Personal development plans

Personal development planning (PDP) helps learners reflect upon their own learning and achievement and plan for their personal, educational and career development.
It is a written document which details what your objectives and achievements are laid out usually in a graph.
PDP is a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development.

Note Taking.

Note Taking.

http://owll.massey.ac.nz/study-skills/note-taking-methods.php

There are a number of different ways to take notes, and it is best that you use the method you feel most at ease with. However, there are four general ideas that could help you to improve your note taking:

• Use white space to separate major ideas.
• Try to limit your notes to one concept or section per page.
• Use abbreviations and/or symbols where possible to avoid long sentences.
• Write down the information in your own words.

Cornell Method.

The Cornell Method is based on two columns: one containing the keyword or concept, and the other containing the description or notes associated with the keyword or concept. This method can be used while listening to the lecturer. In the right hand column, you can list the main ideas or write a paragraph and then on the left hand side note the keyword or concept that relates to your section of notes. At the bottom of the page you should write paragraphs summarising the information contained in the notes



Mind Map

A mind map is a diagram in which ideas, concepts and images are linked together around a central concept, keyword or idea.



The outlining method
This method involves writing a series of topics and sub-topics, and identifying them by indenting the text, numbering the lines, or using a dash or bullet point.

• Main Topic
• Sub-Topic
• Detailed points
• Detailed points
• Sub-Topic
• Second Main Topic

The Sentence Method

With this method you simply write every new concept, or topic on a separate line. You can also number the information if you wish. It is recommended that you use some form of visual aid to group related points together.

Qualitative research

http://learnhigher.ac.uk/resources_for_students/Doing-research/Whats-it-all-about/What-is-research.html

 Qualitative research.

The main aim of qualitative research is to discover how research subjects, or participants, feel about their lived experiences. The research usual begins with a gut instinct or a hunch rather than a hypothyses. Qualitative research methods range from interviews to participant observation and can include collection of written data including email, and both researcher diaries and participant diaries.

quantative research

 http://learnhigher.ac.uk/resources_for_students/Doing-research/Whats-it-all-about/What-is-research.html

Quantative research.

Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of data in numerical format. A prime aim of quantitative research is to analyse evidence from a sample in order to produce results. This also allows direct comparisons to be made.

Mixed research methods

Mixed research methods.

 The essential goal of mixed methods research is to tackle a given research question from any relevant angle, making use where appropriate of previous research and/or more than one type of investigative perspective.

Sometimes referred to as mixed methodology, multiple methodology or multi-methodology research, mixed methods research offers you the best of both worlds: the in-depth, contextualized, and natural but more time-consuming insights of qualitative research coupled with the more-efficient but less rich or compelling predictive power of quantitative research.
These approaches are far more comprehensive than attacking a problem from only one point of view and, with the emergence of strategies and tools for blending these different types of data, allow for the crossing of disciplinary boundaries like never before.

Anyone who wants or needs to tackle a research challenge from two or more perspectives (by deliberate choice or out of practical necessity) will benefit from a mixed methods approach. Mixed methods research has been employed with real success in every people-focused discipline, from psychology and sociology to education and health care to human resources and marketing.

How to do mixed research methods.

• define the challenge
• collect the appropriate data from any relevant source to develop and test hypotheses
• rigorously examine those data for obvious and hidden patterns
• analyze your findings
• present your results for peer review and audience education.

reference - http://blog.dedoose.com/2012/10/what-is-mixed-methods-research/

Learning Styles

Learning Styles

• ·        Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
• ·        Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
• ·        Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
• ·        Physical (kinaesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
• ·        Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
• ·        Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
• ·        Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.
•  

  

From my research I know I have a visual learning style. I often find myself using a lot of pictures and images in my work and in research. I use a lot of colours to express myself. My work is always organised layout and in a particular pattern.

I took a test at http://www.edutopia.org/node/6140/done?sid=478441 and it told me I am 92% Visual-spatial learner.

References: Advanogy.com (2004) http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/