[UCS1001] CRITICAL THINKING AND COMMUNICATING - S16 EWAN'S REFLECTIVE BLOG

Illustration of the Port Plus Building in Yokohama [ Port Plus (oyproject.com) ] - The team read SCAL and IES monthly/quarterly newsletters to seek ideas. - The team conducted further research into sustainable materials through Google search engine. - The team read Singapore's Five Strategic Thrusts of Sustainable Construction Master Plan. - Gordon recalled from TikTok a sustainable building call Port Plus in Yokohama, Japan - Japan's first fully wooden building. - The team utilised gAI (Google Bard) to explore further. Our prompt was "Features of the Port Plus building in Yokohama.".  - Ewan checked media releases from government authorities such as BCA, HDB and EDB for news articles and journals related to sustainable building. - The team selected a Bloomberg article on the Port Plus building through the the Obayahi Corporation's official website. [ Will pure wooden skyscrapers be a game changer for decarbonization, Obayashi's challenge - Bloomberg ] - The t...

Subject: Self-Introduction Letter Dear Professor Blackstone, I am writing this letter with the purpose of formally introducing myself and providing more context on who I am as a person. In 2021, I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. My interest in the engineering field has been an intrinsic part of me for as long as I can remember. I have always been fascinated with how the world around me works, and have been down many “rabbit holes” from even the simplest questions. My father also played a part in this, due to his job as an aircraft engine technician at the time and his attitude of “everything is fixable” that he showed to many things around the house. Upon reflection, I feel that my communication strength is empathy. During conversations, I try to make it a point to really think about what I am going to say and how it might affect the other person. As an introvert, my biggest communication weakness is public speaking. Paired with a sli...

  The Importance of Communication Skills For Engineers “While all engineers should have good communication skills, global engineers face additional challenges, making effective communication an imperative.” Debra Kraft, Careers Content Writer, Demand Media (2016)   Gordon and I agree on the importance of communication for global engineers. Recognising diverse cultural backgrounds, respecting differences, and researching peers' cultures are essential. Additionally, navigating challenges such as varied languages and perspectives requires honing universal communication skills, like observing body language and facial expressions, fostering effective global collaboration. (49 words)