Self Reflective Report

Contents

Introduction 2 Definition of Self-Reflection 2 Research Findings 3 Delivery of Debate, Strengths and Weaknesses 4 Feedback Evaluation and Myself Reflection 5 Conclusion 7 References 8

Introduction

The following report consists in a self-reflection of me related to an assessed academic debate. The debate was regarding the current practices of HRP in order to understand if these are sufficient or insufficient to meet the future resourcing requirements of the workplace, for that, students were divided into two groups, one group would be against the motion and the other group including me would be for the motion.

The aim for this report is to provide a description of self-reflection and why this is important, how I did my research and how effective it was giving examples of things that helped me understand the debate including some areas I missed, delivery of debate, assessing how I interact and socialize with the group so that I see if I can practice the skills I have learnt. It also provides insights of various strengths and weaknesses I possess and various things I could have and want to improve, giving examples of how the experience could have been improved and things I will do differently next time.

Definition of Self-Reflection

Reflection is a cognitive process that promotes self-awareness and encourages self-assessment, it allows you to think critically about your ability to effectively join content knowledge with practice to reach diverse populations of learners. It is a form of personal response to experiences, situations, events or new information. Reflective thinking demands that you recognise that you bring valuable knowledge to every experience.

Reflective writing helps you develop and clarify the connections between what you already know and what you are learning, between theory and practice and between what you are doing and how and why you do it, encourages you to consider and comment on your learning experiences, not only what you have learned, but how you did so. It helps you to clarify what you have studied, integrate new knowledge with previous knowledge, and identify the questions you have and what you have yet to learn.

It involves a student’s ability to be critically toward his own strengths and weaknesses on an academic, social, and professional level. Reflecting on mistakes can help you avoid repeating them. At the same time, reflecting on your discoveries helps identify successful principles to use again. Furthermore self-reflection makes the learner realize the objectives of the studies. You will know if or if not you are scoring the objectives of the study through self-reflection. Open Learn (2012)

Research Findings

The research gathered for the debate explored and examined available secondary research only. I found that researching it with technology was much more effective. I have used the internet to prepare my debate. Annual reports and Books were used for the research. One book used, Introduction to Human Resource Management 2008, really helped me understand the debate, it clearly stated the situation of the human resource nowadays and the steps which the companies should take in order to meet the demands and changes of the world.

Also a report from 1996 by the Institute for Employment Studies, had all the answers I needed for the research, but sadly I would have to purchase this in order to read the full report, this is a report that clearly states that there are several criticisms to when it concerns to human resources, this report has changed my opinion regarding the current situation of the human resource, as firstly I thought to be against the motion but after doing some research by especially reading this report, I have realized that I actually do agree that the current practices of the human resources are insufficient.

Reports were taken from CIPD, a research programme that focus on the future of HR. These reports such as ‘HR in Tough Times’ by Philip Sadler, have helped me understand the main implications faced by Human Resources at the present. One of the reports, the Annual survey report 2011 by Hays, I believe it contained very important information for my debate, although due to the lack of time and understanding I was not able to fully read the report, this could have been more explored as it had important information for the research such as, statistics which I have missed in all the debate. Statistics related to turnover, employment market were some I could have used for my research, also should have mentioned more references during my speaking.

Delivery of Debate, Strengths and Weaknesses

Determining one’s own strengths and weaknesses is a reflective process that is not always an easy task, although by knowing and gain an understanding of my strengths and weaknesses is beneficial for my future projects. Before the debate started students were divided, against the motion in one side, for the motion in another side. After all organized Martin introduced the topic, at the beginning of the debate I was very confident and I believed I had enough information gathered for the debate. At first it seemed that I could keep with the topic, being next to other students that have researched the same topic as me, made me feel I was capable to participate in a very easy way.

Once the students started to give answers to the topic, I started to feel very shy and nervous, everyone had their own point of view, many different ideas, I started to think I had lack of knowledge or perhaps I just couldn’t express myself in a proper and more confident way. My main weakness, is not being able to organise my time, which is very important when it comes to debates, as this require considerable effort to organise, and being one of my problems time organisation this can affect my researches. Towards the debate, I started to get much involved as possible; the debate became funny and very interested.

The energy of the group participation made me contribute something, but still I found it was not enough, my nerves had overcome my abilities, and this affected the way I express my opinions bringing, what I think one the biggest mistakes in debates which is read by the notes more than I should have. Perhaps if I had run for more advice in how to control my nerves in public, I could have read less from my notes.

Although feeling I could have participate more, being less nervous or read less, I tried my best to get the point, which I believe the main objective was to answer the question no matter how much I talk. Also I have done my best to respect each one of my colleagues, by respecting their turn, by raising my hand and wait to be given a choice to speak, without having to interrupt each one of them. I thought that by the end of the debate, things have gone a bit disorganised, as people were speaking over one another, and this is something that should be improved. .

Feedback Evaluation and Myself Reflection

Debate is a more formal approach to discussion, useful for structured presentation and examination of opposing views, is a useful way of encouraging analysis and assessment of often controversial issues. A debate should be designed to encourage audience consideration and discussion about the arguments presented The best part of this assignment was being able to discover what I have done wrong in my research, what could have been improved, areas I should improve next time. The worst moment would probably have to be when during the debate I felt I had nothing to contribute. After review and critique my work I understand, I should have done further research about the topic, go more in depth on the topic would have helped me feel more confident.

Not allowing me enough time to do the research could be one of the main implications, because a debate is a staged and timed performance, it enables participants to express ideas with some protection. If known how to use the time could have allowed me to read bigger reports which had important information on statistics, or also get some more advice in how to control the nerves when inside this type of experience. I believe next time, I should be more time organised and make an effort to participate on practice debates, the first practice debate could have helped me doing some more research on the Annual Survey 2011 by Hays, that as I have stated before, in my opinion this survey had important information related to the turnover using statistics, which I have missed in my debate.

I know understand how important is to participate in practice sessions. How should organise my time, by trying to do a bit everyday in order to get as much information as possible and time to understand this way I can be sure I don’t miss relevant information. I feel that this assignment will help me not only in reflecting but also on learning how to organize my time for further researches. I can only hope that in the future if there are any other things that I do not understand, that I will be able to go into depth and be given the chance to fully understand.

Conclusion

Self-reflection provides a means for practitioners to identify issues, state opinion, inferences and predictions, and express feelings, beliefs and attitudes. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses is of important value in order to be able to improve my professional and personal level. I believe in the philosophy of improving myself as much as I can and in whatever way possible. I learned that every design has its weaknesses and strengths and working with a group can help discover what they are.

This research changed my understanding of a good debate experience, I believe now after doing this debate, I am able to recognize the significance of good preparation and critical thinking. I hopefully can further improve the way I do my research. Overall this entire assignment will help a great deal in my knowledge. Debates encourage reflection by the audience, and develop understanding of opposing viewpoints. I believe that even if I didn’t meet the right requirements of the debate, what makes the journey of life easier is to learn new things out of the whole experience

References
Banfield, P., and Kay, R. (2008) Introduction to Human Resource Management Oxford University Press, chapter 9 pp. 216-218 http://www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/5472%20HR%20in%20tough%20times%20(WEB).pdf – accessed on 25/04/2012 pp. 5, 8-9

http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/survey-reports/resourcing-talent-planning-2011.aspx – accessed on 25/04/2012

http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/pubs/summary.php?id=312 – accessed on 23/04/2012 http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=399387&section=1.4 accessed on 25/04/2012 http://www.romtech.info/PDF/HUMAN%20RESOURCE%20MANAGEMENT.pdf – accessed on