Course Reflection and Learning Outcomes
Course Reflection and Learning Outcomes
The student's perception of written and oral communication skills evolved to value these competencies as essential tools for effective business interaction . Through the course, they recognized the importance of clear, error-free writing, facilitated by tools like Grammarly, which supported the technical quality of their submissions . In oral communication, the student's confidence grew with each speaking opportunity, realizing that public speaking was not just about delivery, but also about engaging and conveying ideas clearly . They saw communication skills as pivotal in making persuasive arguments and presenting information confidently, skills which were regularly reinforced through class activities .
Integrating tools like Grammarly and WriteAway had a significant positive impact on the student’s writing proficiency. Grammarly was utilized to improve grammar and spelling, ensuring writing was clear and error-free . Meanwhile, WriteAway offered another layer of support by providing feedback on assignments, which contributed to receiving good marks . These tools not only improved technical aspects of writing but also enhanced the student’s confidence in their ability to produce high-quality written assignments, vital for their future HR career .
The student proposed several strategies for improving time management, including effectively managing their schedule to start assignments on time, aiming to prevent any delays in completion . They planned to consistently utilize assignment guidelines and rubrics to focus efforts and maintain assignment quality, while also intending to manage their workload more evenly across the semester to avoid last-minute rushes . By better organizing their timeline for upcoming semesters, they aimed to ensure a more balanced academic work process, allowing for thorough review and revisions of their work .
The class learning activities, such as group in-class assignments, played a significant role in developing effective communication skills needed in a business context. These assignments taught the students to analyze the context, audience, and purpose of a communication situation to deliver messages appropriately . Activities emphasized active listening, which is crucial for understanding and responding to communication effectively. Furthermore, assignments focusing on writing job advertisements, staffing announcements, and using inclusive language all contributed to building clear and effective written communication skills . This hands-on approach ensured that students not only understood theoretical concepts but also applied them in practical scenarios, thus reinforcing learning through practice .
Practicing plain-style writing prepared the student for the business environment by encouraging clarity and simplicity, which are essential in business communications . This style of writing helped the student focus on delivering their message directly and understandably, improving the efficiency of their communication. Throughout the assignments, adopting a plain style facilitated easier comprehension of documents such as business letters, memos, and emails . The student recognized plain-style writing as a crucial skill in avoiding misunderstandings and effectively conveying information in professional settings .
Group activities significantly enhanced the student's overall learning experience by fostering interaction, collaboration, and practical application of concepts learned in class . Through these activities, the student was able to overcome their fear of speaking in English by practicing regularly in a supportive, small-group environment. These interactions enabled the student to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and reflect on different perspectives . Moreover, group work contributed to developing important soft skills like teamwork and communication, which are critical for success in professional environments .
Accessing the KPU library resources was crucial for the student in achieving several course goals effectively. The library provided access to citation generators like BibMe and Citation Machine, which were pivotal in helping the student learn proper citation practices . These tools supported the academic integrity goals and facilitated learning to cite resources accurately. Additionally, the library's online resources and language development programs reinforced the student's understanding of citation and presentation skills . Regular use of these resources allowed the student to refine their documentation and research skills, thereby addressing gaps and ensuring compliance with academic standards critical for attaining course objectives .
The student planned to continue using the KPU online library resources and citation generators like BibMe and Citation Machine to improve their citation skills . They intended to frequently review citation videos and materials from the HRMT language development program and the KPU library . The strategy was to consistently apply these resources and methods to master citing images and paragraphs, an area they still found challenging by the end of the current semester .
The course structure, notably through its group activities and opportunities for classroom communication, was instrumental in helping the student overcome their fear of public speaking. Participating in these interactive sessions enabled the student to practice speaking in front of others in a supportive environment . The collaborative nature of these activities not only built the student’s confidence but also provided multiple occasions to improve their verbal communication skills through direct interaction, which contributed to increased self-assurance when speaking publicly .
The student's approach to vocabulary building evolved by setting specific, measurable goals aimed at gradual improvement. Initially, they aimed to learn 20 new business-related words but realized that this target was unattainable within the set timeframe . Therefore, they revised their goal to focusing on learning 5 business-related words each month, allowing more manageable and continuous progress in expanding their vocabulary . This strategic adjustment reflects a refined tactic focused on sustainable learning, aligning more realistically with their time constraints and language learning capabilities .