Critical Reflection On Developing my Communication Skills

During these 12 weeks, it was an insightful learning journey. The effective communications module allowed me to recap on the proper basics of writing. Usually, we will be so preoccupied with our Engineering modules and project that we would neglect the correct format of writing a proposal, and even an email. For the first lesson, I remembered that we were told to discuss and evaluate the styles and errors of two different examples. I was abruptly taken aback. It felt like I had forgotten even the simplest grammar rule.

Back in my polytechnic days, we were taught how to write simple reports; it was more towards textbook styles. I thought that this module would be the same but it was enriching and it helps us relate to our Engineering working world. We indeed unlearn and relearn. The stuff that we learnt in this module was a step higher in the difficulty level compared to my polytechnic syllabus.

The Reader’s Response was a new approach in stimulating our critical thinking and selective reading. Reader’s response was extremely effective in setting us to think of the writer’s objective. The way of analysing our thesis opinion equips us to research in an effective way, such as HOW, WHY, WHEN, and even WHERE. This was done by cross referencing to find supporting evidences to make our statement valid.

In my opinion, the technical report was valid in the way that it equips us to thinking critically and to conduct extensive research on solving today’s real world problem. We were taught on the format of a formal proposal that we could easily adopt in the working world. On top of that I the presentation that we have to conduct was relatively insightful. Feedback were given to us on the various component to improve on upon completing our presentations.

Thus, I found that the peer editing was extremely helpful because when we help to identify mistakes in our peer’s work, we are actually improving ourselves. To spot a mistake means that we are competent in our basic rule of English- Grammar, Punctuation, Verb.

In a nutshell, this module has effectively improved my learning capability. Through this module, I found that my grammar is my weakness. Grammar is any important component in a sentence structure as a wrong expression could change the whole meaning for another person’s point of view. To counter this problem, I have learnt to read what I have written every sentence to make sure that what was written is able to convey to the readers.

REFLECTION ON TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

My group and I did a presentation on the installation of solar translucent automation louvre system. It is a proposed solution on reducing energy consumption for an existing building through the utilization of solar panels as well as a sun shading device. For my part, I presented on the proposed solution. In that section, I have mentioned on the two-technology component of the system and how it works individually and as a whole.

Designing PowerPoint slides have always been my interest. The preparation of the PowerPoint slides has allowed me to explore more layouts. In the initial stage of the preparing the PowerPoint slides, I felt apprehensive, because we were given a short period of time to condense our report into a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation. Our group had discussed and decided to use pictures to convey our explanations with one or two key points explanation. I tried to use fronts that are bold and flow charts to enhance audience’s understanding. We wanted to try if by inputting pictures and flowchart could be effective in capturing the audiences’ attention as compared to a chunk of texts. I felt grateful that the slides turned out well when some of our classmates sang praises that the slides were eye catching.

Conducting a presentation has always been my greatest fear. During my presentation, I felt very nervous even though I had done several rehearsals with my group mates. My weakness was that I tend to speak extremely fast when I am facing the crowd. Hence this has resulted me into mispronouncing most of the words. I tend to move towards the screen to point out the diagram, as such, there were too many unnecessary gesture movement.

As such, in order to improve my presentation skills, I would need to build up on my self-confidence by occasionally speaking up. By speaking up, people are able to correct my mistakes. Another take away was is that our group can possibly use a clicker with laser so that I would not need to walk up and down to the screen. The use of pointers could probably be more professional.  Overall, I was not contented with my performance as I felt that I could do. However, I can make use of these mistakes I made and learnt to overcome them. After all, we improve ourselves by learning from our mistakes and not to make them happen again. 

Technical Report Proposal Peer Review for Nicholas, Rebecca, Jolene (Proposed Solution)

      
The solutions have been well delivered. The technology mentioned helps to reduce carbon emission. There is a flow in the proposed solution.  The group went on to mention what the technology is and further explains the specification sizes of the blades that could fix into various tailpipe’s size. Following on, the group explains how the blades are able to reduce carbon emission in three possible ways.

 The group’s proposed solution has been identified with the aid of surveys that they have conducted and looking through sources of what measures have already been attempted in regards to reduce the carbon emission. Whereby car owners have to get their car inspected regularly by VICOM ltd to check on the level of emission of the particular petrol driven vehicle. They further mention that there are lapse in the inspection and there is no proper solution that could minimize carbon emission at this moment. However, when to mention ‘gap’ in the inspection. Is that gap the root to the problem of not able to reduce carbon emission in cars?The report explains the 3 ways of how it reduces emission. However, in the section ‘Reduction of particulate materials emissions’ under how it works, do include clearer explanation of how it reduces the carbon emission. Although there are illustrations of the technical aspect behind it, it may still seem vague. For people whom have little or zero specific background may find it harder to comprehend.In point 2 of how it works I believe that the diagram could be enhanced by labeling the crucial components.  

Overall, the content is valid and sufficient to prove of how it will able to reduce the carbon emission. Great attempt, however points to take note.
I find that language used and the style written was rather a little informal as they used point form, making the report a little inconsistent with its formatting. In addition, making it seemed as though the paragraph is long because of the indent that is created. 

The Importance of English to You

I remember, my first few encounter with English writing was to write about ourselves in a sentence or two. To an adult it deemed as the simplest task, however, for a six-year-old, it was a stepping stone. I was afraid, confused and hesitant.

Writing in English is deemed important for me as a student because it is a form of communication between my peers and teachers around me. Today, English is widely used around us and billions of people around the world communicate through written English. Many industries such as medical, manufacturing, information technology, aviation uses English as a form of medium to convey and express the messages to audiences and end users. If I were to stop learning writing in English, it would have seemed as if I am isolating myself from the society. I believe, writing in English in school helped me learned and understand the various forms of tenses through the glorious mistake that I have made. It is always better to make mistakes in school and learn from there, rather than making them in the real world where everyone in the working field will be judging me. In a nutshell, writing in English as a student allowed me to improve one step at a time.

Similarly, even as a working professional, English writing is still utmost important. Many things have been written in English such as manuals, handbook, and even simple programming. English connects people from around the world and I reckon that by writing in English, it will allow me to reach out to the billions of people. This relates to probably clinching businesses with people whom may be on the other side of the globe, because having able to write boost my credibility as people will be able to read and understand what I am trying to convey.

Throughout my years in school, I have always found myself learning to write various forms of English writing. No doubt, these includes, report documents, analysis report, application of job and even email to lecturers and professors that I may be writing during my university education.   

Ultimately, it is good to have good command of English. It could land me to interesting jobs that pays well.  We write not just for the sake of writing, but write to communicate.