This semester is very different from the previous one. Four of my modules are team-oriented: CG1102, CG1108, CG1413, and BSP1005.
I like this set-up and I enjoy it. It is exciting. There is more interaction among students and lecturers. Thus, students and lecturers get to know more of one another and get along well with each other.
In this light, there is better communication within tutorial groups and laboratory groups, which extends even beyond the classroom setting within the cohort. As I interacted with different persons from different backgrounds and nationalities (CEG is a rather diverse group), I have learned from their different personalities, work ethics, wisdom, knowledge, and even language and culture.
Within the academic setting, I modestly believe that I have done satisfactorily as a team member and as a communicator. In leading a team which happened most of the time, I exerted my full effort in being a responsible leader to achieve the team’s goal. I gave my best in initiating, coordinating and planning its activities such as meetings and targeting deadlines. Since I believe that communication is vital for a team to work successfully, I kept everyone updated and asked for updates on the tasks finished, being done and still needed to be done.
As a team member, I have done well in submitting my own quality deliverables on time. I always contributed to the team’s objectives to the best of my ability.
There is a good amount of learning experience I have gained from these team settings. One of which is I was able to discover, explore and exploit different avenues of communicating and collaborating online (wikis, e-groups, messengers and the like).
I remember my thoughts on communication and teamwork at the start of the semester. As I have stated in my first blog post, “To be a successful team, there must be teamwork. To have teamwork, there must be effective communication.”
Looking back, this is a thought that has motivated my actions. This is a belief that has inspired my labors. In terms of teamwork and communication, it is a job well done for me and for my teammates, a success, I can say. These modules required me to invest a lot of time on them, but there is a lot of learning gained from it. I do hope that I have indeed done very well on these modules. Good grades are rewards like a pat on the back saying, “Well done! Excellent job! Keep it up!”
Above all, I am very delighted to have worked with such wonderful classmates and awesome lecturers. Thank you Mr. James! This semester gave me the opportunity to tap my potential, exercise and improve my different skills and abilities together with different talented people. I am thankful for being a part of this rewarding and fulfilling experience!
5 comments:
Hi Paul,
I am really glad that you had taken a very positive and optimistic view of your project-based modules.
As you had mentioned, a lot of time and effort has been put into these modules. I believe that due to the very nature of these modules, it is inevitable that we would be put to task all forms of communications and teamwork. In fact, it is only through much practice and effort, we could realise our weaknesses and work upon them.
You also mentioned that that you have managed to satisfactorily lead your teams in the respective projects. I concur with this observation as I am impressed by the very professional nature of the presentations that your team has come up with.
Good grades is a good means of self-validating all our efforts. I do agree that it would serve as a motivator and a pat on the back for a job well done. Other than that, the lasting friendships forged in this course is also something that would transcend beyond the course.
Best Regards,
Khairul
Hello Paul,
Well, from the start I thought you were quite a "people-person". Your outgoing personality and your love for interaction with others made you stand out. Hence, it comes as no surprise to see that you prefer team-oriented modules. I'm certain there will be more to come in the future!
I fully agree with you that through these modules we students and the different lecturers get to know one another better. Both through work and through communication.
Also, from your posts, I figured that you were doing a brilliant job as a team leader. Not forgetting you as a team member as well. I know it is not easy to juggle leadership and workload but you managed to do so. Kudos!
I'm sure your grades will be good seeing the amount of effort you put into your work. Here's my own pat on your back saying, "Well done, Paul!" Good luck for the exams!
PS: The picture of us was fantastic! Hopefully the smiles on our faces meant that we had a great time in CG1413!
Cheers,
Qinxian
Hey Paul!
It was a pleasure working with you and the team for CG1102 project. You have done a remarkable job as a team leader! I must admit that you are one of the most responsible and initiative people I have ever met. I can see that you really gave your best both as a team leader and as a member! I remember how you stayed up all night to debug the program before the demos and end up “blur” the next day! Haha! I really appreciate all the effort you put in for the team!
From working with you, I noticed that you never fail to put in your utmost effort in whatever you do, even for the most trivial tasks. You are also resourceful and always try to keep yourself updated on various matters. This skill indeed helps to make your life easier when you know how to apply the new knowledge that you have to get things done! I definitely learnt a lot from you seeing how efficient and on-task you are and it made me realise that I have much work to do to improve myself as a team member.
I agree that as much as how hectic this semester has been, it has also been an exciting and interactive one! I managed to learn more about the different culture and personalities of our peers from diverse backgrounds as well.
Thank you for your effort for the team! All the best for your exams!
Cheers,
Win Yee
Hi Paul,
I’ve got to agree with you with most of your points in your post; this semester is so much more exciting, challenging, and fun compared to our first semester. No offense to ‘Mr. Sem 1’, but you indeed lose out to ‘Mr. Sem 2’ in terms of awesomeness and fun factor.
I also felt that the bonds between our classmates this semester are more closely tied together, due to the numerous harsh trails and challenges we had to face in this semester. True enough, although this semester has a truck full of workload, but at the same time, we experienced joy fun and laughter in the process.
Now I’m undecided on whether I should hope for a similar semester next, or just settle for a more relaxed semester. But what I do hope regardless, is for the chance to work together with all the strange and yet interesting mix of people in this class again in the future.
Another thing to add; the first time I sat through the 1413 class, you gave me the impression that this guy means serious business.
However, throughout the days we worked together, although you really were serious about your work, you were cracking jokes from time to time as well. This, in particular, is what I admired about your character, as you knew when to be serious, and when to be cereal. Sadly, this is possibly the trait that I lack currently.
Best of luck for the upcoming exams, and here’s and advice I’ve been offering everyone here so far:
Work hard, Play harder!
Cheers
Zhen Yong
Hi Paul,
It was excellent experience working with you on the CG1413 problem solving project. When I heard you properly in your oral presentation 1, I was very excited about the idea of working with you and you did not disappoint me. You are an excellent team leader; one who knows his tasks, is polite and knows exactly how to bring out the best from his team mates.
Your communication skills are something that I really admire. You know exactly what to say and when to smile. Though you were already pretty good, I must mention that you are a fast learner as you quickly picked up and applied the skills that were taught to us in this module and hence further brushed up your skills.
Unlike you, at the beginning of the semester I was not so inclined towards working in teams. Perhaps because I never had the opportunity to. But now as we have reached the end of the semester, my thoughts have changed and like you (and hopefully the rest of the cohort) I really enjoyed the team settings we had. Through this we have acquired skills that will stay with us forever and will be treasured. All of this would not have been possible without the clever plans of our course coordinators.
I would like to wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It was pleasant experience teaming up with you and sharing the class with you.
Cheers,
Saurabh Arora
Post a Comment