Blog Writing Assignment: Critical Self-Analysis And Reflection On Personal Development

Question

Task:

• Demonstrate regular use of the weekly blog by providing clear cross-referencing between report and at least 8 time-stamped meaningful blog entries THROUGHOUT the term (20%)
• Demonstration of candid and critical self-analysis, including reflection on knowledge AND personal development directly linked to examples of own behaviour to identify personal strengths and weaknesses (30%)
• Ability to devise an action plan, supported by literature, that addresses key development needs and identifies specific activities and appropriate timeframes for implementation (20%)
• Demonstrate a breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 10 high-quality sources (10%)
• Correct use of the APA referencing system (10%)
• Contribution to the group in assessment 2 as evaluated by yourself and your group members (Self- and Peer-Assessment) (10%)

Answer

Introduction
The concept of reflection explored in this blog writing assignment can be determined as a process of examining as well as interpreting different types of experiences one can get throughout their life. On the other hand, reflection can be considered as a pathway of gaining new experiences along with new understanding from past events. Reflection can be formal or informal, which generally depends upon the individual, however, it helps in transforming the experiences into genuine processes of learning, based on the individual beliefs, values, and goals. Additional to this, it often acts against the stereotypes and perpetuation regarding some experiences or actions through raising the individual awareness level. Furthermore, reflective activities also help the learners in evaluating their personal characteristics, which is essential for fostering the learning processes we follow. The current report is based on the journey I have experienced while writing the blogs from week 1 to 11. The report will emphasize different self-analytical activities, along with distinctive types of developmental stages, such as personal development and knowledge development. At the last part, a brief action plan will be given based on my performance evaluation, for learning new and necessary skills in the upcoming 6 months.

Critical self-analysis and reflection on personal development
Through the entire learning process of writing blogs about Design Thinking, I have followed a side-by-side procedure of self-analysis. According to the statement of Wrigley & Straker (2017), it is essential to follow up self-analytical process, as it helps in understanding the positivity and drawbacks embedded in our characteristics. While writing the blogs, I have analysed that I have the capacity of understanding a complex problem through a very simplistic manner. It was also observed that I have expertise in the process of doing different types of desk research; however, I felt that I am not good in the process of different primary research activities, such as interviews and surveys. Additional to this, I think that I have average skills regarding the process of observation, as I am not so much quiet in nature; therefore, observing a thing, event or procedures becomes sometimes difficult for me. However, I performed well in gathering the relevant research outputs in one place, i.e. all the insights, photos, as well as artefacts (Refer to Blog 1: visualisation). Through this process of blog writing assignment, I have properly understood the big picture related to the topic of design thinking. Since I have the ability to understand a complex problem, therefore, the research findings have helped me in obtaining as well as incorporating new and innovative research insights.

Before involving in this process of blog writing assignment, I had no idea regarding the blog writing process, along with its contents and other aspects. Therefore, understanding and learning the process of writing blogs makes me confident about my future careers. I have proper knowledge on the academic English language, however, I was a little bit afraid at the initiation of writing blogs as I have listened that blogs are generally written in informal language. As per the statement of Iversen et al. (2016), people often write blogs for sharing their daily life experiences with other people, and since building connectivity through writing is essential, therefore, it becomes necessary to use an easy language. However, during my blog writing session, I have tried to write the blogs in comparatively easier language, and I have found that it is not that difficult as I have thought. After completing the 11 blogs related with 11 learning weeks and obtained an appraisal from my group members as well as seniors, I felt that I have gained inner confidence regarding this skill (Refer to Blog 2: reflect of our own mind).

Along with having proper English language skills, I also have proper communication skills. Since the blog writing on ‘Design thinking’ was a group activity, therefore, we often need to discuss different procedures with one another. Apart from this, the process of design thinking was new for all of us, thus, we also require consultation with our supervisors as well as mentors. This helped me in improving my skills in communication. However, based on the feedbacks of my mentors and lecturers, I have understood that it is necessary to represent and discuss the materials written in PPTs or videos through a well-structured manner, as it affects the connectivity level with the audiences. At this point of concern, I felt that I need much improvement as I do not have proper body language, proper communication style for attracting and retaining the audiences.

Apart from the above points discussed in this blog writing assignment, several other views I have evaluated during this entire session of blog writing and self-analysis. One of them is time management. According to the statement of Lee & Wong (2015), it is necessary to focus on managing times while trying to represent something in front of the audiences. On the other hand, while involving some real-life people in the research process, especially as the part of primary data collection, it remains dependent on the protocols of time management. I have observed that while performing desk research, I have collected ranges of relevant information in a very limited time. However, while involving in on-field research or representing the presentations, I became slowed down due to the inefficiency in these two fields. Additional to this, I think that personal and professional development is also dependent on the group performance activities, such as how we can interact with other group members and what is the relationship level (Tsingos-Lucas et al. 2016). In this case, I can put myself on an average level, as I felt I personally have some behavioural issues, such as short-temperament as well as often taking quick decisions. Therefore, I need to provide extra efforts for overcoming such kinds of threats and making myself more confident for the upcoming professional lives.

Based on my performance level, I have prepared a self-SWOT table in this blog writing assignment, in which I have summarised all the positives and negatives regarding myself.

Table 1: Personal SWOT analysis
(Source: Created by the learner)

Critical self-analysis and reflection on knowledge development obtained from blog writing assignment
After assessing the part of critical analysis of the personal development, now it is time to emphasise on the process and elements of knowledge development included in the session. As I have already mentioned that the subject of design thinking is completely new for me and my other team members, therefore, there is a scope of learning lots of new things while attending the sessions and writing the blogs. For example, during writing the week 3 blog on the topic of ‘Thinking about the designing radio station’, at first I have learnt the significance of making new products. As per the statement of Roberts, Maor & Herrington (2016), since every product or object has a limited life cycle, therefore, every materialistic or non-materialistic thing need up-gradation or modification after a several time duration. Therefore, during this session, I have understood the prototype models, for making different relevant and necessary products, such as coffee cups with automatic heater technology and newly designed trolleys required in different shopping malls. From such ideas, I have sparkled with an idea of opening a new Indian Radio Station in Australia from which the Indian people can get information about the day-to-day activities (Refer to Blog 3: Thinking about designing radio station).

In the first part of this blog writing assignment, I have mentioned that I have learnt the process of writing blogs. In addition to this, I have gained knowledge regarding the informal types of the English language as well as its usage while we are communicating in an informal way. Additional to this, while performing the week 6 workshop session, the lecturer has taught us about the concept of the value chain as well as a value network, which is an integrated part of the design thinking tool. I have learnt that the value chain and value network is associated with every competitive activity followed by modern corporate organisations. Apart from this, I have also understood that the organisations can follow generic value chain models for depiction of their profit margins as well as other primary operational activities (refer to Blog 6: Research skills for design thinking). Along with understanding the process of value chain analysis, I have also learnt about empathy, ethics as well as analysis in the design research procedure. Different protocols and methods regarding the data types, data sources, different types of data collection, and many others have been explored during the week 7 sessions. Additional to this, my knowledge was also developed regarding the creation of mind map, which is an integrated part of the design thinking tool used for understanding the customer perceptions (Huq & Gilbert, 2017) (Refer to Blog 7: Empathy, Ethics, and Analysis in Design research).

I also have obtained knowledge about the rapid prototyping activities from this blog writing assignment, which are included in the design thinking process. I have found out that the process of prototyping is the main stage of innovation aligned with design thinking, through which people can interpret a large number of data sets without facing any issue (Karakas, Manisaligil & Sarigollu, 2015). I have also learnt about the differences in the early prototyping process and the modern prototyping process, which is 2D and 3D (Refer to Blog 8: Rapid Prototyping). Along with this, from the week 9 blog writing session, I have gained knowledge regarding the learning launch, which is a supportive tool for analysing the real-life market place. Koh et al. (2015) mentioned that market knowledge can be improved through understanding the differences between learning launch as well as business.

It becomes clearer for me that an entrepreneur can apply the protocols of learning launch for evaluating the market perception as well as tracking the changing mind process (Refer to Blog 9: Design the Learning Launch). After completing the first 9 weeks blog writing session, I have reached to week 10 and 11, which are related to each other. Through these two weeks, I have gained knowledge about the course outcomes, the procedure of making presentations, the method of APA referencing, and the step-by-step process of writing reflective reports, and so on. Apart from this, I also have cleared my doubts regarding the concept of design thinking, during which I have learnt several more protocols, elements, and methods related with this innovative procedure (refer to Blog 10: Design presentation and co-creation 1 and Blog 11: Design presentation and co-creation 2). I could understand and observe the reflection of my learning on the next sessions on Design Thinking.

Action plan
Through considering the self SWOT table included in the above part, it can be stated that I need to learn a lot of things for making myself more perfect in order to gain success in my upcoming personal life and professional career. Therefore, I am focusing on developing some action plans for the next 6 months, during which I would try to cover up the weaknesses and threats by applying different learning protocols.

Table 2: Action plan
(Source: created by learner)

Conclusion
Based on the entire report of blog writing assignment regarding my journey through the weekly learning courses, I can state that I have learnt a lot about the new and innovative concept of design thinking. This knowledge will help me in developing my future career. On the other hand, the performance level has boosted up my confidence level, as I become more confident about my positive skills. Besides this, I have also understood which my weak points are and which negativities can reduce my opportunities of getting something bigger, based on which I have prepared the action plan for improving the concerned areas. Additional to this, I have also learnt the process of primary research, managing time, group working activities, and many other aspects, which are the basics of any kind of professional procedures as discussed in this blog writing assignment. However, since learning is a continuous process, therefore, this could not be the last or final target of my life. I need to learn continuously for getting my desired success in life.

Reference List
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