Reflective Writing 1

Discipline specific knowledge

Describe:

Discipline specific knowledge can be defined as a set of understandings that is more than broad knowledge of a field, rather, it is the sort of knowledge that is specific to the discipline or profession and defines a specialist in the area.

It helps us understand professional practice during within the field of study, understand ethical issues of the context of the field of study and able to put theories into practice. 

Interpret:

This can be observed when we are doing subjects such as psychology and legal studies where we tackle sensitive issues relating to humanity. In psychology, we learn about how to conduct ethical research projects following morally correct guidelines and such. Research pertaining to behaviour or personality can be invasive of a person's privacy and therefore is not ethical. Several ethical guidelines are meant to be followed to protect participants from harm and to protect their rights. In our course of study, we had to carry out 2 different psychology research projects and their respective reports were included in our grades. These provided us with ample opportunities to carry out what we had learnt and also by carrying it out ourselves instead of textbook style learning, we were able to obtain a more in-depth understanding of the concepts and the subject.

Evaluate:

These skills that help us create more ethical and empirical research which is reliable. It helps us generate more accurate reports and conduct research that is fair to everyone. This will be useful in universities as conducting research is part of the curriculum for almost all the modules. It will help us get better grades as well. Also, for research related professions such as bioengineering or pharmacy such research skills will be very important so as to ensure that no one is harmed while producing a cure for a disease. What's the point if thousands die to make the cure for one disease right? As for our life, these skills will also be important as it will allows us to question the things in our daily lives and find out which is true and reliable. Currently, we are surrounded by many speculations and people may just believe it is true just because someone famous said it without actuall knowing the subject matter. This allows us to lead a more happier life.

Plan:

There is a lot that we can do to improve these skills. The first step is always to ask if whether something is true or possible. The second will be collect and collate lots of reliable data from credible sources. Then we can do some analysis or research on the topic of interest without harming anyone and protecting anyone's or anything's rights. And finally we can draw good conclusions from it. This topic of interest can be anything does not just have to be restricted to science but even perhaps food?

By: Arunmozhivarman

Thinking and problem solving skill

D & I: I have learnt thinking and problem solving skills throughout my whole pre U programme. 

Thinking and problem solving skill is a very important skill that stimulates and challenges our common sense and critical thinking to analyze a problem and how it can be done to get a proper conclusion or answer. For example, we had Chemistry and Physics proposal to be done for the subject Chemistry and Physics. Upon trying the to work out the experiment, we had to make amends to the proposal in order to make the experiment work. In Chemistry and Physic lab reports we were to identify the weaknesses in the experimental procedures or method, so that we could think and research ways to a better and more accurate method. In the meantime, we were stimulates to think out of the box and to find solutions to every problems. 

E: Thinking and problem solving skill has greatly benefited us in university, career and basically daily lives. We would be trained to preservere and look for a solution whenever we face an obstacle, we have obtained the confidence and the spirit to not give up. In universities, we are given projects with problems and weaknesses that need to be attended to. For example, we could be asked on ways to conserve the environment. Different issues may need be tackled in different ways. And in life career, we would be able to think critically. For example, while creating a product that delights every consumer, we have to think out of the box for something that solves problems of the consumer in ways that have never been thought of. 

P: To strengthen and enhance this thinking skills, playing sudoku quizzes could be a way. We could also innovate ways in our daily lives to solve simple problems faced in life such as how to take a group selfie, and how to get everyone to position quickly in a class photo.

By: Janice Wong

Communication Skill

D: Communication skill is simply the ability of the act of transferring information from one place to another, whether this be vocally (using voice), written (using printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites or emails), visually (using logos, maps, charts or graphs) or non-verbally (using body language, gestures and the tone and pitch of voice). 

I: After participating in SAM, my communication skill had improved a lot  throughout the programme. Since 70% of this pre-university programme depends on assements and assignment, the presentation of every subjects is extremely important. For example, through the oral session of ESL (English as Second Language), I can share my idea with the teacher and use my own words formally to answer the teacher's questions. So, my communication skill can improve when communicating with teacher. Besides, I can also improve my communication skill by having consultation with my teachers. The moment having consultation, I can communicate with the subject teacher to strenghten my communication skill.

E: With the significant improvement in my communication skills, i will be able to make sure that my goals can be achieved successfully and also will help in the development of my career. For example, in order to

Complete a job or make any advancement in my career, i will

Need to request information, discuss problems, work in teams and interact with colleagues and clients. In order to make all these criteria perfect, an effective teamwork, good communication skills are essential.

P: To improve my communication, I should take part in different events such as public speaking, giving speech, just to name a few, so that I have more chance to communicate. Moreover, I likewise should read more newspaper or listen to the news on television and radio more frequently. Through this ways and means, I make sure that I can improve my communication skill.

By: Chow Han Ket & Ng Hui Siang

D & I: Intrapersonal skill is the ability to work remotely and to be self-motivating and self-monitoring. Hence, self management is essential. After I went through 8 months express South Australia Matriculation, I have learnt that we are the one who take the responsibility for our studies. We will not be spoon feed anymore by lecturers in college. Lecturers will only give us the guideline for the assignments and we should do the research work by ourselves. For example, in order to complete chemistry lab report, individual research is very important. I must go through many websites or even books the gather information. If we only use the information provided by the lecturers, we will not be able to achieve a better grade. Hence, we must be able to manage ourselves. Besides, through this express matriculation, i have learnt to manage my time orderly. Assignments and exams are given consistently. In order to complete my work on time and excel in the exams, time management is very important. My hard work should be consistent and procrastinating is not allowed.

E & P: Through the intrapersonal skill, i am able to manage myself orderly and plan everything in advance. I will seldom face situations that require last minute work. Besides, with the intrapersonal skill, I will be able to cope with new environment and the uncertain. It includes the ability to respond to crisis situations or emergencies. Moreover, I can handle work stress and face the problems with equanimity. To improve my intrapersonal skills, I will try not the rely on the others and seek too much help from the others to complete my work. I will try to build up my self-confident in completing my work by myself. Besides, I will participate in more clubs or societies and become the president or hold any other position.

By: Nicole Sin