Writing A Paper On REFLECTION IN PRACTICE: MENTAL MODELS?

Running head: SHORT PROJECT TITLE 1

 

PROJECT TITLE NAME LONGER VERSION 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Title

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University Name

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Identify and briefly describe your target audience (organization). This course is about organizational learning and leadership in organizations. Choose an organization you are familiar with to write a substantive, doctoral-level analysis about the required topics (personal mastery and mental models) as related to organizational learning and systems thinking.

#### USE THE ORGANIZATION OF UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY SCHOOLS K-12 #### — ADMINISTRATICE TEAM

INFO IS:

Known as one of Detroit’s longest standing tuition-free charter schools, University Prep Schools encompasses three distinguishing and unique districts; University Prep Academy, University Prep Science & Math, University Prep Art & Design. Within our districts are 10 campuses that provide children in grades K-12 with a rigorous education preparing them for college and career.  All U Prep Schools are clean, safe, state-of-the art learning communities located in the heart of Detroit. Our culture is based upon a set of distinctive core values creating a nurturing and loving environment that is ripe for learning. Our organizational model is unique and provides dedicated support to the students, faculty, staff and building operations.

We believe the world is our classroom and through our program students explore a variety of career pathways and unique learning opportunities that inspire young minds to reach their full potential. Partnerships and collaborations include the University of Detroit Mercy, College for Creative Studies, Amazon, LIFT, Detroit Zoological Society, Detroit Police Academy, and others. These learning opportunities provide students an awareness of career options and attainment of dual degrees and certifications. Please speak with the School Director or the School Operations Manager regarding the pathways and learning opportunities available at your campus.

The U Prep community is committed to the families we serve. Our resource rich community provides a variety of parent engagement initiatives, special education services, on-site medical clinics, and college and career counselors to help ensure your child achieves success in life.

Celebrating 20 years serving the families of Detroit, U Prep Schools is steeped in values, traditions, experiences and structures to develop engaged college and career ready learners. To learn more about our origin, click here.

We invite you to come tour our school and learn more about the U Prep experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Mastery and Mental Models

Provide context to your audience by, in your own words, writing a brief description of personal mastery and mental models. What is personal mastery? What are mental models? (This means to describe these concepts in your own words, briefly.) How do personal mastery and mental models make possible personal and organizational learning? (This is asking you to think about the evolution of employees and how it affects the organization as a whole.) How do the principles of personal mastery and mental models interact to strengthen and reinforce one another? (Consider these concepts intertwined and how this affects organizational learning, and perhaps, even leadership within organizations. Always bring this back to the organization.) How do personal mastery and mental models provide a foundation for engaging in or strengthening systems thinking? (This is another organizational learning concept to also consider within your written analysis.)

Dr. J’s Note: The idea of “well-chosen quotations from the text” does not mean direct quotes. As doctoral learners, you should learn to use paraphrased citations to occasionally support the development of your written critical analysis. What is valued is the development of your written analysis, supported with sources. This includes your insightful summary and interpretation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application of Models

Identify and briefly define those elements of personal mastery and mental models that directly pertain to your chosen group or individual. Dr. J’s Note: Now you switch from thinking in broader terms, to thinking specifically about what you wrote in the last section, to your specific organization. This is why you cannot and should not write about a person. You must focus on an organization and relate this to organizational learning.

The Scoring Guide states: Applies the concept of mental models to address issues faced by an organization. Dr. J’s Note: As you apply the concepts, think of a relevant issue to apply it to and then you can use the same issue in the next section to write about organizational improvement.

The Scoring Guide states: Specific and accurate references to systems thinking are consistently used to support the analysis. The impact of multiple internal and external factors on the organization is thoroughly and insightfully explained. Dr. J’s Note: What is valued is the development of your written analysis, supported with sources. This includes your insightful explanation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational Improvement

Explain to your audience how personal mastery and mental models can create opportunities for improvement within the organization. Your explanation should be responsive to the perspectives of your audience. Provide specific support for your statements and assertions as you draw connections between personal mastery and mental models and your examples. Your examples should include specific details that promote greater understanding of the aspects of personal mastery and mental models that you want to convey to your audience.

Dr. J’s Note: Explain how employees who become aware of these concepts could create opportunities for improvement within your chosen organization. Be certain to consider how you might explain these concepts. How would you explain mental models to someone who has never heard of it before? Dr. J’s Note: What is meant by specific support is not making generalizations. This means avoiding the “should” and “must” statements. Always back up your statements with research and data. Make well-informed statements, not generalized or highly subjective statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions

At the end of your paper include at least three questions about personal mastery and mental models as they relate to your audience that, when thoughtfully considered, might promote continuous improvement and organizational learning. Dr. J’s Note: Do not use bullet points or numbering. As a doctoral learner, write with complete sentences and paragraphs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

A Conclusion needs to be substantive. As a doctoral student the paper must demonstrate critical analysis. When writing, ask yourself: did you fully and completely address the initial thesis statement you developed in you Introduction? Important Note: The Conclusion is not a place to include citations or new information. It is your thoughtful wrap-up and evaluation of the thesis statement made at the beginning of your paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

[Sample References]

Pershing, J., Stolovitch, H. D., Keeps, E. J., & Pershing, J. A. (2006). Handbook of human performance technology: Principles, practices, and potential. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

****Senge, P. M. (2006). The fifth discipline: The art & practice of the learning organization. New York: Random House Business.— MUST USE THIS ONE

Van Tiem, D. M., Moseley, J. L., & Dessinger, J. C. (2012). Fundamentals of performance improvement: Optimizing results through people, process, and organizations. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.