Research Method:
For my academic paper, my primary sources for information are text books and the internet. By using the text books, I can try and develop my Read/Write learning method (which the VARK questionnaire, identified as my weakest). The books I have chosen, give me some history of the mobile phone as well as highlighting some of the possible health risks. By using the internet, I can identify images which may be able to graphically show these dangers. When using the internet it is important to identify the validity of the website. Some websites can be biased and not show a true reflection of the issue. The only ethical problem which I may incur is that some of the information may be from minors or sensitive information from the health authority.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Research Method
Research Method:
For my academic paper, my primary sources for information are text books and the internet. By using the text books, I can try and develop my Read/Write learning method (which the VARK questionnaire, identified as my weakest). The books I have chosen, give me some history of the mobile phone as well as highlighting some of the possible health risks. By using the internet, I can identify images which may be able to graphically show these dangers. When using the internet it is important to identify the validity of the website. Some websites can be biased and not show a true reflection of the issue. The only ethical problem which I may incur is that some of the information may be from minors or sensitive information from the health authority.
For my academic paper, my primary sources for information are text books and the internet. By using the text books, I can try and develop my Read/Write learning method (which the VARK questionnaire, identified as my weakest). The books I have chosen, give me some history of the mobile phone as well as highlighting some of the possible health risks. By using the internet, I can identify images which may be able to graphically show these dangers. When using the internet it is important to identify the validity of the website. Some websites can be biased and not show a true reflection of the issue. The only ethical problem which I may incur is that some of the information may be from minors or sensitive information from the health authority.
Personal Tutor Review
Personal Tutorial Review:
Being a second year part-time student, I had never had a meeting with my personal Tutor. When I met with Martin Hancock it gave me an opportunity to resolve some issues. Being one of only 2 part time students doing my course, it can feel like you are not communicated with as much as full time students. This did not help when we were given information last semester which was meant for part time students carrying out a different course. Speaking to Martin has made me realise I am not the only part time student to feel like this and this has put my mind at rest. Now I am aware of who my personal tutor is, I am sure I will be contacting him again in the future.
Being a second year part-time student, I had never had a meeting with my personal Tutor. When I met with Martin Hancock it gave me an opportunity to resolve some issues. Being one of only 2 part time students doing my course, it can feel like you are not communicated with as much as full time students. This did not help when we were given information last semester which was meant for part time students carrying out a different course. Speaking to Martin has made me realise I am not the only part time student to feel like this and this has put my mind at rest. Now I am aware of who my personal tutor is, I am sure I will be contacting him again in the future.
Mentor Review:
Experience of being Mentored:
Having worked for my manager for the past 6 years, I felt she would be a good mentor for me. Helen Harvey is the Business Support Manager at Greenfields Community Housing. She first employed me a Systems Officer and promoted me to my current role as Team Leader. It is only since I officially asked her to be my mentor for this module that I have realised she has been mentoring me since becoming my manager and I had not realised. My experience of the last few months has been a good one. I have had regular 1-2-1 meetings with Helen who has helped me to prioritise my work and also been there to guide me in both work and personal issues which I have had. Knowing my mentor is there to talk things through with, has taken some of the pressure away from me. I will definitely be continuing with the mentor system once I have completed this module.
Having worked for my manager for the past 6 years, I felt she would be a good mentor for me. Helen Harvey is the Business Support Manager at Greenfields Community Housing. She first employed me a Systems Officer and promoted me to my current role as Team Leader. It is only since I officially asked her to be my mentor for this module that I have realised she has been mentoring me since becoming my manager and I had not realised. My experience of the last few months has been a good one. I have had regular 1-2-1 meetings with Helen who has helped me to prioritise my work and also been there to guide me in both work and personal issues which I have had. Knowing my mentor is there to talk things through with, has taken some of the pressure away from me. I will definitely be continuing with the mentor system once I have completed this module.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
* Work Experience (9 years with my employer, carrying out 4 different Roles)
* Life Experience (Moving into my own home, managing money & Finance)
* IT Background (Managing all Systems and ICT for my Company)
* Listening (Important tool for being a manager and friend)
* Trustworthy (Can be confided in)
* Reliable (Hits Deadlines)
Weaknesses:
* Confidence (Sometimes have a lack of confidence. I do not feel comfortable speaking to large groups or around people I do not know)
* Work Life Balance (Sometimes struggle with balancing home; work and university)
* Time Management (Realising what my priorities are)
Opportunities:
* Further my Education (Completing my HNC before continuing onto my HND and full degree)
* Skill Development (Developing the skills I learn at university and putting them into practice in my role at work)
* Promotion/Furthering my career (with formal qualifications in my industry, being able to apply for more senior roles)
Threats:
* Change of technology (will have an impact on my role and will involve learning new systems)
* Change of expectations from employers (My company are sponsoring me for my course, but they may expect different qualifications in the future)
* Funding not being available (with the current credit crunch, there may not be enough money in the budget for me to further my education pass my HNC.
VARK Questionnaire
VARK Questionnaire:
When completing the VARK questionnaire, I was not surprised I was identified as a visual learner. I respond better to diagrams and maps than I do with lots of written text. At work I often plan projects using mind map software as I feel it is easier to get everything on to paper before sorting them into a chronological order. I can then use my map to put together a detailed project plan. My least favourite method of learning is Read/Write, and it was not a surprise that I scored 0 on this method. I need to work at my Read/Write method by trying to use this method instead of just using the visual learning which I am most comfortable with. This may mean I need to start looking at text and writing the important aspects out time and time again. I feel if I can combine both methods of learning, I will take more information in.
When completing the VARK questionnaire, I was not surprised I was identified as a visual learner. I respond better to diagrams and maps than I do with lots of written text. At work I often plan projects using mind map software as I feel it is easier to get everything on to paper before sorting them into a chronological order. I can then use my map to put together a detailed project plan. My least favourite method of learning is Read/Write, and it was not a surprise that I scored 0 on this method. I need to work at my Read/Write method by trying to use this method instead of just using the visual learning which I am most comfortable with. This may mean I need to start looking at text and writing the important aspects out time and time again. I feel if I can combine both methods of learning, I will take more information in.
Learning Line Review
Learning line:
I was surprised when I looked at my learning line. Although I went to college when i left school and only completed a year of my further education, I now realise that I made the correct decision to go to Witham Technology Centre and continue my career through work based learning. This helped me to get my current role with Greenfields Community Housing which was previously part of Braintree District Council. Working there for 8 years, gave me some life experience before I continued with further education. I currently work as a Systems and Information Team leader and at present have no formal training. When I got the opportunity through work to complete a HNC in Business Information Technology I knew it was the right time. If I am successful in completing the HNC I would like to progress and complete the HND and finally going on to complete my full degree.
I was surprised when I looked at my learning line. Although I went to college when i left school and only completed a year of my further education, I now realise that I made the correct decision to go to Witham Technology Centre and continue my career through work based learning. This helped me to get my current role with Greenfields Community Housing which was previously part of Braintree District Council. Working there for 8 years, gave me some life experience before I continued with further education. I currently work as a Systems and Information Team leader and at present have no formal training. When I got the opportunity through work to complete a HNC in Business Information Technology I knew it was the right time. If I am successful in completing the HNC I would like to progress and complete the HND and finally going on to complete my full degree.
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