Critical Reflection

 At the start of this module, I have set two goals for myself. The first was to improve my public speaking skills and the second was to enhance my writing proficiency. Now, as I look back and reflect on my progress throughout the trimester, I strongly believe that I have made improvements in both areas through practice and feedback. 

Public speaking has always been a challenge for me due to a lack of self confidence. During the trimester, I was given many opportunities to speak in front of my classmates through group work and during the final presentation. These experiences helped me become more comfortable with organising my ideas, speaking clearly and maintaining better eye contact. Although I still get nervous, I've like to think that I have grown to become more confident and aware of how to communicate more effectively in front of an audience. 

Improving my writing proficiency was another goal that I have set for myself. Before attending this module, I often struggled with clarity and structure in my writing as I was not used to writing after 2 years in the army and in the working industry. However, through various weekly blog assignments, I have learned to better organise my thoughts, use more appropriate vocabulary, and revise my work based on constructive feedback from my professor and my peers. Additionally, learning how to make use of GAI for assistance was a great help , whether it was brainstorming, refining ideas, or improving the structure of my writing. This tool has been invaluable in helping me enhance the quality of my work.

This module also helped me build on my critical thinking skills. I learned to analyse different perspectives, and support my points with evidence. These skills improved both my communication and academic work.

To further improve on my communication and critical thinking skills, I plan to continue practicing public speaking, starting off with small groups to build on my confidence and also by seeking constructive feedback from my peers. As for writing, I plan to practice different writing formats, while utlising GAI to check and refine my work.

For my research project, one of the main focuses has been teamwork sills. Reflecting on this process has taught me valuable lessons about both myself and my approach to working with others. At the beginning of the project, I was somewhat apprehensive about working in groups, as I did not have such good experiences in the previous trimester with group projects. Adding on, my tendency to take tasks independently also contributed to the skepticism of working in group settings. However, this experience forced me to step outside my comfort zone and I am fortunate to have amazing group mates with me. 

Throughout the project, I learned that effective teamwork is about more than just dividing tasks. It requires communication, collaboration, and a willingness to share ideas and feedback openly. Initially, I struggled a little with balancing my own ideas with my group mates, and I eventually realised that being open to other's perspective more often than not leads to better solutions. 

One significant takeaway from this experience was the importance of clear and continuous communication. Proactive communication, such as check ins on progress and discussions, was crucial for making sure that we stay on the same page and ensuring that the project stayed on track. 

This experience also taught me about growing as a collaborator and a team player. While I still prefer working alone at times, I now see the value of pooling knowledge and perspectives. I've become more comfortable in sharing my opinions and voicing out in a group setting, knowing that it can lead to better results. 

Moving forward, I will carry these skills that I have picked up with me and apply it to future projects and in the workforce. Understanding that effective teamwork is built on trust, communication and respect.