1. Running Head: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 1
Individual Reflective Essay
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

2. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 2
Description and Feelings
Throughout this module, I have learned many things and encountered diverse
experiences, both exciting and challenging. It has been a great moment to develop my knowledge
and understanding in each of the different areas within the course. The module as a whole has
enabled me to explore further into my strengths and work on improving my weaknesses so that I
can enhance my overall performance. Working with other students during class assignments and
projects has enabled me to advance my skills such as communication, effective learning, and
teamwork. Besides, working with other people on the various tasks has made the learning
experience in Loughborough University more interesting and enjoyable. In fact, in our previous
group project, we significantly helped each other and cooperated on all the necessary tasks. The
encouragements and inspirations we provided to each other were unprecedented. I feel I have
gained a lot from them, exchanging thoughts and ideas about many diverse issues, expressing
different viewpoints and inspiring me to develop my own thinking.
For the most part of this module, the tasks have been enjoyable and exciting to carry out.
It has been a continuous process with most of the tasks being completed in the last month of the
semester. I feel that by completing these tasks all through the module, I am now able to multitask
and balance my duties as a learner in the campus. In a group of three members, we focused on a
project regarding gamification of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park wayfinding for increasing the
social interaction within student groups. I decided to join this group and focus on such subject
because I felt it was a bit more interactive, thus, it was easy to complete and understand the
various concepts related to it. As well, I wanted to challenge myself in a new area for the growth
of my future career. Having participated in such project means I will always have an idea of how

3. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 3
companies design games based on human behaviors. Generally, I feel more confident in using
the game and understanding the advantages of such a tool.
Evaluation and Analysis
The module has helped me to understand the significance of all aspects of
communication, both verbal and non-verbal, such as eye contact, facial expression and touch. It
has made me know how important teamwork can be in completing the various assignments and
projects. Indeed, the group played a key role in my development in this module. Even though we
started at a low tendency, the performance of the group improved rapidly in the specified period
of completing the project. The team was formed as per the Tuckman teamwork theory, whereby
members often go through recognizable stages as they interact and focus on a collective goal
(West, 2012). At the beginning, the team members had not fully understood what the team will
do, and everyone was trying to understand each other. After sometimes, we started working in
different ways, but concentrating on the project. Then the group settled to a functional phase,
during which we focused on role-relatedness.
Even though we started to work connectedly in the norming stage, we all contributed our
thoughts, debated about probable time of the meeting and the plan of our project. As one of the
key member of the group, I was able to develop harmonious interactions with the rest of the
group members. My aspiration was to complete the project at the right time and achieve all the
requirements and objectives. Throughout the project, there were a number of tasks, which we
would help each other by subdividing them and assigning each member a specific sub-task. As
Levi (2011) asserts, this a great way of completing any given project because it simplifies the
tasks and makes the objectives achievable. The group was made up of three members, who
carried out different and specific tasks. This was based on the premise that every member of a

4. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 4
group possesses distinctive behavior which might influence the performance of the activity
(Palmer, 2017).
Since the project involved many tasks, it was important for each member to perform at
least two tasks. But before this, we decided to select a leader who could oversee the progress and
activities of the group. We equally shared the tasks, particularly on the research section which
involved tasks such as examining the student's familiarity with the Olympic Park, knowing
whether the students were interested in the proposed game and what kind of game type and game
mode do students prefer to the suggested game. I performed my given task – literature review
and research methods - independently, however, I ensured there was proper communication
within the group, especially regarding the overall development of the group. In order to make
sure that all objectives and outcomes of the module were achieved, we would often meet, like
thrice per week. It is through these meetings that we could communicate various ideas and
thoughts, making everyone to benefit at the personal level. I believe the appropriate way of
learning is to become an independent learner which in itself needs proper communication skills
and discipline (Messersmith, 2015).
At the group and personal level, I must say that we developed good time management
skills, mainly for accomplishing deadlines in the submission of various tasks and for
incorporating the research with domestic needs. As we were about to progress in the performing
stage, the members did not observe the group dynamics effectively. One of the member was
more interested in getting his work completed based on been the best. For my part, when this
occurred, people in a group stop communicating, the objective and message become unclarified.
Consequently people carry out the tasks on their own terms. Although the group still functions,

5. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 5
there is no relationship-based communication. I informed every member about this issue and
they promised to improve and adhere to the team’s rules and regulations.
One of the most challenging task was accessing and seeking participants for our research
project, however, it became clearer as other students understood what we are doing and the
significance of the project. Finding the research materials was also a difficult task for me and the
group at a large. We had few devices to access to the internet but with the help of the IT
department, we were able to use the computers to find the relevant journal articles as well as the
concepts and ideas related to the project. Sometimes, the group members could do their tasks
individually, and this could lead to miscommunication; hence, destabilizing the entire group.
Even though everyone had other issues to carry out, lack of teamwork disrupts everything in the
group, making the group dynamic to lose its structure, which further makes the group to struggle
(Herbert, 2012).
Conducting a literature review during the module, taught me how to use the search
engines using key terms to find the applicable articles. The entire process has given me an
insight into what research requires and the various methodologies that are used. In fact, I came to
realize that academic articles are peer-reviewed before being printed in reliable journals.
Carrying out the literature search is an important part of learning (Pavord and Donnelly, 2015). It
provides the student with an awareness of what they can do in research and what needs to be
enhanced. Throughout the individual and group assignments, I noted the research part is quite
hard. Luckily, the topic we picked for the group project was of great interest to me and this made
the research much easier. Besides, I could really express how I felt about the issues involved in
the group project. With the feedback from the supervisor, I realized that we were able to address
the required areas of the marking criteria.

6. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 6
Based on Belbin (2012) teamwork concept, the role that best refers to me was
implementer because I ensured that the tasks were performed in a systematic and organized
manner. I also played a primary role in ensuring that the deadline and project's requirements
were met to avoid penalties from our supervisor. On my personal perspective, I would
confidently say the group roles were well discharged to meet the needs of the group. But there is
still much to be done in the future to ensure it performs better. As regards to this, I would like to
work with different members in the future to gain new ideas for doing group projects.
In terms of the challenges, the project consumed a lot of time and sometimes it was
stressful. Completing the personal tasks and then compiling them as a group took a longer time
than we had first anticipated. This highly affected the general performance of the group
members. I can recall being asked by one of the members whether doing this module has
affected my wellbeing and behavior. I would say the group project has both positive and negative
effects. The massive amount of knowledge and information I have acquired has been great in
giving me the confidence to design and apply diverse concepts. It has also motivated me to think
about topics, issues and ideas I have never really imagined due to lack of exposure and
opportunities. I feel the module has made me desire to continue making positive transformations
in my life, both at the campus and at home.
Conclusion and Action Plan
By reflecting on my experience in this group project, I can undoubtedly conclude that
working in a group or a team is very important. Researchers such as West (2012), Wright (2007)
and Moon (2004) have asserted that it is significant for people to collaborate on a project and
work towards achieving mutual goals. However, this cannot be realized if there is no proper
communication and cooperation among the members. According to Thompson (2018), effective

7. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 7
communication steers the accomplishment of a group task. Our group ensured that there was a
formality of order and suitable interaction. Everyone was doing according to the assigned tasks
and observed the group dynamics. While we were able to communicate and focus on the various
tasks, we were somehow disorganized and this affected the completion of the project. Our
communication was also based on the tasks rather than progressive interrelation because there
was little communication once we met. This was due to the lack of seriousness among some
members.
In the future, we should establish a group that is focused and which is guided by a strong
control and guidance. As Geroski and Kraus (2010) argue, a focused and strong leadership will
always ensure that the group work on a mutual success, with constant and effective interaction. I
will make sure that the group I work in the coming days have a leader who can manage the
affairs of the group. I would also motivate members to give feedbacks regularly and enable
proper communication within the group. Apart from these few challenges I encountered
throughout the module, my learning and understanding have been transformed. I hope to
continue maintaining my personal and professional growth by engaging in more group projects
and also seeking advice from my instructors. Moreover, I will continue to gain more knowledge
so that I can cope with the future challenges in my course. This reflective essay will not only
enhance my learning but also enhance my career growth, hence, helping me to close the gap
between theory and practice.

8. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 8
References
Belbin, R. M. (2012). Team Roles at Work. London: Routledge.
Geroski, A. M., & Kraus, K. L. (2010). Groups in schools: Preparing, leading, and responding.
Boston: Pearson.
Herbert, V. (2012). Effective teamwork resulted in the best outcome for everyone. Nursing
Standard, 26(44), 26-26.
Levi, D. (2011). Group dynamics for teams. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Messersmith, A. (2015). Preparing Students for 21st Century Teamwork: Effective Collaboration
in the Online Group Communication Course. Communication Teacher, 29(4), 219-226.
Moon, J. A. (2004). A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice.
Oxon: Routledge Falmer.
Palmer, P. (2017). Successful group work: 13 activities to teach teamwork skills. Branford,
Connecticut: Alphabet Publishing.
Pavord, E., & Donnelly, E. (2015). Communication and interpersonal skills. Banbury: Lantern.
Thompson, N. (2018). Effective Communication: A Guide for the People Professions. London:
Palgrave.
West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research.
Chichester: BPS Blackwell.
West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research.
Chichester: BPS Blackwell.

9. INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE ESSAY 9
Wright, B. (2007). Interpersonal skills. Keswick England: M & K Update.