Critical Reflection

After 13 weeks of hard work, the module has finally come to an end. This module has been very educational and has taught me a lot about myself, including my strengths and areas for improvement. I felt that I was able to achieve my goals that I had set out for this module.

At the start of the trimester, one of my goals for this module was to improve my ability to think and respond under pressure while maintaining composure. In this aspect, I feel that I have improved significantly, as I was able to answer questions effectively in class and during the Q&A session of the Oral Presentation. Throughout this process, I realized that it is not necessary to know the answers to all the questions in class. What is important is that I answer to the best of my ability, and if I truly do not have a clue, there is no shame in admitting it. What matters is that I learn from the information provided afterward.

My second goal was to strengthen my academic writing skills, particularly in citing sources in reports. Throughout the module, I was able to effectively develop these skills through assignments such as the Reader's Response, Tech Report, and various tasks in class. I feel that I am now able to properly cite sources and understand how to effectively paraphrase content to fit into the context of a report. I also learned how to efficiently search for sources using tools like gAI and search engines such as OneSearch. I believe I will continue to refer back to the content and learning experiences in this area as I write reports in the future.

For Project Learning, I felt that i came in with many assumptions, some of them prove to be true while others were new experiences for me.

One of my key learning points from this project was improving my ability to respond under pressure, particularly during presentations and Q&A sessions. Initially, I believed that with enough preparation, nervousness would disappear. However, I came to realize that nervousness is not a sign of weakness but rather an indication that I care about my performance. Instead of trying to eliminate it, I learned to manage it by focusing on maintaining a steady pace, organizing my thoughts clearly before responding, and reminding myself that I do not need to have a perfect answer to every question. This shift in mindset helped me stay more composed during high-pressure situations. Moving forward, I plan to refine this skill by practicing speaking more often and seeking constructive feedback on how I handle Q&A sessions.

Additionally, through this project, I gained insight into my approach to teamwork and leadership. During a conversation with Prof. Brad about an example of ineffective writing in a group, I realized that I tend to avoid confrontation, even when addressing issues that could improve the team's performance. While I value maintaining harmony within a group, I learned that constructive feedback and accountability are necessary for a team’s success. I recognized that addressing issues directly can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. To improve in this area, I will work on communicating my concerns more assertively while ensuring that feedback is delivered in a way that fosters collaboration rather than conflict.

Another key takeaway from this project was overcoming my discomfort with leadership roles. Initially, I avoided leadership because I assumed it would only add unnecessary extra work. However, as the project progressed, I found that taking on leadership responsibilities allowed me to better understand the project's needs and guide my team toward a clearer direction. I learned that effective leadership is not about doing everything myself but rather about delegating tasks appropriately and ensuring that each team member has the support they need to succeed. This experience shifted my perspective on leadership, I now see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden. In future projects, I will challenge myself to step up as a leader when necessary and use these opportunities to refine my ability to manage and support a team effectively.

All in all, I feel that this module has helped me achieve many goals and better understand myself, thanks in no small part to my amazing professor, Prof. Brad. I will continue to hold on to the experiences I have gained over these 13 weeks and put them to good use in the future.