In Unit Two, I began work on two of the major documents for the course- The Formal Report, and The Application Package. This unit allowed for more peer reviewing, which I find an excellent tool for writing improvement. I found this unit involved lots of brainstorming techniques and preparation work. I appreciate this aspect, as this way the student is able to receive feedback and criticism prior to delving into an assignment full force.
The first lesson focused on topic development for the report proposal. I found this process challenging because the action plan must be practical and able to be carried out, at least partially, over the next couple of months. This limited my options, however, I decided upon a problem that relates to my profession. Improving the quality of dental hygiene services is an issue I am quite passionate about; therefore, I felt it was a fitting topic to base my report on. I specifically wish to concentrate on the inadequate length of appointments at my current dental practice. I anticipate that scheduling changes will require some strong persuading techniques, so I am grateful to be addressing this action plan with the assistance of my colleagues and classmates. I believe it was useful to peer edit another individual’s proposal as it allowed me to recognize areas I could improve on in my own piece.
The second lesson allowed me to begin developing my professional application package through the creation of a LinkedIn account. This was an excellent chance for me to identify my skills and traits based on my past work and volunteer experience. I believe I am able to precisely differentiate myself from other dental hygienists by engaging in this assignment. For example, I now see that I have developed communication skills for many age groups based on my past experiences. I have not recognized this connection before, but I presume it is a useful trait to have when applying for a position. Also, I find this networking system a good way to meet other professionals I may wish to collaborate with in the future. The most useful part of this lesson, in my opinion, was researching best practices for LinkedIn. By reading through different blogs online, I became more familiar with how to make a strong, appealing profile. I was able to see different examples of profiles to get a sense for what a potential employer is interested in.
The third lesson was the most difficult for me. Development of an action plan outline was quite tedious and stressful. I did not consider how many details and planning sessions are required to make change with a workplace. I had to develop a survey for my co-worker to obtain insight on her view of the issue. It was difficult to make the survey both simple and quick while allowing for detailed answers. I tried to manage this by giving a variety of open-ended and closed-ended questions. Organizing a template for my report was extremely beneficial as I can now clearly identify which areas I want to research further and discuss at the planned consultations with the dentist.
In terms of peer editing, I have concluded that detailed critiques are more helpful for the writer as opposed to broad suggestions. I would like to work towards making my reviews more focused next time. Based on the feedback I received pertaining to my report proposal, my goal is to minimize over-wording my sentences, and avoid placing three verbs in a row.
I look forward to undertaking Unit Three with the newly acquired skills I have obtained through this unit.