How Working on the EWB Project Compares With the Expectations at the Beginning of Semester - Personal Statement Example

PORTFOLIO PART 2 Name Professor Institution Course Date How working on the EWB Project Compares with the Expectations at the Beginning of Semester So far, this semester has had a lot of experience that cannot go without mentioning the work expectations I had initially. Some of the experiences learnt were very important for several reasons. The experiences impacted on the project situation and even raised some implications or questions that can be used as a lesson to future learners or professionals. Generally, this research considers the design of an Information Communication Technology system that can give skills to people, supply electricity to the rural homes, extend computer skills to education staff, and come up with softwares and hardware that people can afford. Information Communication Technology is very essential and has proved to influence the academic performance of many people in the rural community Codo, among other communities within the rural Lautem. Through the technical education that is extended to people, they are able to generate more income, in addition to the skills they acquire (Pappas, 2011). Increased virtual learning has contributed to a perfect match between occupation and people’s needs of time. For instance, special phones meant for the blind have significantly boosted their online studies. These phones are capable of translating the written scrip into brail language. The main challenge to students is the use of computers is massively contributed by the inadequacy of computer gadgets and insufficient power supply in some areas, especially the rural homes. This project addresses the misfortune of poor societies, due to lack of basic facilities. The economy activity is low in some areas due to poor computer knowledge. The students in some rural areas are poor positioned to compete with their counterparts it the urban areas. This lowers their performance in a great deal. This research has found out that the cost of learning has increased as a result of advanced technology and therefore, the education institutions must come out boldly in introducing some significant technology skills to be applied by both adults and school children. The lesson learnt out of this project is that there is a dire need to ensure proper allocation of resources in both rural and urban areas. Failure to do this will lead to a situation of income inequality. In allocation of the resources, rural students should be targeted in order to keep them at bar with the urban students. This ICT project also inputs the concept of electronics. The process of mapping the GPS system skills will lead to increased employment for the rural youth. By lowering the cost of hardware and software, the rural youth will be able to afford (Hassan & Rasiah, 2011). Also, special training institutions should be put in place in safeguard the interest of educating the youth on ICT matters. Another lesson learnt is that the implementation of this project will impact on both physical and social change of the entire region. The rural people will be able to teach and learn online. Online businesses will pick up in rural homes, and this will alter the finance of the people. The use of Internet will expand social integration. The Experience of Studying Engineering this Semester Studying engineering this semester has resulted to realization of a great array of experience. In my study of engineering this semester, I have realized that this field of engineering is very interesting because it involves a technology that students can easily apply in order to change their lives. Students are pillars of future development, and therefore, by studying this engineering discipline, the whole society will gradually change. The learning facilities, modes of learning, and type of assignments given are all enriching. The whole course outline creates the feeling that all the objectives beforehand are realizable. However, the main thing I have found most challenging this semester is creating a balance among the entire academic, social, sports, and religions activities. The level of time management required while undertaking an engineering discipline is very high. Arriving at the best practice in time management requires some student experience. The academic calendar is constrained by time. Therefore, the use of a reliable schedule will boost the academic performance in the subsequent semesters. Exams are a deadline that requires appropriate time management. The study of engineering has turned out to be challenging than was expected before. Engineering is interdisciplinary because it incorporates a number of sciences and technologies. The learning unfolds more knowledge than what was learnt in my earlier years. It is a discipline that has components with which a learner can mould the society into a better form. From the detailed analysis of the unfolding studying experiences this semester, anybody can predict that it will be less challenging in the subsequent semester. What we are studying this semester is a precursor of the subsequent semesters. We, therefore, expect the subsequent semester to be less challenging because the preliminaries will have prepared us much enough. The learning experience will also have improved; the shock of starting engineering will have diminished to a routine of working to meet the learning objectives. Learning to avoid unnecessary distractions is a matter of time and experience. In other words, the subsequent semesters shall be approached more cautiously in order to better grades. Thus, the study of engineering will get easier next time. I am glad studying engineering because it is an answer to my learning objectives. Engineering is a field that has shaped the world from different perspectives. This means that the study will produce an all-round individual who can apply classroom knowledge and the practical experience for the betterment of oneself and the society at large. Every society, both rural and urban, requires the engineering skills. Without the engineering, the world’s development would be in a vacuum. The Biggest Problems this Semester and the Actions taken or Strategies needed in order to Deal with those Problems Time management was the biggest challenge experienced this semester. This is more of a personal management challenge that a social or any other kind of challenge. There were some many academic activities, and teamwork activities, all of which were supposed to be attended. Research and attending lectures were also necessary. This kind of challenge is directly related to studies. As an engineering student, using time properly is definitely crucial in order to achieve success. Several academic experts would confirm that poor time management skills or time wastage is the main causes of lower performances in terms of academics. As such, students ought to understand the countless merits of proper time management. In fact, for me to meet the deadlines, I had to prioritize my goals, and do studies in an efficient and accurate manner. I learnt that poor management of time can make crucial deadlines to slip out of hand when least expected, thus exposing a learner to severe danger of getting poor grades. The engineering discipline requires a lot of determination and highest standard of time management in order to score high grades. The challenge was learning and putting to practice the appropriate time management skills. Another difficult was in understanding what was supposed to be done. When new topics are introduced, there is need to go miles ahead in order to understand the approaches used. Some assignments and teamwork activities required extensive research. The semester was full of addressing the new tasks by use of the best approaches possible. New approaches required extensive consultations. In teamwork activities, the main difficult was to cope with various members, some of whom may have been uncooperative. Teamwork is also very important because it leads to extensive research because the various members can brainstorm several things from which to sort and come up with concrete arguments. After doing more research on how to handle the problem of time management, I realized the need to use an expert approach to proper time management. Some of these skills have been proved and tested over time by the previous engineering students. The hindsight on How to Handle the Challenge of personal Management Putting Together a Working Plan Teamwork and other engineering research activities to be tackled during the semester require some advance planning in readiness to tackle the challenge of time management. The best way of going about this is do draw a to-do list that integrates the entire scope from beginning to the end (Murray, 1938). It is paramount to think of a working strategy or plan in order to come up with tools or methods necessary to having an all-inclusive plan. An engineering students’ working plan is essential in order to ensure that study is carried out in the best-way possible, otherwise the entire lot of assignments and teamwork projects may end up confusing or lead to a situation of last minute rush. Early planning can work as an indicator, and give priority to particular teamwork assignments or projects that should to be done timely. In the planning process, learners can use task diaries, time reminders, and day planners. With planners, you save time, feel in control of academics, there is a record on what should be done, there is a bigger picture in mind and therefore, it is not easy to forget any activity. Setting Priorities for Assignments Regardless of the revision schedules or the bulkiness of the research and teamwork assignments, an engineering student should set out priorities. This involves thinking about the crucial activities at hand, and organizing those activities according the level of their urgency and importance. In most cases, it is appropriate to begging with the easiest activities and the use the remaining time work on the most involving and odious activities. In other words, setting priorities is a good idea because it helps in helps a student to know where to lay emphasis or attention. It also creates proper balance on all the other activities that an engineering student has. Designing a Set of Goal and Achieving Those Goals For the purposes of promoting the learning process in engineering, setting goals is important. The goals will assist in keeping an eye on the prize and give the student a target to achieve. When there is no goal in mind, the task may appear fruitless. Some experts suggest the use of a quote that summarizes the goals. Such a quote can be written and hanged within the study area. This will act as an inspiration, especially when undergoing the most challenging times. When there are so many project activities to be done, a student can easily be strayed by the least imports activities, and therefore, to avoid lose of focus, a schedule is very necessary. Time should be set on each day so as to work towards realization of the goals. Having a positive mind will yield more positive results. Meeting Project and Teamwork Deadlines All the assignments that were given this semester had deadlines. A good example of a deadline is the exams and the handing in of teamwork projects and portfolios. Some prior students in engineering has cited that being deadline-driven was their success pillar. The to-do list and priorities will indicate what needs to be done, and students should endeavour to deliver work within the timeframes. Students who focus on meeting their deadlines cannot be easily swayed away by unnecessary distractions, or the momentum of anything that is happening around them. Deadlines help in keeping the learning focused, motivated, and efficient. Deadlines can be governed by schedules that show both time and date. Inculcating Good Study Habits Students who have inbuilt proper study habits perform better than their counterparts under similar academic environment. Inculcating and keeping good habits in research and teamwork and on a regular basis has positive impacts to a student. Some of these study habits involve setting aside some time for breaks, stretches, and sports, especially after undertaking studies for a long period. Further, distracting activities should be shut down. Examples of such activities include watching TV or listening radio music, attending any cell phone call, overdoing computer games, and nagging friends at a time meant for studies. Additional time should create in order to double check assignment and projects in order to minimize mistakes, and deliver quality work. A first class performance can be attested to by inculcating good study habits. Avoid Procrastination Procrastination is a great enemy towards having any realizable success. Most times, projects may remain unaccomplished because of half-backed excuses. Procrastination makes some students to submit incomplete projects or assignments, and in worst cases, nothing is done at al. The tendency of putting off some things till last minute is detrimental to academic performance. More focus and efficiency time management is required in order to prevent procrastination problems from developing. When beginning anything on time becomes a challenge, then one ought to be sure this are some of signs of procrastination. With the habit of procrastination, a student can always say that it is not the right time to start, there are other needs that should be done or other lame excuses, such as not being in the “right mood”. Breakdown Down the Activities and Persevering A large volume of assignments may seem confusing and discouraging. But, if it is broken down into some smaller portions, and then start with simplest to the complex, as student can sooner realize that the work is not all that confusing. Off course things may not flow as expected or planned, and therefore, it is very important to persevere. Changing the Approach as a result of Experience Following the large volume of experience learnt from the activities surrounding this semester, I have to change the approach in the subsequent semesters. A robust approach is needed in handling different situations. For instance, I have to be properly equipped with enough skills in the subsequent semester in order to make my engineering studies more enjoyable. Motivations and Barriers It should also be realized that since most children of Code and other communities in Lautem are exposed to education failure as a result of poverty, then students should be encourage to join a university plan that can take care of their needs. They require a university where students are less affected by external factors. Internal motivation is also very crucial so that students and professionals within the rural areas may continue exploiting the available ICT systems on a regular basis. By introducing online learning programmes which are cheap, students will be able to afford. Online business makes it easy for students to work round the clock. The main barrier is that working in a community-based project may be a non-profit making activity. The EWB work is community based and the aim of teamwork is to offer some leadership to the project. How and Why Teamwork is Functioning the Way it is Teamwork is very important is achieving community goals. A team is necessary in order to come up with sound changes for the community (Price, 1992). The community work entails environmental changes, preservation of energy, and issues of rural students. The team members should work together with a common goal. Autocratic leadership is not needed in teamwork, but democratic leadership is very essential. The EWB project can only remain relevant if it is given both international and national importance. References Hassan, O R & Rasiah, R 2011, Poverty and Student Performance in Malaysia. International Journal of Institutions and Economies Poverty and Student Performance in Malaysia. Vol. 3, No. 1, April 2011, pp. 61-76. Retrieved from, http://ijie.um.edu.my/filebank/articles/3059/Fulltext3.pdf Murray, HA 1938, Explorations in personality, Oxford University Press, New York. Pappas, S 2011, Why Online Business Is The Way To Go. Retrieved on May 2, 2011 from, http://www.newbizblogger.com/online-business-chat/why-online-business Price, P 1992, Teamwork: The Team Member Handbook, Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. Read More