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Running head: PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE PAPER

Personal Perspective Paper

This paper will discuss three tools used at the University of Phoenix that give their students transfer lifelong skills that can be used in the work place as well as everyday life. Learning Teams, rEsource, and Problem Based Learning are the tools that teach students problem-solving techniques and social skills. The rEsource contains valuable links to information resources that allows students to enhance their research skills.

The Value of rEsource

R-Esourcse is a valuable tool that allows students to access current course material such as simulations, announcements, access notes, review assignments, discuss questions, and take practice quizzes anytime anywhere during the day or week via the internet, it also gives students the ability to ask instructors questions and receive the answer back almost immediately. This valuable tool enable student to study at times that suits their schedule and also save money on hidden expenses like traveling costs, students don’t need to travel anywhere to get online. The rEsource contains links to key resources, students can get great examples and download free and low cost tools such as internet browsers, pdf readers etc. The grate thing about the rEsourse tools is that it allows students to balance the demand of work and home because students can learn from work, home or on the road.

The Value of Learning Teams

Learning Teams allow small groups of students to work together as a team to solve a problem, complete a task, or accomplish a common goal, which in turn build confidence and good working relationships amongst students. One of the values of the Learning Team is that it promotes cooperation in order to achieve the students leaning goals. Learning Team students are more willing to help one another learn because group success depends on each of its members.

The Learning Teams simulate the work environment. Team members are assigned roles that rotate from assignment to assignment improving the students social skills, giving student the feeling of self worth and a sense of belonging, each team member is viewed as a valuable assets to the entire team. Once the learning team members start to understand that each of them has to contribute to learn they will earn a valuable experience in communication, trust, leadership, decision making, and conflict resolution. “Many studies have shown that when correctly implemented, cooperative learning improves information acquisition and retention, higher-level thinking skills, interpersonal and communication skills, and self-confidence” (Johnson, Johnson, and Smith, 1998). The most valuable lessons learned from Learning Team is those students who work together have success in accomplishing common goals.

The Value of Problem-Based Learning

The ability to problem-solve and work in effective teams are highly prized attributes in the workplace, Problem based learning provides students with these skills and attributes. ”Few people in society work in isolation. Because social interaction is such an important aspect of work life, problem based learning incorporates collaborative teams in the solving of relevant problems. This methodology promotes student interaction and teamwork, thereby enhancing students’ interpersonal skills (Bernstein et