Reflections on ES2007S

ES2007S is a module unlike any other I've taken in this course. If a university education is about preparing ourself for the future workplace, then ES2007S has achieved far more than any other module-it has led me to venture further in communication and other essential skills that will be a boon for life.

Communication

I have been exposed to effective writing and speaking. In terms of writing, the 7Cs is a fundamental principle which I will base all my current and future writing on. In this respect, I have learnt to be more concise and clear in consideration for my audience-an aspect I may not have focused on sufficiently before. In my first blog post, when my sentences were too loaded and insufficiently clear, I thank Brad and my fellow classmates/friends for pointing it out, both online and in person.

Through the writing of a proposal, cover letter, group editing, presentations and mock interviews, I have learnt how to be more persuasive and effective, both orally and in writing. For example, I appreciate Brad for personally spending time to teach me how to choose my words carefully in crafting an effective cover letter, that it may more likely appeal and impress the reader without sounding pompous. Both Brad and my my fellow classmates/friends have also pointed out to me so many fine details about presentation skills that it is unlikely I will be able to learn all this on my own. In fact, the experience of preparing for a presentation, to be critiqued honestly and constructively may surpass years of experience of giving presentations, because the former both accounts for and empowers one to see our blind spot. Last but not least, without the experience and skills of an effective and engaging educator like Brad, the advantage of his well-structured lessons may not have been fully leveraged upon.

Interactions in Class

Lessons by Brad have been fun, stimulating and amidst the rowdiness of a motley group of students, a deeper camaraderie within my project group, the Dandelions(pun unexpected but intended), has blossomed. Once again, credit should be given to Brad because as a teacher, he delicately treads the line between creativity/freedom of expression and regimented/structured. In doing so, he has achieved a fine balance. I respect Brad for being flexible enough to allow the class to air their opinions but without overdoing so that his lesson objectives are not met. I also recognise that Brad leads the way in diligence and being proactive. No other lecturer at NUS has entertained me with as much personal anecdotes, email reminders and a palpable sense of enthusiasm about his/her module!

My classmates have also been incredible, and even with differing personalities and expectations, we have learnt to work effectively, take calculated risks, and compromise when needed. It should therefore come to no surprise why Brad's class is different. Part of it is Brad's effectiveness as an educator; part of it, perchance, is the uniqueness of the dynamics of this class.

Blogging

In blogging, I have gained valuable new perspectives and ideas. I reckon that the greatest advantage of this medium of communication lies in the meticulous and creative planning and crafting of thoughts and ideas. I remember Brad, wee boon and yongxin's blog as particularly insightful as they highlight to me interesting perspectives of daily life. Brad's writing nearly epitomises efficiency in writing. Among so many well-written blogs, I remember Brad's one as being concise, clear, coherent and above all, it remains a highly interesting read. A good yardstick of the effectiveness of any blog is this-my willingness to read the blogs of ES2007S even after the academic motivation of scoring a better grade for this module is over.

And yes, I will read, almost everyone of the blogs in my ES2007S class. In fact, it has already been bookmarked in my browser!

Thank you Brad for excellence in education, and to everyone else in ES2007S for this journey in learning tools of the trade in effective communication. The friendship of this class remains~the 'makan session on Facebook' ;)

[Edited (grammar)]