Module reflection
- 1. Running Head: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 1 Individual Reflective Essay Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation
- 2. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 2 Description and Feelings Throughout this module, I have learned many things and encountered diverse experiences, both exciting and challenging. It has been a great moment to develop my knowledge and understanding in each of the different areas within the course. The module as a whole has enabled me to explore further into my strengths and work on improving my weaknesses so that I can enhance my overall performance. Working with other students during class assignments and projects has enabled me to advance my skills such as communication, effective learning, and teamwork. Besides, working with other people on the various tasks has made the learning experience in Loughborough University more interesting and enjoyable. In fact, in our previous group project, we significantly helped each other and cooperated on all the necessary tasks. The encouragements and inspirations we provided to each other were unprecedented. I feel I have gained a lot from them, exchanging thoughts and ideas about many diverse issues, expressing different viewpoints and inspiring me to develop my own thinking. For the most part of this module, the tasks have been enjoyable and exciting to carry out. It has been a continuous process with most of the tasks being completed in the last month of the semester. I feel that by completing these tasks all through the module, I am now able to multitask and balance my duties as a learner in the campus. In a group of three members, we focused on a project regarding gamification of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park wayfinding for increasing the social interaction within student groups. I decided to join this group and focus on such subject because I felt it was a bit more interactive, thus, it was easy to complete and understand the various concepts related to it. As well, I wanted to challenge myself in a new area for the growth of my future career. Having participated in such project means I will always have an idea of how
- 3. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 3 companies design games based on human behaviors. Generally, I feel more confident in using the game and understanding the advantages of such a tool. Evaluation and Analysis The module has helped me to understand the significance of all aspects of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, such as eye contact, facial expression and touch. It has made me know how important teamwork can be in completing the various assignments and projects. Indeed, the group played a key role in my development in this module. Even though we started at a low tendency, the performance of the group improved rapidly in the specified period of completing the project. The team was formed as per the Tuckman teamwork theory, whereby members often go through recognizable stages as they interact and focus on a collective goal (West, 2012). At the beginning, the team members had not fully understood what the team will do, and everyone was trying to understand each other. After sometimes, we started working in different ways, but concentrating on the project. Then the group settled to a functional phase, during which we focused on role-relatedness. Even though we started to work connectedly in the norming stage, we all contributed our thoughts, debated about probable time of the meeting and the plan of our project. As one of the key member of the group, I was able to develop harmonious interactions with the rest of the group members. My aspiration was to complete the project at the right time and achieve all the requirements and objectives. Throughout the project, there were a number of tasks, which we would help each other by subdividing them and assigning each member a specific sub-task. As Levi (2011) asserts, this a great way of completing any given project because it simplifies the tasks and makes the objectives achievable. The group was made up of three members, who carried out different and specific tasks. This was based on the premise that every member of a
- 4. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 4 group possesses distinctive behavior which might influence the performance of the activity (Palmer, 2017). Since the project involved many tasks, it was important for each member to perform at least two tasks. But before this, we decided to select a leader who could oversee the progress and activities of the group. We equally shared the tasks, particularly on the research section which involved tasks such as examining the student's familiarity with the Olympic Park, knowing whether the students were interested in the proposed game and what kind of game type and game mode do students prefer to the suggested game. I performed my given task – literature review and research methods - independently, however, I ensured there was proper communication within the group, especially regarding the overall development of the group. In order to make sure that all objectives and outcomes of the module were achieved, we would often meet, like thrice per week. It is through these meetings that we could communicate various ideas and thoughts, making everyone to benefit at the personal level. I believe the appropriate way of learning is to become an independent learner which in itself needs proper communication skills and discipline (Messersmith, 2015). At the group and personal level, I must say that we developed good time management skills, mainly for accomplishing deadlines in the submission of various tasks and for incorporating the research with domestic needs. As we were about to progress in the performing stage, the members did not observe the group dynamics effectively. One of the member was more interested in getting his work completed based on been the best. For my part, when this occurred, people in a group stop communicating, the objective and message become unclarified. Consequently people carry out the tasks on their own terms. Although the group still functions,
- 5. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 5 there is no relationship-based communication. I informed every member about this issue and they promised to improve and adhere to the team’s rules and regulations. One of the most challenging task was accessing and seeking participants for our research project, however, it became clearer as other students understood what we are doing and the significance of the project. Finding the research materials was also a difficult task for me and the group at a large. We had few devices to access to the internet but with the help of the IT department, we were able to use the computers to find the relevant journal articles as well as the concepts and ideas related to the project. Sometimes, the group members could do their tasks individually, and this could lead to miscommunication; hence, destabilizing the entire group. Even though everyone had other issues to carry out, lack of teamwork disrupts everything in the group, making the group dynamic to lose its structure, which further makes the group to struggle (Herbert, 2012). Conducting a literature review during the module, taught me how to use the search engines using key terms to find the applicable articles. The entire process has given me an insight into what research requires and the various methodologies that are used. In fact, I came to realize that academic articles are peer-reviewed before being printed in reliable journals. Carrying out the literature search is an important part of learning (Pavord and Donnelly, 2015). It provides the student with an awareness of what they can do in research and what needs to be enhanced. Throughout the individual and group assignments, I noted the research part is quite hard. Luckily, the topic we picked for the group project was of great interest to me and this made the research much easier. Besides, I could really express how I felt about the issues involved in the group project. With the feedback from the supervisor, I realized that we were able to address the required areas of the marking criteria.
- 6. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 6 Based on Belbin (2012) teamwork concept, the role that best refers to me was implementer because I ensured that the tasks were performed in a systematic and organized manner. I also played a primary role in ensuring that the deadline and project's requirements were met to avoid penalties from our supervisor. On my personal perspective, I would confidently say the group roles were well discharged to meet the needs of the group. But there is still much to be done in the future to ensure it performs better. As regards to this, I would like to work with different members in the future to gain new ideas for doing group projects. In terms of the challenges, the project consumed a lot of time and sometimes it was stressful. Completing the personal tasks and then compiling them as a group took a longer time than we had first anticipated. This highly affected the general performance of the group members. I can recall being asked by one of the members whether doing this module has affected my wellbeing and behavior. I would say the group project has both positive and negative effects. The massive amount of knowledge and information I have acquired has been great in giving me the confidence to design and apply diverse concepts. It has also motivated me to think about topics, issues and ideas I have never really imagined due to lack of exposure and opportunities. I feel the module has made me desire to continue making positive transformations in my life, both at the campus and at home. Conclusion and Action Plan By reflecting on my experience in this group project, I can undoubtedly conclude that working in a group or a team is very important. Researchers such as West (2012), Wright (2007) and Moon (2004) have asserted that it is significant for people to collaborate on a project and work towards achieving mutual goals. However, this cannot be realized if there is no proper communication and cooperation among the members. According to Thompson (2018), effective
- 7. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 7 communication steers the accomplishment of a group task. Our group ensured that there was a formality of order and suitable interaction. Everyone was doing according to the assigned tasks and observed the group dynamics. While we were able to communicate and focus on the various tasks, we were somehow disorganized and this affected the completion of the project. Our communication was also based on the tasks rather than progressive interrelation because there was little communication once we met. This was due to the lack of seriousness among some members. In the future, we should establish a group that is focused and which is guided by a strong control and guidance. As Geroski and Kraus (2010) argue, a focused and strong leadership will always ensure that the group work on a mutual success, with constant and effective interaction. I will make sure that the group I work in the coming days have a leader who can manage the affairs of the group. I would also motivate members to give feedbacks regularly and enable proper communication within the group. Apart from these few challenges I encountered throughout the module, my learning and understanding have been transformed. I hope to continue maintaining my personal and professional growth by engaging in more group projects and also seeking advice from my instructors. Moreover, I will continue to gain more knowledge so that I can cope with the future challenges in my course. This reflective essay will not only enhance my learning but also enhance my career growth, hence, helping me to close the gap between theory and practice.
- 8. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 8 References Belbin, R. M. (2012). Team Roles at Work. London: Routledge. Geroski, A. M., & Kraus, K. L. (2010). Groups in schools: Preparing, leading, and responding. Boston: Pearson. Herbert, V. (2012). Effective teamwork resulted in the best outcome for everyone. Nursing Standard, 26(44), 26-26. Levi, D. (2011). Group dynamics for teams. Los Angeles: SAGE. Messersmith, A. (2015). Preparing Students for 21st Century Teamwork: Effective Collaboration in the Online Group Communication Course. Communication Teacher, 29(4), 219-226. Moon, J. A. (2004). A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice. Oxon: Routledge Falmer. Palmer, P. (2017). Successful group work: 13 activities to teach teamwork skills. Branford, Connecticut: Alphabet Publishing. Pavord, E., & Donnelly, E. (2015). Communication and interpersonal skills. Banbury: Lantern. Thompson, N. (2018). Effective Communication: A Guide for the People Professions. London: Palgrave. West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research. Chichester: BPS Blackwell. West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research. Chichester: BPS Blackwell.
- 9. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 9 Wright, B. (2007). Interpersonal skills. Keswick England: M & K Update.