Activities

  

 

Rate your responses to the following statements. Note that strongly agree carries no score. Rating: 0 = strongly disagree 1 = disagree 2 = sort of agree   3 = agree 4 = strongly agree

Statement	Rating
1    I am certain that I can keep myself motivated towards achieving my degree	0  1  2  3  4
2    I am very clear what my goals are for the next seven years	0  1  2  3  4
3    I am confident that I have an excellent plan in place for achieving my goals	0  1  2  3  4
4    I am very clear how my degree fits into my life plans	0  1  2  3  4
5    I am clear what employers are looking for	0  1  2  3  4
6    I can demonstrate that I have the skills and attributes employers are looking for	0  1  2  3  4
7    I am very clear about the importance of reflective activity to professional life	0  1  2  3  4
8    I am confident in undertaking structured reflection without guidelines	0  1  2  3  4
9    I am confident that I can develop an effective strategy to meet most circumstances	0  1  2  3  4
10  I am confident that I can set well-formed goals and/or targets	0  1  2  3  4
11  I have a clear understanding of how to evaluate my own performance	0  1  2  3  4
12   I am confident that I have good ‘emotional intelligence’	0  1  2  3  4
13  I am confident that I know how to improve my performance in most circumstances	0  1  2  3  4
14  I know how to apply my expertise and skills in different contexts, beyond study	0  1  2  3  4
15  I am confident that I can see myself as others see me	0  1  2  3  4
16  I am confident that I have effective listening skills	0  1  2  3  4
17  I am an assertive person	0  1  2  3  4
18  I am a good ‘self-starter’; I get on with tasks without being asked or directed	0  1  2  3  4
19  I am clear how I can make the most effective contributions to team work	0  1  2  3  4
20  I am confident at problem-solving	0  1  2  3  4
21  I am confident about assuming the lead and exercising effective leadership	0  1  2  3  4
22  I am confident that I will take a creative approach to most tasks/ problem-solving	0  1  2  3  4
23  I am confident I can make excellent job applications	0  1  2  3  4
24  I have developed useful, varied networks that can support and help me	0  1  2  3  4
25  I maintain a relevant, useful set of records to support my employability	0  1  2  3  4
Add up your score out of 100.	Total score __66__

 

Use your ratings to guide you on where to focus your efforts for PDP. If your score is anything less than 100, then there is room for development – and more so if your score is low. Your PDP needs change over time, as circumstances change.

 

REFLECTION: Pick 5 statements from above (the ones with the least score) and discuss why do you feel you need to work on it? – use at least 100 words for each statement.

1.    I am very clear what my goals are for the next seven years

No, I am not clear on what I want for my future or what plans do I have after graduation. I have a broad idea that after getting done the degree it would be easier for me to find a job that I like and feel happy but from there to have my life planned for the next seven years, no.

 

2.    I have a clear understanding of how to evaluate my own performance

I think that it is difficult for some people to have a self-evaluation without having an external source giving us that glimpse of how well we are doing it. I might think that I am doing great, but all depends on how and where you are seeing my performance, I am being selfish, I am really exploiting my potential.

 

3.    I am confident that I can see myself as others see me

This one I could tell is related to the question before. I do not think I can see myself as others see me just yet.

Maybe I am being very hard with myself or punishing and pushing me too hard but one thing that I am sure is that I am able and keen to learn necessary skills to be competitive and relevant in a workplace. 

Jot down your thoughts to some or all of the following, depending on how relevant each is to you.

 

Ten years from now, I see myself…
Aspect	Write your own vision of this aspect below	How important is this aspect to me?
Living in which part of the world?	Anywhere. Preferable Europe. The important point is that I can be happy doing what makes me happy.	Very Important
Living in what kind of place (city, town, village, by the sea, etc.)?	City. I like to have access to shops because it distracts me from the daily stress.	Fairly Important
Solitary? Or surrounded by people?	Both. While I enjoy been with myself. I also like seeing and interacting with people.	Fairly Important
Considering the most important things in my life to be…	Happiness and money. People say that money does not buy happiness, but I think if you are economic stable is more likely to have less worries and enjoy life.	Very Important
Working with colleagues who are… artistic? intellectual? kind? caring? down-to-earth? thoughtful?	Yes. Diversity makes everything interesting and having people around with different approach could be effective.	Important
Working to stress levels which are… Pressurised? Reasonable? Low?	Low to Reasonable.	Important
Enjoying privacy? Public attention? Celebrity?	Privacy.	Very Important
Working how many hours a week?	40 or less	Fairly Important
Taking a lead? Being a good deputy? Happy to be part of a team? One of a large crowd?	I do not mind taking the lead. However, working in team it does not bother me either.	Slightly important
Wanting to ‘get by’ unnoticed? Or with recognition for my work? In top management? World-famous?	I would like to have recognition for my work.	Very Important
Based mostly in an office? On the road? In the field?	Having a hybrid job that allows me been at home and interact in the office with my colleagues.	Fairly Important
Working for myself? A large company? A small company? A charity?	Everything has the pros and cons.	Not important at all.
Doing work which is very varied? Very routine? Predictable?	Routine with challenges here and there.	Slightly important
Likely to stay in the same job for years? Changing job often?	Stay in the same job for years.	Fairly important
Living with a large/small/minimal family. With strong/weak/some family connections?	Small Family
Considering work to be central/ important/ not important to my life?	Important
My contribution to my community or society will be through…	Eco friendly. Trying to use as less plastic as possible.	Very important
My time outside work will be spent doing…	My hobbies and spending time with my family.	Very important
My friends will be the kinds of people who…	I can admire. People with vision.	Very important
I will be the kind of person who…	Can be an example for others and people be proud to have me.	Very important
My main achievements in life are likely to be…	Living in a foreign country.
Other important aspects of my vision of the future are…
The main influences, inspirations and values on this vision of my future derive from…	My family and my two best friends.	Very important

 

1)      Pick 3 of the most important “Aspects” from above discuss how you are going to work on them in the next 5 to 10 years. Use examples from the module as part of your discussion (at least 100 words).

Living abroad was one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, but I do not regret any second of it. Of course, been far from home and make this country my home is something that I did not do in two days or years.

People said that money do not buy happiness but when you come from a family where money was not enough, having the stability that money offers and be able to buy the things you could not before that’s happiness.

If I am able to keep living abroad would be one of my achievement’s long terms, I like Ireland, or Europe in general. People do not judge you because you do not have figure everything out. Do not judge you because you are 35 years old and have no husband, no kids, no house. The typical stereotype that I lived in Latin America.

I used to believe that I was running from that, and it looks like it, but coming in here is such a relieve. I tent to be very social on the outside but to be honest I enjoy being alone, enjoying “me time”.

I think having my diploma is going to help me to achieve some of the “aspects” such as living abroad, having a work where I do not have to kills myself to make a living, and buying my own house near town where shopping centre and night live is, allow me to travel for holidays.

 

 

What kind of leader would you like to be?

Identify how you would prefer to be and to act, ideally, when you are the leader. Aspect Style Preference Style 1.     Vision   Bring a strong personal vision     3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Generate team vision 2.     Objective Achieving outcomes   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Learning from process 3.     Amount of direction Strong direction   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Promotes independence 4.     Information Controls information   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Shares information 5.     Decision-making Gives commands   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Achieves consensus 6.     Level of oversight Supervises closely   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Provides autonomy 7.     Focus Task-focused   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   People-focused 8.     Consultation   Doesn’t ask for views     3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Invites input from all 9.     Visibility Leader rarely seen   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Highly seen leader 10.  Attitude to mistakes   Penalises errors     3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Looks for lessons to learn 11.  Attitude to teamworking Promotes individuality   3   2   1   0   1   2   3   Promotes

 

1)    Select 3 of the “Aspects” from above and discuss why you’d choose a particular style. Use real life or module examples. (at least 100 words)

I feel that been a good leader is not only a tittle or you have to be seen as the one who took the decisions and give orders.

I think a good leader know each strengths people have and work on them to do the work more efficient. Since no one are exactly alike, we must allow to get to know their preferences, tastes, and distastes to know when to approach each one individually.

Not everything is rainbows and flowers; as I said not everyone think the same, so that’s why so important to listen and pay attention to errors and what outcome can come from it. Be empathetic with people who deserve it.

I think I will do a good leader only if I learn first how to work in team, how to be listen and seen, only if I learn each preference and abilities from people who is working with me to achieve our goals. Always with a open communication. Active listening, trying to do a space of trust and compromise.

 

 

(a)   Use the ‘snap’ SHAPES profile, below, to make a quick judgement of your “ACADEMIC STUDY” ‘SHAPES’

(b)   Use one “x” for each row – your “x” could be on the left side of the SHAPES (i.e. Weaker areas) or on the right side (Stronger areas)

(c)   Once completed, save it and submit it in the submission folder

(d)   Then, continue to part 2 of this exercise – use this chart to answer questions on the second part

 

‘Snap’ SHAPES Profile
Weaker areas					SHAPES	Strengths
Non-existent	Very weak	Weak	Quite weak	A little weak		OK	Quite good	Good	Very good	Excellent
					Skills	x
				x	Habits
					Attitudes	x
					Preferences	x
				x	Experience
		x			Strategies

 

Full Name: Aime Metzner

Student Number: 21702358

FULL NAME: Aime Metzner

 

STUDENT NUMBER: 21702358

 

This is a continuation of the previous activity, and we are still focusing on “ACADEMIC STUDY”.

a)    Complete the self-ratings below.

b)    For each, carry across your total scores to the ‘Draw your ratings together’ in PART 2. Then map your scores onto the chart in PART 3. Finally, reflect in PART 4.

 

 

 

 

 

Rate yourself for skills

For each of the following sets of statements, rate yourself on a scale of 0–5, where 0 is a low rating for how true this is of you at present, and 5 is the highest rating. Then add up your total scores.

Skills
1     I am aware of the academic skills relevant to this level of study on my course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I have well developed academic skills for this level of study on my course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     I am aware of the ‘people skills’ relevant to this level of study on my course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     I have well developed people skills for this level of study on my course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     I am aware of the task management skills relevant to this level of study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     I have well developed task management skills for this level of study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I have a good understanding of the kinds of self-management skills relevant to this level of study on my course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I have well developed self-management skills for this level of study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     I regularly review the skills I have developed already and which could be developed further	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I am proactive in developing a broad range of relevant skills	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	33

 

 

Rate yourself: habits and attitudes

Habits
1     I have developed a good routine for daily study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I have developed a good system for settling down quickly to study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     I understand the conditions I need in order to study most effectively	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     I am good at putting those conditions into place	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     I study at times of day (or night) when I can think clearly	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     I plan my time carefully to make sure I have enough time for study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I use all of my planned study time effectively	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I am aware of things I do that make my study less effective	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     I work at changing poor study habits, such as by using a habit tracker	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I am good at managing potential distractions	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	23

 

 

 

 

 

Attitudes
1     I am strongly motivated to study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I welcome academic challenges	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     Even when I don’t feel like it, I find ways of settling down to work	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     I find ways of making study interesting	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     I believe that if I put in the time and energy, I have a good chance of doing well	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     I look for the enjoyment in the subjects I study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I use tutor feedback constructively to improve my work	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I look for what I can learn from both my successes and failures	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     If things don’t go well, that spurs me to do better next time	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I always ‘go the extra mile’ to make my work as good as possible	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	35

 

Rate yourself: preferences and experience

Preferences
1     I have given a lot of thought to how I learn best	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I know whether I learn best by listening, or looking, or ‘doing’ (See pages 86-88)	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     I know whether I achieve better when working alone or with others	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     I know whether I work best in concentrated bursts or with many breaks	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     I know whether I work best working with the ‘big picture’ first – or from the details	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     I know what kind of learning environment leads to the best outcomes for me	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I am able to work to my preferences for ‘structure’ when studying	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I make effective use of my learning preferences to develop good learning strategies	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     I am aware of when my learning preferences are not the most effective way for me to get things done	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I take care not to indulge my preferences at the expense of doing things well	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	11

 

You can undertake a more detailed analysis of your preferences using the tools on pages 80-88.

 

Experience
1     I have recent experience of being in formal education	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I have previous experience of work and/or study relevant to the course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     My previous experiences of learning have been positive	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     My previous study experiences prepared me well for this course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     The content of this course builds on material familiar to me	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     I have experience of the teaching methods used on this course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I have experience of the assessment methods used on the course	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I had experienced success in my previous studies	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     I have a lot of experience of keeping myself motivated	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I give thought to how I can learn from, and make use of, my experience	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	29

 

Rate yourself: strategies

Strategies
1     I recognise that the approach I take to my studies can have a major impact on how well I perform	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
2     I put time aside to reflect upon my approach to my study, considering whether it is really effective or not, and how I can improve it	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
3     I use structured self-evaluation and reflection to help me understand how I study best in different kinds of circumstances, and why	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
4     I draw effectively on my understanding of my learning SHAPES to devise a suitable study regime for myself	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
5     I look out for tips, techniques and guidance on how to improve my study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
6     When I find out about different ways of approaching study, I make a point of trying these out for myself	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
7     I make sure I continue to develop my study skills to match the greater levels of difficulty and complexity for each level of study	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
8     I have a system for monitoring whether I am slipping into study practices that are relatively ineffective for me	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
9     I am able to recognise when I am becoming bored or demotivated and adapt my strategy in order to keep my mind engaged	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
10   I adapt my strategies to keep study interesting and enjoyable	L 0 1 2 3 4 5 J
Total score	31

2) Draw your ratings together

2) Bring together your ratings from your total scores below.

 

Skills Total: 33

Habits Total: 23

Attitudes Total: 35

Preferences Total: 11

Experience Total: 29

Strategies Total: 31

 

3) RE-MAP your SHAPES profile

3) Use the total from each category (SHAPES) to ‘RE-MAP your SHAPES profile below:

 

MAP your SHAPES profile
Weaker areas					SHAPES	Strengths
Non-existent	Very weak	Weak	Quite weak	A little weak		OK	Quite good	Good	Very good	Excellent
0 to 5	6 to 10	11 to 15	16 to 20	21 to 25		26 to 30	31 to 35	36 to 40	41 to 45	46 to 50
					Skills		x
				x	Habits
					Attitudes		x
		x			Preferences
					Experience	x
					Strategies		x

 

 

4) Reflecting upon your Personal SHAPES

 

Reflection: Personal SHAPES

1)    Compare your new MAP with the one from the previous activity. Which areas have changed? What impacted the changes within those areas? Use at least 100 words to discuss. All areas have changed. I thought I have no experience, but the Map has showing me that I got experience and I am putting in practices that today. My strategies are not weak as I thought but good. This activity helps me to re-shape myself. And it was open eyes that I am working in the right direction even though, sometimes I have no faith in myself. I think I am my biggest enemy sometimes because I want to do thing better and better. But it looks like with the right effort and directing that to my goals I could achieve everything. 2)    Which three SHAPES factors have the greatest impact upon your current learning based on your updated chart? In your reasoning, what makes them impactful? Use at least 100 words to discuss.   My preferences were one for example. I thought it was okay but, in this activity, it is showing that I am weak in that area. In questions like if I was able to work to my preferences for ‘structure’ when studying I did not know what to answer because I have never thought in that before. Other was if I thought how I learn the best and the reality is that I still do not know how I learn the best. Maybe I am more visual that listener because I could do images in my brain and remember stuff. I also got impacted with my results in strategies, I thought I was a little weak to ok but here shows me that I am good. I feel that I can recognize what I need to achieve my goals and how work on that. To achieve any goal, not just academic ones, I can use a variety of strategies that I have learn or new to explore to achieve what I have proposed.