Portfolio Assignment: Personal Reflection, Skills and Action Plan

This portfolio assignment presents a student's self-reflection on their performance, particularly focusing on a group presentation, using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle to analyze experiences, feelings, evaluations, and conclusions. The student identifies areas for improvement through a personal skills audit, highlighting weaknesses in time management, research skills, and conflict management. An action plan is developed, outlining specific activities, resources, and timelines for enhancing these skills, including seminars, feedback sessions, and training to improve competence and professional development. The portfolio emphasizes the importance of these skills for academic and professional success, aiming for improved performance in future assignments and career endeavors. The student is seeking to improve time management, conflict resolution and research skills.

PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Reflection on Performance..........................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Elaboration of Areas of Improvement.........................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
Action Plan..................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Portfolio refers to a compilation of several essential materials that exemplifies an
individual's beliefs, qualifications, skills as well as experiences. It proves an insight into a
person's personality as well as work ethic (Owen and Watson, 2015). Following report is based
on development of a portfolio which covers a personal reflection, elaboration of strong and weak
areas of practice and development of an action plan.
TASK 1
Reflection on Performance
It is very important for an individual to reflect effectively on the events which they
participate in, as this allows them to appropriately evaluate their experience and effectively
assess the good and bad points associated with it. As for the group presentation, Gibbs Reflective
Cycle has been used which is a framework used to reflect on experiences.
 Description:
This section of the cycle deals with description of the overall problem. While working on
the module, it was required from the members of the team to appropriately give a group
presentation, which was one of the most important aspects within the term. Moreover, the whole
module was quite insightful in terms of enhancing my knowledge and skills as a student as well
as professionally. Thus, it was very important for me work effectively towards my research,
communication and presentation skills as to present the information in an effective manner.
 Feelings:
This stage undertakes the thought process and feelings which were experienced by an
individual in a particular event. I was required to research crucial information associated with the
module that would be included in the presentation. It is quite complex activity and hence, it was
quite challenging for me at first. Reason for the same is that it requires a lot of efforts and
knowledge to collect information from authenticated sources and segregate them in order to fulfil
the research criteria (Pagel, 2018). However, as the module progressed, I learnt several new ways
of how to research relevant and authenticated data and specifications of delivering a group
presentation. Towards the end of the module, I was quite confident about my research skills and
presentation ones as well, that would help me both academically and professionally.
 Evaluation:
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This stage of the module undertakes the evaluation of the positive and negative events
that happened throughout the experience (Smith, 2015). There were several good as well as bad
things about the module as well as the group presentation. For instance, throughout the module, I
was quite keen as effective in terms of analysing the information collected through a number of
resources in terms of prioritising the information and performing appropriate segregation.
Another positive event which took place was related to my communication skill throughout the
group presentation. I was able to address the audience effectively and was capable enough to
appropriately present the facts and other crucial information that was required to be delivered in
the presentation.
However, there were several bad events too that took place in the presentation. For
instance, there was ineffective teamwork which enhanced the complications throughout the
module. The complications were related to the conflicts which happened while the presentation
was being made. One instance happened regarding inclusion of a certain piece of information
that according to me was reliable. However, I indulged in a conflict with my colleague who
claimed it to be inaccurate. Another problem which was then faced by me was related to
acquisition of information from accurate sources (Thompson, 2016). I realised that there were
several sets of data which were collected from sources that were unreliable. Moreover, time
management was also a problem which I faced in the presentation and the module. This was
because I was taking more time than required to search and segregate important information,
which resulted in declination of my efficiency.
 Analysis:
Under this section, a detailed analysis is required of the experience in order to find out
what sense does the event made. In context with the module and group presentation, I realised
that it is highly crucial for an individual to express themselves appropriately to audiences to
effectively explain their point of view in detail and present the facts appropriately. In addition to
this, I learned several methods of preparing a presentation and delivering the same to audiences
through this module, which, according to me, is a crucial concept that must be adopted by an
individual.
 Conclusion:
This stage is related to concluding the overall reflection. This module and group
presentation was quite helpful for me to analyse aspects that were good as well as bad for my
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academic and professional career (Tsai and et. al., 2015). In addition to this, I realised that my
good presentation and communication skills would lead me to a better pathway academically and
professionally. However, I am still quite confused related to identification of authenticated
resources for information. Moreover, where conflict management is concerned, it is highly
necessary for me to improvise the same to succeed appropriately. In addition, as far as time
management is considered, I could have approached for additional help of my tutors as well as
peers, that would have made my performance in the presentation and the module more effective.
 Action Plan:
In case I encounter such an event in the future, I would effectively indulge in several
training sessions related to my time and conflict management skills. Moreover, as for my weak
research skills, I would also undertake seminars, showcasing how to differentiate between
authenticated and ineffective sources of information (Vukomanović, Young and Huynink, 2016).
Doing so would help me in achieving effectiveness in my future modules and group
presentations in a better and an effective way. Moreover, I would be applying the knowledge
gathered by me effectively in the future as my further assignments and corporate work
experience would require me to manage time, conflict and enhance my research skills for
acquisition of of appropriate information.
TASK 2
Elaboration of Areas of Improvement
It is highly necessary for an individual to elaborate the areas of improvement to attain
appropriate and effective position in one's academic and professional career (Wallina and Spry,
2016). From above reflection, there are certain areas which require improvement. However, to
analyse and elaborate it further, below is a personal skills audit:
S. NO SKILL/COMPETENCE RATING
#1
RATING
#2
RATING
#3
RATING
#4
1 Academic Skills
a. Presentation Skills X
b. Time Management X
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2 Professional Skills
a. Communication Skills X
b. Conflict Management X
c. Research Skills X
Rating #4: High level competence - Outstanding experience within a certain skill area
Rating #3: Moderate level of competence – Adequate experience within a certain skill area
Rating #2: Average level of competence – Decent experience within a skill area
Rating #1: Low level competence – Minimal experience within certain skill area
As per the analysis above, there are several areas that require improvement. These areas
are described as below: Time Management: One of the most important areas which must be improved is time
management. It is highly necessary for an individual to manage their work and complete
necessary activities within a specific period of time. Academically, it is necessary in
order to enhance the effectiveness of projects and activities that are being assigned.
Furthermore, it is also necessary to ensure submissions in time, along with increasing the
competencies for future growth (Domac and et. al., 2015). Research Skills: Another crucial skill area that requires improvement is research skill.
Academically or professionally, a person is required to search relevant information
related to the subject areas appropriately and in a way which adds up to the effectiveness
of the matter which is being presented. An individual, in their professional career are
required to indulge in research of several topics where reliability and relevance are major
areas of focus. However, in order to do so, it is important to acquire accurate information
from several authenticate resources that adds up to the suitability and effectiveness of the
information.
 Conflict Management: In a corporate circle, an employee experiences numerous
conflicts throughout their working life. This makes it necessary for them to develop this
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skill to essentially resolve these issues in the workplace (Haddadi and et. al., 2015). In
addition to this, it contributes to one's personal growth if steps are taken to restore
harmony in a professional culture.
In context with the overall elaboration, these three skill areas are very much important for
a student to develop at an early stage of their academic and professional career, as it would
provide enhanced competence and professionalism which would surely contribute in one's
career, along with personal and professional growth.
TASK 3
Action Plan
After identification of the areas of improvement and after determination of their
importance, the next step calls for development of an action plan. It is another crucial aspect that
is highly necessary to ensure that the required areas of improvements are effectively enhanced in
terms of competence as well as well as their appropriate practice (Dimmock and et. al., 2016).
The action plan associated with the above skill areas involves creation of a professional
development plan, which undertakes the timeline and activities that are necessary in order to
effectively attain the desired competencies associated with these skills. The action plan is
discussed below:
SKILLS
CURRE
NT
COMPE
TENCIE
S
TARGE
TED
COMPE
TENCIE
S
ACTIVITIES RESOURCES TIME
FRAME
Time
Management 4 10
To enhance the
competence associated
with this skill, I would
be undertaking
seminars in order to
learn techniques that
would contribute in
time management
In order to improve
this skill area, the
resources which
would be required are
timescales,
participation in time-
bound activities,
journals, etc.
4 Weeks
5

Conflict
Management 3 10
In order to successfully
improvise in this skill
area, I would be
undertaking feedbacks
from my tutors as well
as my seniors to be able
to work without being
biased and take
essential decisions
related to solving issues
with others
appropriately and
without dispute.
The resources which
would be required in
order to enhance the
competence in this
skill is related to
participation in group
tasks, personality
development sessions,
books of past
managers, etc.
8 Weeks
Research
Skills 5 10
In context with
developing research
skills, I would be
undertaking training
sessions, which would
be directive towards
methods to perform
better research as well
as how well to identify
and use relevant
sources of information.
There are certain
resources which
would be required by
me to improve on my
research skills. For
instance, effective
research-based
assignments in my
college and
workplace, records of
past managers,
directors' portfolios,
etc.
10 Weeks
Thus, by performing activities associated with these skill areas, there would be higher
odds in achieving success both personally as well as professionally. In addition to this, the
resources used in order to perform these activities appropriately would help in gaining insight in
appropriately develop desired competencies and improvements (Bogg and Challis, 2016). The
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same would contribute to personal and professional growth and would lead to a better and
smooth working, both in university, as well as in a corporate sector. In context with higher
education, the global environment requires an individual to be highly effective in managing their
time and allot a standard amount of time to each activity which is required to be performed
within their assignments. In context with the professional environment, a highly effective
individual in context with appropriate research and conflict management skills ensures their
career growth and appropriateness in their work. Thus, the personal developments above are
directed towards enhancing the competence in these skills, which would further make the
personal and professional growth effectively possible and consistent (Anderson, 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded by the report above, that portfolio allows an individual in reflecting
and identifying their academic and professional experiences. A personal reflection allows a
person to effectively gain an insight on a certain event and determine the favourable and
unfavourable aspects associated with the same. Moreover, elaboration of areas of improvement
and personal skills audit reflects the current competencies which an individual holds in context
with the skill areas. Lastly, action plan allows the person to reflect on their personal growth and
take necessary steps towards accomplishing higher standards in the requires areas of
improvement to ensure a consistent and effective academic and professional growth.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anderson, D., 2015. Stand Out: Design a personal brand. Build a killer portfolio. Find a great
design job. Peachpit Press.
Bogg, D. and Challis, M., 2016. Evidencing CPD: A guide to building your social work
portfolio. Critical Publishing.
Dimmock, S. G. and et. al., 2016. Ambiguity aversion and household portfolio choice puzzles:
Empirical evidence. Journal of Financial Economics. 119(3). pp.559-577.
Domac, S.,and et. al.., 2015. Assessing interprofessional competence using a prospective
reflective portfolio. Journal of interprofessional care. 29(3). pp.179-187.
Haddadi, H., and et. al., 2015. Personal data: Thinking inside the box. arXiv preprint
arXiv:1501.04737.
Owen, K. and Watson, M., 2015. Building your portfolio: the CILIP guide. Facet Publishing.
Pagel, M., 2018. A News‐Utility Theory for Inattention and Delegation in Portfolio
Choice. Econometrica. 86(2). pp.491-522.
Smith, C., 2015. Portfolio Management. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. pp.1-3.
Thompson, N., 2016. Portfolio theory and the demand for money. Springer.
Tsai, P. R., and et. al., 2015. Nurses’ perceptions of e-portfolio use for on-the-job training in
Taiwan. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 33(1). pp.21-27.
Vukomanović, M., Young, M. and Huynink, S., 2016. IPMA ICB 4.0—A global standard for
project, programme and portfolio management competences. International Journal of
Project Management. 34(8). pp.1703-1705.
Wallina, A. and Spry, A., 2016. The role of corporate versus product brand dominance in brand
portfolio overlap: A Pitch. Accounting and Management Information Systems. 15(2).
p.434.
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