This document discusses the benefits of experiential learning, team building, and group exercises for developing employability skills. It states that experiential learning involves learning from experiences and allows people to learn how to react in different situations. Team building improves commitment between employees and companies by allowing people to work towards shared goals. Group exercises help improve communication skills through discussions and interactions with others. Overall, experiential learning, teamwork, and group activities help people learn to accomplish goals, understand different perspectives, and improve skills relevant for the workplace.
2. “Using reflective writing techniques and with reference to academic sources, consider
the benefits of Experiential Learning, Group Exercises and Teamwork to developing
and improving your employability. How do these activities improve yourself awareness
and identify your level of competency in business?”
Introduction
It is said that there is one thing which is constant in this world and it is called as
‘change’. Change is found happening everywhere around this world whether anyone
likes it or not. The work place environment involves plenty of changes without anyone
participating in it and is even not aware about it at times. Change will keep on
happening and if anyone is not able to adapt to it will be left behind simply. Businesses
nowadays not only require adapting to the changes but they need to be quick in order
to predict the change. Management needs not to rely on reacting to the changes which
are happening which can often leave them behind and are then found to be struggling.
There is something which needs to be done by the management and the basic thing
which they must look upon is the focus on their employees who are working in the
company. It is therefore really essential for the individuals nowadays to work on the
factor of experiential learning, group exercises and teamwork. This can really help in
meeting the different organizational requirements these days that are looking for a
change in employees (SILBERMAN, 2007).
Experiential learning
Many of the organizations nowadays are under serious pressure to grow, innovate,
adapt and learn. Therefore individuals must consider working on the three main areas
that are experiential learning, teamwork and group exercises to understand the
changes which are relevant to the business. Experiential learning is known as the
process in which the participants engage in the experiences which are authentic ones
with certain consequences and benefits. In other words it can be said that it is learning
from all the different experiences. Through experiential learning the individuals can be
practical in their approach as they are practicing something new which helps them in
learning better especially when they are more aware about the benefits and
consequences of their own actions. This can also help them with their employability in
reacting to different situations perfectly while at workplace. Experiential learning is also
immersive and interactive which means that the individuals are not only engaging in the
own roles but also in the roles of other people which can help them in understanding
the importance of people around them and how the role of people differ in
organizations. It is very easily applicable to the job as the experiential learning is based
on the practical and realistic scenarios. It is not only helpful in gaining experience but
also in retaining the skills and education. Experiential learning allows understanding the
requirement for change and also helps the individuals to understand the bigger picture
(WESSELS, 2005).
3. Team building
Team building is another indispensable activity considered for any corporation or
business, but this factor is often overlooked by most of the individuals these days. If the
individuals are looking to bring an improvement in terms of the efficiency within the
company and also in the day to day working environment, they must consider some of
the major factors. Firstly the advantage of team building for the individuals is that it can
help in improving the commitment to both the employees and the company. Working
together can help in creating the rapport and there are shared aims which can bring lot
of people together which will result in strengthening the connection which the
employees are feeling for their company. There are not only the group exercises which
are great way of bringing people together, but also an excellent way of celebrating the
success as the overall company. If the employees are working in team and they are
finding some of the great rewards, they will be using their best of their abilities to strive
in reaching the targets set by the company. Hence it can be said that by working in
teams and doing some of the group exercises, the individuals can complete the task
perfectly by interacting with many brains which is really helpful and productive. This can
also be really good while they are employed in the organization which depends heavily
on the team work as well. The overall motivation level will also increase and they will
work up to the expectations of the company (DYER, 2013).
Improved communication through group exercises
The good communication skills are really essential for anyone these days. It is vital for
an individual to communicate well if he needs to get employed in the high profile
company. There are many occasions which have led to companies facing the problems
because of the poor flow of communication network and channels especially because
of the misconstrued messages which have created havoc in the working environment.
Team building can be really helpful in improving the communications amongst the
employees in any company as it helps to interact with people around the individuals
and there are certain ideas which are being proposed through different ways. There are
certain group activities which are conducted by the management these days which can
be helpful in improving the communication skills of an individual which can help them in
adopting different types of communication skills. The individuals must focus on
improving their communication skills through discussions, telephone conversations and
emails to impress the management of company through creating the first impression
because of excellent communication skills (BELMONT, 2006).
Conclusion
Another great feature of team building is the drawing of people together which a normal
working environment cannot do so easily. There is an increased collaboration which
4. can help in feeling an achievement which everyone can share and the work becomes a
lot easier. The individuals can share the knowledge with each other and discuss about
different alternatives and also getting the vital feedback. This whole process of
experiential learning, team work and group exercises can really help an individual in
being together with other people and helps in learning how to accomplish a goal and
whether it is an effective and rewarding one or not in terms of the personal and
professional life.
References
DYER, W. G., (2013). Team building: proven strategies for improving team
performance. San Francisco, CA, Jossey-Bass.
WESSELS, M. (2005). Experiential learning: preparing learners for experiential
learning and graduate placement. Lansdowne, Cape Town, Juta.
BELMONT, J. A. (2006). 103 group activities and treatment ideas & practical strategies.
Eau Claire, Wis, PESI.
SILBERMAN, M. L. (2007). The handbook of experiential learning. San Francisco,
Pfeiffer.