Critical Reflection

Module Learning:

At the start of this module, we were asked to write an introduction letter to Professor Brad, where we outlined two personal goals. For me, those goals were to overcome my fear of speaking to larger audiences and to improve my proficiency in English. Reflecting on the past few months, I can confidently say that I’ve made significant progress in both areas.

One of the most impactful steps I took was pushing myself out of my comfort zone by participating actively in the module. Team assignments and presentations provided the opportunity to collaborate with classmates, which not only helped me improve my communication skills and writing skills but also led to new friendships. A major highlight was competing in a presentation competition, where I was able to achieve the runner-up position. This experience boosted my confidence and was concrete proof of the progress I had made in public speaking.

Beyond these larger milestones, smaller moments also contributed meaningfully to my growth. For example, when Professor Brad randomly selected students to read aloud or answer questions during class, it created a space for everyone to engage and practice. These seemingly simple exercises built a habit of participation and helped me refine my use of English in everyday communication.

Looking back, I realize how much these experiences have shaped my confidence and abilities. I’ve not only achieved my initial goals but also gained skills that will continue to benefit me in the future. This journey has shown me the value of consistent effort and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone to embrace challenges.

Project Learning:

Working on this project taught me the importance of team coordination and effective communication. Since all of us had other projects and reports for different modules, we had to set aside specific times to focus on this project, which required learning how to compromise and work around each other's schedules. Through this process, I gained a better understanding of how collaboration relies on flexibility and mutual respect.

Under Professor Brad’s guidance, we improved our ability to write reports by using tools and frameworks like APA style, the Paul-Elder Framework, and even generative AI. These lessons not only enhanced the quality of our report but also provided us with skills that will be valuable in future academic work.

There were moments of miscommunication during the project, such as overlapping work on the same content or having different interpretations of the project’s direction. To address this, we created a group chat and maintained a shared to-do list. This approach ensured that everyone stayed informed and helped us avoid duplication of effort.

Overall, this experience highlighted the importance of clear communication, organization, and teamwork. The challenges we faced ultimately made the process more rewarding, as we learned to adapt and develop solutions together. I also realized how valuable it is to apply critical thinking and structured approaches to problem-solving, which will benefit me beyond this project.