Improving Learning Strategies For Effective Outcomes – A Reflection

1. Situation

2. The situation made me feel…

3. What I learnt from reflecting on the situation

Reading the course material, there was a lot of new and interesting information but I had no structured way with which to know what I had learned at a personal level and how to  do a self evaluation of how the content had changed my perception and understanding as regards managing projects and how this would aid me in my future pursuits in the career (professional and academic). I was just reading and I wanted to read as much content as I could because I felt ‘eager to become the expert’

At first I felt hopeless and not really focused; it was like reading a news article, rather than learning. While I understood the concepts, deep inside I felt there was something I was not doing right or well; something was just amiss and at first I cloudn’t pin it down. I felt I was not getting the gist of the material and it was not worth it; I felt there was something I was doing wrong and needed to change my approach to how I was learning and studying

Upon reflecting, I understood that I did not have a workable strategy that would make me understand and internalize the contents of the course; I was doing the right thing in the wrong way and I realized I needed to revise and adjust my approach to learning the course content. I was actually just participating in the course, but not doing much as regards effective learning; maybe I could even pass an assessment from my  memory, but I felt learning must be internalized, the way a soccer player internalizes moves such that they become natural rather than requiring memory. 

1. Improvement strategy

2. How to measure if the strategy works

3. Why the strategy is achievable

4. Relevance of strategy to address the lesson

5. When the strategy will be implemented

To outline all the expected outcomes for each lesson unit and then study in small batches (cover small specific sections and reviw what I have learned)

Undertake a self analyis and list down the content and material I have learned versus the expected outcomes and determine I can apply the lessosns learned, for instance by using a case study or example to recap what I learned. An example is looking a project that failed like the NHS computerization project and list what I could hae done differently (Crookes, 2013)

Because learning is more effectve  when it is spread out. Research shows that for course content and material to stick, the best method of studying is ‘distributed practice’ where one outlines what is to be studied and lists the expected learning outcomes, then studying for a short time period then taking a break (Stillman, 2018)

The strategy will ensure that I know what I ought to study, as well as what I should have competence in at the end of the study. Importantly, putting what has been learned into practce will ensure learning is effective and long lasting because as it is often stated, practice makes perfect. Reading, in my opinion and after the reflection, is abstract; real learning comes from application and practice and so using case studies of projects done poorly and deciding what I would do differently based on the course units is a sure way to learn. Further, distributed learning will ensure I am learning systematically

I will implement the strategy immediately, especially given that I have to go through all the material afresh using the new strategy

1. Situation

2. The situation made me feel…

3. What I learnt from reflecting on the situation

During the first lessons and introduction of the topic, I read through the content and got very new information, including the systematic way of identifying the underlying project needs 

I had believed that the project needs were obvious and clearly visible, for instance a house construction project was aimed at providing shelter, but this discovery that projects have needs and then there are underlying needs that justify the project made me very curious and eager to learn more

That in any undertaking, there are usually underlying reasons to them, apart from the obvious reasons. It got me thinking that everything has a deeper meaning behind it, apart from the obvious meanings that can be easily discerned and this is the essence of learning, to unearth and understand the deeper meanings 

1. Improvement strategy

2. How to measure if the strategy works

3. Why the strategy is achievable

4. Relevance of strategy to address the lesson

5. When the strategy will be implemented

Understanding the expected outcomes of a course before undertaking it to enhance learning and help stay focused during learning 

This strategy will be measured by undertaking exercises for self appraissal at the end of each course unit or lesson. This strategy will be measured by undertaking exercises for self appraisal at the end of each course unit or lesson. Applying these concepts in a ‘practical’ sense where I look at various types of projects and decide on the best methodology will help me internalize the concepts (Gaytan & McEwen, 2007)

Because it will entail understanding what I have learned, what is expected, and provide me an opportunity to test what in have learned in real life using exercises

It will help me understand how to use the learned content, rather than just basking in the glory of having grasped and being able to remember abstract concepts and content from the course content (Morrison, 2012)

Will implement this strategy immediately tom ensure I am much more competent in initiating and managing contents at the end of the course.

1. Situation

2. The situation made me feel…

3. What I learnt from reflecting on the situation

After reading some content for two days continuously, I stayed another week before reading the material partly because of a busy schedule and other commitments

It made me feel that I was not getting real value and material from undertaking the course; I was not committed enough or hungry enough for the course

That commitment is very crucial in successful learning; this was further made complex by the fact that I was studying on my own rather than attending lectures in a classroom

1. Improvement strategy

2. How to measure if the strategy works

3. Why the strategy is achievable

4. Relevance of strategy to address the lesson

5. When the strategy will be implemented

Develop a time table for studies just as I would when undertake courses at a college in person where one is usually sent the course time table upfront (Nyatyowa, 2017)

Set content to learn and divide these into units that reflect the amount of time allocated for each section, say two hours of study per day for five days a week

Because it will ensure I have planned my work week, with a time table to guide my studies and help me guide my progress in the course.  

It will aid me greatly in achieving the learning outcomes, apart from helping me track my progress and ensure am committed to undertaking the course in a systematic way (Brosche & Feavel, 2011)

I will implement the strategy immediately