Unit 1 Assignment 1

Unit 1 Assignment: Applying ICT principles, tools and strategies to personal study
Doreen Brobbey
BTEC HND Level 5: Health and Social Care
Oxford College

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Unit 1 Assignment: Applying ICT principles, tools and strategies to personal study
Task 1: ICT skills
Establishment of Effective Communication
Effective communication is key to ensure smooth functioning whether in professional
tasks or academic. Barriers in communication lead to disruptions and subsequent failures. In
terms of academic courses, it is highly pertinent to develop and maintain an effective channel of
communication with the relevant tutor. In this regard, it is essential that the communication with
tutor is direct without any intermediaries whenever possible. In my case, I intend to maintain a
direct line of communication with my tutor. Another aspect that is highly significant in this case
is to ensure that communication is mostly in written form. The benefit of this is that the tutor or
the student can provide a comprehensive explanation of any matter, leaving little or no room for
confusion or misinterpretation as a written text can be verified many times. In the case of verbal
communication, there might be many distortions and it is vulnerable to misinterpretation
particularly in the case of distance learning. However, verbal communication cannot be ruled out
as it also serves as a useful means of communication (Goetsch, and Davis, 2014).
Matters of course that requires extensive explanation for clarity would be inquired using
written methods of communication. In this regard, the student would be using emails to verify
from the professor. In addition, if the issue is not comprehensive in nature and requires brief
explanation, the recent communication applications such as WhatsApp can also be utilized. It is
an informal method of communication; however, it ensures direct and swift communication with
the capability of sending visual images as well. Additionally, verbal communication via
telephone contact would be utilized as the secondary method should written communications not
suffice and/or verification is required. However, email communication would be the primary
form of communication that would be established between the student and the tutor.
Technological tools for assistance

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Conventional approach to study involved utilization of textbooks and other reference
hard copies. However, technology has provide many facilities in this regard, and textbook
whereas still remain as primary source of information; technology has opened doors to many
avenues to information. One of the most useful technological sources, which the student intends
to utilize in this case, is that of YouTube. There are several lectures, programs and presentations
from various universities including Harvard and other prestigious institutions that provide
valuable guidance on course. YouTube, however, would be useful in terms of comprehension of
course outcomes. It cannot be utilized as a reference source for course. In addition, the internet
provides many databases for various journal and research articles that can be benefitted from.
The articles are peer-reviewed and credible, and can serve as a useful tool for contributing in
course requirements (Pera, 2013).
The other option which the student intends to use is social media application WhatsApp.
There are various study groups that are formed by this application, and like-minded students
participate in discussions to share their information on the matter. This is a useful method to
share and learn from like-minded and possible more capable individuals. Newspaper articles are
highly useful in terms of social care and health (Munn-Giddings and Winter, 2013). The internet
versions of newspaper would also be utilized to search for relevant material that can add value to
the course requirements. Hence, the applications of such newspapers, for instance, Guardian and
others would also be utilized.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT is the acronym of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is a model to
analyze the internal and external analysis of an environment or an entity. It is useful to conduct
evaluation of the relative benefits and risks. Evaluation of strengths and weaknesses are the
internal factors that are assessed. Evaluation of opportunities and threats are part of the external

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factors that can have an impact on the entity. The relative SWOT analysis of the student has been
conducted to identify areas that can contribute towards a positive study experience. The model is
as follows:
Strengths

Background in social care and health.

Sound academic background.
Effective reading and writing skills.
Avid user of technology.
Good analytical abilities

Opportunities

social care.

Weaknesses
Lack of organizational skills.
Lack of schedule development.

Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Access to qualified faculty.
Access to insightful research databases.
May lead to post-graduation in health and
Threats

Failure to successfully pass course.

The internal analysis of the student reveals that the internal strengths of the student
include background in health and social care. This can contribute positively in the course
outcomes. The academic background of the student is also reasonable which indicates a proven
record of successfully completing academic courses. The student also possesses sound reading
and writing skills that would benefit in the course. Use of technology is also one of the strengths
of the student that would enable her to apply it to achieve learning outcomes of the course. The
student also possesses good analytical abilities that are likely to support in the course
assignments. The relative internal weaknesses are the lack of organizational skills of the student
and lacking in ability to develop an appropriate schedule of milestone achievements. The
inadequate funding and proper infrastructure support provided by the institution is restricting the
use of ICT in schools. Seeking valuable information from the internet is helpful for students but
as internet is accessible and false information is also shared, students need to be precaution as it
is not easy to integrate with ICT with the involvement of teachers. The outcomes of the SWOT
identify how I could improve my learning skills. The experience of learning through the

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possibility to get more time towards the effectiveness of the study and cater the responsibility of
passing through the course will enable me to take charge. Effectively, the student needs to
organize in order to ensure that the strengths can be capitalized on. None the less, the ICT need
for education is very essential but I need to evaluate the information and need to come with my
own material using the information.
In the context of the relative external analysis, it can be observed that in terms of
opportunities, successful culmination of the course would lead to a diploma in Health and Social
Care. The student also has the benefit of qualified faculty which can greatly contribute in the
intellectual development and passing of course. Another useful opportunity that is present being
part of a prestigious college is access to research databases. The articles can greatly add value to
the intellectual capability of the student. The course can also prove to be a foundation leading up
to post-graduation in Health and Social Care. In terms of external analysis of threats, the only
risk that exists is failure to clear the course. The SWOT analysis presents the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the given environment. The strengths identified need to
be applied and weaknesses to be addressed. The opportunities need to be capitalized and
exploited and threats mitigated or eliminated. I will use these SWOT analyses to push me as a
motivational table and also help me to produce my work. Hence, the student intends to fully
apply the identified strengths and address the weaknesses by enhancing organizational skills. The
opportunities would be capitalized on and the sole threat would be avoided by eliminating factors
leading towards it.
Reflective Writing for applications
Reflective writing is an opportunity to refresh the items that have been learned in
conducting a particular task or learning outcome. It assists in summarizing the main points that
have been covered and forms a foundation of collective concepts that can be applied in practice.
Reflective writing also provides an opportunity to revisit essential concepts that may be vital in

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future tasks. Future applications can be supported through reflective writing as one gets a chance
to crystallize the concepts that have been identified. It also assists in the identification of any
syllabus outcome that may not have been fully comprehended previously. Hence, it can also
cover the parts that may have been missed previously.
Self-assessment for development
Self-assessment is highly significant in development of personal skills and subjectspecific knowledge. In terms of health care, diagnosis is prelude to relevant treatment. There can
be no treatment in the absence of diagnosis. Similarly, there can be no personal or technical skills
development in the absence of self-assessment. It is the same as diagnosis for a medical
treatment. In order to ensure that a particular outcome is achieved, it is essential that
shortcomings that can obstruct its achievement are identified and addressed fundamentally. One
of the methods of self-assessment is the SWOT analysis which the student has conducted above.
It reveals the strong and weak areas of the students that can be improved and opportunities that
can be capitalized. Another significant method is to conduct a diagnostic test which would reveal
the weak areas of the student. Hence, these can be improved and developed so that all learning
outcomes are firmly in place.
Discussion forums are another useful platform that allows self-assessment in
collaboration with the peers and fellow colleagues. One of the most significant methods of selfassessment is that of teacher-student conference. This is useful because that teacher is aware of
the level of comprehension that needs to be developed by the student. Hence, the teacher can
guide the student in either improving or maintaining the level of comprehension after the
interview. Self-assessment is also necessary in the development of personal skills. It develops
and hones the analytical ability of an individual which is then applied in every situation. It allows
a person to better comprehend the environment in a holistic context. Thus, it would effectively
discourage impulsive actions on personal and individual level (Gollenia, 2016).

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Task 2: Web-based resources
Identification of valid resources
The web-based resources are highly resourceful and significant as it can present a variety
of information at a mere click. It is important, however, to ensure that the web-based resources
are in compliance with the integrity and credibility. In this regard, it is always useful to utilize
the government-based websites for data and projections. In this regard, the website that would be
useful for Health and Social Care would be the United Kingdom Department of Health website.
It provides comprehensive policies on health and social care. It also provides assistance on
policies that can guide the people in leading a better standard of live and health care funds. The
department of health is a ministerial department that has the support of 28 public bodies and
agencies (Gov.uk, 2016).
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) website is another database that the student would
intend to utilize as it is an independent organization that seeks to inspire social change as an
outcome of practice, policy and research (JRF, 2015). The website provides complete
information on the status and quality of care that is provided in anticipation of social care. The
website also provides the potential benefit that focuses on the issues that proportionate the
investment and development and also on the issues that affect quality of care.
Another important web resource in this regard is that Social Care Institute for Excellence
(SCIE) that is dedicated to improvement of the lives of the people that utilize care services by
means of sharing knowledge. It is an improvement support agency along with an independent
charity (Scie.org.uk, 2016). The website is providing improvement support and the policy
procedures for the service of childrens safeguard and looking after the welfare of the children.
The information provided can extend the integrated working of the care model evaluation. The
vision and the values are shared and updated to provide what works and what new is planning to
deliver the services.

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Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is another resource that can be effectively
utilized for Health and Social Care. The council is dedicated towards regulation of nurses and
midwives in United Kingdom, and ensures that updated skills and knowledge are disseminated to
nursing professionals and midwives (Nmc.org.uk, 2016). The website set standards of education
that is provided to the nurses for delivering effective care and safe entry into the career. The
modernization of the education policy and the program for change by the NMC is highly
equipped with the knowledge required for students to maintain their database for practice
placements.
The information provided in the mentioned website helps the study as updated
information on what is happening in the trusts and how these institutes are working for the
development of the services and providing public support. Through these informations students
are very well aware of the new developments and new facilities that are provided for the social
care and also the new facilitation and advance technology used in the treatment is also provided
which can assist the students in their research programs. These websites are providing solutions
to overcome the causes of social and health care which are helpful for students as to how these
institutions are working for the benefit and meeting the outcome and quality of life.
Evaluation of the resources
The resources that have been identified above are highly beneficial from the course
perspective. The resources that have been mentioned are highly credible institutions and
organizations that not only formulate health and social care polices but also regulates them. The
data that is present in these web-resources have been presented by experts in the medical and
social care field. One of the resources is that of the governments department of health care and
hence, it collects the primary data and is a reference point for all health and social care
professionals. Additionally, it also is the standard-bearer of integrity and credibility. The other

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two websites that have been mentioned are independent private institutions that are dedicated to
improve the health and social care of the people.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is also a charitable trust, and hence provides a firsthand account of the different case studies that exists in the field. The Foundation is dedicated to
employing evidence and experience to seek the underlying causes of problems in social and
health care and solutions to address these. Therefore, the works of the foundations are highly
beneficial from the course point of view and the student can greatly add value by learning from
the works of the foundations. It also provides extensive research and polices form learning and
experience.
Nursing and Midwifery council (NMC) is dedicated to keep the nursing and health care
professionals up to date with the latest knowledge and information regarding professional
practices. Hence, the web-resource of the council can be greatly benefitted from in terms of the
latest knowledge regarding health care. Additionally, much of the work that is present on the
council is conducted by highly learned and qualified medical professionals. The insight of these
professionals is deep that is essential for providing solutions to the different health and social
care problems that are prevalent.
Reflection on preconceptions of Health and Social Care Studies
Health and Social Care is a dynamic and a highly diverse field. It encompasses many
different areas and factors affecting it are also dynamic. Previously, I used to consider it as a
matter of only health care. However, it has been observed that health and social care has more to
do with the standard of living of the people and medical aspect is only one of the many parts of it
(Lowes, and Hulatt, 2013. For instance, socio-economic conditions have a significant impact on
health and social care. Thus, it is necessary for a health care professional to be aware of the
financial and socio-economic impact as it has a significant impact on the practice. Lifestyle
factors are also an important area that was not considered significant by me prior to assessment

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of the course. The evaluation of different web-based resources has provided an opportunity to
browse through the different factors that have an impact on the policy formulation. For instance,
it was considered previously by me that the purpose of reducing hospital readmission is to ensure
that patients do not succumb to relapse of disease. However, it seems that it was only one part of
the policy. The other part is to ensure that the costs of providing health care services are also
controlled so that these can administered in an effective manner (Dickinson, and O'Flynn, 2016).

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List of References
Dickinson, H. and O'Flynn, J., 2016. Evaluating outcomes in health and social care. Policy
Press.
Goetsch, D.L. and Davis, S.B., 2014. Quality management for organizational excellence.
Pearson.
Gollenia, L.A., 2016. Business Transformation Management Methodology. Routledge.
Gov.uk. (2016). Department of Health - GOV.UK. Data Retrieved from:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health.
JRF. (2015). About us. Data Retrieved from: https://www.jrf.org.uk/about-us
Lowes, L. and Hulatt, I., 2013. Involving service users in health and social care research.
Routledge.
Munn-Giddings, C. and Winter, R., 2013. A handbook for action research in health and social
care. Routledge.
Nmc.org.uk. (2016). Our role. Data Retrieved from: https://www.nmc.org.uk/about-us/our-role/.
Pera, A., 2013. The Social Aspects of Technology-enhanced Learning Situations. Geopolitics,
History, and International Relations, (2), pp.118-123.
Scie.org.uk. (2016). About the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Data Retrieved from:
http://www.scie.org.uk/about/index.asp.