Reflection on developing communication skills

  Through this module, I feel that I had greatly improved my oral and writing skills. I am now able to express ideas and deliver content to others more effectively. This is all due to the help of peer presentation, where we learn from our classmate’s mistakes which subconsciously reminded me not to repeat their mistakes. In terms of writing, I still face difficulty in writing due to my lack of vocabulary. However, I had also picked up skills like writing concisely and summarizing skills which makes the report writing a much easier task. Being able to communicate and express myself better with my group mates, I enjoy having group work more compared to the past. The communication skills I have picked up through this module will benefit me greatly as a student and also in the workforce.

However, there are still many things that I feel that need to be work on. During my presentation, I realized that even though I could present my content clearly to others, there is still a lot more in presentation than it seems. Things like gestures, tone, and choice of words play a big part in having a good presentation. Miscommunication is one of the most common barriers in the workplace which might lead to serious consequences. The power and choice of words might be the determinate factor of whether I will or will not get the client’s deal. Hence it is never too late to work on improving our communication skills and getting better in it.

  It has been a wonderful journey to be in this effective communication module with Mrs. Lim and all my classmates. Looking back, reflecting on all the things that I had done for the past few months, I am definitely not the same compared to last time.

Reflective writing on presentation

  During my presentation, I feel that my classmates had all become more focus and serious nodding and writing down comments. This might be due to what I am presenting contents which could be too informative at times. I feel that I did not engage the audience as well as how my team members did. If I could do the presentation again, I will deliver an engaging presentation rather than an informative presentation. I believe that audiences will only remember ideas that leave a deep impression on them rather than a well elaborated one.

  Even though I had ample practice on presenting, I was still feeling nervous during the deliverance. This might be due to the lack of presentation opportunities during my polytechnic days. I feel that it is useful in preparation for the workforce, presentation to the clients will be inevitable. I believe with many more presentations during my course of study, I will be more confident in presenting in front of large audience.

  Although there are many areas in the presentation that I feel that I could have done better, there are points I feel that I had done well. We have decided to start the presentation by showing the current implementation of the ramp on buses rather than just using pictures to illustrate it. I feel that the audience had a better understanding of the current implementation. I believe that it a good way as sometimes it is hard for audiences to imagine the process than actually seeing an example of it. This will be one of the methods that I will most likely use again for future presentations

Reader Response draft 3

According to the article “Sustainability in the gardens” taken from the Garden by the Bay website, it mentions the effort done in ensuring that it is environmentally sustainable in terms of water and energy. The author talks about the implementation in Dragonfly lake and Kingfisher lake, how it acts as a natural filtration system as well as a provider of aquatic habitats for the diversity of biological life living within them. Mentioning about it being naturally cleanse before discharged into the reservoir for irrigation in the Gardens. Claiming that it will raise awareness of the value that aquatic plants play in nature and also highlighting the significance of clean water in a sustaining biodiversity. By incorporating different methods in achieving the results, in which the author describes. The author also brought up that with the use of technologies, it raises the energy-efficiency in cooling by at least 30% savings in energy consumption. Describing how the conservatives’ uses shade to lower the heat within reducing the need of cooling. How in return the waste heat produced by the electricity could be reuse for dehumidifying. Author mention about the use of photovoltaic cells on the supertrees harvested which will be used for lightings while others act as air exhaust containment units. I believe Garden by the bay uses an eco-friendly approach in being energy-efficient and sustainable at the same time.

 

Firstly by looking at the artificial supertrees, the solar energy collected in the day are used at night for lighting purposes and water technology within the conservatories below. (Lauren, 2015) This removes the dependency on electricity, making it energy-efficient in sustaining itself. Showing how harvested energy is put to good use without affecting the plantation around. Based on the statistics provided by the Supertree grove, more than 162,900 plants involving over 200 species are used on supertrees, the diversity it adds is immersing. Considering the sustainability of the supertress, plants are picked not only based on their rarity and high visual appeal, it needs to be suitable for vertical planting while requiring little to no maintenance. This shows that the supertrees are built with the concept of being self-sustaining. While serving as a structure for the plants to grow on, it acts as an exhaust pipe for the underground biomass boilers. (Blain, 2014) The clever design of supertrees combining both plants and air exhaust in one, it beautifies the garden without compromising the need of having an air exhaust.

 

Lastly, with a canopy that shapes like an inverted umbrella, it provides shade for visitors around the garden. Reducing the heat felt in the garden providing a better sightseeing experience for visitors. Eliminating the need of having shelters around the garden, which prove to be less useful compared to the supertrees. It also collects rainwater distributing it to all parts of the garden for irrigation or places that demands water. (Blain, 2014) This in return cuts the cost of managing the gardens due to the reduced usage of water. Although the amount of water that obtained is not consistent, it is still part of the ecofriendly approach done by the garden.

 

In conclusion, the authors write about the different ways in which sustainability and energy efficiency implemented in different parts of the garden without compromising the ecosystem. I agree with the sustainable efforts that the author mention in the article and that each decision made has taken into account of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Reader response draft 2

According to the article “Sustainability in the gardens” taken from the Garden by the Bay website, it mentions the effort done in ensuring that it is environmentally sustainable in terms of water and energy. The author talks about the implementation in Dragonfly lake and Kingfisher lake, how it acts as a natural filtration system as well as a provider of aquatic habitats for the diversity of biological life living within them. Mentioning about it being naturally cleanse before discharged into the reservoir for irrigation in the Gardens. Claiming that it will raise awareness of the value that aquatic plants play in nature and also highlighting the significance of clean water in a sustaining biodiversity. By incorporating different methods in achieving the results, in which the author describes. The author also brought up that with the use of technologies, it raises the energy-efficiency in cooling by at least 30% savings in energy consumption. Describing how the conservatives’ uses shade to lower the heat within reducing the need of cooling. How in return the waste heat produced by the electricity could be reuse for dehumidifying. Author mention about the use of photovoltaic cells on the supertrees harvested which will be used for lightings while others act as air exhaust containment units. I believe Garden by the bay uses an eco-friendly approach in being energy efficient and sustainable at the same time.

 

Firstly by looking at the artificial supertrees, the solar energy collected in the day are used at night for lighting purposes and water technology within the conservatories below. (Lauren, 2015) This removes the dependency on electricity, making it energy-efficient in sustaining itself. Showing how harvested energy is put to good use without affecting the plantation around. With more than 162,900 plants involving over 200 species, the diversity it adds is immersing. (Supertree grove) Considering the sustainability of the supertress, plants are picked not only based on their rarity and high visual appeal, it needs to be suitable for vertical planting while requiring little to no maintenance. This shows that the supertrees are built with the concept of being self-sustaining. While serving as a structure for the plants to grow on, it acts as an exhaust pipe for the underground biomass boilers. (Blain, 2014) With the clever design of supertrees combining both plants and air exhaust in one, it beatifies the garden without compromising the need of having an air exhaust.

 

Lastly, with a canopy that shapes like an inverted umbrella, it provides shade for visitors around the garden. Reducing the heat felt in the garden providing a better sightseeing experience for visitors. Eliminating the need of having shelters around the garden, which prove to be less useful compared to the supertrees. It also collects rainwater distributing it to all parts of the garden for irrigation or places that demands water. (Blain, 2014) This in return cuts the cost of managing the gardens due to the reduced usage of water. Although the amount of water that obtained is not consistent, it is still part of the ecofriendly approach done by the garden.

 

In conclusion, the authors write about the different ways in which sustainability and energy efficiency implemented in different parts of the garden without compromising the ecosystem. I agree with the sustainable efforts that the author mention in the article and that each decision made has taken into account of energy efficiency and sustainability.

 

 

References:

Blain, L. (2014). In pictures: Singapore’s surreal Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest. Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://newatlas.com/singapore-gardens-by-the-bay-supertree-cloud-forest/33590/

Lauren,S.(2015). Solar-powered ‘supertrees’ at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.  Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/08/world/asia/singapore-supertrees-gardens-bay/

Supertree Grove. (2016). Gardensbythebay.com.sg. Retrieved 26 September 2016, from http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/the-gardens/supertree-grove/facts-and-figures.html

Gardens by the Bay – Supertrees. (2016). National Parks Board. Retrieved 26 September 2016, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/news/2011/6/gardens-by-the-bay–supertrees

 

Summary

According to the report taken from the Garden by the Bay website, much effort is done in ensuring that environmental sustainability in implemented in Gardens by the Bay.In particular the Dragonfly lake and Kingfisher lake. These two lakes act as a natural filtration system as well as a provider of aquatic habitats for the diversity of biological life living within them. Water run-off from within the Gardens is captured by the lake system and cleansed by aquatic plants before being discharged into the reservoir. Naturally treated water are being used in the built in irrigation system from the Gardens.  It raises awareness of the value of aquatic plants in nature, and highlights the significance of clean water in sustaining biodiversity. This is only achievable by incorporating those methods – firstly by filtering of water using aquatic plants reducing sediments carried along lake system. With the large amount of aquatic plants, nutrients level in the water will be significantly reduce lowing the chance of algae bloom. Those aquatic plants in return created a biodiversity which ensure constant water flow keeping potential problems at bay. By applying the cutting-edge technologies for energy-efficiency in cooling, at least 30% savings in energy consumption compared to conventional cooling technologies. The conservatories which replicates the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions and the cool-moist climate of the Tropical Montane region is energy draining. With the aid of automation,sensor operated sails will provide shade minimising solar heat gain. By cooling only the occupied zones of ground level through thermal stratification, less energy is used for cooling.Electricity used to cool the conservatives in return, generates heat energy which is being channelled for the process of dehumidifying the air before cooling. Lastly , with the use of photo voltaic cells on the super trees, solar energy harvested will be used for the lighting of the super trees. While others are incorporated within the conservatories acting as air exhaust containment units.

My English Language Learning Journey

My English language journey was definitely not been a smooth sailing one. Growing up in a Chinese speaking family did not give me an edge in learning a new language since young. I remembered naming things in English was considered a challenge to me as early as in preschool. As I had no prior knowledge in it compared to other children in my age. It was definitely discouraging as it became a problem while communicating with my classmates. It was till then I met a good English teacher in my secondary school. Although I did not like the newspaper assignments she demand us to submit weekly, it was actually quite beneficial to me in my English learning journey.

Looking back, it considered to be the actual start of my English journey. Through all the countless newspaper articles, it made me better in writing and summarising. If only I was more diligent and did two newspaper articles per week like some of my classmates, I could have even be better in English compare to now.  Learning a language is not solely based on writing and understanding. Communication plays an important part of learning a language. Sadly, majority of my friends speaks Chinese whenever we are together, making it difficult to practice English as frequently compared to others. I should have tried to talk to my non-Chinese friends more using English instead of being dependent on using English only in English lessons. Then maybe I will be better in English that what I have accomplish till now.

On a brighter note, it is never too late to learn something as long as we are willing. I could still do more reading of newspapers and watch more interviews, to improve my English.  I should also try to communicate in English as much as possible as it will be useful in the future for many presentations and reports are coming my way.