Critical Reflection

As you said during our first lesson, getting a A grade in UCS1001 is not a feat many can accomplish. To me, the skills that we learn and how to apply them in our work that are the key takeaways for this module.

The module itself proves a huge step in learning from communication classes I took back in polytechnic. Prior to this module, I was inexperienced in writing technical reports and had never presented a pitch before. A goal I had set for myself during the first lesson was that regardless of grade, I would try my best to utilise critical thinking and effective communication in all my work. Looking back, I felt that I had achieved my goal, which was showcased through my oral presentation and various written assignments. I had also participated in a national challenge called Speak Out for Engineering (SOFE), which allows young engineers to hone verbal and visual communication skills. Although I did not make it past the Singapore heats, I saw it as a good opportunity to put what we had learnt to practice. Reflecting on this, I feel that every student should come into class with a intention to upgrade oneself and good results will naturally follow. My learning does not end here, as I had recently signed up for JTC’s Mobility Case Challenge, which looks into improving accessibility to transport for visually and physically impaired commuters. I am confident that through consistent practice, my presentation skills will be better refined.

The technical report assignment was the major challenge in this module, as it was the culmination of spoken, listening and writing skills. I had a positive experience with my group members as we were able to work towards a common goal. Team conferences and group research also contributed to a deeper understanding of our subject. However, not everything was smooth sailing. Due to differing schedules, we only had two online meetings through Zoom. This limited our time for discussion and de-conflict our views. One aspect of our research project involved interviewing owners of Tesla vehicles as part of our primary research effort. This was out of my comfort zone, as I had to reach out to them through text and this was the first interview I had conducted. After the experience, I found that interviewing was not as intimidating as I thought and it requires good active listening skills. I also had to multitask, constantly penning down their responses while actively listening.

In conclusion, I feel that UCS1001 should be a integral component in our university learning as it serves as springboard to communicate effectively and think critically. Not to mention, it was a lot of fun! Moving forward, the skills and experiences from this module will be etched with me and I’m sure I will be needing them in the near future.