Critical Reflection

Module Learning

One of the primary goals that I set at the start of this module is to become a more confident speaker by learning to maintain my train of thought during a presentation. throughout this module, I have made some strides in improving my gesturing as well as the tone of my presentation, I felt that overall there is still much to improve on, particularly on the aspect of audience engagement as well as trying not to stick to the script, which leads to me having an awkward pause in the middle of my oral presentation. 

Mainly, I feel that one of the main reasons for these difficulties is stress, which causes me to lose focus. As I stray away from my mental script, I tend to pause as I struggle to find my next point. This over-reliance on the mental script, especially during my dry runs prevents me from being fully present during the presentation. Thus, resulting in moments of hesitation.

It is often said that experience does not equate to learning. Despite practicing my presentation in advance, I realized that my focus may not have been in the right areas. I concentrated more on memorization, which led to poor engagement as well as flexibility in my delivery. In hindsight, I see how this has limited my effectiveness in communicating my idea to the audience and undermined my goal of becoming a confident and dynamic speaker.

Looking back, I recognize that there is always room to improve. The feedback that I have received throughout this module has provided me with valuable insights into areas to improve my communication skills. I am now able to realize the importance of being more adaptable in my presentations as well as engaging with the audience beyond simply reciting a script. I plan to take these comments to heart and continue refining my speaking skills to become a more confident and engaging speaker in the future.

Project Learning

This tech report has provided me with valuable insights, not only into my own abilities but more importantly, into the dynamics of working within a team. This experience has been instrumental in teaching me how to manage my teammates as well as navigating the complexities of group work. I've learned to place the commitments and schedules of my groupmates into consideration to meet deadlines without compromising on the quality of work delivered. This was particularly important when managing time constraints and balancing workload.

Through this group project, I have learned to be more attuned to the different dynamics within the team. it is also important to recognize and leverage these dynamics so that we can make seemingly impossible tasks possible. Each member of the team brings a unique perspective, and tapping into this unique perspective often brings innovative solutions.

One of the most important takeaways from this project would be the value of active listening and compromise. Instead of pushing solely for my own ideas, I found that the team chemistry improved significantly when everyone shared their point of view and ideas openly, which led to meaningful discussions and ideas. This reinforced the idea that effective teamwork hinges on mutual respect and openness to new ideas.

This experience has also demonstrated how mutual support and shared goals amplify individual growth. When everyone in the team is working towards the same objective, it fosters a sense of accountability as well as motivation that drives success. Moving forward, I would take on a more collaborative mindset in future projects. I will also actively seek roles that push me outside of my comfort zone, knowing that these challenges contribute to both personal and team growth.