UHL 2312 ZARINA

The End is Near

2009-03-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well, before we know it we are almost at the end of our course. Before we wrap up the course next week, there are still a few things that you have to do.

a) Grammar Test (10%)
We will have our grammar test on Tuesday, 31 March 2009 so do come prepared. Remember to understand the forms and the functions of the tenses we have discussed and how each tense has its own set of rules.

b) Blog (5%)
Make sure that you have submitted a minimum of 5 entries. I know some of you have been very active participants but there are a few of you who have not contributed your entries so please do update your entries soon.

c) Tell Me More (5%)
Last I checked most of you have completed all the assigned components in Tell Me More despite a few setbacks. The ones who have yet to complete, start cracking.

d) Final Project Report (10%)
You have submitted your proposal and progress report for your product innovation so this report will be the last item that you have to submit before your presentation. Do refer to the guideline provided in class.

e) Poster (5%)
You have to prepare a poster to promote your product. You really have to sit down with your group members and discuss how you can make your poster an effective medium to introduce your product to the public. Consider the graphic, colour scheme, fonts, tagline, etc that would really stand out.

f) Individual Presentation (20%)
We have done quite a few presentations throughout the course so this is the time for you to show how much you have improved from the very first presentation you did earlier this semester. The presentations will be next week at the Sports Complex but any changes will be informed immediately. Remember a product is only as good as the presenter. Don't forget to bring your confidence and appearance for your presentation. Knock 'em dead.

I wish all of you the best of luck.

New Exam?

2009-03-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am pleased to read your comments on the issue I posted last week. It seems that you have mixed feelings about street demonstration. I do agree with some of your comments which pointed out that street demonstration is one of the ways to express dissatisfaction on certain matters but I still believe that any kind of demonstration or gathering must be carried out with permission and in an orderly fashion.

SPM results are out and our students have recorded some pretty impressive results. I read the reports with mixed feelings. I was touched reading how some students down on their luck still managed to do well in the exam. This is a clear example of how determination and hard work can lead to success despite your background. I am also intrigued to read Ministry of Education's plan to revamp the examination system in our country whereby a student's result is no longer fully dependent on the student's ability to answer in examinations but the student would also be evaluated partly by the school and teachers. The ministry hoped that this would produce well-rounded students who could survive the challenging years in universities.

Read up on this and let's hear what you think.

Mob Mentality

2009-03-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

Hi fellas! It's good to see that some of you are slowly taking part in our blog but participation in general is still poor. Come on! Let's hear those thoughts of yours.

Last week I put forth the issue of PPSMI. From the feedback that some of you have given, most of you seem to agree to continue with PPSMI. Not trying to sound bias here but I sincerely think PPSMI could really improve our deteriorating state of English language proficiency.

Moving on to the next issue which seems to be a trend in our country nowadays; street demonstration. I, for one, am thankful that I don't live in KL because it seems that any disatisfaction on any matter would somehow end in street demonstration and thus causes traffic jam and damages to public property. What's going on?

Street demonstration used to be a common sight in foreign countries but not in Malaysia. Almost every month, we could read in the news about of group of people having street demonstration and the issues fought are various and endless. It's frustrating to see well-educated Malaysians are stooping so low by adopting this mob mentality. Do they sincerely think by being an annoyance to the public, the public would somehow rally to support their cause? Why is this becoming a norm? Let's hear your thoughts.
Please end your comment with your name and matric number ok.

p/s: For those of you who want to submit your project proposal, here is my email address: azlan_ratin@yahoo.com

2009-03-02T04:18:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone!

So far only one comment has been posted on our blog group. What's the matter? Too busy? Well, I hope you will spend some time posting your entries here as they are part of your assessment. You don't have to wait for me to kick start a discussion; you can start one now. Thank you Rem for your comment but I am not sure how to find out who you really are. Is it possible for all of you to use your real name when you want to leave your comment? If not do let me know how I can find out the real person behind the name.

Moving on, as of late, our beloved country is rocked with one issue after another. Political, education, social, economy, it's like there's no end in sight. One of the prominent issues headlining our country's news is the decision to keep using English language in the teaching of Maths and Sciences or to revert to using the national language. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this matter from the kings to politicians to educationists to parents and to the general public itself but so far I have yet to come across a research that seeks feedback from the ones who are really affected by this policy; the students. You are students. What do you think, honestly?

Welcome!!!

2009-02-17T05:31:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone and welcome to Technical Writing UHL2322 blog! I'm really excited about trying my hands on blogging as I've never blogged before :P

As part of the course requirements, you will have to participate in this blog...our blog, so don't hesitate to share your opinions, comments and observations about the course itself or the world around you! I know all of you have ideas and experiences of your own so why not share them with the class. Who knows someone might learn something from you. Take it from me, sharing knowledge is the best gift you can give to someone.

Look forward to seeing your posts here!

Final Assessment (40%): Product Exhbition

2008-09-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

You have come to the end of the course. For your final assessment, you need to get into a group of 4 or 5. Choose one product that everyone in your group has agreed to do a demonstration. Before your group is allowed to do a product demo, you need to prepare a written report (in group) for submission by end of Week 12.

In your group (if you have 4 members)*, let:
(1) student #1 write and present the INTRODUCTION,
(2) student #2 write and present the MAIN PART #1 and ITS MINOR PARTS (if any),
(3) student #3 write and present the MAIN PART #2 and ITS MINOR PARTS (if any), and
(4) student # 4 write and present the CONCLUSION.

*if you have 5 members,
(4) student #4 write and present the MAIN PART #3 and ITS MINOR PARTS (if any), and
(5) student #5 write and present the CONCLUSION.

All sections must have graphics that accompany the explanation (in the written report) and slides that go with the oral presentation (product demo).

For your blogging activity, write a draft of your section for the group written report in this entry. Your entry should be within one (100-150 words) or two paragraphs (200 - 300 words).

(Due: Week 12)

Summarizing how the gadget functions

2008-09-05T09:08:00.001-07:00

Now that you have written an overview of the gadget, and described the main and minor parts or components of the gadget, it's time for you to summarize how these main and minor parts work to make the gadget function.

So, for your next blogging activity, in one paragraph (100-150 words), write about how the pieces of main and minor parts are connected and how these parts make the gadget function as one item.

(Due: Week 11)

Describing main/ major and minor parts or components

2008-09-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

In the previous entry, you were asked to write an overview of the gadget you have chosen from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/electronic-gadgets-channel.htm

This time, read more articles about the main/ major and minor parts or components of the gadget you have chosen.

For you blogging activity, write two to three paragraphs (100-150 words each) for the main parts and its respective minor parts or components.

Your gadget should have two or three main/ major parts.

The organization of your respective paragraphs should be:

Paragraph #1
Main part #1
- the name of main part #1
- the function(s) of main part #1
- details of main part #1
- include graphics for main part #1, with label(s)
- list minor part(s) of main part #1 (if any)
- connection to main part #2

Paragraph #2
Main part #2
- the name of main part #2
- the function(s) of main part #2
- details of main part #2
- include graphics for main part #2, with label(s)
- list minor part(s) of main part #2 (if any)
- connection to main part #3 (if there is main part #3)

continue with Paragraph #3 if the gadget has more than two main parts
Paragraph #3
Main part #3
- the name of main part #3
- the function(s) of main part #3
- details of main part #3
- include graphics for main part #3, with label(s)
- list minor part(s) of main part #3

(Due: Week 10)

Describing things

2008-09-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your short mid semester break and now it's back to campus life again... (sigh...).
In Unit 2 - Technical Description and Unit 3 - Process Explanation, you will learn how to describe the main/ major and minor parts or components of a product, whether a tool, device, gadget etc. and explain how these parts or components work. Ultimately, in the final assessment (40%), you will demonstrate your understanding in a product exhibition, together with your friends in a group of 4 or 5. To help you understand more about technical description and process explanation, go and explore this website: http://www.howstuffworks.com/

For your next blogging activity, go to http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/electronic-gadgets-channel.htm and choose one gadget. Copy and paste the picture or graphics of the gadget and the article about the gadget. Do not forget to cite the source (URL address).

Then, in one paragraph (100-150 words), write an overview of the gadget providing a summary of the following information which you may find in the website:
(a) the name of the item and its function(s),
(b) its physical aspects: size, shape, design, colour, materials and other information, and
(c) the name of its main/ major and minor components.

Remember to write in your own words and not to copy and paste from the original article. (Due: Week 9)

3P - Plan, prepare and practise

2008-08-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

By now, you should have been doing some planning, preparation and practice for your first assessment, the Oral Presentation (either Option 1 - The Legend Speech, or Option 2 - Speech of Introduction). To help you plan, prepare and practise for your Oral Presentation, you could work with a friend/ partner.

(1) finalise all your slides,

(2) prepare a cue card for each of the slide,

(3) practise or rehearse in front of your friend and let him/ her time your presentation,

(4) ask your friend to observe and write his/her comments on the following:

(a) The Speaker/ Presenter
(i) LANGUAGE: accuracy, fluency, pronunciation, word choice/ selection of words,
(ii) EFFECTIVENESS: understanding/ comprehension, relevant to the given topic, impact on you as audience
(iii) STRUCTURE: Intro-Body/ Content-Closing/ Conclusion organization, attention-getter, clarity and flow of ideas, relevant supporting details (elaboration, examples, facts and figures etc.)
(iv) DELIVERY: confidence, eye contact, gestures, facial expression, posture
(v) VOICE: clarity (loud and clear), articulation, variety of tones (not flat, monotonous)
(vi) TIME MANAGEMENT: time limit (3 minutes)

(b) The Slides
(i) LANGUAGE: accurate, suitability of selection of words with content
(ii) EFFECTIVENESS: understanding/ comprehension, relevant to the given topic, impact on you as audience
(iii) STRUCTURE: Cover page/ title of presentation, Intro-Body/ Content-Closing/ Conclusion organization, transition between slides (smooth?)
(iv) CREATIVITY: Font type and size, suitability of images, photos, audio/ video clips etc. and their connection to the given topic/ message to be conveyed

(5) pay attention to your friend's comments and improve your presentation skills and/ or edit your slides.

Now switch roles and help your friend in his/ her practice session.

For your blogging activity, based on your friend's comments, write in your blog about you have done to improve your presentation skills and/ or edit your slides after you have completed your practice session. As usual, it should be one to two paragraphs, min 100 words, max 250 words.
(Due: Week 7)

The oral presentation

2008-07-30T04:21:00.000-07:00

You are now probably making necessary preparations for your oral presentation due in Week 6. As explained in class, you have to choose between these two options:

OPTION 1 - The Legend Speech

You are to choose either a famous person, group, movement, event etc. that relates to any field (business, politics, culture, music, performing arts, engineering, science, technology etc.) who has made an impact on his/ her/ their/ its respective field or even beyond that, and above all, who has influenced you, the speaker/ presenter.

The goal of this oral presentation, which you need to mention in your INTRODUCTION, is NOT so much to outline the life of this person, or the development of this group, movement or event, BUT rather to inform your audience how/ why this person, group, movement or event has influenced you.

In the BODY or CONTENT of your presentation, you then elaborate the key points or main ideas: THREE of the most significant contributions or changes that this person, group, movement or event has made.

Ultimately, in your CLOSING or CONCLUSION, you should end your 3-minute oral presentation by summarizing the key points or main ideas you have made earlier, perhaps by pointing out the importance of these significant contributions that this person, group, movement or event has made to his/ her/ their/ its respective field.

So now, as you search for some materials for your oral presentation, choose one that you think is the best material. Copy and paste the material in your blog. Be sure to cite the source properly. If the material is too long, you may create a hyperlink of the material.

Now, in your blog, based on what you have read about this famous person, group, movement or event, write your comments about how he/ she/ they/ it has influenced you. As agreed, your comments should be one or two paragraphs, min 100 words, max 250 words. (Due: Week 6)

OPTION 2 - Speech of introduction: Introducing YOURSELF

You are to introduce yourself to the rest of the class. Your goal is to inform your audience about yourself, focusing on what makes you, YOU. Thus, in your INTRODUCTION you need to make a stand, a personal statement about yourself, that defines YOU.

You then elaborate further on your personal stand statement by focusing on THREE most important aspects or parts of that personal stand statement of yours as your key points or main ideas in the BODY or CONTENT of your presentation.

Finally, in the CLOSING or CONCLUSION, end your 3-minute presentation by summarizing the THREE key points or main ideas you have just elaborated.

Now, in your blog, based on the personal stand statement you have chosen for your oral presentation, write your comments on why you have chosen it as your personal stand statement. Your comments should be one or two paragraphs, min 100 words, max 250 words. (Due: Week 6)

Good luck! Remember to prepare good, effective visuals and don't forget to think of an appropriate attention-getter. Make full use of appropriate non-verbal communication. Last but not least, practise and time your presentation - as the saying goes, Practice makes perfect.

Who is the best presenter? Who is the worst presenter? Why?

2008-07-29T00:13:00.001-07:00

So, you've watched a whole load of clips on presentations and of presentations.
Who would you say is the best presenter?

Ed Tate?
Randy Paunsch?
Doug Jeffrys?
Dick Hardt?
TJ Walker?
Or the Microsoft dude? (Should he even be on the list?)

Why?

What have you learnt from the video clips you've watched? Write your comments in your own blog. As agreed, your comments should be written in one or two paragraphs, min 100 words, max 250 words. (Due: Week 5)