University Course: Public Management Learning Reflection and Analysis

This report provides a reflection on a Public Management course, exploring the student's learning journey and the practical application of course concepts. The report delves into the student's understanding of public sector reforms, specifically focusing on the Kennett and Howard Governments in Australia. It analyzes factors influencing these reforms, including the Workplace Relations Act. The report further discusses the student's learning process, emphasizing experiential and online learning methods, and proposes strategies for improvement. Moreover, it highlights how the course has contributed to future self-development by fostering skills such as accountability, intentionality, and adaptability. The conclusion underscores the importance of continuous learning and its role in personal and professional growth within the field of public management.

Running head: PUBLIC MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR SERVICES
Reflection on learning Public Management discourse
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Third Assignment
Introduction:
The article focuses on the learning of the public management course. There are
discussions regarding what I have learned from the course and how they are used. Through the
article, one will also get an understanding of how I learn and the means adopted for improving
the process of learning and assessing it as per my ability for critically self-reflecting and
considering futuristic self-development.
Discussion:
Learning From the Public Management Course and Their Usage
Public management Course helps one in creating plans and solving problems for making
a difference in the public sphere. Both the public companies and the non-profit organizations
require a public service manager for directing and overseeing operations (Pollitt & Bouckaert,
2017). A public manager is expected for maximizing the resources and ensuring that the program
under their directions integrates smoothly into the global world (Klingner, Nalbandian &
Llorens, 2015). The added responsibility that goes beyond running of the daily operations
regards Public Management as the distinct form of public administration.
This course has particularly taught me about the public sector reform undertaken by the
Kennett Government and the Howard Government of Australia. I was able to understand the
factors that influenced the public sector reforms under the Kennett government. I was also able
to understand the approach followed by the Kennett Government along with the reform policies
implemented during his tenure between 1992 and 1999 (Goldfinch & Roberts 2013). My
research has thus provided me with information on the Kennett Government who has been a

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former Australian politician of the 43rd Victorian Premier and presently a commentator for the
media. I also understood how the reforms undertaken by the Kennett government led to some
effective outcomes. I also got an overview of the Howard Government who served as 25th Prime
Minister of the Australian Continent between 1996- 2007(Hambleton & Howard, 2013).The
course also informed me about the factors that influenced the Howard Government in
undertaking the reform policies. I also developed the idea about approaches of the Howard
Government and came to know about the Work Choices and the Workplace Relations Act
(Kersley et al., 2013). Through the second assignment of the course, I have also learned about
the case study that focuses on the workplace relations reform mentioned in the chronological
manner that helped me in understanding the rigorous process through which a bill became an act.
The Public Management course has helped in understanding the various public reform
policies especially the Workplace Reform Policies under the Howard government that I will be
able to apply in any business or private organizations of which I will be a part.
The Process of Learning
I am a doer and like to try out things and observe how they actually work. I am a person
who will understand the reform policies once I get to apply them. I have applied the process of
assimilation that describes in taking newer knowledge along with the process of accommodation
that describes the relation of the new knowledge prior to the beliefs and the experiences (Kolb,
2014). However, I believe that learning process involves more than processing information.
I have also gathered knowledge via the online means of learning (Means, Bakia &
Murphy, 2014). There are various advantages of such a means of learning. The online learning
process has allowed me to gather a vast sea of information about the public sector reform in the

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various jurisdictions namely the Kennett government and the Howard government. I could also
collect the information from the comfort of my home as per my convenience and speed. Further,
the learning was more self-paced via the online means of learning. I say this because when I
started browsing through the various programs and the online courses regarding public
management there was an available option for arranging the learning schedule according to my
own individual needs. I have also tried to gather information and feedback from the people
regarding the public sector reform policy undertaken by the Kennett and the Howard
Government. I found that although some of the reforms like the Work Choice reform have been
quite effective in the public sector.
Means of Improving the Learning Process
Learning is a continuous process and throughout lifetime, a person might enhance his
knowledge via various e-courses, books, business seminar and lectures. I however, feel that I
could have improved the learning process by adopting the following means:
By Preparing Myself: I should have developed an idea before taking up the Public
Management Course that included going through various books and reviews before taking it up
By Staying Organized: To improve the process, I should create a file folder system that
would help me in organizing and searching for the necessary information in no time (O'Neil,
2014). I should also develop computer organization skills that would help in saving much of my
time.
Make Note of the Important Points: I should develop the habit of taking notes while
taking feedbacks or important detail otherwise few of the information is lost in the process.

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By Establishing the Learning Style: Identifying my learning style will also help in
improving the process of learning which meant being specific about visual, auditory or
kinesthetic process of learning. Knowing the style will help me in knowing the learning style
(Schmeck, 2013).
Sorting Out Information: I should develop the ability of sorting information because
information come from various directions in different formats and it otherwise difficult to
retain(12). It is also important to judge the authenticity of information that I have not done
previously.
How Learning helps in Future Self Development
It is vital to identify the importance of learning as it helps in future self-development. The
next step involves the development of an understanding and finding out right channels through
which one can develop knowledge and skills (Dunlosky et al., 2013). Research puts forward a
framework for investigation, reflection and questioning on the business activities. This I have
quite faced while undertaking the research for the Public Management Course. However, the
research approach is however coupled with ever changing world and this is to be noted that no
one possess a knowledge base that is complete. Therefore, I feel that, it is necessary for
developing the right attitude for learning for the management of the own process of learning and
redefining the goals. It is also necessary for developing a mindset where acquisition of the
knowledge remains an enjoyable goal.
The learning process for Public Sector Management has helped me in the process of
future self-development by the following means (Moon, 2013):

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 It has taught me start now: The learning process made me a pro and prevented me
from procrastinating.
 It has taught me the baby steps of undertaking a course: The learning process
taught me how to undertake a research and make a systematic plan in successfully
implementing it.
 It has taught me to learn from the other people: The Public Management course
also helped me in learning from the other people through feedbacks and surveys
 It has inculcated within me the need for change: It helped to understand the
necessity of the reform policies in this changing world. This also helped me in
defining the action necessary for survival in this competitive world through the
implementation of various workplace reforms.
 It has taught be to be accountable: The course enabled me to be accountable for
my own progress.
 It has helped me to understand my worth: The learning process also helped in
focusing on what I already possess and how it can be beneficial to the others. It
also acts as a motivating factor in improving me and in a way increase those
benefits.
 It has taught me to be intentional: The course taught me in aligning my intentions
and goals.
 It motivated me to challenge myself: The learning process also helped me in
focusing on achievable goals.
 It helped me in following my passion: The course also taught me various things in
the process thereby helping me in following my passion.

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 It taught me to never give- up: The project management course also acted as a
motivating factor thereby preventing me from giving up.
Conclusion:
The article ends by throwing a light on how the learning process for the project development
course helps in ensuring future development. The article also focuses on speaks about the means that I
must adopt in improving the learning process. However, it said that learning is a lifelong process and
might sound quite fashionable in the recent times. In other words, living life in a meaningful
sense stops the moment one stops learning. This also ceases the progress in the lives of the
people. Many academics adamantly believe that the development comes from a stronger research
base that finds its roots in the practice of the real world, a perspective far away from the
traditional approach of the university. Whether defined narrowly or in a broad based approach
research defines the framework for investigation, questioning and reflecting on the activities of
the business that helps in encouraging actual enthusiasm for creative as well as critical thinking.

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References:
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013).
Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions
from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public
Interest, 14(1), 4-58.
Goldfinch, S., & Roberts, V. (2013). New public management and public sector reform in
Victoria and New Zealand: Policy transfer, elite networks and legislative
copying. Australian Journal of Politics & History, 59(1), 80-96.
Hambleton, R., & Howard, J. (2013). Place-based leadership and public service
innovation. Local Government Studies, 39(1), 47-70.
Kersley, B., Alpin, C., Forth, J., Bryson, A., Bewley, H., Dix, G., & Oxenbridge, S.
(2013). Inside the workplace: findings from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations
Survey. Routledge.
Klingner, D., Nalbandian, J., & Llorens, J. J. (2015). Public personnel management. Routledge.
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and
development. FT press.
Means, B., Bakia, M., & Murphy, R. (2014). Learning online: What research tells us about
whether, when and how. Routledge.
Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.

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O'Neil, H. F. (Ed.). (2014). Learning strategies. Academic Press.
Pollitt, C., & Bouckaert, G. (2017). Public Management Reform: A Comparative Analysis-Into
the Age of Austerity. Oxford University Press.
Schmeck, R. R. (Ed.). (2013). Learning strategies and learning styles. Springer Science &
Business Media.