Post #6

The biggest take away I have from this module would be something apparent in all aspects/assignments of the course: blogging, projects, reports, cv etc. This development is the trait of being in control whether it is in writing, presenting or speaking.

As I have mentioned previously, one will never feel completely prepared but we can choose to not let that negativity plague our work. Apparent in the first 2 blog posts and comments on others’, cv and preliminary portions of the project, how I crafted them was as such: list out as many points as possible, fit them together into sentences, and spending hours cutting them to fit the word count. This way, the points were controlling my writing rather than me exercising control over the writing.

The sheer quantity of points derived from trying to cover as much ground as possible often impeded my control over a task, compromising conciseness, clarity and coherence.

What was surprising about this realisation was that this was a take away applicable on a personal level as well considering it originated from a communication level. For much of the semester (if not my life) I have been trying to do everything as much as possible with regards to work. Likewise, it would be just as challenging to maintain control by trying to cover excessive grounds. So indeed less is more and what I have learned is to have a clear focus when writing or speaking, present the information in a concise manner and ultimately exercising control over the content.

Post #5

Preparation:

This is probably the area I have learnt the most from. Indeed one will never ever feel completely prepared but the thing though is to maintain control over your preparation. Indeed less is more. It was always apparent only through the various consultations with Brad or feedback received that I had a persistent problem of trying to cover as much ground as possible: address multiple problems and try to link them; come up with as many solutions as possible and try to connect them to one problem hoping that all are relevant. As such much of the material prepared had to be discarded (too much content, lack of focus – potentially confusing etc.)

Large portions of my speech had to be constantly altered or discarded as well. In fact the main body of the final speech I presented was drawn up the night before after realizing the irrelevance of the previous drafts. The team agreed that while it was less comprehensive, it was definitely more focused and easier to follow.

Delivery/Slideware/Audiovisuals:

Could probably better familiarize myself with use of technology: slides probably still had the most words; was probably the only person to use the primitive whiteboard in place of animations, weird positioning of the whiteboard etc. I was however comfortable in presenting information through a balanced mix of memorisation and improvisation thus not having to over-rely on either. Perhaps I could use more impactful pictorials strategically fitted to phrases in future.