At the beginning of the UCS1001 module, I set two personal goals: to improve my verbal communication so I could present technical concepts more fluently and confidently, and to enhance my written communication skills, particularly for expressing complex ideas clearly in academic and professional contexts. I was also aware that switching between Mandarin and English sometimes disrupted my clarity during presentations, so I hoped to become more fluent and structured in my delivery. Over the course of the module, I have made meaningful progress in these areas and developed a deeper understanding of critical thinking through reflection and collaboration.
The Reader Response assignment played a key role in my academic development. I selected AutoCAD as my topic and learned how to source credible information, cite using the APA 7th edition format, and structure arguments with clarity. This process helped me unlearn habits such as relying on weak online sources and overlooking citations. More importantly, I improved in presenting a focused, evidence-based analysis rather than just summarizing facts. By identifying the implications of AutoCAD in the engineering and construction industries, I was pushed to evaluate the “why” behind the tool’s use, not just describe what it does. This helped build my confidence in both research and writing.
The assignment also required me to reflect on the tone and language appropriate for an academic audience. I worked on paraphrasing more effectively, ensuring I did not distort the original meaning while maintaining academic integrity. These are skills I continue to build on. While I feel more confident in writing structured, analytical reports, I know I still need to improve in drawing stronger conclusions and applying critical thinking under tighter time constraints.
Beyond writing, I developed my verbal communication skills during our group project titled Sika’s Robotic Arm-Based 3D Concrete Printer: Integrating a CO₂ Pump System for Stronger Concrete. As the group leader, I was responsible for delegating tasks, facilitating discussions, and guiding the report and presentation to completion. One key challenge we faced was having to change our initial research direction from fiber-reinforced concrete, which was already used by Sika, to exploring CO₂ mineralization. This tested my ability to communicate clearly and keep the group aligned while adapting to new information quickly.
Throughout the project, I learned the importance of trusting my teammates, avoiding micromanagement, and creating space for shared ownership. Early on, I tended to double-check everything myself. But over time, I learned to set clear expectations, listen to feedback, and allow others to take responsibility for their roles. I also became more aware of the value of emotional intelligence in teamwork, checking in with members, respecting their perspectives, and building a collaborative team dynamic. These lessons changed how I view leadership, not as giving orders, but as guiding, supporting, and growing with others.
The oral presentation helped me reflect on how far I had come with my communication goal. I practiced maintaining tone, pacing, and posture while using visuals effectively. I also worked on reducing filler words, slowing my speech, and transitioning more smoothly between ideas even when switching languages. Presenting technical concepts with clarity and confidence was something I struggled with before, but I now feel more prepared and self-aware in these situations. I have learned that practicing with peers and receiving feedback are essential to refining my delivery.
This entire experience shifted my view of learning. I used to see learning as an individual process, focused on reading, writing, and revising alone. But through this project, I have come to understand that learning is just as much about collaboration, feedback, and adaptability. I have learned to reflect not only on the content but also on how I communicate, lead, and learn with others.
In summary, this module has helped me move closer to the goals I set at the beginning: improving my written and verbal communication, developing critical thinking, and learning how to lead and work in teams more effectively. Through both the Reader Response and the Sika project, I have gained practical skills and insights that will stay with me beyond this module. Moving forward, I will continue practicing reflection, seeking feedback, and applying these lessons to future academic and professional challenges.
