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Critical Reflection (Week 13)

  Looking back on the past 13 weeks of classes in this effective communication module, I have achieved in having more confidence in public speaking and I have also improved my writing skills. I have learned more about the verbal and non-verbal languages that were taught in this module which helped in public speaking. Having peer reviews and feedback on my written assignments has improved my writing skills. For the verbal language, I have told myself to use fewer filler words, articulate my voice better, use more transition words, and ask some rhetorical questions to engage my audience and have their attention on me. For the non-verbal language, I have tried to have more eye contact with my audience and to have good body language by not fidgeting and keeping my gestures naturally. I have improved my writing skills as there are peer reviews and feedback on my writing skills as well as feedback on my writing skills from my professor. There are also multiple drafts for my written assig...
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Annotated Summary (Draft 1)

  McKenna, S.T., Jones, N., Peck, G., Dickens, K., Pawelec, W., Oradei, S., Harris, S., Stec, A.A., & Hull, T.R. (2019). Fire behaviour of modern façade materials – Understanding the Grenfell Tower fire. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 368, 115-123.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.12.077 In the article, McKenna, Jones, Peck, Dickens, Pawelec, Oradei, Harris, Stec and Hull (2019) claimed that cladding panels used on the external walls of the Grenfell Tower in Kensington consist of the aluminum polyethylene composite material. Polyethylene aluminum composites showed “55 times greater heat release rates (PHRR) and 70 times greater total heat release (THR)” than the least flammable panels. A few drips from the burning polyethylene material is enough to ignite the foam insulation causing fast flame spreading to the other cladding panels. This research article emphasized that the polyethylene material used in the cladding panels on the exterior of Grenfell Tower was an i...
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Summary Reader Response Draft 3

According to the webpage, (CCC)(2019), “Green technology makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.” Low-energy houses, self-powered buildings and the use of smart appliances are contributing to achieve zero-energy levels in homes and buildings. The solar power in buildings reduces usage of electricity through absorption of sun’s radiation. In contrast, cool roofs and electrochromic smart glass block and reflect sunlight away. The use of biodegradable materials, green insulation, sustainable resource sourcing and rammed earth brick are about using materials in homes and buildings that are less harmful and damaging to the Earth’s environment. To effectively decrease water wastage, water efficiency technologies utilize the implementation of “efficient water supply systems”. Sustainable indoor environment technologies ensure that the well-being of ‘’building occupants’’ is taken care of.   I believe that implementing these sustainable technologies will help in elimina...
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Summary Draft 2

  According to the webpage, Construction Climate Challenge (2019) states that “Green technology makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.” Through low-energy houses, self-powered buildings and the use of smart appliances, all of these are contributing to achieve zero-energy levels in homes and buildings. The solar power in buildings reduces usage of electricity through absorption of sun’s radiation. In contrast, cool roofs and electrochromic smart glass block and reflect sunlight away. The use of biodegradable materials, green insulation, sustainable resource sourcing and rammed earth brick are about using materials in homes and buildings that are less harmful and damaging to the Earth’s environment. To effectively decrease water wastage, water efficiency technologies utilize the implementation of “efficient water supply systems”. Sustainable indoor environment technologies ensure that the well-being of ‘’building occupants’’ is taken care of. It is clear to say that s...
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The Formal Letter (week 2) Dear Prof Brad Blackstone, My full name is Liow Wee Lun, Louis but you can address me as Louis. I am a student from Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services) degree programme taking this effective communication module. This is a self introduction letter to you. I had graduated from Republic Polytechnic with a Diploma in Industrial and Operation Management in 2018. Through my polytechnic diploma, I had the opportunity to take up modules such as engineering design, mathematics for engineering and engineering cost decisions. My interest in engineering grew deeper after taking these modules as I got to learn the different types of engineering theories and concepts. One communication strength that I have is I am willing to work well together with my team members by listening to their suggestions and feedback openly and wholeheartedly. This will create a positive team environment within the group. This would also result in a productive atmosp...
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Task 3: The Importance of Communication Skills for Engineers (Week 1) The quote : "Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter." Gilbert Amelio, President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp Explanation of the quote : With a good set of excellent communication skills, the leader is able to manage the team well and organized. The leader must be expressive to effectively convey his ideas or opinions to his team members. If the leader is not able to convey the message clearly, then the leader would not be able to get the full participation from the team members and the message is fruitless.
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