MN3040QA - Orientation for Success: Reflective Commentary Assignment

This report is a reflective commentary on a student's learning journey within the MN3040QA Orientation for Success in Higher Education module. The commentary analyzes knowledge gained in three key areas: teamwork skills, networking, and CVs. It also includes a performance analysis using the Gibbs reflective cycle, evaluating the student's approach to an essay assignment. The student identifies strengths, such as the ability to quickly grasp concepts, and challenges, such as a lack of active participation and insufficient citations. The report concludes with an action plan to improve time management and overall performance, aiming for enhanced quality in future academic work. The student reflects on the importance of teamwork, networking, and CV development for future career success, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement.

Reflective Commentary - Part
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
ANALYSIS OF GAINED KNOWLEDGE.....................................................................................3
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE.................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Reflective commentary enables in showing experience of learning. With that it allows in
doing critical analysis of experience and what are its strength and weakness. So, on that basis
there are some changes which is made. It is important to do analyse performance by taking
feedback. This allows in evaluating what behaviour, attitude, learning, etc. was during learning.
Therefore, on that basis plan is developed to improve weak areas as well as skills (Bluehm,
2018). The main purpose of doing analysis is to find out to what extent knowledge is gained.
Hence, weak and strong areas are determined and then SMART goals are set to improve weak
areas. Therefore, goals are based on performance that is being done. This will enable in gaining
knowledge in more effective way by enhancing performance.
The report will analyse knowledge gained in 3 topics and performance analysis through
Gibbs model. Also, 1 strength and challenge will be identified.
ANALYSIS OF GAINED KNOWLEDGE
I found that there were many things which I learned during classes. This enabled me to gain
knowledge and improve skills. Thus, 3 topics are as below:
Team work skills
In this topic I gained knowledge about what are team working skills. Also, I learned on
various roles which are played by team members in working in team. Moreover, I got to know
that what are different models and theories of team work such as Tuckman, Hackman model, etc.
through which teams are formed and then roles are assigned (Burns, 2017). Besides that, I
analysed that Belbin team roles is most common model which is followed in forming of team. In
that on basis of behaviour strength and weakness is identified at work place and then roles are
assigned. There are total 9 types of roles in it such as plant, monitor, shaper, implementer, etc.
Also, there are two types of team one is formal and informal. Besides, functional, self managed,
specific, and many other teams are also there. In all these goals assigned and roles of members
differs.
I evaluated that it is important to work in team so that goals are attained in effective way.
Besides that, there are several benefits of working in team. It helps in sharing of skills and
knowledge with each other. Moreover, tasks are accomplished in effective way.
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I also worked in team but I found that I need to enhance my team working skills. This
will help me to work with diversified people and also enhance my knowledge. I will be able to
complete my tasks in less time. It will increase my efficiency as well.
Networking
This is also a topic in which I learned many things. Here, this skill is related to
communication, active listening, interpersonal, etc. it is necessary to develop networking skills as
it helps in effective communicating with others (Cele, 2021). Besides that, by creating a network
it allows in meeting with new people. I found that my networking skills are weak as I was not
able to communicate with other. I gained knowledge that I networking the main skills are active
listening, speaking and communication. This allows in meeting with new people. Besides, I
learned that this skill can be developed by being active listener, taking follow up, knowing
people, etc.
I learned that networking skills is important as it enables in making friends at work place.
Along with it, skill helps in gaining insight about job openings, policies, info, etc. within
company. It also helps in learning from experience and skills of other people. Through that,
contacts are made which are useful in career growth and development. With help of contacts
relationship are made that give right direction for future career (Hayes, Daly and Whitehouse,
2017). Apart from it, I got to know about sources through which networks can be build. The
main is social media sites like LinkedIn where large number of professionals are there. Hence,
by connecting with them network can be build.
CV’s
In this topic I learned various things about CV. I got to know that CV is bio data of an
individual that contains details such as demographic, education, personal, etc. these all info has
to be kept short and precise so that it gives insight about person. In demographic the details are
age, gender, name, etc. and in education the details included has to be course, university, year,
grade, etc. (Glesne, and Pugach, 2018). Besides that, I got to know that in personal detail it
includes father name, marital status, and other. I analysed that the CV is to made precise and
accurate so info included in it has to be short and relevant. There are several ways by which the
CV can be improved. Furthermore, it is important to make CV in proper format. It is because in
format there are heading and details which are specified and it has to be fulfilled. The best format
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is reverse chronological format. I got to know that managers are familiar with this format. They
are able to evaluate person skills and abilities easily from it.
I also learned that it is necessary keep CV updated so that the chances of getting hired
increases. If CV is not updated then the competition with other rises and it may result in not
getting hired. I found that there is difference between resume and CV. In resume there is no job
experience included in it. Moreover, CV focus on academic skills but resume focus on
background of person.
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE
Description
I was given a task to write essay on various topics. The task was to be done individually. So,
I wrote essay in proper way and I completed the work in time. But my performance was affected
due to few mistakes.
Feelings
I felt nervous at that time as I have to complete task in given time. So, I thought to do it fast as I
was confident enough that my work is good. My other class mates did their work in proper way.
I should have done my work by doing more research (Hargaden, 2020).
Evaluation
I analysed that my performance was overall good as I was able to complete on deadline. But
way of presenting work was not good. I made some mistakes in it which I think I should not have
made. This did not go well and it hampered my performance.
Analysis
I analysed that as I grasp things quickly so I did my task on time. But I may have
prepared a schedule and then did tasks. This would have helped me to write high quality essay
and obtain more marks.
Conclusion
I need to learn time management skills. This will help me to do high quality work.
Furthermore, I can now do work and maintain quality of it.
Action plan
I need to make learn and gain knowledge about how to manage time. For that I must attend
seminars and prepare schedule. So, in future I will be able to show positive attitude towards my
work (Impedovo, 2021).
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Strength
My strength was that I was able to grasp learning quickly and also know how to define
terms. Besides that, my behaviour and attitude was positive towards learning. Thus, my
performance was good in it and this helped me to boost my confidence.
Challenge
I faced challenge that I was not highly active in class due to which I faced competition
from other students. Furthermore, I did not do sufficient citation in work so marks obtained by
me was less (Sholl, 2020).
CONCLUSION
It can be summarised that reflective commentary allows in presenting personal experience in
learning. For that there are various models of reflection that are used such as Gibbs, Kolb’s, etc.
with that it becomes easy to write reflection and experience in learning.
I learned about 3 topics that are team work, networking and CV. In that I got to know about
various things as well.
I applied Gibbs model to write my experience. In that I will prepare action plan to improve
my performance. I analysed that my performance was good but quality of task was not. It
impacted on my performance as in order to complete on time I did few mistakes. I did prepare
schedule due to which I got late. My strength was that I learned quickly and my behaviour and
attitude was positive and challenge is I faced competition from other students.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bluehm, K., 2018. Commentary: Commentary: Beauty Requires Thought. Frontiers in
psychology, 9, p.1917.
Burns, A., 2017. Envoi: from reflective practice to action research?. In Reflective Practice (pp.
140-155). Routledge.
Cele, S., 2021. Communicating back: reflections on IBZM as participatory dissemination–
commentary on Valli. FENNIA, 199, p.1.
Glesne, C. and Pugach, M.C., 2018. Story as pedagogy: A reflective commentary. LEARNing
Landscapes, 11(2), pp.31-38.
Hargaden, H., 2020 Stay a while with your own ones’: A reflective commentary on ‘indigeneity
in Europe. Psychotherapy and Politics International, p.e1590.
Hayes, C., Daly, J., and Whitehouse, A., 2017. Developing as a reflective early years
professional: A thematic approach. Critical Publishing.
Impedovo, M.A., 2021. Identity and Teacher Professional Development: A Reflective,
Collaborative and Agentive Learning Journey. Springer Nature.
Sholl, C.S., 2020. Commentary on “A reflective evaluation of the Bradford positive behaviour
support–in reach service”. Tizard Learning Disability Review.
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