Professional Development: Portfolio Executive Summary Report

This report presents a comprehensive portfolio executive summary, detailing essential skills for professional success. The assessment covers a range of skills including communication, presentation, reading, critical thinking, reflective thinking, academic writing, and group skills. The introduction highlights the importance of portfolios in evaluating student performance and learning progress, emphasizing the significance of these skills in both academic and professional contexts. The report delves into skill reflection, providing an in-depth analysis of each skill and its application, including how these skills are acquired and utilized in academic settings. The assessment also includes discussions on plagiarism, academic writing, and group skills, emphasizing their roles in achieving academic and professional goals. The conclusion synthesizes the key findings, underscoring the importance of these skills for students' overall development and future career success, while also reflecting on how these skills have been utilized in academic life to overcome challenges and achieve goals.

CW2: PORTFOLIO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The portfolio developed in this assessment report provides the information regarding the
various skills and competencies which are essential for the individuals in order to become
successful at the workplace. These skills includes Communication Skills, Presentation Skills,
Reading skills, Critical Thinking, Reflective Thinking etc. Through which individuals can
perform their work with the required efficiency and performance. This is very useful for the
teachers and superiors in determining whether the students or individuals are meeting the
learning criteria, promotion to another grade, graduation etc. This portfolio is very useful for the
teachers and superiors in determining whether the students or individuals are meeting the
learning criteria, promotion to another grade, graduation etc. Or not.

Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SKILL REFLECTION.....................................................................................................................2
Communication Skills............................................................................................................2
Presentation Skills..................................................................................................................2
Reading skills.........................................................................................................................3
Types of Graphs.....................................................................................................................4
Critical Thinking....................................................................................................................5
Reflective Thinking................................................................................................................6
Plagiarism...............................................................................................................................7
Academic Writing..................................................................................................................7
Group and Team Skills...........................................................................................................8
HOW SKILLS HELP IN ACADEMIC LIFE.................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Portfolio refers to the process of merging the academic information of the students in
order to review their performance, quality of coursework, learning & development progress and
academic performance etc. This is very useful for the teachers and superiors in determining
whether the students or individuals are meeting the learning criteria, promotion to another grade,
graduation etc. This classwork paper is based on the reflective account of students through which
they communicates their knowledge acquired at the university as well as the skills and learning
possessed by the education at university. This portfolio is very useful for the individuals and
their superiors in determining whether the required performance and efficiency is maintained or
not. If the required efficiency and performance is not obtained then superiors or teacher provides
their guidance to the individuals in acquiring knowledge and skills for performing the work in an
effective manner. This assessment will cover various types of skills which are useful for the
individuals in getting the required performance during their education in the university. Some of
these skills includes Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Reading skills, Critical
Thinking, Reflective Thinking etc. Which will be discussed in this assessment. This assessment
will also cover how these skills assisted them in performing their educational work and
assignments in an effective manner. These skills will be discussed in detail in this assessment
and their contribution in the success of the individuals. Skills reflection is used in this assessment
for determining the ways through which the skills are utilised by the individuals in bringing
maximum efforts for executing the work. These skills are defined further. Communication Skills
are the capabilities of individuals in interacting with the other individuals for clear transmission
of the data or information. Presentation skills refer to the techniques or ways of attracting the
people towards a specific topic by influencing their interest toward. Reading skills can be seen as
the ability of person which shows that effective they read written and interpret in right manner.
Critical thinking is an essential skill which assisted me in executing the projects and work
assigned to me during the graduation. Reflective thinking is an explanatory reasoning practice
through which an individual evaluates the situations and took the decision accordingly.
Academic writing can be defined as the specific styles which are used in essays or formal
assessments. Individuals can become successful in their professional life only when they use
cooperation and coordination in their work because with the help of it they will get desirable
outcomes in easy manner. Apart from these skills, there are several other concepts such as
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Plagiarism, graphs etc. which should be known by individuals if they wants to become successful
in their education and work.
SKILL REFLECTION
When I was pursuing my education at the university, I get the opportunities to use my
various skills in which some are inherited and some are acquired through learning in the lectures
given by my tutors. Some of these skills which assisted me in pursuing my education without
any problem are discussed below:
Communication Skills
These skills are the capabilities of individuals in interacting with the other individuals for
clear transmission of the data or information. During the lectures, I get to know that the effective
communication skills are very essential among the students and individuals who assist in both
personal life as well as academic life. While taking the notes, I get to know that communication
happens in three types which are oral, written and visual. These sessions and lectures from the
teachers assisted in improving these skills which also enhances the chances of getting getter
growth in the future time period (Baker, 2015).
Presentation Skills
Presentation skills refer to the techniques or ways of attracting the people towards a
specific topic by influencing their interest toward. These presentation skills include several
aspects such as slides, body language, speaking way, tone, voice etc. My presentation skills lacks
in the initial time of the university due to which several issues were faced by me But by
continuous practising and attending the sessions in the lectures assisted me in improving these
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skills within a short span of time. At the starting time of university, I lacks in presenting the
information to the audience due weak self-confidence. But by taking the lectures, I get to know
that several aspects should needs to be good for effective presentation which I learned from the
help from staff and teachers. I am also scoring good marks in my academics due to the strong
and improved presentation skills.
Reading skills
This skill can be seen as the ability of person which shows that effective they read written
and interpret in right manner. Reading skill basically plays an essential role in the every student
as well as readers life. Especially for people belonging to academic zone this skill is mandatory
for them own in advance level. By evaluating my past experience, I have realised that previously
I was not able to interpret my reading material in quick manner. This was because, my
vocabulary was not strong. This ultimately consumes my time in finding those complicated and
new words on Google. But later with the changing time, by reading more and more books I have
developed my skill effectively. Further, it can be said that improved reading skill will help me
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out in reading more books in less period along with the same knowledge. As a result, it would be
easier for me get merit grades in college tenure.
Types of Graphs
Graph refers to the graphical representation of statistical data or information in order to
enhance the experience and understanding of audience. The lecture attended at the university
assisted me in determining the ways through which the data can be represented accurately and
precisely. Also I get to know about the new tools and techniques for interpreting the data through
the use of computer. I get to know that there are various types of graphs available which can be
used according to the amount of data to be represented. I prepared eye catching and creative
report by using the different types of graphs in them. I get to know regarding the operating of
different charts such as pie chart, bar graph, picto-graph, broken line graphs, scatter plots etc. I
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presented the information with the graphs in report so that it can be easily interpreted and
understandable by the teachers and professors (Basturkmen, 2014).
Figure 1: Bar Graph
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is an essential skill which assisted me in executing the projects and work
assigned to me during the graduation. Critical thinking consists of several aspects which are
debate over an issue, evaluation of evidence, challenging assumptions and reflecting upon one’s
own opinions. This skill plays a major role in acquiring the learning from the lecture quickly.
This skill helped me during working in teams through which I was able to weigh the opinions of
other individuals with mine in order to come at a suitable and proper decision. Through the
critical thinking skills, I can properly judge the views and opinions of other people properly in
order to determine the suitable solution of decision. The critical thinking skills are also beneficial
for me in achieving my predetermined goals in an effective manner.
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Figure 2: Critical Thinking
Reflective Thinking
Reflective thinking is an explanatory reasoning practice through which an individual
evaluates the situations and took the decision accordingly. While taking the lectures at the
university, I came across several models for reflection but Gibbs reflective cycle proved an
effective tool for finishing the reflective thinking and writing. I used this model while finishing
an assignment in order to display my reflective thinking process. This skill can be proved useful
for me in future course of time (Flores, 2015). Through this skill, I can execute my future
reflective assignment and projects by analysing the situations and taking the decisions based on
them. Also I can reflect my ideas through this cycle in an effective manner for conveying them
properly.
Figure 3: Gibbs Reflective Cycle
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Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be defined as an act of presenting views and opinion of others as own.
During my project in University, I have learnt that plagiarism is a crime in an academic career.
This is divided in two parts like intentional and unintentional. In addition, during my project I
have learnt that an ideal student executes its project work effectively in which he/she provide
references of original work. In addition, I learned that students who copied other works in its
project have to face strict actions of Academic Disciplinary committee. Through executing
project within university I have learned that taking and putting of references are important part of
project and students should taking these seriously so that project should be completed
effectively.
Academic Writing
Academic writing can be defined as the specific styles which are used in essays or formal
assessments. It includes well-structured formal language which is mainly supported by
references. Through taking lectures during my project in university, I have identified that there
are mainly 4 kinds of academic writing like analytical, descriptive, persuasive and critical. I have
learned that each of these academic writing have their own purposes and features and through
learning these skills I have completed my assignments effectively which will be helpful for me in
executing further assignments in feasible manner (Valentino, 2015).
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Group and Team Skills
Individuals can become successful in their professional life only when they use
cooperation and coordination in their work because with the help of it they will get desirable
outcomes in easy manner. During lecture, I have learned importance of teamwork and
coordination in achievement of goals. During the project, I have learned Belbin’s theory which
has taught me that each individual within the project plays very important role and supports the
team in achievement of its pre-determined targets. With the help of this theory, I have also
understand importance of team work and also increases my time management skills which will
be helpful for me in shaping my career in future period of time.
HOW SKILLS HELP IN ACADEMIC LIFE
While pursuing the education in the university, my overall experience of learning was
very good due to which, I was able to finish my academics properly without facing any issues
and difficulties. This was possible due to the skills which are developed during my tenure at the
university. I had gone through various life experiences through which I was able to shape my
academic life in suitable manner. Some of the skills assisted me out in learning new personal
skills however; professional skills are also developed during my education at university which
will assist me in shaping my future career. On the basis of above specified different academic
skills, it can be said that there some core skills which are much precious for me as they have
helped me improving my working capabilities and chances of growth in academic life. Some of
these skills are communication skills, presentation skills, team and group working and academic
writings through which I can finish my projects for performing well through graduation.
Communication skills are proved very beneficial for me that assisted me in interacting
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effectively with the audience and other people for communicating the information clearly and
properly. Through the communication skills, I was able to communicate with my tutor for
clearing the doubts and problems of academics. The presentation skills assisted me in presenting
my work in proper manner to the audiences in order to influence their interest. Based on my
evaluation, I had reached to conclusion that the communication and presentation skills are
interrelated to each other as when individuals are able to develop their communication skills then
presentation skills can be easily developed. Also communication skills are must for presenting
the work in an effective manner.
Apart from the communication and presentation skills, there are several other factors
such as gesture, pitch volume, dressing manner, body language etc. which assisted me in
performing effectively in the academics. While learning and developing the skills, I get to know
that it will take time to fully command these factors in order to ensure bright future ahead.
However, my present requirements at the university are fulfilled by the existing skills and these
skills will also support me in future time so that I can sustain in this highly competitive corporate
environment.
My academic writing skills are also improved at the university which also assisted me in
gaining high marks in different subjective papers as I was able to present the content properly
which is easily understandable by the readers. Also it becomes easier for me to present my actual
learning in written form and make teacher realise that I am aware about the suitable and relevant
knowledge of the subjects which is taught by them in lectures and classrooms. My team working
skill also improved from the education at university which has helped me out in effective
completion of group work. These improved skills taught me to survive in the dynamic
competitive environment by discussing it with my team members. My relations with the team
members have contributed in completion of group project and improved by personal relations
with each and team members. So, it can be said that the learning and improvement of the skills is
beneficial for the academics in getting high marks which will also help me in my future career.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that there are various skills which are
inherited and acquired by the individuals and students through which they can get the desired
success in their future career. These skills are acquired or improved by attending the learning
sessions and lectures at where teacher provide their support in understanding the concepts too.
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