Task C: Kolb's Learning Cycle

Kolb's Learning Cycle is the key model in current use relating to adult learning and development. It allows me to know my own learning style to develop more effectively and building skills and experience to meet my life goals.

The principle of Kolb's learning cycle is that we all follow the following four stages of learning as we acquire knowledge, experience and skill.

Concrete Experience provides a basis for Reflective Observation. These observations can be distilled in to Abstract Concepts, which are then Actively tested with Experimentation. Concrete Experience of the experiments start over the Learning Cycle.

1) Concrete Experience: 

Last year I was doing my Foundation Degree in Graphics & multimedia design at Barnet College. As a part of the course, I’ve done a work experience in Abu Dhabi Media Company and worked as a Multimedia Producer for The National Newspaper. My concrete experience was gained from what I’ve learned from my teachers at the college for two years. They’ve taught me how to produce my own multimedia content using different procedures and techniques in a highest standards of practice and conduct.  I felt more confident due to my concrete experience that I’ve experienced mentally and physically, even though I worked as a designer before in a freelance radio station.  Being motivated by my teachers made me encouraged to contact different companies and plan a new experience overseas. After several contacts, they accepted me and confirmed my place as intern for one month.  I think any work assignments should last at least a year, but my course required one-month period only. I prepared myself for any possible obstacles or challenging prospects with excitement. It was more an adventure than a adapting a new experience for my educational criteria. I was aware that this invaluable experience would be seen as a real career booster that will implement my competitive edge.

2) Reflective Observation:

However, My role was to make key contacts with many reporters, photographers and analysts to produce their video or interactive content with the multimedia team and publish it in the newspaper website. Being a shy person and worked previously with small groups, I found it hard at the beginning to communicate with a vast array of employees that I know and don’t know to achieve my daily tasks. 
Moreover, I wasn’t familiar with Apple software packages (e.g. Final Cut and Logic Express) and some high-tech cameras and accessories that the multimedia team used to deliver the work. Unfortunately, the college introduced me to certain packages of Adobe creative suite and limited equipments.  I referred that to the high priced market that offers a new updated models and features every year. I thought to myself that it would be quite ineffective and time consuming for a newspaper ideology that expects me to be more productive. In spite of everything, all given tasks were due to short and strict deadlines. 

3) Abstract Conceptualisation:
One of my teachers was always recommending us to have an online training resource to get back to it whenever we need to find tips or technical help about any new software. I used that to train myself using the software at work. Actually, I was working and training in the same time. I switched my schedule around so that the assignments would get done in time. I was really impressed how I managed to use Apple software in short time.  Some tasks were finished early using my previous skills in Adobe applications.  The manager liked the way I learned the program and since then, I became very good with it. The team was so helpful by dividing the work between the others in the office and by introducing me personally to number of reporters to do their multimedia contents.  That really helped me to discuss and plan confidently with them and how their contents will be and when to be published. Also, the main newspaper block was never closed for reporters who work late at night. I took that period of time into my advantage to be trained by the manager to be capable using the equipments and tools in the office for the next task.

4) Active Experimentation:
My active experimentation was reflected in the followed assignment, when I had to use canon XHA1 HD camcorder to film an interview and take some shots of a musical performance.  I used the camera efficaciously with the other supplies and completed the first part of the work in a half-day. When I got back to the office, I imported the video file using another plugged-in device (Sony tape deck) into the program (Final cut) to capture the file and make it ready for modifying. After discussing and previewing the subject with the reporter, I edited the video in a few hours. At the end of the day it was ready to be published in the website in following day. The manager was so pleased by my work and the technical level I’ve reached in a brief period of time.  My experience gave me more assurance to do more assignments for the last two weeks that will remain. I believed that the more tasks I adopt into my desk, the more experience I’ll gain into my knowledge.

Summary:

Ideally, an overseas employer will give one far greater responsibility than would a similar position in the UK.  This opportunity gave me a chance to know the flavor of the business customs of Middle East culture. Also made me meet the highest standards of a professional environment that I wouldn’t get at the college. I got really good feedback letter from the manager to my tutor saying how “impressive” I was to produce a lot of work in a short time. Kolb’s Learning Cycle theory actualized my new experience cycle and I really plan to put these into effect on what I’ll learn later on in the future.