Final Reflection on Learning

Final Reflection on Learning

Before I do reflection on my learning, I want to thank everyone in this module who helped me and gave me sincere feedback and especially I want to thank my group members for being so patient and so helpful.

The most magic thing for me after choosing this module is that what I learned in classroom could bring me changes in my daily life. It’s amazing because I know that if I did not take this module I would not do that in that way.  For example, back in China, it’s quite a painful work for our class committee members to collect information of everyone in the class such as buying books or ordering class meals. After I learned that Google Docs is a convenient tool for group work, I applied an account for my class in Harbin and since then the class committee members did not need to bother collecting information dorm by dorm. Another example is that when I communicate with the tutorial and lab teaching assistant, I was more aware of the using of courtesy and clearness as well as maintained a good relation with the teaching assistant and they helped me a lot.  Besides, in terms of oral presentation, although there are much more for me to improve, at least I know my strength and weakness. Moreover, I know the main factors to do a good presentation. Last but not least, I learned a lot from the  group work. I know how ‘real’ group work looks like.

In conclusion, I was so lucky to choose this module. This module bring changes to my daily life and more aware of the community process when I communicate with others.

Ps: when I looked back, I still remembered the first time when we meet, it’s full of fun. Through the course we change from strangers to friends. So I am wondering how did this process progressed? Is it a good idea to video-record the first time when we met and introduced each other and then let us looked at it in the last class? Isn’t it fun? Maybe we could learn a bit from it by knowing more about the process of knowing a person :)

Reflection on Oral Presentation

Reflection on Oral Presentation

    “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
(Confucius Quotes)                                        

After all the group project presentations finished, it comes to the time for reflection.I enjoyed the process of listening to the presentation and it was quite a good opportunity for learning.Besides, looking back trying to do a critical reflection, I found my strength and weakness come out more clearly.

Being the first group to do presentation, to be honest, I did not get enough time to prepare for the presentation. However, I tried my best to remember the script and did not read script in my presentation. I view it as one of my strength because I think if the speaker himself could not remember what he is going to talk it would definitely weaken the persuasion of the presentation. But it was not easy for me because the sentence did not come out from my mouth naturally as my group members do. But of course I am not taking it as an excuse for not presenting well. Another strength of my presentation is the eye contact with my audience and proper gesture which is a makeup for my language.

However, definitely there are much more for me to improve. For example, when I was doing practice myself, I found myself more comfortable, more fluently and most importantly, more confident and enthusiastic. But when I stood on the stage, I feared and lost confidence when all the audience are looking at me. Also when I listened to Jinyuan’s group presentation, I found they were doing better in terms of logic and consideration,thus persuasion. Also I think prezi is not a proper tool for formal presentation like this. Besides, we did not collect enough static like Lianghao’s group did and I think it’s an important factor to improve persuasion. Last but absolutely not least, the most weakness for me is the fluency and pronunciation. But just like what Madam Fazilah said, I still got time and I think I know much better of my weakness through this module and for sure I will put much more effort on improving my communication skills.

--“Confucius quotes.” Find the famous quotes you need, ThinkExist.com Quotations.. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.

Fostering Intercultural Communication

Last semester when I was in Harbin, China, four American friends of my English teacher came to visit China. Three of my friends and I volunteered to show them around in Harbin. So on Sunday afternoon, we went to a famous commercial street in Harbin called Central Street and spent a wonderful afternoon together. In the evening, we chose a Chinese restaurant which is famous for its traditional Chinese food to eat.  Only after the dinner, I realized that you could never imagine what could be a culture shock for a foreigner when you were a local yourself.

In China, as hosts we ordered food for our guests. So we ordered three types of dumplings, traditional nutritious slowly cooked soup, and some dishes. When all the food was served, the guests were looking at us with their eyes full of question. It was until then we realized that in America, usually they ordered their own food even it’s on other’s treat. But in China, we share the dishes, dumplings, soup together. After explaining to them, they would like to try eating together and learn to use chopsticks. But when we told them what inside the dumplings are donkey meat and dog meat, they laughed and thought we were kidding. Even after we explained to them that in China donkey meat was considered as one of the most delicious meat in the world, they still did not  want to try. Because usually they only tried meat that they know, such as  pork, mutton, chicken meat  and thought it’s kind of rude to eat dog and monkey meat.

In addition, they told us they didn’t feel comfortable when they took bus, because the bus was crowded and it’s unavoidable that people touched each other from time to time. But as Americans they thought it is important to respect personal room and they called it “elbow room”. So they feel really awkward to take bus.

Although the guests really enjoyed the traditional Chinese food and it was quite a lot of fun during the dinner, but I think we could do better as hosts if we knew better about American culture. It is very easy for us to make assumption when we were quite familiar with what we were doing. But what we were doing every day could be a shock to people from other culture. And sometimes, if we do not pay attention to it, we may went beyond the bottom moral line of other cultures or even violate laws of other cultures .As such, it is of great importance to learn more about other culture as well as respect other culture.

Personal Statement

Personal Statement

(for a postgraduate program)

Through all of my accomplishments and disappointments, I have always been especially proud of the dedication and fervor I possess for my personal beliefs and values, which is always keeping myself curious and never stop challenging myself.

Since young I have always been curious about computer and electrical devices. I still remember clearly the surprised look on the teacher's face when I typed without looking at the keyboard the first time I touched a computer. However, what the teacher did not know is that, driven by curiosity, I had looked through the textbook and had practiced typing over and over again on the cover of a computer textbook with a keyboard printed on it before the class.

Thus, I chose Electronic Information Science and Technology as my major in university and I am expected to graduate this summer with a Bachelor’s Degree from Harbin Institute of Technology. Through university, I have developed an intense interest in Integrated Circuits and Embedded Systems and I am eager to specialize in this subject.

During my time in HIT, I was chosen to be a member of Honors School with all the top students from various majors. The high-quality and international oriented courses that Honors School provided not only lay a solid foundation for my further study but also promote an international vision for me. In addition, the experience of working and competing with these top students from different disciplines broadens my perspective and pushes me to make progress.  Moreover, by dedicating myself to all kinds of academic competitions and contests helps me to apply the knowledge I learnt from textbook. The constant challenges also accelerate my growth.

Throughout my university life I have taken on many roles and responsibilities in student clubs and organizations. Through these experiences I learnt to be open-minded to different opinions. In addition, the ability to look at things in different perspectives and good mastery of critical thinking and analyzing make me a valuable team player as well as a good decision maker.

As you can see in my resume, I spent an unforgettable semester in National University of Singapore….(more info to be added latter)

       As a man who enjoys doing research and determined to achieve the long held ambition to become an Engineer, I will continue to bring more enthusiasm and persevere in my studies. Also I cherish the belief that my capability to stay curious and exploring new technologies will help me to succeed in this field and I feel I can do well in the university environment.

       

Control and make good use of quarrel

SCENARIO:

It was a cold morning when new year was around the corner. Jack and Rose went shopping
together.Jack and Rose have been married for 10 years. Although not wealthy, they never complain about it and work together for the better. In the market, Rose found a beautiful red scarf priced at 100$. It is a little expensive but Rose like it so much so she bought the scarf and show it to Jack. Here is their dialogue.

Jack was surprised：“You spent 100$ only to buy a piece of rag?

Rose felt embarrassed and a little angry. She said:"It is new year! I just bought a scarf, is it too much?!"

Jack realized that he didn't use the right word. So he tried to explain:" I just mean it is too expensive and it does not deserve it. You must have cheated by the sales man.”

Now the anger has controlled Rose and the bitterness of living in poverty also come into her mind. She can't help to complain about her husband:"How could I marry so mean a man like you! You always fuss about money just like a woman! I have suffered enough with you!"

Jack felt being insulted and left with a word:"Let's get divorced!"

ANALYZE:
When analyzing personal conflict like the case above, we could easily find out that once a quarrel start, it has a large risk to get out of control. Moreover, the content of the quarrel is easily going off the start point.

From my perspective, we should try to avoid quarrel because once it gets started, it is quite easy to get out of control. It means that when you feel uncomfortable about or even get a little angry what others have said, don't hurry to burst. Try to keep reasonable and calm.

However, it is not right to avoid quarrel all the time. Sometimes we have to let out of stress through quarrel and complaining. As long as we handle it in a right way, it could promote understanding and increase intimacy.

The biggest error that we make when we quarrel is that we focus not on the event but the people.For example, we could complain the way people do something but not the people. Another thing is that we should avoid involve in the old unpleasing topic and avoid using the word like "always" "never" and so on. Leave some space for making up.

How Well We Communicate Defines Who We Are

        Knowing who we are is important, but let others know “who we are” is more important. Because in our personal relationship, “who we are” is defined not by ourselves but by the people around us. This is why communication is critical. But merely known by others is far from enough. Around us, there are always some people who are overwhelmingly welcomed, who are comfortable to be with, or who are charming and infectious. Not just they can freely and properly communicate with others, more importantly, they could communicate fluently, enthusiastically and contagiously. They are effective and professional communicators. That’s who I have always wanted to be.

        Through the classes I have attended, it’s easy to find out that the topics we are discussing in this class are nothing new. So from my perspective, I think what we are doing is exploring what we have already known in the subconscious area of our brain. After that, a bridge that connect the subconsciousness and the consciousness is established so that we are able to reflect on how well we communicate as well as to enhance the communication. Let me take nonverbal communication for example, when we are talking, we are able to detect the speaker’s emotion or whether he or she is lying judging from their posture, voice tone, eye contact or their facial expression when we don’t realize it. So in this class, we are going to know more on communication process and develop practical and effective communication skills which will distinguish us and build a stepping stone to a successful career.

        For me now, it’s not easy for me to express myself fluently with English，let alone communicating effectively and professionally. But I cherish the belief that professional communication is a life-long pursue. There is no limit to it and we can always do better. So as long as I am making progress, I am happy!