Introduction to Business

     My favorite topic for this subject is "Business Ethics and Social Responsibility". This topic is about the ethics of what is right or wrong, good or evil, fair or unfair in different people and societies. Also, I had learnt about the 4 areas of business ethics which are environment, customer, employees and investors. Besides that, we can also find the approaches to social responsibility in this topic. I love this topic the most because I found it is interesting when talking about the ethics of different people and societies can have different ideas about what is right or wrong. For example, most people agree that stealing is wrong, regardless of the circumstances. However, some feel that stealing is sometimes justified such as in the situation when if you are starving, then you can steal food. In addition, I feel this topic is easy to learn and understand if compared to others.

     My least favorite topic is "Managing a Business". It is about how organizing people can improve productivity and how businesses get organized and assign roles to its people. Besides that, there are also types of organizational structure which I had learnt about their functional, divisional, line and staff. Also, I had learnt about the committee and its strengths and weaknesses. The reason that I don't like this topic because I feel it is boring and I can't really understand some of the parts such as the types of organizational structure. To make the topic better, I would add more pictures that related to this topic to help me understand it better. Also, I would like to add more examples to help myself to learn in this topic more efficiently.

     The topic that I found as most useful to my everyday life and future studies is "Developing Marketing Strategies". It is about the marketing plans and the consumer buying process. I found that this topic is useful because it teaches me how to be creative in studies. For example, I learnt how to design my postcards that my lecturer wants in the subject of Culture & Civilization. Also, if I am going to start a business in my future, I can use those 5 marketing plans to help me in my business. Furthermore, the consumer buying process teaches me how to purchase a product that will make me happy and I will probably buy the same products again in the future by taking the 5 steps in this topic.

     Overall, I had gained knowledge about this subject and also, I enjoyed learning under the guidance of my lecturer, Mr. Joe. Thank you =)

     Here are the photos taken during our final project: charity drives.

This is the packaging of our chocolate and sweets that we sold during our charity drives.

These are the cookies that we sold during our charity drives. 

These are the short pants that we sold during our charity drives.

This is the group photos with the representative of WWF Malaysia while we were donating the money.

Rena and I were promoting our products during the charity drives.

We were all running our business during the charity drives.

Here are the attachments or my Business Presentation Slides and Marketing Report. 

Business Plan Report:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3jnTpKWw2SjZHdHSjFoNEVKVnc/edit

The Presentation Slides:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3jnTpKWw2SjcGdmZnlqNEdEY0E/edit

The final project report (Charity Drives):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3jnTpKWw2SjRXV1bGU5TU50SjQ/edit

   

Mathematics

     Our first group assignment was to do the questions below which is about construct a object, determine the total surface area of the object, and calculate the volume of the object. My group members were Cheah Hoong Fei, Joshua Ting, Rena Sim, Tan Min Long, Ong Kok Sheng and Phang June Ee.

1. Construct the object.

This is the model that we did together.

2. Determine total surface area of the object.

In this question, we had used the theory of Area of Segment during calculating the top surface area of the two combined cylinders. Area of segment is the area confined by circumference and chord. The formula is area of sector minus area of triangle.

Also, we had also used the theory of Area of Sector in this question. Sector is the area confined by circumference of a circle and its radius. 

                           

In addition, we used the theory of Pythagorean Theorem while doing this question to determine the hypotenuse of a triangle.
                                               

3. Calculate volume of the object.

In this question, we had used the theory of Volume of Cylinder to determine the volume of the two combined cylinders.

Besides that, we had used theory of Volume of Pyramid to determine the volume of the inside trapezium. 

     At the beginning, I thought it was a tough assignment as I couldn't calculate the answer as there are many tricky parts. However, after discussing with my group members, we were able to complete this assignment on time. I am happy that I have learnt how to solve problems patiently. 

     Here is our calculation of this assignment.

          

Effective Public Communication

Class Test: 

     It was our first EPC class test. It covered all the information that we had learnt from Chapter 1 to Chapter 6. Frankly, I did not have enough time to study well for this class test as we were having a lot of assignments and projects during that week.During the test, I was not able to answer all the questions and I left them blank. Therefore, I got a low marks in this test.

     From this test, I knew my weakness is my poor time management. I should manage my time well to study for my test. However, I am able to explain the concepts of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, and how people behave and communicate in different situations through this test.

Individual Essay:

     This assignment was about writing an essay and applying concepts for the chosen topic. The topic that i chose was topic number 4 which is "Even when nonverbal cues are used in text-based messages, communicating online can still lead to misunderstandings. Look at the differences between communicating online and communicating face-to-face and examine how vocal cues are important to communication".

     Firstly, I thought it was a tough assignment as I did not really understand some of the concepts in the text book. However, after reading for sometimes, I understood the concepts and was able to choose which concepts I was going to use in my essay. The concepts that I used in this assignment were Nonverbal and verbal Communication, Vocal cues and so on.

     Through this assignment, I am able to explain the basic ideas of each chosen topic with reference to the related theories learned in this course. Also, I have learnt to prove mastery of the topic and ability to express this in the form of an academic essay with proper APA citations and referencing.

Group project - Illustrations and Scripts:

     Our final project for this subject was a group work which is illustrations and scripts. First of all, we were required to form a group of 4. My group members were Cheah Hoong Fei, Yap Zhong Ling and Toh Chee Cheng. After that, we were asked to choose one topic that listed by our lecturer. The topic we chose was "Relationship in Process". Then, we choose to draw comics for this project.

     We discussed the topic together and started dividing the task for doing this project. My task was to draw two comics and apply the concepts. The comics that I drew were about "Time" and "Proximity". Besides that, we were required to present our work one by one during the submission day. Overall, I am quite satisfied with our group work.
    
     Here are some photos of our project:

     Through this project, I am able to explain the basic ideas of this chosen topic. In addition, I have learnt to use new examples/situations relevant to the chosen topic in the form of graphics and report and derive an informed opinion on the current state of the business’ operation to explain the topic. Also, I am able to prove mastery of the topic by the compilation of knowledge through graphics.

     I have gained knowledge about effective public communication. Thanks to my lecturer, Mr. Woon.

English 2

Class Assignment 1: Observing the Familiar (Vegetable)

     My first class assignment of English 2 was writing an essay by observing a vegetable. When the lecturer asked every student to think about a name of vegetable and wrote it down on a piece of paper prepared by him. Immediately, the only name of vegetable came out from my mind was sweet corn. 

     At first, I thought it was difficult to write an essay just based on a sweet corn. All on my mind was it was just my favorite vegetable, no more can be described! I was lost, not knowing how to start on this assignment. Eventually, I felt distressed as I knew I have to spend a lot of time in order to do well in this assignment.

     I did not observe a vegetable before. When I hold the sweet corn closer to my face, I discovered some of the details that I have never noticed before. Before i wrote the essay, i kept observing the sweet corn, including smell, hear, touch, and taste. 
     Here is my pre-writing of the essay, which is a mind map. 

  

And here is my photo with my sweet corn =D!

     Through this assignment, I have learnt to demonstrate the ability to reflect on my work. Also, I have learnt to communicate the relevant ideas in a clear, logical and appropriate academic English. Furthermore, from this assignment, I knew that my weakness is grammar mistake. However, I am happy that I have learnt some knowledge about vegetable, especially sweet corn by observing.


Class Assignment 2: compare/contrast essay on selected television genres

     In this assignment, we were required to compare any two English language drama series/ programme series which are historical movies or musicals movies. For me, music is a big factor in helping the illusion of the movie comes to life. It is because music brings something more, something that we cannot express only by images and words. Therefore, I chose to compare musical movies for this assignment. 

      I am a musical movie lover. I have watched numerous musical movies in my life when I was a kid. However, there are two musical movies which touched my heart and soul recently. They are “Pitch Perfect” and “High School Musical”. I compared the similarities of “Pitch Perfect” and “High School Musical” in this essay, such as characteristics of main characters, moral value, and happy endings of a relationship in the plot.

     I like this assignment very much because I can watch these movie again and again before i worked on my essay. Through this assignment, I have learnt to demonstrate the ability to ‘read’ a television series, for example, to understand and interpret the chosen television series genre.

Besides that, I have also learnt to demonstrate the ability to compare, analyse and synthesize information from two television series in an essay and explain them clearly and logically. Overall, I am satisfied with my this assignment because I have improved my writing skills. 

Class Assignment 3: Group debate

     Our third assignment was a group debate. Firstly, we were required to form a group of 3. My group members were Tan Ai-Qi and Chuah Jun Zhi. Then, one member of each group had to pick up a number which represent the topic that we have to debate in front of the class. Our topic is number 3 which is "There are too many cases of theft, robberies and other crimes in Malaysia due to the uncontrolled number of illegal immigrants in the country".

     After that, I started to discuss the chosen topic with Ai-Qi and Jun Zhi. At the beginning, I felt that it was a tough assignment as I am always nervous while speaking in front of people. However, after practiced a few times, I  have gained some confidence.

     I have learnt to communicate according to the situation and purpose and demonstrate an ability to analyse and response to various issues in the debate topic through this assignment. In addition, I am able to explain the basic ideas of the chosen topic with reference to other materials sourced either online or in the library. Mr. Woon said that I was reading the notes and lack of eye contacts during the debate. I am not very satisfied with my performance too as I was too nervous. However, I felt happy that I have built a better rapport with my group members. 

Final Assignment: Research Report + Presentation

           Here comes to our final assignment of English 2! It was a research report and a speaking task. It was my favourite assignment because I had the chance to have a trip to Penang with my lecturer and course mates. We were required to form a group of 4. My group members were Cheah Hoong Fei, Tan Ai-Qi and Joshua Ting. Then, we were required to interview at least 3 shops in Penang which related to the chosen business trade. Our chosen business trade was "Art Supplies and Stationery".

     The shops that we had visited and interviewed were Van Hin Book Company, Asia Educational Supplies Sdn. Bhd. and Nan Yang Book Company Sdn. Bhd. This was my first time interviewing for an assignment. It was quite tough because some of the owners of the shops speak Hokkien and I cannot speak. Luciky, Ai-Qi is the one who can speak Hokkien in our group. The task to interview those shops was going smoothly. Therefore, we had some time to walk around the area and have some nice food! =D

     After come back from Penang, we were required to do a research report according what we had interviewed in Penang such as the history of the shops, the problems that they faced, ans so on.
     

           Here are some photos, enjoy =D

         

             After that, we were required to do a Power Point slide show and film a video for our English speaking task. In the task, as business consultants, we were required to explain the difficulties and opportunities involved in running a business that supplies arts supplies and stationery to a group of young men and women in their mid thirties looking for a career change.     

           From this assignment, I have learnt to identify the key issues in the question and explain them clearly and logically. Also, I have learnt to demonstrate the ability to prepare questionnaires and interviews to obtain information about the topic. Besides that, I knew how to demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesize information and compile them in the report. Lastly, I have learnt how to present information clearly and appropriately to one’s target audience.

    

           Overall, I enjoy attending the English class on this semester. Thanks to my lecturer, Mr. Woon.

      

 

  

Culture & Civilization

Project 1: The Rise of Civilization

The first Project of C&C was a group project. We were required to form a group of 2. My group members was Tan Ai-Qi who is my best friend in the class. Each group has to produce a Graphical Time-line Calendar and Culture Journal of the ancient civilizations in Southeast Asia. My group was doing the culture and civilization in Thailand. I was so happy because I go there almost every year and I love Thailand so much.

After that, Ai-Qi and I started finding the information about Thailand from library and Internet such as map, time line, literacy, economy, achievement and so on. We can't really find enough information from the web, so most of our information is from Taylor's Library.

Trough this project, I am able to describe the historical development of human civilization in Thailand as I have gained a lot of knowledge about Thailand. Also, I am able to  develop skills of data gathering from this project.

Here are some photos of our Project 1. Enjoy =)

Project 2: Messages from The Past

Our second project was a project combined individual task and group work. We were required to form of group of 7 to propose a play in video format from a given specific civilization. After that, each group was also required to produce a group journal which included the story board, scripts, characters, photos and so on. The individual task is to create a journal of our own character and design a packaging.

The topic that my group did was Gladiator. Firstly, I felt it was a tough task as I did not know what is gladiator at all. I did not know any culture and civilization about it. Luckily, one of my group members watched a drama of gladiator named Spartacus before. He shared with us. After watching, I got to know what is gladiator. It was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals.

After that, we started to work on our own tasks such as making the weapons, costume, scripts and so on. Once, it was done, we start filming at a garden near my condominium. It was raining, but we were still able to finished filming. It was really fun to film with friends.

In this project, I am able to recall the development of Eastern and Western human civilization in the past as well as present. Besides that, I am also able to  demonstrate good documentation and presentation skills. Also, I have built a better rapport with my friends.

Here are some photos of this group and individual project. Frankly, it is one of my favourite projects although it is challenging.

Project 3: Postcard Series

Our final project was an individual project. Each student required to do 5 postcards and one postcard size introduction that related to the theme that we chose. Also, we were also required to make a packaging for our introduction and postcards.

The theme that i chose was "Light and Shadow". It is because I love shadow since I was young. When there is light, there is shadow. The photos that I used to make my postcards were to show the presence of light and shadow gives the architecture the signs of life. When they work together, they create unique and beautiful images before they fade away.

While doing this final project, I faced some obstacles. The best moment for me to capture the light and shadow is in the morning and evening. However, it was raining those few days. I can't even capture any shadow. At the end, I was still able to complete my task, but I was not satisfy with my work as I did not plan my time well and everything was too rush. Frankly, I am regret. : (

However, From this project, I am to recall the development of human civilization in the past as well as present. In addition, I am also able demonstrate good research and documentation skills and enhance creativity through the representation of postcard series.

     Here are my postcards, introduction and packaging =D

 

Overall, I enjoy this semester so much. Thank You Miss Ida & Miss Sufina =D!