Pre-Self Assessment Survey - Essay Example

Reflection Summary Introduction In academia, potential students, professionals and other literate personnel usually reflect on their status to address their strengths/abilities and their weaknesses/weak points. After personal reflections, they are able to resolve their weaknesses and increase their strengths (Bowman 2007). This great virtue is extremely substantial to individuals who would want to advance e academic wise and get ahead in this competitive world. Therefore, personal assessments and reflection on oneself is essential. Basic assessment is the horsepower towards self-assessment and scrutiny (Ersegovac 2008). In the journey towards literacy, one ought to sit down and start contemplating on their abilities, their respective faults notwithstanding. Thus, after assessing, one is prone to mapping the means forward. This exercise is engaging and one ought to be honest and ready to begin problem solving and rectification whenever it deems necessary in the course of the activity. Create the culture. Information Literacy This is the ability of an individual to point out when there is a need for specific information/intelligence, procure it, evaluate it and further utilize it for solving the quandary/problem at hand. Information intelligence/literacy is an upper hand resource and a major advantage/competency to those individuals who possess it, since; the information literacy expertise is usable to, effectively, enhance intelligent levity in a particular society (Bothma, et al 2008). At contemporary times in a society that is overtly informational, one ought to possess the literacy to uphold competency and hoist his/her socio-economic banner. This extends that these individuals brighten up in terms of information literacy; therefore, obtaining an added advantage/upper hand in procurement of the intelligence they require solving their issues. Over recent times, the idea of information Literacy has been incorporated into the society in the practitioner fields to enhance rapid solutions to student’s dilemmas. It has been applied in the libraries and high education agencies in proper management, since; it has been reiterated and perceived to be extremely beneficial and foolproof to minor challenges in management of academic agencies that are extremely fragile to minor blunders (Brine 2009). Over time, it has been dubbed as the way to socio-culture-economic affluence in a civilized and organized society of the modern world. Pre-Self Assessment Survey In my entire learning process in this institution, I have had numerous experiences regarding and resulting from my failures and abilities. The self-assessment process focuses on both sides of the merits and demerits, my ability to procure information and inability to accomplish the same (Leaning 2009). The following encompasses my abilities. I portend an immense ability to obtain information concerning the following areas/aspects; establishment of my level of knowledge in topics I study, identification of areas requiring research, utilization of basic intelligence in pursuit of information, pointing out of research tools present, identification of formats of information existence, formulation of search queries for information assortments, utilization of the best search assets for data procurement and planning my time unexceptionally well. However, I face challenges in my endeavors including; further procurement of absent data, statement of research questions in plain terms, pointing out loopholes in course of research work, identification of relevant data for solving problems, strategizing by proper terms and limits, vocabulary choices and terminologies, application of data retrieval assets and accessing hardcopies of required information (Ersegovac 2008). Pre-self assessment surveying is equally imperative in self-establishment and development of the society through the literates. Case Study In the preparation for Paralympics presentation, I braced numerous challenges, so as to make it superb and give it a good rendition. This was in an effort to avoid imminent failures that could have tarnished my abilities and further demoralized me (Cartwright 2006). Therefore, I had to bring my strengths together and dispelled/rectified my failures in order to obtain favorable outcome. Since Information Literacy involves numerous phases, I had to go through them categorically and observantly well, to avoid pitfalls and trade-offs. Thus, the elementary phase includes identification of the situation that needs information. In my case, I was supposed to identify the Paralympics presentation topic. Regarding the responsibility I had, I now progressed to the next level, which is location and inner consideration. In the organization stage, my three and I other allies formed a team, comprising of four members, with each member holding a specific role. I was the chairperson, there was a secretary who would be engaged in recording of the findings, and the treasurer had the core responsibility of saving our contributions and properly accounting for the money. The next member assumed the role of the project coordinator, organizing areas of data collection, modes of transport and arranging interviewing appointments with government officials involved in Paralympics (Ersegovac 2008). This is an embodiment of an adept team that can deliver its best, in terms of operations. We immediately assumed our roles as team players for the research on the topic under study. In the problem evaluation, my team members and I dug deep into our research, obtaining relevant information. For instance, we obtained the following statistics; Paralympics are athletic competitions in which people with physical disabilities participate. It is a worldwide event in which paralympians endeavor for equivalent treatment with the bodily fit Olympians. Though Olympics have been welcome by heavy media coverage, the Paralympics have not received substantial response from the media. The final step that I applied was drawing valid conclusions that were taken down by the secretary and assigning roles regarding presentation. Reflections on Experiences In due course of my academic period, I experienced a unique situation. Once, we were encouraged by one of the lecturers to utilize a particular computer software program. At first, I was reluctant as I overheard a fellow student proclaiming that it was unexceptionally cumbersome operating the program and running it effectively. As time went by, I noticed that I had to use the program to complete an assignment. I, thus, sought to apply information literacy in approaching the problem (McKeough 2006). First, I identified the program and bought it. Secondly, I analyzed the manual critically and in detail to ensure that I did not miss any single instruction. Thirdly, I went forward and started working it out on my computer. Surprisingly enough, I turned out to grasp how it works and continued evaluating my proficiency in operating it. After continued practice, I managed to be uncommonly well versed with the working of the program. From there, I spread the same encouragement to other discouraged members of my group and went a step ahead to show them practically. This experience helped me to develop information literacy expertise that I possess to date. My second learning experience was extremely educative. This happened when our group was assigned an extremely difficult task that left everyone flabbergasted and out of focus. This question was taunting and engaging. Instantly after the class was over, members of our group did not bother congregating to brief on the mode of solving the problem (Cartwright 2006). My previous experience with the computer software had opened my mind up regarding information literacy. I opted, therefore, to call my group members to task and initiate the problem solving process by virtue of information literacy. After converging, we discussed on the relevant information and material that was required for the process. We sought to mobilize each person to the library where we obtained and combined our ideas to give a wonderful output. Thus, the exercise helped all of us to rectify our back draws and improve on our strengths. The experience benefited a couple of other people including me. It is therefore important to share learning experiences with other people as it also enhances quick understanding of the topic/issue under study. Summary of Hurdles Experienced and Rectifications As afore mentioned, I experience problems in procurement of unavailable data, statement of research topics in simple terms, pointing out trade-offs in research work, procurement of research data for problem solving, choice of vocabularies and taxonomies, access of required paperwork and strategizing properly (OECD 2000). To rectify these hurdles, I have resolved to: be active and determined in the pursuit of data until I find it, research and read about proper statement of projects, be adept and keen enough to identify and eliminate loopholes in problem solving, enhance and upgrade my vocabulary important in drafting my findings, reading and application of superb strategies in my working and being proactive in obtainance of research information regarding problematic issues. I will also make sure that I refresh myself by taking analytical situations and aiming at resolving them. On the aspect of information literacy, I will keep track on the occurrences surrounding me and critically analyze them to get the required information and its immediate application. Similarly, I will enhance my communiqué expertise to enhance my ability to get information from its source. This will bring about ease in the problem solving activities (Fulton 2010). This improves my qualities as an elite and an adept academician. Conclusion By Information literacy self-assessment, I am most likely going to develop my quality as a hardworking student in my institution. This assessment aids in bringing to table the weaknesses and strengths of my character. After this, I am thus able to map the way forward by rectifying my weaknesses and developing my strengths in order to be more effective and reasonable in the course of my education (McKeough 2006). The same advice applies to other literates who would like to have their personality upgraded from the awareness of their own self or rather derived from their personal assessments. This mode of resolution is the best. References Bowman, J 2007, British Librarianship and Information Work 2001-2005, Ashgate Publishing, Hampshire Bothma, Cosijn, Fourie & Penzhorn 2008, Navigating Information Literacy: Your Information Society Survival Toolkit, Pearson, Cape Town Brine, A 2009, Handbook of library training practice and development, Ashgate Publishing, Surrey Beard, J, Holland, M & Dale, P 2011, University Libraries and Digital Learning Environments, Ashgate Publishing, Hampshire. Fulton, C 2010, Information Pathways: A Problem-Solving Approach to Information Literacy, Scarecrow Press, Plymouth. Leaning, M 2009, Issues in information and media literacy: Education, practice and pedagogy, Informing Science, California. Ercegovac, Z 2008, Information literacy: search strategies, tools & resources for high school students and college freshmen, ABC-CLIO, Ohio. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2000, Literacy in the Information Age: Final Report of the International Adult Literacy Survey, OECD Publishing, Paris. McKeough, A 2006, Understanding literacy development: a global view, Routledge, New Jersey. Cartwright, K 2008, Literacy processes: cognitive flexibility in learning and teaching, Guilford Press, New York Read More