In the past three years of my varsity life, I had done several projects for different modules. Of them all, the report that I’ve done for ES2007S is probably the most structured one. There were clear instructions and guidance from Brad throughout the report writing process. It was definitely a positive learning experience as I have picked up proper skills in preparing and writing a professional report.
Most importantly, I learnt that effective communication between group members truly plays a crucial role in churning out a full-length report. One could not have done it alone given the limited timeframe for the report. Amidst the busy schedules that my project members and I have, we had to rely largely on emails and text messages to communicate with each other regarding our individuals’ roles and responsibilities. The tone used in these messages had to be appropriate in order to avoid potential conflicts or miscommunication. Ideas or any instructions conveyed using these forms of communication had to be clear and precise so as to facilitate clear understanding. Separate tasks had to be completed on time to facilitate the progress of the report. Similarly, I have learnt that teamwork is particularly important in this aspect. For instance, updates on individual’s progress in the assigned task are necessary so that each member knows the parts that have been completed and the parts that need further chiselling. In this way, efficiency and productivity can be ensured and that everything can go about smoothly.
Teamwork is also essential in trying to overcome difficulties. For example, in this project, the initial number of survey respondents did not meet the expected quota and hence, we had a problem of a small sample group. However, we managed to put our brains together and came up with suitable ideas like mass emailing all of our friends to complete the survey.
For the upcoming oral presentation, I would like to convey our project ideas to the audience as clearly as possible. This will require constant practising and rehearsing with the team in order to give a fluent and well-prepared presentation. Once again, team coordination is essential in this aspect.
Edited 12 October 2008
8 comments:
Hello Joyce,
I agree with you that communication through emails and sms can sometimes bring across the wrong ideas and cause misunderstanding. This has happened to my group too but luckily, we managed to clarify everything and no conflict occur.
One thing good about the research project is that we are allocated time to do the project in class. we are also given the schedule for each class, so that we know what we are supposed to accomplish during that class. This makes it easier for us as everyone in the class have different timetables. It is impossible to meet outside class for discussions. Don't you agree?
Also, I believe everyone is stressed out especially during the mid term week as we have to produce the drafts and study for our tests at the same time. As Brad mentioned in class, this is the real life!
After the final report, we would have to worry about the oral presentation. Well, after completing so many research projects, oral presentations must be a piece of cake for you! So, don't worry be happy!
good luck for the final report and oral presentation!
Dear Joyce,
I believe that teamwork within a team is most important and amazingly, having known each other for slightly more than half a semester, all of us pretty much are able to work well with our individual groups. Without a doubt, I believe that you also enjoy the whole process of working with your group.
Besides that, I feel that when we are in a group we must each learn how to accomodate one another's needs and understand their stands from their viewpoints. In this way, we can ensure minimal conflicts and unhappiness within the group.
Yes, I do agree with Pei Rong about not being able to meet outside class for further discussions given our packed schedules with endless tests and assignments. Hence, with the allocated timeslots during class, our lives are made much easier as we are able to discuss during those timeslots.
All in all, I absolutely believe that you also had a wonderful time doing the report with your dedicated group members! =)
Hi Joyce,
I agree communicating through emails and SMS can cause miscommunication. In fact, miscommunication can also arise when communicating face to face.
I remembered there was once, due to some misinterpretation of the task allocation, both Weiren and I came up with an executive summary each.
Thank you Pei Rong, Xiu Wen and Hui Xuan for your comments. :) I feel that communication through emails and sms really irks me sometimes. After doing numerous projects throughout the past 3 years, these communication channels, even though convenient, don't often lead to the desired outcome I may expect. For example, people who do not have the habit of checking their emails regularly may not reply you in time and sometimes when things are set to be completed by a certain date, the person who has missed the email will not have done his/her part. This often lead to unhappiness as people assume that others check their emails on a regular basis. I think it is best to discuss the mode of communication to be used when doing any project so that all group members know where to look for updated information.
Thanks Pei Rong for your well wishes! I need lots of luck! :S Haha.. How I wish I can be in the wizarding world of Harry Potter where there is such a potion called liquid luck!
Dear Joyce,
Yup, I agree that this time round the report is very structured because there were clear instructions from Brad! And also, glad that you guys worked together to overcome problems, that should be the way teamspirit is!
You mentioned that the mode of communication can be a problem, well I guess many of us experience this too. For our group, we tried to sms each other to meet up online at a timing so we could talk in a group instead of from A to B and B to C. However, I think meeting online has its pros and cons too. For example when someone wants to relay his or her msg or tries to explain certain things, there are often a lot of interruptions going on at the same time and as a result some info may not be conveyed due to overloading of info. Hence, I would think that meeting up face to face is the best although sometimes it's hard to find a timing that can accomodate everyone.
Anyway, good luck for your presentation too!=)
Thanks, Joyce, for this heartfelt reflection. I really appreciate your hard work!
Yo Joyce!
My dear project partner! Hahaa. It's always good to have you as a project mate because you are so super organised which is GREAT! I'm glad we can always coordinate well and help one another when one of us is stressed out by all the work load and stuffs! :)
Yo Joyce!
My group also exploited emails and sms thanks to the wonders of IT! Of course not meeting face-to-face have its risks of misunderstandings and miscommunication but since it's going to become a trend or rather it is already the trend now, we should make use of this opportunity to learn how to effectively and clearly get our message across to each other using these channels of communication (:
Post a Comment