My Personal Skills Audit - Coursework Example

Running Head: Personal Development Plan Name Course Instructor Date Assessment Tool My Personal Skills Audit Personal Skills Influencing FACTORS Hard work I am able to work on specified goals and prioritize tasks to achieve the goals. Perseverance I can set long-term goals and split them accordingly even when there are barriers and challenges. I am also able to use the available resources to the maximum. Reading and Note making I am able to decide the part of book to read and always have a system to record the insights and important points I find in the book, journals and Internet sources. I have adopted different reading strategies at different times like skimming, scanning and in-depth reading depending on the time and deadlines for task. I am also capable of making effective notes as I listen to a lecture and reading. I also use a defined system to store my notes for future references. Writing Skills I am able to analyze arguments from reports, essays, and questions and determine what is expected for a piece of work. I understand the differences between a report, an essay and a reflection. I can produce a written plan or an outline to guide me in answering assignment questions. I am capable of punctuating, use spelling and grammar correctly in written forms. I can adopt my writing style depending on the media in use to appropriately respond to demand from audience. I am careful in referencing my work in order to avoid ethical concerns of plagiarism. Organization I ensure that I come up with a strategy to help me plan and manage time. I am capable of prioritizing on my tasks and activities, work to deadlines. I have also learnt through and through what makes my learning to be more effective by making use of the best place and time of study that suits me. Information seeking skills I know how to search for the right journals and books from on-line sites, library and on-line catalogue for electronic sources. I also use online search gateways to find information. I use varieties of different sources for finding information and I am capable in evaluating discussion that suits my case. Revision and Exam techniques I have developed capability of looking at revision positively and I am able to plan for revision time, ascertain and set my goals and use different revision techniques like practicing and mind mapping to finish them well. I select and use techniques to retain useful and recall information. I also prepare in advance by use of the right strategies for helping in exam. I am capable of planning my time and cope with anxiety through revision and seeking for clarification before revising. Stress management I have noted what causes me stress and I have developed ways to deal with them. I am very much aware of my personal stress symptoms. I have developed strategies to cope with situations of stress when they arise. Balancing Personal & education Life I can prioritize on important tasks and activities for my private time as well as adhering to tasks and work schedules by defining the time and scope of work. I consider goals for learning and education for achieving my full academic potential. I plan my financial needs for meeting my day-to-day work and needs setting the right plan to use. Self-discipline and breaking task into manageable pieces, working at each at a time. I receive moral support from the family and see importance of my current role as a student. I use course outlines to help me prioritize on what time to assign to one task and the resources that I need before I begin the task. I carefully follow instructions for assignment I have noted the common trends that are specified in most of the times when using different media. I find it good to be neat to avoid confusion when working. I have interacted with friends at higher levels of learning and noted the best sites for scholars that offer credible and better information. I value information given by lecturers and tutors. I also get motivation from my peers and those that excelled in a unit or particular subject. I have self-management skills to motivate myself, share with others and plan. I get the right group of people who understand every detail of my life to avoid being carried away by personal life. HE Skills and Options to Consider Priority for the skills and Accomplishments Communication Both oral and written communication skills are required in Higher Education learning. A student needs to critically address an issue through the choice of words, presentation and arguments. Information Technology Quite a number of units are completed through the use of different software. Project plans, presentations, analysis are common activities in HE. Familiarity and usage of different software promote timely completion of assignments, presentable work and meeting quality demands. Application of Number Statistical analysis, data collection and quantitative researches require skills in application of numbers. That makes right data analysis. Working with Others Teamwork skills are very important in HE. One works with range of individuals and has to contribute in different ways, agree on goals, understand the tasks, balance between tasks, be supportive, comfortable with disagreement, free to criticize and learn from experience. Students have to be capable of identifying with significant others, raise discussions, evaluate their peers work, be effective in time management and complete group tasks on time. Most of the term papers, projects and assignments are finished in groups due to technicality involved, time demands and resources available. A number of skills related to team work are needed like decision-making, sacrifice, coordination and leadership and have to be demonstrated by a student. Improving Own Learning and Performance In HE learning, a student needs to devise and adopt new methods at different contexts to excel. Strategies improve future performance and it they must be given the right recognition. Each subject or discipline has its own approach and a student has to be flexible, able to use resources and networks and work in structured and unstructured environments and contexts in order to perform better. Problem Solving In HE learning, a student need to cultivate strong personal qualities to work under pressure and communicate with others about problems, what would or went wrong and be calm during crisis. They must also create ideas, communicate the best solution and reach a desirable decision to set a right approach to the problem at hand. The ability to be enthusiastic and developed ability to cope with stressful situations during event equips a student with clarity of thought, speech and address to a problem. Very important Very Important Quite Important Quite important Quite important Very important Skill Gaps The Current State Spoken communication I need more practice in order to express my views verbally. I find it hard to be consistent when speaking or answering a question. I avoid speaking in front of a group and particularly those higher than me who might look intimidating. I consider these important skills to work on. There are other things I am good about like preparing, planning and presenting before people. I can also use visual aids in support of my presentation but I need to do it better. Teamwork Skills I work well as a member of group and I can listen, engage and appreciate the views of my peers but there is still more room to improve. Information Technology I have some basics in use of word processing software packages but I need to familiarize myself more with various aspects of using them to finish my assignments. There are quite a number of variety used for different tasks and I need to learn and practice using Excel, Access, Project Management Templates, PowerPoint e.t.c) Working with numbers I competently make simple calculations but I need to know how to present numerical information accurately and particularly for research work and analysis. I need to earn a variety of numerical techniques like the use of percentages, variance, probability, mean and SD. Though I can interpret graphical information, I need to learn more of complex illustrations and deduce information better. I am okay but need improvement and more practice Need more practice Need more practice I am poor in this, need to start afresh and learn by practice. Action Plan to address the learning objectives required Skills & Learning objectives Action plan Time plan Spoken communication Presenting: Employ arguments in a logical order and structure. Giving and accepting criticism, being assertive, allow open disagreements and use of better tone in criticizing Improve physical expressions and use gestures to communicate effectively and make issues clear Listening; accurately hearing others, say and express interest as well as showing empathy. Gathering information; ask open and probing questions, understand views , clarifying and summarizing Manage tension, fear and confusion when in front of people Speak in small groups when doing collective tasks Developing ideas before answering questions Speak at home, informal groups and evaluate myself when alone. 3-4 semesters Numeracy & Quantitative skills Understand how to work with numerical and graphical information, draw conclusion, explain findings, and make deductions. Planning, budgeting for time and costs and amend estimates Use wide range of physical and graphical data from companies to deduct. Use and practice by online numerical reasoning tests Enroll for a statistical course Get a math tutor and mentor 3 months course Teamwork Working confidently within a group, contribute ideas effectively, take share of key responsibilities, become assertive, accept and learn from constructive criticism, give positive and constructive feedback. Know how to state right questions and engage others Get key problem solving skills, negotiation and evaluation of ideas. Learn to cooperate and solve problems and work with teams Finish project with teams Attend seminar groups; join societies and clubs where I am involved. Work in a team during vacation jobs From 3 months to 11/2 years Information Technology Get key concepts of computer and applications for: Basic concepts of IT Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) Database (Microsoft Access) Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint) Project Plans (PMP software) Take a computer syllabus focusing on complex details for all these. Join students in practicing and use of the modules Take notes using different modes for competent usage A 3 months course Reference Magnussen, L. (1997). Ensuring success: The faculty development plan. Nurse educator, 22(6), 30-33. Read More