Assignment: Personal and Professional Development

Learning Outcome 1 (LO3)
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning- you will need to formulate and research ideas on why it is important to manage your own learning. Use the information that you have been given in class to set yourself some short term goals on your learning.
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged-Propose two different ways in which lifelong learning in a personal and professional context could be encouraged. Link them with the benefits of lifelong learning.

1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation.Using some ideas from A.C 1.1 evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to individuals and organisations. Remember to link your ideas with the industry using your own experiences in work or at college.

Consider these:
Self-managed learning: self-initiation of learning processes; clear goal setting, e.g. aims and requirements, personal orientation achievement goals, dates for achievement, self-reflection
Learning styles: personal preferences; activist; pragmatist; theorist; reflector, e.g. reflexive modernisation theory; Kolb’s learning cycle
Approaches: learning through research; learning from others, e.g. mentoring/coaching, seminars, conferences, secondments, interviews, use of the internet, social networks, use of bulletin boards, news groups
Effective learning: skills of personal assessment; planning, organisation and evaluation
Lifelong learning: self-directed learning; continuing professional development; linking higher education with industry, further education, Recognition of Prior
Learning, Apprenticeships, Credit Accumulation and Transfer Schemes
Assessment of learning: improved ability range with personal learning; evidence of improved levels
Learning Outcome 2 (LO2)
2.1 Evaluate your own current skills and competencies against professional standards and organisational objectives

2.2 identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them
2.3 Devise a personal and professional development plan with clear aims and objectives and timescales based on identified needs

Using the attached development plan (at the bottom of the assignment brief) – identify your own developmental needs and activities required to meet them in order to meet A.C.2.2. For A.C. 2.3, still on the attached template identify aims and objectives based on your needs and the timescale of those needs. You will also need to develop an up to date CV and build your portfolio as you go along the Unit.
2.4 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan including effective time management strategies.- Discuss and reflect on the on the time management strategies that you will need to apply in order to successfully complete your development and meet your needs.
Consider these:
Self-appraisal: skills audit (personal profile using appropriate self-assessment tools); evaluating self-management; personal and interpersonal skills; leadership skills
Development plan: current performance; future needs; opportunities and threats to career progression; aims and objectives; achievement dates; review dates; learning programme/activities; action plans; personal development plan
Portfolio building: developing and maintaining a personal portfolio
Transcripts: maintaining and presenting transcripts including curriculum vitae

Learning Outcome 3 (LO3)
The next section of the log should be produced as a detailed record of progress against your plan. You should:
3.1 Undertake and document the development activities as planned-Using your development plan, complete the activities that you set out as your needs for development. Research ways in which you can develop yourself as a person and in your chosen profession.

3.2 Reflect critically on your own learning against the original aims and objectives set in the development plan- Write a short critical reflection on your progress in terms of your aims and objectives you set on your developmental plan- your can also use the feedback from your colleagues and tutors.
3.3 Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation. – Since you have reflected on everything you have done you need to update your developmental plan- remember it’s an ongoing process, you need to keep on updating it as you go along.
3.4 Evaluate the time management strategies you used on your development plan-In LO2 you looked at time management strategies (hoping you have taken them into consideration throughout your PPD Unit), what you need to do now is think about what you did when you were developing your plan and evaluate the time management strategies you used.

Consider these:

Learning styles and strategies: types of styles; awareness of own personal style; impact of personal style and interactions with others
Learning from others: formal learning and training; observation; mentoring; supervision; tutorials; informal networks; team members; line managers; other professionals
Evaluation of progress: setting and recording of aims and objectives; setting targets; responding to feedback; re-setting aims and targets; establishing and recognising strengths and weaknesses; directions for change; cycles of activity
(Monitoring, reflecting and planning)
Learning Outcome 4 (LO4)
In the log you wish to demonstrate some of the interpersonal and transferable skills you have acquired.
4.1 Using the information provided below you should select solutions to these typical work based problems.
o A conflict has developed at a personal level between members of a team which are delivering an important project for the business.
o A manager is concerned about the poor time keeping of a junior manager who directly reports to her. This is both arrival times and the late delivery of completed work.
o There is poor liaison between the front and back offices of the organisation and this is leading to poor customer service, with billing and customer complaints.

4.2 Identify and evaluate a variety of communication styles/methods that can be used in an organisation. – There are many communication methods that are used in organisations. You need to identify and evaluate those communication methods and how relevant they are in different scenarios either in an organisation.
Transferable skills: personal effectiveness (ability to communicate effectively at all levels, initiative, self-discipline, reliability, creativity, problem solving)
Verbal and non-verbal communication: effective listening, respect for others ‘opinions; negotiation; persuasion; presentation skills; assertiveness; use of ICT
Delivery formats: ability to deliver transferable skills using a variety of formats
Working with others: team player; flexibility/adaptability; social skills
Time management: prioritising workloads; setting work objectives; using time effectively; making and keeping appointments; reliable estimates of task time.
Task number Assessment criteria Suggested evidence
LO1 Understand how self-managed
learning can
enhance lifelong
development 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged.
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation.
LO2 Be able to take
responsibility for own personal and
professional
development 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 2.1 evaluate your own current skills and competencies against professional standards and organisational objectives
2.2 identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them
2.3 devise a personal and professional development plan with clear aims and objectives and timescales based on identified needs
2.4 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan including effective time management strategies.
LO3 Be able to implement
and continually review
own personal and
professional
development plan 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 3.1 undertake and document the development activities as planned
3.2 reflect critically on your own learning against the original aims and objectives set in the development plan
3.3 Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation.
3.4 Evaluate the time management strategies you used on your development plan
LO4 Be able to demonstrate
acquired interpersonal
and transferable skills 4.1, 4.2 4.1 select solutions to work-based problems
4.2 communicate in a variety of styles and
appropriate manner at various levels

What are my development
objectives? Priority What activities do I need to undertake to achieve my objectives? What support/resources do I need to achieve my objectives Target date for achieving my objectives Actual date of achieving my objectives
Review Date:

Learning Journal

Your Name:
Name of College/Job:
Position:
Date:
Task completed:

Reflection:
In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades

Grade Descriptor
Indicative characteristic/s
Contextualization
M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions Effective judgments have been made.
An effective approach to study and research has been applied. To achieve M1, you will make effective judgements and used an effective approach to study and research applied. You would have used correct Harvard referencing using a wide range of resources. A clear and concise well-structured argument should be applied in your work, where required. LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4.
M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques Appropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied.
Appropriate structure and approach has been used in development plan, using a range of combination methods and technical terms accurately used. To achieve M2, you will have looked into the application of various learning theories (LO1 1.1) and justified your choice of lifelong learning approach (LO1 1.2)
Appropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied for LO2 (2.3)
M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings Communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used. To achieve M3 the work you present will be written in suitable business formats and will use business terminology accurately. (LO3 3.2, 3.4 & LO4 4.1)
D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified.
Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success. You will make conclusions and present a clear analysis of the various learning styles (LO1 1.1)
Conclusions have been arrived at and justified through an in-depth study of the chosen industry (LO2 2.1)
D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities Activities have been managed. You will demonstrate the activity has been managed properly (LO2 2.3 & 2.4)
D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral / creative thinking Show evidence of convergent/lateral/creative thinking To achieve D3 you will have demonstrated creative/lateral/convergent thinking (LO2 2.2 & LO4 4.2)