A8: Self Assessment
The following is my justification for my personal grading of my self managed learning plan carried out as part of unit 29: Effective Lifelong Learning.
In order for me to gain a pass I need to first satisfy the initial learning objectives I laid out in my plan. Below are each of the objectives and whether I feel I have met these to earn at least a pass.
Learning Objective One
Research PHP and MySQL to clarify how they are currently used in industry.
Although not 100% successful in obtaining industry professional accounts of how they use the technologies on a daily basis, like I had wanted. I have managed to obtain enough knowledge to enable me to write my crib sheet explaining in basic terms what PHP and MySQL can be used for in terms of everyday web design. This research was carried out reading up on the subject in multiple places online and also within the previously detailed resources.
Objective met? Yes
Learning Objective Two
Learn how to use the chosen technologies to solve a range of real life situations.
As part of my learning I have undertaken a number of different tasks and built several different items. Some of which I implemented into my final project. The following are some of things I have learned;
- Form processing,
- Managing sessions and cookies,
- Formatting textual inputs,
- Validating inputs,
- Comparing usernames and passwords to those on file,
- Uploading items.
This is by no means the extent of what I have learned over the last five weeks but I feel it does show I have looked at a range of real life situations.
Objective met? Yes
Learning Objective Three
Create a website following a creative brief.
This learning outcome is the one I nearly struggled the most with. Although my learning was substantial during this brief I then had to amalgamate all this into one website to produce the required end product. The website along with a learning website have been produced using both PHP and MySQL.
Objective met? Yes
Learning Objective Four
Reflect on learning undertaken throughout the plan outlining strengths and weaknesses.
In order to meet this outcome I set myself the target of keeping both a weekly journal and summarising my whole learning process at the end within a 1000 (±10%) word entry at the end of the brief. These were both kept and in them I feel I let the reader have a clear understanding of where I was at throughout the steps of my brief.
Objective met? Yes
The Merit Criteria
Merit Criteria One
You demonstrate a thorough understanding of the assignments theoretical principles, and successfully apply them to your work.
I think the I understood the theoretical side of this assignment in that is was supposed to help me on many levels toward becoming an independent learner in the future. I did learn what I set out to learn it could have been done in a much more structured way. This to me shows a lack of applying things to my work as suggested.
Criteria met? No
Merit Criteria Two
You effectively use a range of devices that monitor the progress of the assignment.
Within this assignment I kept a weekly journal of my progress and that was about it with regards to monitoring my progress. I failed to keep time sheets for this assignment and this showed toward the end when I left myself a lot to do as I hadn’t really got a real clue of how long I was taking to get things done.
Criteria met? No
Merit Criteria Three
Your investigation into the creative and/or technical potential of the assignment produce near professional solutions.
I don’t feel the solutions I provided [for the things I was creating] provided enough technical solutions to justify near-professional standards. What I am meaning here is that things like my form could have had inline validation, my passwords could have been encrypted within the database. These would be things I would see as being near professional standards.
Criteria Met? No
The Distinction Criteria
Distinction Criteria One
You reflect on your work and personal performance. You clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of both, and give a substantial insight into your decision making process.
Having kept both the journal and consciously kept note of things I have found difficult throughout the course of the plan I think this is one of my stronger areas. I can also be over critical sometimes but am aware that without setting myself high standards I will not improve.
Criteria Met? Yes
Distinction Criteria Two
You take responsibility for a significant amount of your own learning.
I feel this was and is one of my strong points. If I want to know something I will go out and learn it. My drive and own ambition are the things that help me to achieve this and in this instance it has served me well.
Criteria met? Yes
Distinction Criteria Three
You creative originality and/or technical expertise is of a professional standard.
I don’t feel the final project I produced on this assignment could be seen as professional standard work. Although the quantity of things I have produced within the timescale does show me that I may have been working at a professional pace. I do feel some of the work produced was of a professional standard but not enough to warrant meeting the above statement.
Criteria met? No
Overall Grade: Pass