Information Technology IT 402 IT402 Class X & IX
Introduction
Working Independent
Advantages & Disadvantages of Working Independently
Qualities for Independent Working
Introduction of Independent Working-:
Independent or self-directed learning is an important skill, whether you plan to continue your studies after school or college or professionally.
Independent learning is when an individual is able to think, act and pursue their own studies autonomously, without the same levels of support you receive from a teacher at school.
To become a good independent learner you need to be:
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Motivated
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Resilient, to overcome challenges
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An excellent time manager
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Becoming self-aware, self-monitoring and self-correcting;
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Knowing what you need to do;
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Taking the initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do;
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Doing what is asked to the best of your ability, without the need for external prodding, and working until the job is completed;
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Learning to work at a pace that you can sustain;
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Taking ownership of your mistakes without looking for excuses; and
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Refusing to let self-doubt or negative emotions due to negative past experiences take you off course.
Characteristics for Independent Working / Self Reliant
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Self-awareness
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Self-motivation
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Self-regulation
Self-Awareness-:
Self-awareness refers to your knowledge and understanding of yourself - your emotions, beliefs, assumptions, biases, knowledge base, abilities, motivations, interests, etc. As you carry out your undergraduate research project, make a conscious effort to learn about yourself - your abilities, beliefs, likes and dislikes.
Some useful questions to think about in this regard are the following:
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What kind of science do you enjoy doing? Fundamental or applied?
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Do you enjoy working in the lab or in an office?
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Do you enjoy explaining your work? How? Orally? In Writing? Both?
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Do you like working with others as a member of a team or do you prefer to work by yourself?
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Are you a good listener?
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Can you handle personal conflict?
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Do you prefer delving into a problem deeply?
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Do you see the "big picture"?
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Do you prefer to work on short term projects (6 months or less) or long term projects?
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Do you enjoy using instrumentation? What kinds?
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Do you enjoy using computers and/or software?
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Do you enjoy travel? Can you speak one or more foreign languages conversationally? Can you read in another language?
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Are you self-motivated? Do you require external prompts in order to meet deadlines and/or achieve results?
Self-Motivation-:Self-motivation is ability to do thinks on your own without being told to do so. Self-motivation is a glorious cycle of boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.Self-motivation definition, initiative to undertake or continue a task or activity without another's prodding or supervision.
There are 9 main self motivators that pull you toward your goals. Here they are along with what each type might say:
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Autonomy – “I do it my way”
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Mastery – “I am excellent in my chosen vocation”
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Meaning – “I make a real difference in the world”
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Power – “I control others”
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Recognition – “I am recognized & respected by others”
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Stability – “I like to know the future”
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Status – “I have social standing”
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Teamwork – “I am a member of the group”
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Wealth – “I am prosperous
Self-regulation-: Self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage your behaviour and your reactions to feelings and things happening around you.
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Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage your energy states, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that are acceptable and produce positive results such as well-being, loving relationships, and learning.
It includes being able to:
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regulate reactions to emotions like frustration or excitement
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calm down after something exciting or upsetting
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focus on a task
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refocus attention on a new task
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control impulses
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learn behaviour that helps you get along with other people.
Self-regulation involves 4 aspects:
Physical: biology, temperament
Emotional: personality, exposure to trauma, ability to inhibit impulses,
Mental: focus, shift of focus, control, management of distractions & frustration
Social: interpersonal interactions, empathy, values
Why self-regulation is important-:
As your child grows, self-regulation will help her:
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Learn at school – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to sit and listen in the classroom
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Behave in socially acceptable ways – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to control impulses
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Make friends – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to take turns in games, share toys and express emotions in appropriate ways
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Become more independent – because self-regulation gives your child the ability to make good decisions about her behaviour and learn how to behave in new situations with less guidance from you
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Manage stress – because self-regulation helps your child learn that she can cope with strong feelings and gives her the ability to calm herself down after getting angry.
Why is independent learning important?
Independent learning is not just important to become a good student. The skills you gain are transferable to most jobs. These include:
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Motivation
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Independence
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Initiative
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Time management
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Organisation and multi-tasking
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Strong reading and writing skills
How can I become an independent learner?
Read actively: You will need to be an active reader, paying close attention to the words you are reading and their meaning.
Skim read: Speed read or skim material before reading it in detail and then summarizing the text in your notes.
Go solo: Practice working on your own for long periods of time without seeking the help of an adult.
Different sources: When doing research, try to draw from a variety of different sources.
Be persistent: If a task is challenging, don’t give up. Keep at it until you understand what you need to do.
Seek help where necessary: Asking for support and advice is an important part of independent learning. Unlike school, you are unlikely to be spoon-fed all the information you need in work or at university. If you need help, ask for it!
Discussions: If you want to expand an argument but are stuck for ideas, get a debate going with friends or peers. This could help you think about an element you hadn’t considered before.
Set goals: A good way to keep your motivation up is to think what you want to get out of your work and remind yourself next time you’re flagging.
Effective time management: In work or uni studies, you’re more than likely to have several pieces of work to juggle at any one time. Break each project down into the relevant tasks, work out how long you will need to spend on each part, then allocate time in your diary in order or priority.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Working Independently
Advantages of Working Independently-:
1. There’s Less Conflict-:
Working alone, however, avoids all the aggravation that might come with working in a team. You make your own decisions, and there’s nobody to tell you otherwise. There’s no need to worry about competitive or lazy coworkers, and there’s more room for you to concentrate and enjoy a smoother workflow. Who wants bickering and backbiting in the workplace, anyway?
2. You’re More Efficient-:
When you work independently, you’re more likely to increase your efficiency. As mentioned above, there’s nobody to slow you down and no other opinions to get in your way. With fewer interruptions, you’ll find it easier to focus, work much faster, know exactly what is going on, and you will have a lot more clarity in the project you’re working on.
3. You Can Enjoy a Challenge-:
Sometimes, working by yourself can be an enjoyable challenge. Having no one else to rely on can be a great test in the workplace as you work up your own ideas and put yourself in charge. Working individually can increase your independence, and it can also make you more creative.
4. You’re in Charge-:
One of the great benefits of working alone is the chance to be your own boss. While many people prefer to follow orders, others enjoy a more free-flowing work style that puts you in charge. Self-management lets you build your own workflow, set your own goals and fulfill them in a way that you see fit.
5. You Take Full Credit-:
If you’re the competitive type, you might be better suited to working independently. Not only do things go your way, but you also take full credit for any tasks or projects you’re working on. 0
Disadvantages of Working Independently-:
1. There’s Less Teamwork-:
working individually clearly isn’t always the best option because you have limited resources & thinking.
2. There’s Less Creativity-:
While working alone pushes you to find your own creativity, it’s probably not as beneficial than working in a team. You might suffer from mental block and have a constraint in ideas, leaving you in a humdrum.
3. You’ll Be More Stressed-:
Sure, working independently gives you more freedom and efficiency, but with this comes stress. Operating alone means taking on all the work by yourself. You can’t delegate different tasks to other team members, and you’ve got to make sure every responsibility is fulfilled by the time the deadline arrives.
4. You’ll Get Bored-:
Working alone, however, strips you of these benefits. You’ll likely get bored and lonely over time, no matter how busy your workflow is. There’s no one to talk to, nobody to share ideas with and not anyone to discuss your concerns with. If you’re one who thrives off interacting with others and enjoys a high-energy workplace, then working independently isn’t for you. It can get quiet, lonesome and incredibly monotonous.
5. You Take Full Responsibility-:
Taking full credit for your achievements is a great advantage of working individually. But what happens if your efforts fail? Working alone immediately becomes a disadvantage. Operating by yourself means having to take full responsibility for any mistakes, failures.
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