Critical Reflection for UCS1001

At the start of the course, I set a goal for myself to improve on my written communication, especially technical writing. I wanted to achieve greater clarity, conciseness, and organization in my writing. During the course, I was introduced to several tools that helped improve my writing. They are the 7Cs, the Paul-Elder Framework, CRAAP test, and the PEEL structure. The 7Cs are clarity, conciseness, concreteness, correctness, coherence, courtesy, and completeness. They helped me to ensure my writing met professional standards, and it help made my reports more structured and impactful. The Paul-Elder Framework taught me to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and consider different perspectives critically, which deepened the analytical quality of my work. The CRAAP test taught me to asses the credibility and relevance of the sources, ensuring that the information used in my reports and assignments are robust and reliable. Lastly, the PEEL structure which includes point, evidence, explain and link gave me a clear method to structure arguments logically and effectively. After leaning about these tools, I am more confident in putting ideas forth and drafting proposals in a professional manner, as I am able to assess issues critically as well as communicate persuasively.  I intend to improve my technical writing abilities by collecting constructive criticism and taking part in critical analysis-based activities like case studies and problem-solving exercises to strengthen these abilities even more. I’ve learned from UCS1001 that critical thinking and effective communication are lifetime abilities, and I’m determined to hone them to succeed in both academic and professional contexts.

Working on the formal proposal to Formlabs provided me with valuable insights into collaboration, communication, and professional writing. One key takeaway is understanding the significance of presentation skills when conveying intricate engineering concepts. The feedback I received from my classmates and professor after the presentation taught me that clear expression and assured delivery can greatly improve how ideas are perceived. This experience also taught me that effective communication encompasses not only the content presented but also the ability to engage the audience and address their questions regarding the proposed idea. Teamwork is also another takeaway from this learning experience. Working together in a team helped me understand how to adjust to varying working styles and various views. Initially, it was challenging to incorporate everyone’s ideas and views into our proposal. However, I grew to appreciate the different perspectives each member brought to the table, as they offered ideas, I would not be able to think of. This experience underscored the importance of active listening and compromise in reaching a common objective. Additionally, I also realized that I’m able to grow and learn more by stepping out of my comfort zone. For instance, I was initially hesitant to project my views to my group and would often just agree with their opinions. However, as I got more comfortable with my group members, I was able to give my honest opinions on certain ideas that they are proposing. Through this assignment, I was able to gain confidence in voicing my ideas and facilitating discussions. This transformation made me realise that learning is a continuous process that involves embracing mistakes and striving for improvements. As I enter the new trimester, I intend to incorporate all the learning points into future assignments and projects by prioritizing effective communication, fostering collaboration and pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone. This project has strengthen my conviction that learning extends beyond merely gaining knowledge, but it is also about nurturing skills and relationships that extends beyond the classroom.