Introduction - Enhancing Learning with Reflective Models and Teamwork
A. Reflection on Learning
Reflective Learning (RL) and its importance
Success comes from Experiences, experiences come from bad experiences
Past bad experiences and failures determine future success. Reflective Learning is the process of learning from our past experiences, critically evaluating the present situations, and looking forward to future success (Colomer, et. al 2020). Reflective Learning is a brainstorming process, it allows me to cast my mind back and learn from previous experiences (Cendon, 2016). These days, learning plays an integral part in overall human development and enhances the ability to achieve success in their lives. Modern Education places more emphasis on Reflective Learning and trains students to act accordingly. RL is not only limited to the Business and Management discipline but would be needed everywhere to enhance and develop the ability of an individual (Colomer, et. al. 2020). The prime objective of higher education is to develop critical thinking, improve abilities, and be able to achieve success in their lives, RL is the process of self-examination (Fullana, et. al. 2016).
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The model was propounded by David A. Kolb in 1984. It carries four stages of the learning cycle of reflective practice. The main aim of Kolb’s model was to develop the students for their future betterment through self-assessment practices. The model gives importance to the reflection components in the knowledge cycle. Kolb’s model of reflective learning encourages us to do a self-assessment of our interests, and potential, and make future-forward strategies. The model of reflection helps me to understand the thinking and develop critical learning strategies. With the use of Kolb’s reflective learning model, effective learning can be achieved by learners.
The model highlights the four prime stages of the self-reflective study comprised -
Concrete Experience – The very first step of the Reflective learning cycle involves, learning the experiences by exploring something new. Either in the form of watching videos, participating in training, enrolling ourselves in courses, going for an adventure, doing some experiments, reading something, or interacting with the surroundings around us (Morris2020).
Reflective Observations – The next step of the Reflective learning cycle emphasizes my learning and links it with my skills, knowledge, and prior experiences.
Abstract Conceptualism – The next step of the reflective learning cycle allows me, whatever I experienced, gained, and learned - to analyze and interpret the reflections for self-evaluation.
Active Experimentation – The last step of the reflective learning cycle indicates, that whatever I experienced either good or bad, learned the lessons from it and put them into practice. This step transforms my analyses into a measurable action for further achievable goals in a rationalized way. The model also suggested that learning needs the acquisition of abstract concepts which are further applied in any critical situation for rational decision-making. Hence, Kolb’s model of the learning cycle encourages experiential learning, where the existing knowledge transforms into actionable and achievable desired future courses of action (Burns and Danyluk, 2017).
Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Model
This model was developed by Professor Graham Gibbs in 1988. It is Reflective Learning, helps people to get rid of situations, that they are experiencing regularly and they don’t feel well (Oviawe, 2020). The model covers six stages of reflective learning–
Description of the experience – It can be done through a paper pen and by start writing about the experience.
Feelings and thoughts about the experience – Express experiences in thoughts and feelings.
Assessment of both experiences (good or bad) – Past experiences either good or bad, it may always lead towards success.
Investigate to understand the situation – Learn from the experiences.
Conclusion - About what learned and what could be different in it
Action plan - Make an Action plan regarding how to deal with the same situations in the future.
Above mentioned two models of Reflective Learning Kolb’s’ Reflective Model is the most appropriate model, that allows the learners to get to know their interests and potentials, by self-evaluating processes, and making decisions based on their career-oriented.
Formative and Summative Assessments
Formative Assessment
It is the process of teaching and learning modification. It represents the various methods, that teachers adopt in the classroom during their academic sessions to check the student’s ability, skills, knowledge, and potential (Dixson, and Worrell, 2016). It is conducted during the instructional period to develop the learners. The purpose of formative assessment is to gather the required information about the students and use it to develop individual students by maximizing their strengths and overcoming their weaknesses. With the Formative Assessment, teachers will be able to know where the student is struggling to understand the conceptual building process and identify what skills students need to understand the concepts linearly.It encourages the students to be productive and able to develop problem-solving abilities. Examples– are weekly quizzes, Homework assignments, surveys, minute reflection writing assignments, etc.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessments have a wider scope to know the performances of an individual at the end of an instructional period against some set standards. It gives judgments about individual learners' efficiency at the end of the academic session. Summative assessment delivered cumulative performances of student learning. It helps to identify learners’ strengths, weaknesses, and potential for their career growth and development. Examples–Instructortake exams annually, Final Projects, Final reports, Final grades, etc.
Uses of Formative and Summative Assessment with Reflective Learning
Education is an enlightening program that enables instructors to know the performance efficiency, cognitive level, and psychological learning ability of the learner. With the use of Formative and Summative Assessments, learners will be able to develop the capacity for critical thinking and boost the confidence to make rational decisions in difficult situations.Instructors take assessments subsequently- Formative and Summative, which allow learners to think beyond the situations. Formative Assessment encourages the learners to improve their skills, and abilities, and understand the fundamental concepts, for their growth and prospects. Formative assessment is based on the teaching-learning process, and the teacher places more emphasis on developing individuals’ skills and promoting them to develop the ability of reflective learning.
Formative assessment gives information about learners learning and understanding ability to both teachers as well as learners. On the other hand, Summative assessment gives less focus on learners’ development, acquiring of new skills, and potential. The summative assessment gives more emphasis on achieving a set benchmark, decided by some authorized committee or Board of directors or any educational organizational committee (Yüksel, and Gündüz, 2017). Formative assessment is good for the student’s development because it enhances the learners’ skills, and efficiency, and prepares them for a better future that improves their reflective learning. A well-defined course containing, the balance between both Formative and Summative assessments for the students’ future growth prospective is needed.
Conclusion
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember, I do and I understand.”
– as cited by Confucius (520 BC).
The effective practices of experimental reflective learning help the learners to develop their understanding. Both Formative and Summative assessment helps the students to develop the ability to think beyond the situations. Formative Assessment is more needed in the development of students' learning process. Kolbs’ Model of Reflective Learning assists the students in making plans based on their existing knowledge. Gibbs’ cycle of reflective learning, only helps the students to know the difference between good and bad experiences and be ready to face the same situations shortly (Bhat, and Bhat, 2019). Nowadays, the purpose of education has shifted from only teaching to building critical thinking in the students. Self-introspection allows us to make decisions more practically. Reflective learning teaches us how to become successful in our lives by choosing the right career option with the use of prior experiences.
B. Reflection on the cultural and behavioral expectations of studying for a degree in business and management
Cultural and Behavioural Expectations
Cultural Expectations explain that in a teaching-learning process, various cultural groups of both teachers and their students are engaging and participate to understand the academic standards. Behavioural Expectations are the set of codes of conduct, which is required to maintain classroom decorum at all levels of education. Business management is a well-renowned course for entrepreneurs and business leaders. The course provided in-depth knowledge and skills about Production Functions, Financial Management, Administration, Sales and Marketing, Human Resource Management, and other business operational departments of enterprises. The course offers various jobs and career opportunities to the students, to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Reflection of Learning Based on Cultural and Behavioural Expectations
The expected behavior depends upon the circumstances of the situation. Various combination of factors plays an important role in expected behaviors relying on socio-cultural terms. The common factors include a combination of age, gender, religion, social values, standard of living, educational background, race, and other influencing factors. Any above-mentioned factors play a significant role in determining the behaviors of others. As the teaching-learning process involves various socio-cultural groups, they share their social values, beliefs, and cultural norms for standards of living. In higher education, Reflective learning is equally important to both teachers and students. Reflective Learning helps both instructors as well as learners to exercise sociocultural norms with appropriate acceptable actions in their behavior. In Higher Education, students can transform their theoretical knowledge into the practical world by having a sense of social cultural, and behavioral expectations. Reflective Learning in higher education allows the students to accept others' social values and respect their social beliefs by showing appropriate acceptable behavior towards them. In-depth knowledge of Business Management leads to exploring more about behavioral approaches that are completely acceptable with professionalism. Business Management helps the students to make Planning, Analysing, Implementation, and Execution, of the plans in terms of foreseeable. In an economy, natural resources are limited, human wants are unlimited. The degree of success is now more challenging for the young aspiring in the field of Business and its management. The growth and sustainable development in the field of Business Management completely depend upon the quality of educational standards. The ultimate goal of higher education is to train early entrepreneurs to have an in-depth understanding of socio-cultural behaviors. Reflective Learning encourages to development of intercultural communication so that; the understanding of each other’s behaviors will be monitored.
Future Implications of Cultural and Behavioural Expectations
Cultures touch our every aspect of lives. A prime goal of social psychology create a link between what is happening in the world with what is cooking in our heads. Perceptions of the future have behavioral and motivational consequences that are driven by academic achievements. The similarities and dissimilarities form the basis of cultural understandings and let learners develop social behaviors towards social psychological factors. Cross-cultural represents that, people of different cultures, beliefs, values, and perceptions highlight the diverse ways to understand social cultures well.
Cultures are psychological and influence other elements of psychology like – Attitudes, Beliefs, Norms, Opinions, Values, Behaviours, and perceptions of the future. Future Time Perceptions (FTP) is a procedure that relates to the social context and cultures. Nowadays, Business schools are primarily responsible for teaching management education, which includes cultural and Behavioural expectations and creates a link between theoretical knowledge with a practical approach.
Implementations
It is a human tendency to interact, communicate, and share knowledge and culture from one group to another group. They need to have a great sense of Socio-behavioural knowledge. These days, Business and Management Schools teach - The more the stronger social culture knowledge students have, the more chances to grow themselves in the era of the cut-throat competitive world. Those students who have an excessive understanding of others' social culture and know how to react to such social values reflect their behaviors and it will uplift more and reach new heights of success. The Schools of Business Management Consist the Implementation of Inclusive cultures in their course’s curriculum, so the productivity of learners would be polished and they will able to take better decisions in their careers. Every Business Management school should allow their learners and business leaders to learn to respect others' individuality and behave with a great sense of belongingness and maturity (Schepers, and Van der Borgh, 2020).
C. The importance of peer-to-peer support and teamwork to enhance the learning experience
Peer-to-peer support terms used when our self-experiences motivate, guide others, and add input to their learning. It varies from person to person, organization to organization, or country to country but they all come together and guide each other’s learning. Experienced persons share their journey of knowledge, failures, and anything that is part of their learning with others to provide mental support, emotional support, or sometimes express their sense of belongingness towards the community(s). Teamwork is a combined effort of an individual group, to achieve a common pre-determined goal. Teamwork is a more effective and efficient way to get success in our work, career, and life. No organization will able to achieve its certain objectives without its teamwork. Hence, Teamwork enhances the skills of team spirit, and leadership skills, and makes individuals more creative and become more responsible towards their actions.
Importance of Reflection of Learning – Peer support and teamwork
The importance of Peer-to-peer learning, allows learners to give an emphasized understanding of the concepts instead attempt to solve them. It enhances the spirit of collaboration and builds critical thinking towards the situations. Both peer-to-peer support and teamwork develop the ability of an individual and boost their morale. Peer learning and teamwork can become more effective tools for acquiring new skills, and knowledge, and allows learners to make strong and healthy relationships with their team members. Both ways of learning (that is Team Work and Peer to peer support) allow the students to explore new areas of understanding, and knowledge, and become problem-solvers. The willingness to learn and teach others is a great way to enhance our skills effectively. Peer support learning and team spirit express the feeling of sharing is caring for each other. This way of learning lets beginners feel more comfortable understanding the fundamentals of knowledge and allows them to be at ease in their comfort (Domínguez-Falcón, et. al. 2017). Mentors are essential for motivating beginners in their learning process. Both Peer support and Teamwork encourage the learners to develop the ability of management. This is the best way to make your learners more productive by engaging them in the teaching-learning process. Hence, Peer learning and teamwork both are essential for the growth and development of an individual in their future perspective.
Future Implications of peer support and spirit of teamwork
Success or failure depends upon the quality of teamwork and the effect of peer support. Without the spirit of teamwork, peer support will not be achieved (Luthans, and Doh, 2018). Schools of Business and Management play a significant role by providing Life skills sessions that enable learners to act confidently and show their energetic participation in a group activity (?ater, Lang, and Szabo, 2013). Peer learning and teamwork help learners to be able to get correct feedback. Teamwork and peer support of learning both teach learners to be good team player, who acts as a leaders as well as followers (Arbaugh, et. al. 2017). The sharing of each other's knowledge, ideas, and social values, helps to develop the habit of collaboration and a sense of understanding towards each other. This encourages a sense of responsibility, the ability to take accountability and interdependence, and helps to acquire an in-depth understanding of the concepts (Stigmar,2016). Peer learning and teamwork both are interrelated and interdependent activities.
Implementation of peer-to-peer learning and teamwork
The teaching-learning process talks about the mutual basis of sharing each other's thoughts, ideas, knowledge, information, or any prior experiences, which leads towards the acquisition of new skills (Sridharan, and Boud, 2019). Peer support learning is usually associated with the classroom teaching-learning model.
Peer to peer learning process involves six stages of learning –
The first step is to assign mentors to the learners.
Second step talks about providing a safe learning environment for each other.
The third step involves Start exchanging each other’s ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc.
Analysis of the common reasons for learning from each other.
The second last stage refers to acquiring new skills and knowledge
The last stage says to keep tracking the performance and make more efforts to enhance efficiency.
It is the method of engaging new learners for active participation in the process of getting new skills.
D. SWOT analysis
SWOT Analysis: Personal Audit as a Student
Strengths: As a student, I possess excellent communication, research, and referencing skills that have helped me excel in my academic pursuits. I am proficient in using various ICT tools and software, which makes learning and completing assignments much more manageable. My ability to paraphrase and organize my thoughts into coherent paragraphs has also helped me in writing clear and concise papers. Moreover, I have a keen eye for detail and a passion for learning, which has driven me to achieve academic success (Longhurst, et. al. 2020).
Weaknesses: Despite my strengths, I struggle with a lack of confidence in my abilities, which sometimes hinders my performance. I have also identified weaknesses in my presentation skills and struggle with anxiety when speaking in public. Additionally, I sometimes struggle with time management, which can lead to procrastination and last-minute cramming (Phadermrod, Crowder, and Wills, 2019).
Opportunities: After gaining knowledge and skills through my studies, I believe there are numerous opportunities available to me. For instance, I can pursue a career in my chosen field of study, which would offer me job security, financial stability, and the chance to make a positive impact on society. Alternatively, I could use my knowledge and skills to establish my own business or work as a consultant or freelancer, providing value to clients and the community (Leiber, Stensaker, and Harvey, 2018).
Threats: There are several threats and factors that could prevent me from gaining knowledge and skills from my studies and attaining my degree. For instance, financial constraints may limit my ability to pursue higher education or participate in extracurricular activities that would enhance my learning experience. Similarly, family responsibilities and personal obligations may also limit the time and energy I can dedicate to my studies. Finally, unexpected life events such as illness or personal emergencies could also interrupt my academic pursuits (Benzaghta, et. al. 2021).
Conclusion
The journey of study in the realm of Business and Management takes place within cultural expectations, behavioral resultant processes, group processes, and, finally, individuals' strengths and weaknesses. Learning from reflection is a very potent key to unlocking or understanding many diversities in socio-cultural backgrounds; it forms academic, personal, and professional areas that are of immense influence for the students undergoing study. Management education in business, developing intercultural communication, prepares learners for the challenges of doing business in a global environment, simultaneously achieving a sense of belonging and respect for one another.
Learning can barely be imagined or improved without peer-to-peer support and teamwork. They instill in students team spirit, critical-mindedness, and interpersonal relations with people in the workplace. Shared learning allows going deeper into understanding concepts, building leadership and teamwork spirit in learners that they ought to have when challenged in the outside world.
A SWOT analysis gives insight into how one can use their strengths, work on their weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and avoid threats to make their academic and career goals successful. By embracing continuous improvement and proactive planning, students can surmount challenges and maximize their potential.
Finally, the integration of cultural awareness, behavioral smoothening, peer interaction, and self-realization develops the whole learning process. It grooms students to work effectively in any business environment, develop practical solutions, and help in the betterment of society and ethe conomy as well. The study of a business management degree is not less than an academic and personal-professional metamorphosis process.
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