Personal Development Plan

Personal Development Plan Overview

Task 1 >

You are looking for a job in the IT industry and have joined ITK with a view to them helping you to succeed in finding the perfect occupation. ITK have indicated that there has been an employment boom in the web design and computer systems industries recently and feel that one of these occupations could be the way forward to meeting your long term aspirations.

Create a personal development plan based on the ‘Key Requirements’ document that ITK has given you. Your development plan must include:

·         A breakdown of your current strengths and weaknesses in both disciplines

·         A statement of your aspirations, education and training

·         An action plan with clear goals that will help you reach your target

Grading Criteria: P7 – Produce a personal development plan

Useful Information:
The following table outlines the skills that are necessary to succeeded in the web design and computer systems industries and will be covered during the remainder of year 12.

Computer Systems (Unit 2)	Website Production (Unit 28)
Knowledge of Computer Hardware Components	Knowledge of web architecture and components which enable internet and web functionality
Knowledge of Operating Systems	Knowledge of user side and server side factors that can influence website usability
Knowledge of Software Utilities	Knowledge of security risks and protection mechanisms that can effect website performance
Knowledge of Installing Hardware/Software Components	Ability to create a consistent website that meets a client’s needs, including: 1.       Text/Images 2.       Templates 3.       Interactive Objects 4.       Importing of different media
	Ability to design a website that meets client’s needs.

Time Plan:

Unit 2	Term 2 (7/01/2013 – 28/03/2013)
Unit 28	Term 3 (25/02/2013 – 24/05/2013)

Move onto next page for P7, P8 and D2 criteria

P7 – Creating a Personal Development Plan

Activity:

Based on the Task 1 scenario (Previous page) you must now create your own PDP that will be later uploaded to a blog and followed for the remainder of the year.

A - PDP

1.       Establish Purpose/Direction

Based on the ‘useful information’ section on the previous page describe what your main strengths are and what areas you think need to be developed for each discipline. Remember that you must justify each of your strengths against your past experiences and training.

Computer Systems (Unit 2)
Strengths	Possible Areas to Develop
-Windows 7 operating system exp -Apple operating system exp -Knowledge of software	-Limited knowledge of hardware -No experience with building a computer -No experience installing operating systems

Website Production (Unit 28)
Strengths	Possible Areas to Develop
-Animation         -2D         -3D -Experience with Dreamweaver -Experience with Flash -Experience with Photoshop	-Limited knowledge of coding -Limited knowledge of creating animations for the internet -No experience with creating graphics for the internet

2.       Identify Your Development Needs

Outline which of the highlighted development areas will be your priority (e.g. which are you main weaknesses) and justify why you have chosen them (e.g. knowledge of building a computer – never had the opportunity to build a standalone computer).

Priority 1	No experience with building computers
Priority 2	Limited knowledge of hardware
Priority 3	No experience installing operating systems
Priority 4	Limited knowledge of coding
Priority 5	No experience with creating graphics for the internet
Priority 6	Limited knowledge of creating animations for the internet

3.       Development Opportunities

Explain how you hope to improve the skills that you have highlighted. What resources/opportunities will be at your disposal (e.g. lesson time, online tutorials)

Researching tutorials on creating animations and graphics for the internet as well as how to export them to a suitable format. Watch tutorials and get help from my teacher on how to use coding and animation software and learn how to export/use them for the internet. Research different operating systems and ask my teacher about them and how they work.

4.       Formulate Action Plan – Set Targets

Create a set of SMART targets based on your identified needs from the previous section.

Target 1	To learn how to export animations and images for the internet
Target 2	To export some animations and images to the internet
Target 3	To learn how to code pages for the internet
Target 4	To learn the different parts of a computer’s hardware
Target 5	To learn how to install an operating system on a computer
Target 6	To learn how to assemble a computer

B - Blogger

Create a blogger account called “<<Your Name>> Btec Level 3 Unit 1 PDP” and enter the details below so that you don’t forget your credentials.

User Name	armthorpeasAClark
Password
Blogger Address	http://aidenclarklevel3unit1pdp.blogspot.co.uk/