starr, 2011). Learning can be
done in various ways as this help individual to learn many more things in proper manner. This
also include organised way of principle in which it expresses as how to acquire, retain and recall
the knowledge. The various learning theories are as follows:
Behaviourism: This theory of learning says that the knowledge and abilities exists
independently and outside people, such as in not range for individual. In this the learner is in
blank state and it is required to fill such with experience and learning in proper manner.
Although it is that learning can take place when new behaviours or change in their ability is seen
through association in between stimuli and the responses.
Therefore learning process in such as it is based on observable changes in behaviour. In
this theory of learning acquisition is done wit change in behaviour. The process of developing
themselves occur when a stimuli from environment gets present and somehow the learner reacts
to that situation with some response (Reeves, 2012). Although, this leads to know that is their
any change taken place in behaviour of individual. Somewhere these behaviour pattern repeated

which result into automatic learning. Change in behaviour in me after learning makes more
confident to perform such task in better manner. The different applications of learning theory is
as follows:
 Bonus points.
 Establishing rules.
 Repetitive practice etc.
In this theory of learning, the learners are such who never take initiatives in their life they
do what they instructed to do in correct format. They don't generate values of problem solving
and creativity in basic manner.
Cognitivism: This theory includes and it is based on thought process which is behind
behaviour power of individual. Therefore, this includes the theory which is based on idea which
leads to process of human for the information and to know how they receive all such, rather then
making a response to the environment (Polly and Hannafin, 2011). Moreover, change in
behaviour can be seen with this, but it shows an influence of learning that they are getting the
process of development. Hence, is can be said that learners mind is like mirror which reflects
easily their knowledge and skills.
Cognitive learning process somewhere it is used to know that they are seeking ways to
understand the information like learner receives does relate with their learning process and to
gather that information is already stored in memory of learners in right manner or not.
The process of cognitive learning is that which occur from the internal learning process.
This theory is normally governed by internal process of environment, in this approach focus is on
mental power rather then having observation in company (Nicholls, 2014).
The application of cognitive theory is as follows:
 Discussions
 Problem solving
 Real world Examples
 Analogies
Constructivism: This theory is based on the mindset we construct for different things and
world which is based on the knowledge and individual knowledge. In this theory learning can be
done with of how individual interprets and somewhere creates his or her experiences. Knowledge

can be developed and thus every individual has various experiences and perceptions although
learning is that which is unique and different from various people.
The process of learning in their theory as individual construct their own ideas and
methods before knowledge and experience. Thus we the individuals resolve disputes which
always reflects theoretical knowledge (Manca and Ranieri, 2013). Normally, this theory of
learning is based on preparing people for problem solving. Additionally, the constructivism
outcome is always not being assumed just because in this learners build their own knowledge.
Applications of constructivism:
 Case studies
 Research projects
 Brainstorming
 Discovery learning
Although these learning theories help individual to learn more things in effective way as
well. Learning different skills, knowledge and ability help individual to develop themselves in
right format. Learning is that which can be done anytime and various resources are there of
learning which help them to get effective working. All the sudden learning makes people to
perform in better manner and they help company to achieve goal and objective in better way
(Kolb, 2014). Therefore, the result of learning does not come out instantly, it is required to wait
and see changes in performance and behaviour which make individual to have a great learning
criteria.
Learning is that which make a individual to develop themselves with the organisation as
they have various resources from where they can learn many new things and knowledge as well.
Self evaluation needs
Self evaluation means knowing the knowledge and ability of ourself to perform in
various situation effectively. There are various things which needs to be developed through
learning so that such criteria and things can help in development and it directly connects with
professional carrier as well. If individual are making an evaluation of their self that makes them
to perform in better manner as they will not use their weakness at the time of their performance.
Learning is the criteria through which many things can be developed which is creating problem
in development of individual. The swot analysis of mine is as:

Strength Weakness
 Having a skill and ability tom manage a
various works at a time and those who
are complex in nature.
 Having a solving skills where the
problem as occurred.
 Skills which can be used to write report
in effective mannerism and with good
knowledge of words.
 Biggest weakness is that I provide deep
knowledge of everything rather making
a summarize point.
 I do find my self in complicated
situation when working with different
people who are having various working
styles.
 Having a less confident to perform and
cannot speak while meetings and feels
internally more senior- which leads to
hold myself while working.
Opportunity Threat
 It is there with every individual as
having various career opportunities in
their hands.
 Somewhere make an exposure in the
different working areas which leads
within HR team.
 Using own skill and ability to grow
professionally which can help me to
develop further more in right context.
 Learning process is such in which
increase in productivity cannot be seen
after making investment in various
process of getting knowledge.
 Although working in limitation always
make me not to achieve full potential of
working.
 Making investment in a team which
dismantle due to merger and it come to
that energy and thing can be used
somewhere as well which can be used
in another work.
Making SWOT of self help individual to know which things has to be developed in right
format and this result into taking such under the developing process for ourself. Identifying
which thing would help in professional development is needed to be learned in right track.

Likewise, making a SWOT of me help me to know which weakness is the most needed to be
developed.
Example: Having a weakness of not be able to work with different style, as it is required to
develop that in me, in proper manner which can help in future to make career. Professional
development also includes to know the different style of working in business. There are various
ways to learn different working styles over though and such area as:
1. Visual
2. Physical
3. Aural
4. Verbal
5. Logical
6. Social etc..
All such criteria are there which can help in learning different working styles. Although
various learning style help in bringing more effectiveness in writing skill and knowledge as well.
Somewhere the choice of preference for me to develop the thing is to develop the skill to
work in limitation. As limitation are there in everything and if work is also done with such thing
make to have an completion of project on time and effective working is also done. Therefore it is
required to know the personal preference which is needed to bring that as strength, so that I can
come to know that how it influence my choice of action in proper way. Moreover, learning
techniques to work on limitation help to complete the task with limited thing and resources.
Working in limitation help to develop skill and knowledge as well as this would help me to work
in summarize and in concise way, which will include whole information about the different
thing.
Hence, things has to be constructed and build which can help in developing many things
to work on and having skill, knowledge and ability make a individual to use such in their
professional career. Training and development is criteria which make to perform in better way
and such thing also help in building various criteria to learn on and can work in effective way.
Professional development plan
Planning is very significant to work on our weaknesses and to develop our skills
personally as well as professionally (Dixon and et. al., 2014). Thus, there is a need of

development of personal or professional plan as this will help in improving the skills and
knowledge of individuals. A proper plan is developed below :
Objectives /
Goals
Actions Resources Success criteria Time frame Implementatio
n
Require to
learn
confidence
skill.
Require to
improve skills
and capabilities
in effective
manner.
Communicating
and reading
books and
listening to
inspiring stories
can bring
confidence. It
would helps in
enhancing
overall
confidence
ability and will
make to work in
proper scenario.
When I will be
able to speak in
front of many
people and in
meetings as well
there only
measuring can
be done of my
hard work over
confidence.
4 months I can apply
my learning or
practices in
meetings and
in seminars
and putting
question when
not getting in
conferences
and can give
presentation as
well.
Learning
new skills
and
knowledge
to improve
communicat
ion skill and
the
leadership
skill as
well.
To up - garde
my efficiency
at higher level,
I should Work
on skills like
leadership,
communication
(verbal and non
verbal), etc.
I can join
training classes
where I can
work on
practical
scenarios. Need
to find out more
ways and
approaches for
developing
efficiency.
I can measure
the
improvement of
my
communication
skills by talking
with my
colleagues and
family
members.
Leadership
skills can be
2 months I can apply my
learning at
work place
while
communicatin
g with
international
clients as well
as dealing
with team
members.

determined
when I lead my
associates
within office in
some projects. I
will handle them
easily then this
shows that I
have made
development in
this quality.
Acquire
skill and
knowledge
to work
with various
people.
Need to
become
dynamic.
Require to add
more skills by
taking help of
various
resources.
Seminars,
meetings, group
discussions,
books and
journals can be
used for
increasing
knowledge and
IQ level. In
addition to this,
Learning can be
acquired by
observing other
people doing the
same thing. But
this should be
done in regular
basis as it is a
long term goal
and life time
I can measure
my
improvement by
consulting with
my friends and
colleagues.
Superiors and
employers can
also helps me in
this
determination.
2 months I can
implement this
learning while
giving
presentations,
dealing with
different types
of consumers,
while
arranging
meetings and
presenting my
views in front
of all members
of broads, etc.

learning is
needed to be
done regarding
this.
Time
managemen
t skills
I should
undergo a
training where
I have to work
on managing
and controlling
time by taking
real examples.
I can also
prepare a chart
or routine of
doing all the
tasks in the
starting of a
day and
performing it in
accordance
with this so
that they all get
completed on
time and
products can be
delivered
before
deadline.
Seminars,
meetings,
training, making
routine of
activities, etc.
I can measure
this after
completion of
each and every
work and
analyse the time
after that.
3 months I can apply
this skill in my
personal as
well as
professional
life.

The development of personal and professional plan has included various things which is
needed to develop in right context. In this plan I have included those things which I have to
achieve, those are attaining goal and development of company in better manner and in any
situation. The attainment of target can be there when individual of company will work with
effectiveness and efficiency as all such thing can be accomplished after taking training and
development program or self managed learning (Collie, Shapka and Perry, 2012). Getting new
skill and knowledge help individual to complete their task in effective way and although making
increase in performance to acquire them in organisation so that firm can develop themselves with
the development of individual in perfect way. Therefore, the person can achieve such by learning
time management skill as well which result into completing task in effective way and on time.
Time management help individual to manage task in efficient way which make them to perform
in better mannerism and organisation can achieve their goal and objective.
Providing time frame and making implementation of plan is difficult to do because all
planning criteria is based on this only.
The development of personal and professional makes a individual and company to know
that which thing is providing them increase in their performance and which directly help
business to attain their goal and objective in proper way. Although in plan the skill which is need
to improve and achieve goal and objective in time period and what actions would be taken to
achieve such task and from which resources will help to develop such in me and how I will come
to know that success is achieved in this plan (Calderhead, Denicolo and Day, 2012). What could
be the time it will take to learn different things so that it can be used in working in company and
what could be the factors which will help in implementing the learned scenario. All such thing
are there which has been included in the personal and professional development plan of
individual in effective manner.
Making a self evaluation does help individual to know which are the things that is needed
to improve so that it can help in developing personal and professional scenario both in correct
context. The SWOT analysis helped me to know weaknesses I am having and that has to be
learned and improve so that effective working can be done and it will help me to develop myself
in any mannerism. Personal and professional development plan with self evaluation help
individual to know their SWOT analysis in proper way. Moreover, company spend money to
develop their individuals through training and development program. In development program

they learn new skills, knowledge and abilities which makes them to improve their performance
in efficient way. Increasing motivation and influencing them to work in right direction help
individual to develop themselves, which help them to have their professional development.
According to (Boud and Brew, 2013)all such thing helps me to develop my career plan in
effective way holding various skill and knowledge in self help to develop ourself in proper
manner. As SWOT and professional plan helped me to know what were the things I was lacking
with and that helped me to increase those and work according to such which also helped me to
develop my career in efficient way. Knowing different working styles and learning how to work
in limitation made to be multi-task and with such I become able to manage few work at a time in
great manner. I can use my skill and ability in general purposes and although it can also help me
to have development in HR profession as well. Having proper communication skill, different
working styles, coordination with everyone and to complete work scenario with limitation is the
base of any HR. Generally these things help me in all profession to develop and make effective
decision which will help me to have an effective working in right way.
Leadership and interpersonal skill with development plan
Thus the development plan has also included the learning concept of leadership and
interpersonal skill. Leadership skill is such which make individual to motivate and influence
other so that individual can perform in better manner thus it leads to attainment of goal and
objective on time. Leadership is that skill which make them to get the work done by other in
proper manner and it leads to develop themselves in great way. Interpersonal skill is that criteria
which is being used by individual in their daily routine communication with both individually
and in group as well (Boud and Brew, 2013). It is somewhere has seen that those person who are
having more interpersonal skill are successful person which make them to perform in better
manner and this help them to attain their goal and objective.
Developing leadership with the interpersonal skill with plan make them to increase their
performance and somewhere this skill also help individual to have their career in right context.
Having self assessment also make them to know that whether they are having leadership and
interpersonal skill is there or not and this make them to increase their performance in company.
Developing individual with the development of organisation make them to earn higher profit and
this make them to work in effective manner (Beetham and Sharpe, 2013). All such thing also
help company to get stable in market and perform better then their competitor.

Leadership skill with interpersonal skill make them to have their increase in performance
and make individual in company to become a motivator and this make them a influencer so that
they can complete their task on time.
CONCLUSION
The report has discussed as, personal and professional development with learning help
individual to learn various new thing like skill, knowledge and ability to perform in better
manner. To learn all such it was required to make a self assessment of individual to know what
things are there which has to be developed and can be used in their future prospect. Analysis help
a person to know what weakness they are having and improve those which will help in managing
their working criteria and this make. The skill which is being learned from training and
development helped individual to grow in better manner with development of organisation as
well. The report, mainly has discussed about personal and professional development and making
a self assessment and having a SWOT analysis of self, which helped me to know about my
weaknesses and using such with preferences and making action to develop that in right manner
and professional development plan is there, somewhere which has helped me in developing and
achieving career goal in effective way.

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