Department of Business and Management Studies

BA (Hons.) Business Studies with Foundation Year

Module Name

Reflective Learning

Lecturer: Zakir Hussain

Submitted by:

ID No: 19394

Session: February 2024

Table of Contents
Task 1: Evaluation of Kolb’s Reflective Model.........................................................................1

Task 2: Reflective essay on Subject Sessions............................................................................2

Introduction............................................................................................................................2

Resourcing Learning Session.................................................................................................2

Academic Writing Session.....................................................................................................3

Conclusion..............................................................................................................................4

Task 3: A reflective log of things learnt from engaging with subject sessions..........................4

References..................................................................................................................................8
Task 1: Evaluation of Kolb’s Reflective Model
In Kolb’s reflective model, individual experience is analysed, reviewed and evaluated in three
stages. After completing the cycle, the new knowledge has been formed for another cycle.
The model represents four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract
conceptualisation and active experimentation (Bergsteiner, Avery and Neumann, 2021). In the
concrete experience, people experience a situation physically and consciously and understand
that they need to reflect systematically to improve their existing skills or learn something
new. On the other hand, the reflective observation mainly discusses the description of the
experience more deeply such as what happened in that situation. In the abstract
conceptualisation stage, individuals seek different ways to deal with the situation and think of
some strategies for handling a similar experience again. People practice their new learning as
well as take their reflections and thoughts for improving their learning and try to find new
strategies in the active experimentation stage. As a result, a new cycle automatically develops
after the stage and the concrete experience stage begins for a new experience. The main
strengths of the model are that it allows individuals to process what is happening during the
experience and they can both evaluate and check their experience. According to Morris
(2020), the model helps individuals to focus on their perspective and personal development.
The model has several weaknesses such as it has very weak empirical support, the stages of
the model do not fit with the reality of thinking, it does not consider the various cultural
conditions and so on. According to Svinicki and Dixon (2020), Kolb’s reflection model does
not pay sufficient attention to the reflection process. Kolb’s reflective model is a famous tool
and it helps me to enhance my skills and knowledge through experience. I ask myself several
a set of questions about the experience and can make strategies based on the questions for
improving my performance and well-being. Also, it allows me to learn continuously from my
new experience and provides me with a structure to handle crucial events systematically. I
face some limitations of this model while using the model to improve my skills and
performance. The model can result in wrong conclusions, not assist me in understanding and
explaining changes and novel experiences and develop laziness and dogmatic thinking in the
mind. In addition, reflection and experience happen in isolation; as a result, no interaction
occurs with other humans.

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Task 2: Reflective essay on Subject Sessions
Introduction
I participate in many sessions during my studies and learned data or information collecting
skills and writing skills from the two subjects such as resourcing learning and academic
writing sessions. The essay will use the Driscoll reflective model to explain how
understanding these skills helps me in my study and improves my understanding.

Resourcing Learning Session

What: I learned how data or information was collected from books, papers, articles and other
valid resources in this session. As a result, I made a connection with knowledge, identity and
experience and was able to gain specific knowledge which was required for appropriately
gaining particular tasks. In addition, I was ethical, fair and inclusive while collecting data
from several resources. The essential subject materials were books, videos, workbooks and so
on which provided direction in the classroom and outside the class (Cresswell, Schwantner
and Waters, 2020).
So What: I attended this session to learn about crucial resources and how they can be used
during my study. I know about several resources such as books, papers, articles and so on and
how to use them to improve my learning. I learn how to seek accurate information by
analysing the resource's currency, validity, reliability and so on. I can choose the appropriate
material for my study and improve my knowledge through this learning. Apart from this, it
makes my learning easy and interesting and allows me to express my concepts more clearly.
The learning materials provide me with significant support and I can connect new learning by
using my previous knowledge. According to Ullrich (2022), it is important to understand the
connection between learning and the subject because it helps students to learn in an active
and experienced way. Learners can increase their creativity and get the opportunity to
consolidate their knowledge through this learning. Also, students can able to use a wide range
of interactive digital resources in their study and make the study more effective.
Now What: By using several resources, I was engaged with my learning so actively which
motivated me to seek more effective information or data from the appropriate resources. In
addition, I improved my understanding and knowledge through attention, logical reasoning
and problem-solving. I was able to link my learning to new experiences or situations and use
my creativity skills to develop more strategies for handling the same situation effectively. In
future, I will easily use the experience to tackle the same situation more appropriately and
connect my learning to seeking information from appropriate locations which can save me

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time and help me to acquire more efficient skills and knowledge through the combination of
my previous knowledge and experience.
Two references:

Academic Writing Session

What: I learned the importance of academic writing skills. writing is a powerful
communication tool and it helps to express our thoughts and ideas to others. However, the
academic with is quite different because students need to improve their knowledge for writing
in an academic style. In this session, I learned about the essay writing structure and how to
build an argument in the essay. The essential subject material was the purpose of the writing,
the sources used for the writing, the structure of the writing and so on (Bacha, 2022). For
writing clearly and cohesively, I learned about grammar structure and various vocabulary in
this session.
So What: The writing skills which I achieved in this session helped me to write with a sharp
mind, communicate with my teacher effectively and develop my thinking capacity. In the
session, I learned how to write clearly and logically, interestingly and convincingly, with
evidence and so on. In my studies, I need to complete assignments, term papers, dissertations
and projects and the learning assists me in developing a more cohesive and coherent
assignment. Also, I can critically analyse work and proofread my work to create error-free
assignments. I can improve my sentences by using several sentence structures, rhythm,
coherence and vigour in my writing. It is important to understand the writing rules and the
structure of the writing during academic writing (Shodieva, 2023). The session helps me to
focus on some common writing issues to enhance my writing skills. Moreover, proper
feedback on my work helps me to identify my mistakes and be aware to be careful in my
future work. Also, my writing skills assist me in writing my work and developing plagiarism-
free writing. I learn how to cite and reference my writing for academic purposes and how to
take notes and summarise skills for my writing.
Now What: In the session, I understand that I need to use appropriate or exact vocabulary for
my writing. So, I need to improve my vocabulary knowledge to write more advanced and
understand more critical writing. I improve my grammar and punctuation in my writing by
paying attention to tense and syntax and carefully using punctuation in my writing. Now, I
plan before for my writing which ensures that I do not miss any issues and I can organise my
ideas more effectively. I understand that repetition in writing can reduce the quality of
academic writing so I use acronyms and abbreviations to prevent repetition in my writing

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which improves my writing skills. According to Sulisworo, Rahayu and Akhsan (2022), the
skill will help me to communicate with scholars or experts, develop my critical thinking skills
and achieve my career in the future. Also, I will express my ideas and arguments concisely,
logically and clearly in further study.

Conclusion
Data mining from different sources and writing skills can help in future studies by developing
high-quality evidence-based assignments, projects and so on. Also, I can use these
experiences to gather more new ideas and handle the same situation in future.

Task 3: A reflective log of things learnt from engaging with subject

sessions
Task 3: Subject Session Reflective Log
Session A
Subject Critical thinking

Describe the key skill In this session, I learned and practised decision-making skills,

problem-solving skills, analysing skills, creativity, logical

reasoning, bias identification and so on. As a result, I

interpreted the given information and made effective decisions

in this session.

Why is it important for Critical thinking inspires more innovation and creativity in
academic study?
study. Learners can think outside the box and solve any

problem through critical thinking (Alsaleh, 2020). Also, it

helps to make informed decisions by evaluating the resource's

trustworthiness and reliability. As a result, they ensure that

high-quality evidence is used in their assignment and research.

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How good at it are you? I am good at critically evaluating sources for my academic
How could you
purposes. As a result, I easily detect misleading information
improve?
and biased claims in sources. Also, I can think and learn

independently by using my critical skills which makes me

more creative for my writing. I want to improve my decision-

making skills to make more effective and efficient decisions

for my study. I prioritise my decisions to improve my decision-

making skills which improves my confidence in it.

SMART target To improve my critical thinking skills in 5 months, I will take

expert suggestions and prioritise my decisions so that I can get

enough confidence in decision-making.

Session B
Subject Effective communication

Describe the key skill In this session, I learned how to express ideas and thoughts

clearly and thoroughly both verbally and in writing. As a

result, I can exchange knowledge concisely with my peers and

teachers through active listening, utilising communication

tools, well-established writing and so on.

Why is it important for Communication skills are important in the academic sector
academic study?
because they help learners to collaborate efficiently with other

students. In academic study, learners need to write many

projects, term papers, assignments and so on and they use

communication skills to write them clearly and concisely.

Also, they need to participate in group discussions, public

speaking seminars and ask-question sessions (Maguire and

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 Pitceathly, 2021). For this reason, suitable verbal

communication skills are required the express their knowledge

and insight to the audience.

How good at it are you? I can understand what the speaker wants to say and predict how
How could you improve
others react to my message. In addition, I can identify

appropriate words and body language to communicate with

others effectively. I can write persuasively to get the attention

of the reader. I can improve my community skills by

developing a positive culture in my surroundings, a

communication strategy, my emotional intelligence, practising

active listening and accepting nonverbal communication.

SMART target To improve my active listening skills within 6 months, I will

participate in seminars, and have more conversations with my

peers and teachers so that I can listen carefully to the speaker

and express myself based on their needs.

Session C
Subject Digital skills

Describe the key skill I learned about technological tools that can be used to enhance

my productivity, performance and so on. I used these tools to

search different sources for my study and assignments.

Why is it important for Digital skills can ease student life because learners can use
academic study?
different learning platforms to gain more knowledge and skills.

Also, according to Deursen, Dijk and Haan (2022), they can

improve creativity and innovation by taking the opportunity of

technological tools.

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How good at it are you? I find reliable resources by using digital skills which is cheap
How could you
and time-consuming. I can improve my digital skills by
improve?
attending online courses, tutorials and webinars. As a result, I

am familiar with trend technologies and can use them to

enhance my digital skills. In addition, I can explore different

digital tools for knowing what is better for my study.

SMART target To improve my digital skills within 4 months, I will take an

online course and practise technological tools to improve it as

much as possible.

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References
Alsaleh, N.J. (2020). Teaching Critical Thinking Skills. Turkish Online Journal of
Educational Technology - TOJET, 19(1), pp.21–39.

Bacha, N.N. (2022). Developing Learners’ Academic Writing Skills in Higher Education: A
Study for Educational Reform. Language and Education, 16(3), pp.161–177.

Bergsteiner, H., Avery, G.C. and Neumann, R. (2021). Kolb’s Experiential Learning model:
Critique from a Modelling Perspective. Studies in Continuing Education, 32(1),
pp.29–46.

Cresswell, J., Schwantner, U. and Waters, C. (2020). A Review of International Large-Scale

Assessments in Education.

Deursen, A.J.A.M., Dijk, J.A.G.M. and Haan, J. (2022). The relation between 21st-century
skills and digital skills: A systematic literature review. Computers in Human
Behavior, 72(72), pp.577–588.

Khoirunnisa, K. (2022). Reading Habits and Its Effect on Academic Writing Skill: A Study
of Master Degree Students. JELE (Journal of English Language and Education), 4(1),
p.43.

Maguire, P. and Pitceathly, C. (2021). Key communication skills and how to acquire them.
BMJ, 325(7366), pp.697–700.

Morris, T.H. (2020). Experiential Learning – a Systematic Review and Revision of Kolb’s
Model. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(8), pp.1064–1077.

Shodieva, M. (2023). Developing Summary Writing Skill In Academic Writing. Modern

Science and Research, 2(9), pp.140–144.

Sulisworo, D., Rahayu, T. and Akhsan, R.N. (2022). The Students’ Academic Writing Skill
After Implementing Blended Learning Using Facebook. Information Technologies
and Learning Tools, 56(6), p.176.

Svinicki, M.D. and Dixon, N.M. (2020). The Kolb Model Modified for Classroom Activities.
College Teaching, 35(4), pp.141–146.

Ullrich, C. (2022). The Learning-Resource-Type is Dead, Long Live the Learning-Resource-

Type! Learning Objects and Learning Designs, 1(1), pp.7–15.

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