Any more small classes?

I was just thinking about the advantage of small classes over lectures, where I get to interact with people of different faculties and naitonalities. I've taken WP2201A Expository Writing in Language Death, SP1202 Communicating with the Academy and ES2007S Professional Communication, all have 15-16 people per class.

Now I wonder, how many other modules in NUS has small classes for teaching communication and essay writing? I've always taken one essay writing module every semester, I'm afraid of breaking that pattern in Semester 2 of AY2010/2011. Studying mathematics without changing subjects is something I know I won't be able to bear.

I'll be sourcing for essay writing modules in School of Design & Environment in December, to hope I can find light at the end of the dark tunnel...

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From Subang Jaya

I arrived in Subang airport on 2pm, 13 November 2010. Being at home gives me the chance to catch up on my reading while I prepare for my final examinations.

I just found out Singapore was an al-Qaeda target in 2002, 7 bomb trucks were supposed to be deployed to kill thousands of people near places frequented by Americans, Britons and Australians, other than their embassies. After reading Jane Corbin's al-Qaeda, I pondered about a career in journalism. This is one possible career path I would definitely consider in the future, investigating and putting facts together for a book.

Another book I've finished reading is Ken Robinson's The Element. One of the points that caught my attention was the sign that someone is in his/her Element, is that time will fly when he/she engages in his/her passion. I'll be testing whether I like investigating and putting facts together when I start writing about how entrepreneurs in India can help to combat climate change.

But first, I need to revise Introduction to Geometry. (I can't help but notice that any modules in NUS with the word introductory seem like booby traps, the content will get more difficult after Week 6)

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Please Remember

Back in September 2005, 4 of my friends and I were dining at the USJ 9 Shakey’s Pizza branch. We talked about their newly formed band, and they were short of one vocalist; he had to drop out because of a heated argument with the others. They had two performances in two months, and they needed a vocalist quite urgently. I auditioned for the band the next day, although I had no musical background, and they told me that I was a baritone tenor. The practice sessions after that were downright rigorous. Now I would occasionally look back after my climb, and notice how much we’ve grown together after five years. Five of us are pursuing our degrees in Malaysia, me in Singapore, one in the United Kingdom, and another is Australia.

Likewise with this module, the interactions and group work resulted in new friendships being formed. I’ve learned that my resume (pre-Brad) was a mess. Other than that, I’ve also found out that “homely” is offensive. The blogging showed me that I have an interest in writing. The learning experience would’ve been ideal if stretched over 2 semesters, and better if there’s no bell curve to worry about. I’ve also had wonderful groupmates to work with; Nanhai and Xing Quan for the peer teaching, Guo Chen, Xiaoshi and Sylvester for the proposal and oral presentation. I’m also grateful to have Yuen May, Billet, Alicia, Shivam, Wenlue, Alvin, Elgin, Yanling, Vinod and Xi Xi as classmates. There will be a day when I’ll look back and reminisce about the good times we shared together.

Leann Rimes - Please Remember

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EDITED: STOP - Skywalk and Tunnel Oral Presentation

Preparation

Before STOP, we spent the time planning on how to present our research data and proposal. Our initial plan was to use PowerPoint slides, but we switched to Prezi to better organise the points. The meetings were usually after lessons and on weekends at the Science Library Seminar Room and tutorial room at FoE. They were spent redesigning and improving our Prezi, delegating tasks (such as scouting for future actors and actresses, and filming them) and rehearsing our lines.

Delivery

I could have improved my delivery by elaborating more about the tunnel and skywalk structure. I should have practised my points more, because I would have the tendency to forget. In this case, it was the structure. Like Sylvester, I also felt that our approach is unique and fresh (the sound problem was not part of the presentation).

Use of slideware

The switch to Prezi was motivated by 2 main reasons, the ability to change views on one integrated canvass and to post YouTube videos. Trying out Prezi for the first time allowed me to explore uncharted waters. Now I know the advantages of using Prezi, but this comes at a price of it dominating the presentation. I now wonder how I would have performed if I stuck to the PowerPoint slides. I’m reminded of the Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken.

Other comments

I believe that our proposal was unique, and was not expected by any of my friends. Some of the initial suggestions about the proposal topic included having more study tables and power sockets on campus, and improving traffic congestion on campus by changing the bus routes. We decided to go one step further, hence the skywalk and underground tunnel. This taught me one valuable lesson; any future presentations or essays needs to have a creative idea to make it interesting. (Without neglecting delivery.)

To Xiaoshi, Sylvester and Guo Chen; I am very grateful to have all of you as teammates. Working with all of you showed me what we can do when we get creative and cooperate. The journey, although with its ups and downs, was enjoyable, and I wish that we can have a chance to work as a team again in other modules. As pointed out by Rascal Flatts, Life is a Highway!

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