Synopsis

This unit is for people who are thinking about making changes in their lives, such as returning to study or taking a different direction at work. It will help you build on what you already know; consider the choices open to you; use your skills and qualities to achieve change; and make plans for the future.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1.1 Welcome
1.2 What’s in this unit?
1.3 Learning through activities
1.4 Study skills, other skills
1.5 Looking back and moving on
1.5.1 Using a mind map to summarise information
1.5.2 Planning your study time
1.6 Conclusion
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Everyday learning – what’s going on?
2.3 Why it’s important to be a learner
2.4 Gathering evidence – your qualities, knowledge and skills
2.4.1 Qualities
2.4.2 Knowledge
2.4.3 Skills
2.4.4 Communication skills
2.4.5 Reflecting on communication skills
2.4.6 Your communication skills
2.4.7 Problem-solving and decision-making skills
2.4.8 Decision making
2.4.9 Being organised
2.5 Mind mapping
2.6 Academic skills
2.6.1 Referencing
2.7 Conclusion
References
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Getting feedback from other people
3.2.1 Why can it be useful?
3.2.2 What problems might you have with getting feedback?
3.2.3 How it might be possible to get another perspective
3.2.4 Johari window
3.3 Your learning – what does ‘theory’ offer?
3.3.1 Why it might be useful
3.3.2 What problems might you have with this?
3.3.3 How might it be possible to integrate theory and personal understanding?
3.3.4 The importance of other people in our immediate social and learning environments
3.3.5 Communities of practice
3.3.6 A ‘health warning’ about groups
3.3.7 Entwistle’s theory – students’ approaches to learning
3.4 Preparing to move on – connecting theory with skills
3.4.1 Academic skills
3.4.2 ‘Real world’ skills
3.5 Conclusion
References
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The wider social context – policy in the UK
4.2.1 Theories of globalisation
4.2.2 Human capital theory
4.3 What we mean by an action plan
4.4 Setting yourself goals
4.4.1 Developing a vision
4.4.2 Case study illustrations
4.4.3 Setting specific goals
4.4.4 Specific
4.4.5 Measurable
4.4.6 Agreed
4.4.7 Realistic
4.4.8 Time-limited
4.5 What might help and hinder you
4.5.1 Thinking about resources
4.5.2 Thinking about knowledge and skills
4.5.3 Formal routes to learning
4.5.4 Informal approaches to learning
4.5.5 Keeping a learning journal
4.5.6 Thinking about personal qualities
4.6 Developing your action plan and thinking about evidence
4.7 Conclusion
References
5.1 Introduction
5.2 What have I learned about my knowledge?
5.3 What have I learned about my skills?
5.4 What have I learned about my qualities?
5.5 Reflecting on what I have done differently — what was the effect?
5.6 Reflecting forward – what am I going to do next?
5.6.1 Using a CV to present yourself
5.6.2 Skills-based CVs
5.7 Conclusion
Next Steps
Acknowledgements

 

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