Reflective Writing Assignment: Reviewing A Blog

Question

Task: During week ten we had group presentation in class. The lecture started with the presentation. There were four groups who were going to do their presentation. All four groups came and explain their problem and then gave relevant solutions to the problems by making the use of different design thinking tools. I was comparing all the different design tools which was used by different groups to find a solution to the problem. For instance, one team took the problem related to long queue in the drive-thru of KFC, McDonald and Red Rooster. They explained the whole design tool and figured out the solution for the existing problem. I was not having clear idea about the practical usage of 2-3 design thinking tools but after week ten I am aware about all the design thinking tools. furthermore, Dr. Michael explained us the third assessment, self-reflection. It is basically a self- analysis and reflection of the design think tools. the professor gave us the knowledge of reflection. Then he asked us to write our personal strengths, weakness and action plans for overcoming the weaknesses.

Prototype: Week eight lecture was based on prototype. Dr. Michael explained us in depth about prototype. He taught us different types of prototype with supportive examples and porotypes techniques. Few types are rapid prototyping, early rapid prototyping, and later rapid prototyping. He explained us the importance of prototype in business with relevant examples of bricks and airplane. After that for prototype, the professor explained us the various techniques like sketching, story boarding, paper prototyping, wire framing and physical prototyping. It was followed by a small activity of making a new prototype for new idea. The professor was providing different ideas to all groups. We had to make prototype for new public transport. Eventually we found a mind-blowing idea which was of Arial tram service for people. We had successfully prepared one paper prototype in the lecture and submitted to the professor. At last we were doing our second assessment in the time. Week eight lecture was one of the important lectures for me as it helped me to understand about prototype and get detail knowledge about it.

Brainstorming: The discussion in lecture five stared with week four lecture topic and Dr. Michael once again explained circle example to us. “Is it ok to break traffic and metro signal rules?” was explained by Dr. Michael in depth. Further, Dr. Michael gave us in depth knowledge about brainstorming and how it works and how it is related to design thinking. Dr. Michael had asked us to find a way to reduce the wastage of coffee cups and plastic bags. Everyone was sharing their ways to solve the problem and even the professor also suggested a way. He suggested the conversion of coffee cups and plastic bags into biodegradable material and to be disposed into the water bodies and leave up to the aquatic animals to work on it. Few things were invented due to laziness and comfort of people like, dish washer, remote, pizza delivery and many more things. Then lecture came to an interesting topic, journey mapping. Dr. Michael explained us in detail about journey mapping and gave us one activity to perform. Finally the lecture came to an end with two topics, need of analysis in design thinking and empathy.

Learning launch: Lecture nine was starting with the important topic, learning launch. In the beginning of the lecture, Dr. Michael gave a definition of learning launch and explained important of learning launch. Learning launch is an experiment in a market place and it is a process of assumptions testing and see the actions in real world. Professors explained the three steps for learning launch. First step is planning the learning launch, second one is executing the learning launch and third step is learning from learning launch. Dr. Michael gave us two examples like Pfizer and Nicorette for better understanding. Then professor asked us to do small activity. Activity was related to the last week prototype. We gave our prototype to other group and got feedback for our idea. We did another activity. Professor told us to think about rough plan to make advance learning launch for our idea. After completed second activity, we got depth information of the real launch. Finally, lecture completed with discussion of second assessment.

Ethics: Last week we started discussion on the research data. We were thinking about how to improve the data and how to achieve it. All of sudden tutor gave same tips and tricks to get the proper data. He says you can get data form the different survey or collections of the information or any other research. He explained everything with the perfect example so, he made really easy for us to understand how to get data. He says there are two types of data first is qualitative and second is quantitative. He gave example in class like, he asked one student which movie did you watched last week ? Student gave a name. Which is qualitative data and when he watched it. That's the quantitative data. After that we did one activity in group, he gave us some key words and we need to explain that. Main word is ethics. We need to define it. I asked him according to me ethics is that thing which halps to improve, Which made for positive outputs that's the ethics. After thathe gave us some information about the ethics, important of ethics and all. He also gave us example of his and his wife's which was funny and understanding example. At the end of the day he gave us most important information. Which is about interview skills in design thinking like, which type of questions are important or which are the ignore able and what are the key points to get perfect ethics. So, as usual the lecture was the biggest well of knowledge and I was in that well. So I got a lot. Thank you

Mindset design: Design research was the discussion point stated this week. An example was given by the professor on the usage of the value chain and what all we know on the value chain. Basically, the value chain is a type of activity inside an organization that is combined and used after creating a product or service. Furthermore, we discussed on adding value, each and every activity starting from the supplier to the customer ads value in the profit of the company. I also came to know the way to use value chain in business to which we know all its activities and their strength in the organization. We also had a discussion on value network and the use of a value network. Then after we performed an activity on how to use the value chain in companies like Woolworth, Shell or Tigerair. And we also had to draw something on paper without lifting the pen off the paper which opened our minds and everyone did whatever they wanted to do. At last, we were to do another activity in pairs in which one student was supposed to explain a problem to another and we were to ask them why? This time the majority of the lecture was about mindset.

Think creativity: Last week we had proper discussion on the creative thinking.We did some activities on the creative thinking. Also discussed on the assessment 2 which will be a group assignment. Tutor gave same example to us for creative thinking. Also we made proper group for the assessment 2. I made some new friends in the university. We also talk about the different thinking it means think totally different and critical which will give you much better results. If you think wild then you can create wild things and it will gives you more successful results. And at the end we talk about the assessment 2 layout. professor gave us some tips to make the perfect assessment 2.it helps us to decide the topic in the group.he also asked us how to make assessment more effective and what are the main key which support or assessment. All and all lecture was really helpfull to us for assignment two and also for the creative thinking analysis.

Creative Thinking: In today’s lecture we discuses about the first assignment and second assignment. Mainly we focused on the assignment 1 which is poster-presentation. We all made posters and we got some review from tutor about our poster. We did some activities for the brainstorming and creative thinking. We also divide the groups for the assessment 2. We decide the group name as well. We also, discussed about the assessment 2 group work system. After that I understood the assessment 2 is all about creative thinking and applying. Creative thinking means think like out of the world, new ideas, new innovations, something new which is not applied yet in the world. The tutor asked us to make 30 circles one page and he gave us 5 min to make something form that circles. I made the maze from the circles which are creative thinking according to me and tutor as well. So, the lecture is all about creative thinking.

Thinking is the best way to get success: In last week lecture, we were focusing on the poster and some thinking process. First of all we discussed about Eeinstain theory of insanity, which stated "work over and over and you get different result every time." Furthermore, we head a discussion on the process of thinking and it's feedback system. Accordingly to the process, first of all we need to observe the business and which is followed by thinking, once the thinking process has been chosen and implementation of relevant action which leads to perfect results.if any person performs only action and results then it is termed as single loop learning which is only found in a child. If a person is commencing three things then it is determined as double loop learning, and if a person is performing four things then it's call triple loop learning. After the lecture i believe that thinging and business go hand in hand.

Answer

Introduction: The number of courses requiring students to write reflective writing assignment is continually increasing. While reflection writing is an occasional requirement, it is a core feature to most or all course assignments. Reflection writing is an evidence of reflective thinking, and this unit requires every student to reflect on the blogs presented in the class (Brown & Wyatt, 2010). In the context of this course, reflective writing assignment will involve looking back at the blogs, analyzing the ideas presented in the blogs, and employing a careful thought about what the blog's idea means to me in this course unit as well as my ongoing signs of progress as a learner.

Presentation: Blog Description
During the 10th week, our class had group presentations. The first presentation was done by the lecturer and followed by other four groups. The four groups explained their subject and analysis and provided solutions to the problems by applying various design thinking tools. As I followed their presentations, I was comparing all the design tools used by the four groups in generating relevant solutions to the issue at hand. In attempts to figure out a solution to long queues in the drive-through of McDonald, KFC, and Rod Rooster; one team explained the whole design tool. I failed to grasp a clear idea on the practical use of 2-3 design thinking tools but after the presentation, I understood the concept well (Brown & Wyatt, 2010). When presenting, the lecturer taught us the 3rd assessment, self-reflection. Self-reflection involves self-analysis of the design thinking tools.

Presentation: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
Prior to the introductory presentation by Dr. Michael, I had no idea of what self-reflection entails and whether or not it plays an important role in academic courses. Despite it being an informal mode of study in universities, the lecturer emphasized on its importance basically in self-analysis. Prior to the presentations by the four groups, I lacked a clear idea of the practical use of design thinking tools and their applicability in decision making. I thought long queues have no correlation to decision making, but from the presentation, I learned that different decision making design tools are required in solving such problems. Therefore, people in different managerial positions should use the right design tool in forming the relevant decision to resolve any problem faced by an organization.

Prototype: Blog Description
During the 8th week, the lecture was about a prototype. The lecturer gave us an in-depth explanation of a prototype. Dr. Michael taught us the various prototype types with relevant examples together with related techniques. He categorized prototypes into rapid, early rapid and later rapid prototyping. The lecturer taught us the importance of prototyping in business in the context or airplane and bricks. Later on, we were taught various techniques such as storyboarding, wire farming, sketching, paper prototyping, and physical prototyping (Seidel & O’Mahony, 2014). We further made a new prototype for the new idea where the professor gave all groups various ideas. Our group designed a prototype for new public transport. Suddenly, we invented a mind-blowing idea of an Arial tram service for people. At the end of the lecture, our group was done in preparing a one paper prototype.

Prototype: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
The eight-week lecture provided me a great roadmap to understanding what prototype entails and its applicability in the workplace. Initially, I lacked an in-depth understanding and knowledge about a prototype. I used to think that prototype has no timing. However, from the lecture I learned that prototypes exist in various forms; rapid, early rapid, and later rapid. Also, I lacked any knowledge about the importance of prototyping in business. After the week eight lecture, I understood its relevance to business especially in the field of airplane and bricks. Other techniques such as sketching, wireframing, storyboarding, paper prototyping, and physical prototyping also thrive under this concept. From the experience, I gained wide varied ideas about the application of prototypes in the transport sector and how it can effectively get integrated into business in providing quality customer services.

Brainstorming: Blog Description
Lecture five discussions began in the fourth week where the lecturer explained to us the concept of brainstorming using a circle example. The main objective of lecture five discussions was finding out whether it is right to metro signal rules or break traffic. Dr. Michael gave us an in-depth explanation of the concept where we acquired understanding about brainstorming and its relationship to design thinking at work. The problem at hand was finding ways of waste reduction of coffee bags and plastic bags. All of us had to brainstorm and come to a consensus on the right ways of resolving the problem.

Brainstorming: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
I was excited to realize that brainstorming works well in the coming up of inclusive ideas towards right decision making. Prior to lecture five discussions, I never had a proper understanding of the concept of brainstorming and its application in problem-solving. I used to think that design think has nothing to relate with brainstorming. However, I learned that sole decision making to solve a problem is always challenging, and people may make mistakes in this process (Levine et al., 2016). For instance, when generating means of reducing coffee bags and plastic bags wastage. Due to brainstorming, we were able to come up with ideas of converting plastic bags and coffee cups into biodegradable materials as well as proper disposal into water bodies. In the brainstorming event, few things became invented. This was the result of laziness and comfort by people like remote, pizza delivery, and dishwater. At the end of the lesson, I had gained a proper understanding of design thinking and empathy in need analysis.

Learning launch: Blog Description
During lecture nine, the topic of learning launch was started by the instructor. In its introduction, Dr. Michael defined the concept of learning launch and provided its importance in our course. In its definition, learning launch involves experimenting a marketplace using real-world assumptions. In the brief, the instructors gave us three steps for this concept. These steps entail planning, executing, and lastly learning from the learning launch. In the activity conduction, this related to the 8th-week lesson of a prototype. But in this sense, we thought from a rough perspective in attempts to advance our ideas in relation to learning launch.

Learning Launch: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
Prior to lecture nine discussions, I was unable to relate learning launch and its impact in a marketplace. I used to think that the concept does not apply in real-world situations. On the lesson, I understood that learning launch is the process of assumption testing in the real world marketplace situations. In the lecture, I learned that learning launch exists in three steps; planning the learning launch, executing the learning launch, and third learning from the learning launch (Al?Zahrani, 2015). In attempts to ensure we understood the concept well, the lecturer used the examples of Nicorette and Pfizer after which we were tasked to undertake a small activity that related to lecture eight prototypes. Later, we undertook a rough plan idea in attempts to advance our learning on the idea. In this situation, I gained an understanding of what real launch entails.

Ethics: Blog Discussion
This blog was discussed on August 31st, 2018 in this reflective writing assignment; and it was about the research data. The main objective of the discussion used in this reflective writing assignment was coming up with ways of improving the research data as well as collecting it. Our tutor provided us with the tricks and tips for gathering sufficient and appropriate data. His explanations were full of perfect examples that greatly assisted us in understanding the concept. The tutor taught us that data exists in either qualitative or quantitative modes. We did various activities pertaining to data collection, where certain ethical concepts were to be applied. The tutor taught us that data collections go hand in hand with research ethics. Without research ethics, a researcher is incomplete.

Ethics: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
During this discussion, I learned the relationship between research data and ethics. I was not aware that acquiring the right research data requires a researcher to possess certain ethical attributes. It is not only in Australia but also a worldwide requirement that research is integrated with ethical skills, such as integrity, respect, independence, and objectivity (Aguinis & Henle, 2002). In this lesson, I learned that data is acquired through surveys and gathering of information through other sources. Also important, the two types of data are quantitative and qualitative approaches. However, the most important aspect in research data collection is ethics. Ethics assists researchers improve the quality of their research data. Perfect ethics leads to perfect research, and every researcher needs to have this understanding. Ethics define researcher interview skills in design thinking, and this is a core attribute to every researcher.

Mindset design: Blog Description
On the 24th August 2018, this marked the culmination of design research discussion point of the week. Our professor gave us a perfect example of how the value chain is used and every attribute we are all required to know about the value chain. He explained that value chain entails a type of activity inside an organizational setting combined and utilized after a product or service creation. The lesson also discussed on value addition whereby every stakeholder ranging from customers, employees, and suppliers work towards increasing profitability and productivity of a company.

Mindset: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
Prior to the mindset study week lesson, the concept of value chain did not seem clear to me especially in the context of organizational profitability. After the lesson, I learned that value chain is any activity that involves suppliers, customers, and employees in order for a company to raise its profitability. A good Australian instance used in this mindset lesson was for companies like Shell, Woolworth, and Tiger Air. I understood that successful companies major on value network activities and the use of value network in activities such as benchmarking and workshops (Carter, 2008). I used to think that value network activities do not add value to the business. Instead, they are costly for an organization. However, my mindset was transformed after the lesson on learning that the benefits or this activity outshine the costs. Worldwide, the best-performing companies in terms of profits and productivity invest a lot in value creation and networking activities. At the end of the lesson, our mindsets were already transformed- and each student was ready to explore and practice this in their future career prospects.

Think Creativity: Blog Discussion
This blogging activity majored on creative thinking. All students participated in the creative thinking activities organized by our lecturer. We discussed various items in assessment 2 in a group assignment. The fact that the lesson was new to everyone, the tutor furnished us with creative thinking examples. In the course of group discussions, everyone made new friends. Sharing ideas became easy, and this is why the lesson was a success to all of us.

Think Creativity: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
Prior to the lesson, nearly every student possessed the wrong understanding and interpretation of what creative thinking entails. I learned that thinking creatively requires the thinker to go outside the box. And consulting group members is a way of outside the box. Teamwork is vital in thinking creatively since people think differently and have different ideas regarding any matter. I used to think that wild thinking and ideas always give bad results. However, from the lesson, I learned that it is from wild and meaningful thinking that innovative ideas get generated. In every assessment, students must think outside the box in order to succeed in their studies. Failure to which, success becomes a fantasy. Creative thinking analysis is key and vital before making any decision (Lehrer, 2012). The layout and arrangement of ideas by students in their assignments reflects their level of thinking creatively. All in all, group discussions create a good environment in which every participant can think creatively and come up with new and useful ideas for resolving the problem at hand.

Creative Thinking: Blog Discussion
The 1st and 2nd assignment lessons were discussed in this lecture. The main focus was employed on assignment 1 about poster presentation. Designing of the posters and their review by the tutor was undertaken. Brainstorming activities followed the posters designing. The room for brainstorming desired to create room for creative thinking. Poster designs were to show our creativity levels.

Creative Thinking: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
During this activity, creative thinking was practically applied, tested, and reviewed by the tutor. Initially, I only understood the creative thinking in theoretical terms. However, in this lecture; we made posters which were reviewed by the lecturer to determine our creativity levels given that we already had learned the concept in theory. I learned that before designing anything, thorough brainstorming of the idea is required; and this is how teamwork systems work and operate (Gollwitzer, 2012). In this context, I learned that creative thinking goes beyond theory to new ideas, new innovations, and something unique that when applied helps resolve merging world issues. I also learned that in designing any innovative idea, one must be time conscious. Thus, creative thinking must integrate theory to practicability.

Thinking is the best way to get success: Blog Discussion
This lecture focused on a certain poster that related to some thinking process. First and foremost, we discussed Einstein's insanity theory. We found that the theory encourages people to work over and over again in order to acquire different and meaningful results.

Thinking is the best way to get success: Blog Analysis and Evaluation
During the lesson, I learned that success directly relates to our rates of thinking. In particular, Einstein’s theory of insanity was vital in this lesson. Prior to this discussion referred in this reflective writing assignment, my thinking about achieving good results was that people require only training. However, I learned that it is by making the mind work over and over again that people and businesses succeed (Zahra & Nambisan, 2012). Funny enough, my interpretation that once given a task by a tutor or a manager; people should work on it and deliver results with no feedback from the tutor or managers was false. I learned that proper thinking goes hand in hand with results feedback system. Without providing feedback results, success cannot get achieved. Business thinking is vital for every employee and employer (Madsen & Desai, 2010). Failure to which then the business will collapse. Double loop learning, single loop learning, and triple loop learning dictate thinking in its best way. At the end of the lecture, I learned that business success is dependent on the thinking level of its managers and other stakeholders.

This reflective writing assignment has followed two stages under which focus on the blogs, their description, and critical analysis preceded the identification of key point and solutions applicable to similar instances. reflective writing assignment thus helps learners in reflective about the past and applying them in real life situations. In this reflective writing assignment, students reflect on their strengths and weaknesses in different areas; and thus able to measure what impact the lessons or events under analysis and evaluation have had in their lives both academically and career-wise. Therefore, universities should make reflective writing assignment as a mandatory course that every student must undertake before completion of his or her university studies. Reflective writing assignments are being prepared by our management homework help experts from top universities which let us to provide you a reliable university assignment help service.

References
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Brown, T., & Wyatt, J. (2010). Design thinking for social innovation. Development Outreach, 12(1), 29-43. Retrieved from: https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/pdf/10.1596/1020-797X_12_1_29

Carter, E. (2008). Successful change requires more than change management. The Journal for Quality and participation, 31(1), 20. Retrieved from: https://search.proquest.com/openview/aac3932c8d69430c7c45b79f9237ee49/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=37083

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Madsen, P. M., & Desai, V. (2010). Failing to learn? The effects of failure and success on organizational learning in the global orbital launch vehicle industry. Academy of Management Journal, 53(3), 451-476. Retrieved from: https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2010.51467631

Seidel, V. P., & O’Mahony, S. (2014). Managing the repertoire: Stories, metaphors, prototypes, and concept coherence in product innovation. Organization Science, 25(3), 691-712. Retrieved from: https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/abs/10.1287/orsc.2013.0879

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