Personal Learning Goals

I found my learning objectives more difficult to create than my performance objectives, since they are more abstract. International development is a multidisciplinary program with many different approaches, and as a result of that there are many approaches to using information gained from the program in real like context. The first goal I came up with was to work on “…using the theories I have learned in my development classes and apply them to launching ‘Calls for Proposals’…”. This goal embody both my existing knowledge and room to learn more about best practices in the government. My reasoning behind this goal was, that by knowing many theories of economic and social development such as modernization, dependency, and structuralist theories, I would be able to review applications and identify which had the most potential based on their models of thinking. I felt that by using what I had learned and the wisdom of my professors, I would …show more content…
This summer I had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of each of these development actors and their relations with each other. By being a part of this team that frequently works with NGOs, I was exposed to how the two different institutions communicate and work together. I witnessed the process of NGOs applying for funding and how the funding is accepted and distributed. Similarly, the consultation process was a good way for me to see how the government seeks the opinions (appraisals or criticisms) of other institutions. This is all helpful for me to know as I navigate what I see myself doing post-university. Each aspect of development poses its own strengths and weaknesses. CSOs have more free reign and diversity but are limited in their resources. The government, on the other hand, has an abundance of funding and resources, but much stricter applications for