Activity 1
1. Below are a list of skills and abilities. Complete an audit of where you are now. Record this in your learning journal/portfolio.
Rate yourself (1=Not very well developed; 3=very well developed)
| Personal Skills | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| flexibility | X | ||
| Self-confidence | X | ||
| Self-discipline | X | ||
| Work Under Pressure | X | ||
| Set Personal Goals | X | ||
| Take risks | X | ||
| Share opinions confidently | X |
| Interpersonal Skills | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Team Work | X | ||
| Take responsibility | X | ||
| Build social networks | X | ||
| Manage Time | X | ||
| Act as a leader | X | ||
| Negotiation | X |
| Communication Skills | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Make presentations | X | ||
| Listen to others | X | ||
| Debate formally and informally | X | ||
| Contribute to discussions | X | ||
| Converse confidently | X | ||
| Take notes | X | ||
| Write for academic purposes | X |
| Technical Skills | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Computing skills | X | ||
| Be creative | X | ||
| Use technology | X |
| Intellectual Skills | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Problem solve | X | ||
| Generate new ideas | X | ||
| Work on own initiative | X | ||
| Organise and plan | X | ||
| Think Critically | X | ||
| Evaluate information | X |
Activity 2Although it is important to identify where we are now, it is not enough to stop there. We need to reflect upon how we can develop the skills where we are less confident and how we can transfer the skills in which we are confident and competent.
Complete the audit below, using the information from the table above.
| Recognition | Reflection | Action |
| Skills already developed | How will I use these | How do I know (evidence)** |
| Flexibility | Flexibility can be used for both university and in my future career. This skills will enable me to cater for my own social life while also ensuring that I am completing/keeping up with work that needs to be done. In a primary school setting flexibility is key in planning lessons. At any point a lesson could be interrupted due to other professionals coming into the school and/or fire alarms etc. It is important as a teacher to be able to then plan around these. |
I have just come home for a few days for my reading week and in my agenda is: visiting family, work, reading/studying, celebrating my birthday and looking after my dog – flexibility is key. While on placement in a primary school the class teacher had her weekly plan written out however on the Monday found out that they were going to be getting someone in to the school which would take up the whole of a day. This meant that the teacher had to reschedule her plans. |
| Working under pressure | Having this skill will ensure that as the work load begins to increase I will still be able to meet deadlines and keep up with what is required of me. This will also be helpful during placement as it will be an extremely stressful period and I will be getting observed at one stage. | Last year I completed a HNC in childcare and this course proved to be very demanding. I was also attending interviews for university at the same time and so the pressure soon mounted up and I still ensured I was submitting my work to an efficient level and on time. |
| Listen to others | Being able to listen to others throughout my education as this will enable me to strengthen my knowledge as I will be engaging with other peoples opinions and thoughts. This skill will also ensure that I am taking on bored what is being taught. In my future career listening to others will be essential in reflecting upon my practice – ensuring that I am able to take on board what others have to say. It will also be important to listen to the children to enforce “child centred learning”. | During lectures students are often asked to share their opinions and to discuss ideas together. |
| Team work | ||
| Take responsibility | ||
| Contribute to discussions |
** This section should be completed as you identify when/where/how you have used/developed these skills.
