Organization Change and Development (Term Paper Sample)

Students Name
Professors Name
Course Title
Date
Organization Change and Development - Reflection
Description
My coursework followed a strategic plan. It begun with classroom activity where we sat as a class and learnt about the topic, took detailed notes on it and got a clear understanding of what it exactly entailed and what was expected from us by studying it. Later on, an enquiry based learning procedure was initiated, a factor that seemed challenging yet exciting. The enquiry based learning process in summary involved we sitting groups and engaging in group discussions which sought to explain further our understanding of the topics unit content and important details underlying it. We also had to read quite a number of articles in a bid to improve our understanding and knowledge of the topic being studied. Later on we were required to white a group report or self assessment/review, from the 9th week of study, followed by a presentation and finally a reflection that would respond to set questions.
Interpretation
Enquiry based learning by making studies more focused and centered on me, rather than relying o the lecturer has significantly improved my research skills. Previously, I had poor research skills, and depended mostly on what the lecturer fed me, but this experience has exposed me to a new approach to learning. Enquiry based learning fascinated me as it reflected positively on my interests and goals making the learning process much effortless. Enquiry based learning basically included personal research on the topic, group discussions with my fellow classmates and classroom presentation. I have learnt a lot from each of these activities named.
Personal research played a very important part of my research as I had to go through many articles to get relevant materials for my research. Not only did it broaden my understanding of the topic but I was able to get up to date information regarding the topic of study. I learnt how to properly do internet research and also learnt that the internet had a lot to offer. Search engines on the internet were relatively faster in accessing information compared to going through books manually and in fact, they even allowed me to search for relevant information just by typing in the keyword relating to the topic I was studying. From this, I learnt that I can easily get up to date information, verify the accuracy of the information, and also know who the author of the information is and where the information was obtained from. This was very important in citing references to my work too. From personal research, I can confidently say that my critical and analytical skills as an independent thinker have been significantly improved.
Group discussions were the next step in the enquiry based learning process. After individually doing our research it was only fair that we sit down in a group and discuss critical aspect of the course topic. Having done some basic coursework, the knowledge I had acquired in my previous experience with the topic positively affected the way I understood it and provided a good ground for being eligible for a fruitful group discussion. Group discussions made me realize that one of my weaknesses was shyness and fear to ask for help. Fortunately, my group members were supportive and encouraging and this social support really helped me. I also felt a big improvement in my communication skills from their encouragement that I should scrap away my shyness, a factor that I see important in helping me prepare for oral exams in future. I learnt that through discussion, my learning and understanding of the topic was enhanced. There were some important points from the topic that my group members had picked up, and I had not, and it is through discussion that I learnt them. Equally, I was able to share with them important points I had picked up that they had not.
As we were discussing, good questions that help in exam preparation were generated in the group. One was free to ask any question and got the correct answer from the group members. I noticed that since we all had different mindsets, we generated different questions. Also, the discussions made me see the areas I was weak in the topic and hence the need to focus more on ways to improve them. It is through these discussions that I was able to realize that some points I thought were right actually were not. If I had not discussed, then I would have just stuck to those wrong concepts and fortunately, I was able to rectify them. Finally, discussions made us tackle more problems than we would have individually and from hearing what each one of us had to share, I was able to identify some of the classmate I would wish to emulate.
The next step involved a group presentation. This was very important as it aided in improvement of our speaking skills which would come in handy in later years when we were working as we would have ease in making conference or meeting presentations at our respective areas of work. I felt a major improvement in confidence as the class listened keenly and attentively to what I had to say, learning a thing or two from me. Also, I realized that while I was listening to others present, attentive and respective listening was learnt. Before presentation, I had to have a very clear understanding of the topic. This benefited me since it made me do critical research first and hence have all the ideas at my fingertips. I was able to lean newer visual presentation skills I had no or little knowledge of and learnt on the best ways to enhance my presentation since as human beings are visual by their very own biology.
Evaluation
From my perspective, I think enquiry based learning should be the way forward in all academic sectors. Most students find the monotony of the more traditional learning environment boring, and these results to some or most of the students being weak in class. Enquiry based learning is exciting, since the task of learning is passed on to the student who eventually takes ownership of learning. Since research plays a major role in enquiry based leaning, students are able to develop deeper understanding to the intended content knowledge. This is because students are able to access and evaluate information from unlimited archives and sources. Critical thinking is another major benefit derived from enquiry based learning with information learnt being retained in the long term. Students in taking ownership of the learning process enjoy the privilege and joy of teaching and learning from one another.
From my perspective, I believe all these skills and information learnt from enquiry based learning prepare us in the long term, especially for work situations. The information we learn, since we did extensive research on, and in a friendly exciting learning manner get retained in us brains for long periods of time. This information becomes vital in work situations as it allows us to recognize problems, validate them, think critically and independently about them and finally develop their observation. This is an important analytical tool hat enquiry based learning teaches us which when applied in an office environment, ensures positive results to problems. Through group work, we learn how to work with others, share, question, discuss and argue in a mature and respectable way. In the office situation, it is expected of us to work not only independently but also in group situations. Having these skills will promote a comfortable working environment where results would be achieved in a timely and in the...