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ACTION

Reflecting on Learning

We rarely take the time to reflect on ourselves as learners.  Three things that learners need to consider when self-reflecting are:

  • their strengths (for example, I am good at spelling);
  • things that are challenging (for example, I struggle with public speaking);
  • the strategies they use to be successful (for example, I use an agenda to manage my time).

This course is your opportunity to start thinking about who you are as a learner and consider what skills you already have and the ones you need to improve on or develop to find success after high school (we will refer to this as your post-secondary pathway throughout this course). As you go through the various skill inventories, reflect and keep track of the ones you already do successfully, the ones you enjoy and the ones you would like to learn/develop.

This is the Portfolio icon. Keeping a Journal

Open a folder on your computer labelled Journal. Add your reflections, learning and questions as you move through this course.

 

Soft Skills

Let’s start with soft skills.  Soft skills are the skills we have that are hard to measure or evaluate.  Unlike hard skills (skills you can gain through education, training programs and certifications), soft skills are considered your people skills.  Some examples of soft skills include communication, creativity and empathy.

This is the Portfolio icon. Soft Skills Survey

Take the Soft Skills Survey below.  When you are finished, save your results to your Journal.

SoftSkillsSurvey

 

Find anything that surprised you? Consider the top five skills that you would most enjoy utilizing, even if you are not completely proficient (definition:skilled in doing or using something) in them.  

  • How would/do these skills help you be successful?
  • Which do you think you need to develop further to find continuing success?

Although having the right skill-set is essential, there are many factors, positive and negative, that can affect your schooling or life.  Knowing and understanding these is also vital to your success.  Complete the following interactive to get a better understanding of how each factor can affect you. 

FactorsInfluencingLearning

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Although these factors all focus on schooling and grades, they are equally important in how we live our lives after high school.  The routines and habits that you form now are ones that are likely to stay with you as you move into the next stage of your life. 

This is the Portfolio icon. Journal - Factors that Influence Me

Which of these factors can you relate to?  Are they under your control to change?  Can you pick one to address to make a small change?  You will be keeping a journal throughout this course - record these thoughts in your journal to reflect on at the end of this activity.

 

Setting Goals

View the following video about setting goals.

 

Think about why it is important to set goals.

  • Do you have goals in life?
  • Do you set goals on a regular basis?
  • Is there anything or anyone getting in the way of your goals?
  • What can you change to overcome any obstacles?

Goal setting is essential for a few reasons:

  1. Goals keep you focused and moving forward.
  2. Setting small goals helps you reach the big ones.
  3. Goals keep you accountable and help beat procrastination.
  4. Goals motivate you to push forward and do better.
  5. Setting goals prepares you for the demands of the workplace.

This is the Portfolio icon. Journal - Potential Goal

In your journal write a potential goal you would like to achieve by the end of this course (you will be asked to reflect on it at the end of this activity).  It does not necessarily have to do with this course; it can be a goal you work towards outside of the classroom.

Examples could be to talk to someone new once a week, read a book for 30 minutes daily, plant and care for a small garden, improve your spelling, go over your school notes every day for 30 minutes, volunteer once a week, etc.

 

This is the Portfolio icon. Personal Management Skills

The final skills and habits you are going to reflect on are your personal management skills (definition:A group of skills that you can develop to manage your everyday behaviour in life, learning, and work.)and habits. 

Do you know what these are? Some examples include:

  • Time management;
  • Organizational skills;
  • Responsibility;
  • Ethics;
  • Flexibility and adaptability;
  • Planning and goal setting.

Which ones do you apply/take advantage of?  What do you need to improve on?

Utilizing personal management skills and habits can make life much easier, productive and efficient.  They are things that you can do to take some stress off your life and turn dreams into reality.

In the following interactive, think about whether you already “Apply” the skills and habits or “Need To Improve” on them. Take a screenshot and save in your Journal for future comparison. 

SkillHabitFrequency

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Consolidation

CONSOLIDATION

This is the discussion icon. Reflect on Skills and Habits

Think about the skills and habits you just reflected on:

  • Soft skills;
  • Goal setting;
  • Personal management skills and habits.

Your reflection should include:

  1. The top five soft skills that you would most enjoy utilizing, even if you are not entirely proficient in them.  Why did you choose these above the others?
  2. What is a goal that you would like to accomplish by the end of this course?
  3. What is one personal management skill/habit that you already apply and what is one that you need to improve?

StrategiesForEffectiveDiscussions

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