REFLECTIVE ESSAY
INTRODUCTION
Student learning in higher education consist of a function of both informal experience and formal experience. The teacher also uses different methods of teaching that are effective and allow students to develop new skills themselves. In order to ensure the good practice and excellent experience of the student, teachers use UK Professional Standard Framework. UKPSF is consisting of professional guidelines and standards that support students during higher education. Also, these standards can be applied to personal development programs to improve the quality of teaching (Guo et al., 2020). This essay will be written in reflective form by using Gibb’s reflective cycle. The essay will also cover different changes that are made in teaching style to improve the student's style of learning. Apart from this, the overall experience of the author during higher education will be discussed. The main focus of the essay will be on the changes in practice that have occurred and new techniques that are adopted by teachers.
GIBB’S REFLECTIVE CYCLE
Description
Learning in higher education is referred to the practice of gaining knowledge and focusing on personal growth. While teaching students of higher education, I used to provide full lectures of 40 minutes for every subject. I used to allow students to make proper notes on every topic that is explained in the class. However, the styles of learning changed in the second year as I have shortened the sessions and started providing breaks so that students can learn more effectively. As per the study by Guo et al. (2020), shortening the session is a more effective way of teaching because students get sufficient time to revise the previous topic and if extra time is left then the research for the next topic can be done. Additionally, I have also started the technique of group discussion. The main purpose of using this strategy is to allow the students to interact with each other and share their knowledge. I believe that it is effective for learning because group discussions are helpful in gaining knowledge of different topics and providing knowledge to others. In addition to this, group discussion is also beneficial because it is helpful in developing and improving communication skills such as listening and speaking. When the individuals will have effective listening skills, they will be able to understand the same topic from different perspectives. As per the study by Garcia et al. (2019), effective speaking skills will be helpful in interacting confidently with others. Once I organized a group discussion and provided a task to put opinions on the topic of poverty. At this time, all the students were sharing their thoughts among which some of them provided the ways that will be helpful in removing poverty. I have realized that group discussion is also helpful in improving the thinking power of the individual. Moreover, I used the technique of pallet.com for the students who were not participating in the group discussion.
Feelings
I was feeling satisfied because technique of group discussion is effective but I realized that the teaching methods still need improvements because some student were not getting involved in group discussions. I got the notice that my university is going to work according to the UK Standard Professional Framework to ensure good practice of students and provide them with an excellent experience. The main purpose of adapting this framework is to improve the quality of teaching so that students can develop themselves personally and professionally. During my research, I got to know that the three main areas of focus in the framework include areas of activity, professional values, and core knowledge. I wanted to know more about this framework, so I continued my research. As per the study by Fischer and Hänze (2019), the main aim of this framework is to support professional development by keeping the staff engaged in teaching. The aims of the framework ensure that the quality of teaching is good, and the students are motivated toward innovation, creativity, and professional development. The framework helps in facilitating institutions and individuals in gaining formal recognition for their enhanced quality of work. The activity area of the framework includes support learning, assessing, and giving feedback, and developing an effective learning environment. The section on core knowledge includes creating effective subject material, generating strategies for students, different methods that increase the effectiveness of teaching, and quality enhancement guidelines. The confidence level of students was increased after implementation of this framework and I appreciate this way of teaching because this framework is created by studying different behaviours of the student while learning (Fischer and Hänze, 2019).
Evaluation
When the learning style was changed, I found that it is really interesting to learn through this new style. However, no one was comfortable at the glance, but students were trying to change themselves according to new learning styles. When the time of session was decreased then many students were disappointed because it was not possible to cover more topics in short time duration. Some students also argued that they want to study according to the old learning style because they were not comfortable due to the changing learning styles. As per the study of Wilson 2018, the main benefit of the new learning style is that it demonstrates the understanding of the aspects of learning support methods, effective learning, and student learning. Also, it ensures that the students are engaged with at least two areas of activities among five of them. It provides a commitment to professional values in facilitating the learning of others. As per the study by Brewer and Movahedazarhouligh (2018), the new practice makes an individual capable of providing evidence of effectiveness linked with the professional role. However, many students faced difficulties in accepting the new way of learning including me. I was not able to manage time for taking multiple sessions on different topics. Also, it was difficult for me to frequently conduct a group discussion because I was not able to manage my time properly and do research on the topic that will be explained in the next session. Also, students were facing difficulties because new topics were added in the course book. Students were not aware of the different learning styles and so they were not able to make a decision that which learning style will be appropriate for them (Brewer and Movahedazarhouligh, 2018).
Analysis
After getting involved in a new learning style I realized that this learning style is beneficial for students because students will be able to develop new skills. I also use the new technique of pallet.com. This is specially used for the students who do not want to participate in a group discussion. As per the study by Dumford and Miller (2018), Pallet.com is used by teachers to create a community of students on the internet. This platform can be used by the students to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. I have analysed that conducting a group discussion will be beneficial because students need to develop critical-thinking skills that can be developed by participating in group discussions. When they will participate in group discussions then they will be able to listen to the opinions and thoughts of others which will help them to understand their perspective (Brewer and Movahedazarhouligh, 2018). In this way, students will be able to understand the same topic from different perspectives. Also, I will use the strategy of collecting feedback from students. I have analysed that this strategy is very effective because many times it happens that students are not able to understand the topic that is explained in the class and they feel fear of getting insulted in front of others, so they stay quiet (Dumford and Miller, 2018). However, this issue can be resolved if the teacher will start collecting feedback from the students regarding the problems that they are facing. In this way, the communication gap between the teacher and the student will be decreased and the teacher will be able to identify the issues faced by the students (Dumford and Miller, 2018). In order to create effective learning environment, I will work on collecting feedbacks from peers, students, mentors, and tutors.
Conclusion
Based on the whole discussion, I can conclude that if the UKPSF framework will be implemented by the university then it will be beneficial for students as it will result in the personal and professional growth of the individuals. My teaching method includes a diverse range of teaching, environments, and supports roles. Also, students will be able to develop new skills themselves because this teaching method will focus on involving students in different activities so that they can take a break from studies and invest that time in developing new skills themselves (Dunn and Kennedy, 2019). Also, I can conclude that I need to improve time management skills of my students which will help them in their academics and future career. Also, students need to develop certain skills such as time management skills, critical-thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal skills. The technique of group discussion and feedback collection will be beneficial in developing their personality. The most important factor to be noticed is that teachers are well trained, and they also need to clarify a skills test to assure that they will effectively handle the responsibility of teaching students according to the new framework (Dunn and Kennedy, 2019).I believe that change in learning and teaching style will allow individuals to create more opportunities for themselves. Also, students will be able to collect knowledge during the group discussion that will help them in choosing the right career option. The framework is supported by FGN (Framework Guidance Notes) and highlights the good practice of learning and teaching styles. I will also use the strategy of arranging seminars so that students can improve their public speaking skills when they will get the chance to present themselves in front of others (Dunn and Kennedy, 2019).
Action plan
The action that can be taken is to create goals and focus on the collected feedbacks. Also, I should start noting important topics that will be explained in the class during short sessions. I can suggest students to use the Cornell method of note taking. This will help them effectively understand the topic that is being explained in the class. They can also use this method to make notes during the group discussion when they will collect new information. As per the study of Subhash and Cudney (2018), preparing a personal development plan will be helpful in developing skills that are required for effective group discussion. PDP will help students in making a timetable to learn new skills such as critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving. Also, they will focus on developing professionally and will get involved in extra activities.
CONCLUSION
The assignment is prepared in the form of a reflective essay that includes a discussion regarding student learning in higher education. The focus is made on the change in teaching and learning and teaching style. Gibb's reflective model is used to describe the overall experience of the author. The essay also includes a discussion on the new ways of teaching that are adopted by the teacher such as shortening sessions, group discussions, and feedback collection. The feelings of the author are shared including the positive and negative experiences the author. Lastly, the action that can be taken to improve the personality is shared.
REFERENCES
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Fischer, E. and Hänze, M.(2019). Back from “guide on the side” to “sage on the stage”? Effects of teacher-guided and student-activating teaching methods on student learning in higher education. International Journal of Educational Research, 95, pp.26-35.
Garcia, E., Moizer, J., Wilkins, S. and Haddoud, M.Y.(2019). Student learning in higher education through blogging in the classroom. Computers & Education, 136, pp.61-74.
Guo, P., Saab, N., Post, L.S. and Admiraal, W.(2020). A review of project-based learning in higher education: Student outcomes and measures. International Journal of Educational Research, 102, p.101586.
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Wilson, J.L.(2018). Student Learning in Higher Education: A Halsted Press Book. Routledge.
