Monday, 30 September 2013
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Research Techniques
Today I used an internet resource The Internet Detective (
http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/detective/).
My tutor asked me to do this activity as I plan to research much of the information for my project on the internet. The Internet Detective showed me that carrying out academic research has different requirements than everyday internet searching. I will have to remember that I must avoid sites that are inappropriate ie not academically sound. I should check that information on sites is accurate and free from bias. I must also remember to include a reference to acknowledge where I sourced information from. Simply cutting and pasting without a reference is not allowed, it is plagiarism and will earn me a fail.
According to the Internet Detective site the key skills I must develop are:
Be able to do my own independent research
Locate and use a wide range of information sources
Critically evaluate the information I find
Synthesise information to form my own original piece of work
Present a balanced and well-informed argument leading to my own conclusions
The site also gave me good advice on how to carry out effective research: to know what information I need, to work out the best sources and then (only then) to turn to the Internet.
I already know that I want to find out about team-working skills and I plan to use a primary source (interviewing someone I feel is a skilled team-worker) and I will start my Internet research with a respected site called Mindtools.com. If I do find other internet sources I will identify and verify the site and if in doubt email my lecturer to check.
I feel that this activity has taught me how to research more effectively than before and I was surprised because I thought my internet search skills were already pretty good. I guess that it reminded me that others can have valuable contributions and that I can benefit from them.
My tutor asked me to do this activity as I plan to research much of the information for my project on the internet. The Internet Detective showed me that carrying out academic research has different requirements than everyday internet searching. I will have to remember that I must avoid sites that are inappropriate ie not academically sound. I should check that information on sites is accurate and free from bias. I must also remember to include a reference to acknowledge where I sourced information from. Simply cutting and pasting without a reference is not allowed, it is plagiarism and will earn me a fail.
According to the Internet Detective site the key skills I must develop are:
Be able to do my own independent research
Locate and use a wide range of information sources
Critically evaluate the information I find
Synthesise information to form my own original piece of work
Present a balanced and well-informed argument leading to my own conclusions
The site also gave me good advice on how to carry out effective research: to know what information I need, to work out the best sources and then (only then) to turn to the Internet.
I already know that I want to find out about team-working skills and I plan to use a primary source (interviewing someone I feel is a skilled team-worker) and I will start my Internet research with a respected site called Mindtools.com. If I do find other internet sources I will identify and verify the site and if in doubt email my lecturer to check.
I feel that this activity has taught me how to research more effectively than before and I was surprised because I thought my internet search skills were already pretty good. I guess that it reminded me that others can have valuable contributions and that I can benefit from them.
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Strengths and Weakness Review and Project Idea
This week I have reviewed my strengths and weaknesses in 'knowing myself'
The World of Work reports on My DNA and My Strengths formed the main basis of my evaluation. I also used my own evaluation in 'Knowing Myself' and the feedback from 4 other people who know me well.
I read through the Project Guidelines carefully and looked at the suggested contexts for my personal development. I consider that a major area for development is within the context of relationships. As my DNA report states I am a very independent worker and sometimes forget that colleagues can have valuable input. As team-working is a vital skill in employment I feel that I need to improve my awareness of when I am not working well in a team.
My project idea is to explore the topic of team-work and to set myself targets so that I can measure my progress. I will find out whether others in the group want to join me and we can work together on this. I shall research the topic on the internet using sites that will provide high quality information, I will also talk to those I feel have good team-working skills and finally I will present my findings, preferably as part of a team, using PowerPoint.
The World of Work reports on My DNA and My Strengths formed the main basis of my evaluation. I also used my own evaluation in 'Knowing Myself' and the feedback from 4 other people who know me well.
I read through the Project Guidelines carefully and looked at the suggested contexts for my personal development. I consider that a major area for development is within the context of relationships. As my DNA report states I am a very independent worker and sometimes forget that colleagues can have valuable input. As team-working is a vital skill in employment I feel that I need to improve my awareness of when I am not working well in a team.
My project idea is to explore the topic of team-work and to set myself targets so that I can measure my progress. I will find out whether others in the group want to join me and we can work together on this. I shall research the topic on the internet using sites that will provide high quality information, I will also talk to those I feel have good team-working skills and finally I will present my findings, preferably as part of a team, using PowerPoint.
Monday, 16 September 2013
Outcome 1: Evaluate knowledge of self in a specific context to identify an aim for a project to develop self awareness
This
blog will record my work for Personal Development: Self Awareness. I am a studying this as part of my NQ Retail
Course. I will be updating this on a
weekly basis. So far I have carried out
the following activities
- Icebreaker - People bingo
- Making the most of life
- My World of Work - My Strengths
- My World of Work - My DNA
- College Goals
- Knowing Yourself
- Project planning
Friday, 6 September 2013
Outcome 1: Evaluate knowledge of self in a specific context to identify an aim for a project to develop self awareness
This
blog will record my work for Personal Development: Self Awareness. I am a studying this as part of my NQ Retail
Course. I will be updating this on a
weekly basis.
So far I have carried out the following activities…………(add these as a list).
These activities are to help me understand ‘where I am just now’. They are to help me discover my strengths and weaknesses and my likes, dislikes, interests, fears and aspirations.
They have also helped me to get to know my fellow classmates a little better.’
I am really looking forward to getting started on a project which will help me improve my level of self awareness
So far I have carried out the following activities…………(add these as a list).
These activities are to help me understand ‘where I am just now’. They are to help me discover my strengths and weaknesses and my likes, dislikes, interests, fears and aspirations.
They have also helped me to get to know my fellow classmates a little better.’
I am really looking forward to getting started on a project which will help me improve my level of self awareness
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| West Lothian College Livingston Scotland |
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