Critical Reflection

This reflection will cover what I've learned in this module over the past three months and assess my learning from the module and the project.

At the start of this module, my objective was to enhance my communication abilities by engaging in a variety of activities, challenging myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone, refining my social skills, and gaining the confidence to articulate my thoughts and ideas with accuracy in a welcoming and safe environment.

As I look back on the past few months, I've realised just how important critical thinking has been in helping me achieve my objectives. Throughout this module, I discovered that critical thinking helps set clear goals and determines the good and bad aspects of writing. It's also about spotting problems and learning from them to do better. For example, when my team brainstormed project ideas, we used critical thinking to consider each potential concept carefully, analyse their feasibility, and identify areas for improvement.

During this trimester, I've learned that effective report writing necessitates thorough research to ensure the information presented is credible and comprehensive. However, what has significantly enhanced my learning experience is the feedback I've received from Professor Blackstone and my peers. By posting draft reports on a blog, I've benefited from their insights, identified areas for improvement and development, gained a better understanding of various viewpoints, and sharpened my critical thinking abilities.

Reflecting on the teamwork aspect of our research project, I've come to appreciate the personal growth I've experienced throughout this journey. I initially saw teamwork as simply working together to achieve a goal. However, as I've delved deeper into this aspect, I've realised it's about much more than that. It's been a journey of self-discovery where I've learned valuable lessons about myself and the people around me.

Throughout our project, I noticed that Robin, our team leader, took the initiative to organise and ensure that all project phases were completed promptly. His dedication and attention to detail emphasise the importance of organisational accountability within the team. This experience taught me the significance of effective leadership in driving team progress and maintaining momentum.

Furthermore, I learned the importance of clear communication and mutual support among team members. Chai's proficiency in visual design played a crucial role in enhancing our final presentation slides under a tight deadline. His willingness to contribute his expertise eased the team's pressure and highlighted the value of leveraging individual strengths for collective success.

My experience with this project made me rethink my beliefs about collaboration and teamwork dynamics. Effective teamwork goes beyond cooperation; it requires active engagement, respect for diverse perspectives, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

Through this project, I've seen learning in a new light. It's shown me how vital teamwork, continuous growth, and embracing diverse viewpoints are. I'm excited to carry these lessons into future projects, knowing that effective communication, leadership, and collaboration are key to success.

Comments

  1. Brad BlackstoneApril 4, 2024 at 6:41 PM

    Thank you, Brenda, for this really excellent reflection.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Descriptive Reflection (Formal Introductory Letter)

Dear Professor Blackstone, Firstly, let me introduce myself. I am Brenda, a first-year mechanical design and manufacturing engineering student taking your Critical Thinking and Communication module in class S20. Since young, I have enjoyed doing hands-on DIY crafts and constructing figures using Lego blocks, which have sparked my interest in engineering. Unlike other students, I graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic with a Specialist Diploma in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Engineering in 2023 and a Diploma in Digital and Precision Engineering in 2021.  I interned in the electro-optics manufacturing industry during my three-month internship in the mechanical department. I also worked as a production supervisor in the biomedical device manufacturing industry, which specialises in blood bag manufacturing, for two years while pursuing my part-time specialist diploma. Both work experiences in the engineering and manufacturing industries enabled me to better understand myself after discove
Read more

Contributions to the Research Project

 1. I documented the minutes for four research project meetings, meticulously summarizing and recording the topics discussed and their respective timings. 2. I voted and finalised the research topic :  Integrating hydrogen fuel cell engines into the ARESA 5000 - 4000 TC model. 3. I contributed to shaping a clear problem statement and purpose statement for our research within an academic context. This included carefully considering the ideal scenario, pinpointing gaps in existing research, and defining the goals embedded in the problem statement. 4. I conducted extensive research on vessel models suitable for integrating hydrogen cell fuel engines into ships, utilizing both Google and Google Scholar as primary resources. Through this investigation, I identified the ARESA 5000 - 4000 TC model, developed by Aresa Shipyard, as a promising candidate for implementation. 5. As the author, I meticulously crafted the skeletal framework of the research report, encompassing the cover page and tab
Read more

Summary of BOOM Supersonic Commercial Aircraft (Draft 1)

Image
Thesis: Supersonic aircraft marks a significant breakthrough in aviation, providing unprecedented speed and efficiency. However, they also bring challenges related to the environment, regulations, and the future of global air travel. Supersonic aircraft represent a groundbreaking advancement in aviation technology, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency. These aircraft can travel faster than the speed of sound, drastically reducing travel times for passengers and cargo. Despite their potential benefits, the development and deployment of supersonic aircraft raise significant challenges and considerations. Boom Supersonic is developing the Overture aircraft, capable of carrying 65–80 passengers at Mach 1.7, allowing it to fly from London to New York in just 3.5 hours. (Verdon, 2023) The Symphony engine architecture features a 2-spool, medium-bypass turbofan engine generating 35,000 pounds of thrust, allowing a 25% increase in flying time and 10% savings on operating costs.  Aernnova
Read more