Individual Reflection - SULAM (LEE CHEN WEI S2043273 - OCC 2)
About Me (Introduction)
I am Lee Chen Wei, also known as Luis, pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science with a major in Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM), University of Malaya. In the present semester, I am enrolled in WIX2001 Thinking & Communications Skills, specifically in Occurrence 2. I am pleased to take this opportunity to professionally share my experiences throughout the duration of the TCS course.
I am actively engaged in a Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM) activity as part of my coursework. SULAM, a meaningful component of my academic journey, involves collaborative projects that integrate community service with academic learning. This hands-on experience allows me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of my field and contributing to the betterment of the community.
What broader lessons did you learn throughout the entire TCS course and SULAM project, including aspects beyond your specific role or contributions?
Embarking on the TCS course and SULAM project was a dynamic journey that expanded my skills beyond my designated role. Modules covering verbal and non-verbal communication, presentation skills, critical thinking, and more enhanced my communication and analytical abilities. Under the guidance of Madam Hanny, the learning environment was both engaging and unconventional, with activities like the "telephone" game and open discussions on diverse topics. Madam Hanny's balance of educational rigor and lighthearted moments enriched my skills, promising to be a valuable asset in academics and beyond.
I've learned that effective communication is vital for the success of our SULAM project. Our teamwork was crucial as we collaborated on three activities – the forum, Instagram page, and healthcare workshop. By dividing tasks among team members, we ensured the success of each element. Critical thinking played a key role not only in our project but also in our daily lives. We used critical thinking to choose collaborators, select a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), and plan our activities. This thoughtful approach improved the overall success of our project and decision-making.
What project & how we prepare the project?
In the Thinking & Communication Skills (TCS) course, we have been asked to do a Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM) project assigned by our lecturer, Madam Hanny. We have formed a team named Group Purple with six members. I'm surprisingly elected as the leader of the group, then I initiated the task distribution, proposed the group name "Tinky-Winky" inspired by the purple theme, and we discuss on the potential activities aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 - Good Health and Well-being. We collaborated with Dr. Nur Amani from Faculty of Medicine, UM, who graciously became our collaborator. After a successful meeting, we conducted a survey to identify the interests of our target audience, teenagers, and organized an interactive healthcare workshop on December 1, 2023, via Google Meet from 2:30 to 4:00 P.M. The workshop not only addressed health concerns but also led to the creation of a WIX-based healthcare forum for discussions. Leveraging social media, including Instagram, we effectively promoted the workshop and provided ongoing healthcare advice. Our project, named "HealTogether Community" became a platform for sustained healthcare conversations and support.
What did I contribute?
In my role as the leader of the "HealTogether Community" project, I played a crucial part in fostering a collaborative and smoothly functioning team dynamic. Conducting regular weekly meetings, I make sure that each team member was on the same page, understood our collective goals, and was content with the distribution of tasks. Beyond this, I actively participated in discussions to guarantee that our healthcare workshop aligned with our objectives and targeted the right audience. Additionally, I took charge of meticulous planning, meeting deadlines for the proposal, and devising a comprehensive contingency plan (Plan B) to address any potential hiccups during the workshop.
Moreover, effective communication extended to keeping our collaborator, Dr. Nur Amani, well-informed about the progress of our project. This included providing regular updates, sharing completed proposals, and notifying about impending deadlines. By adopting this comprehensive approach, I aimed to maintain a seamless workflow, ensuring that every aspect of our project contributed to its overall success.
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Challenge faced?
During the SULAM project, one of the major hurdles we faced was communication. Initially, as a team of strangers, breaking the ice was a bit awkward. However, as we delved into preparing the project, we managed to overcome this challenge, fostering open dialogue and a better understanding among team members.
Another significant challenge arose during the process of finding collaborators and engaging our target audience. Despite reaching out to multiple collaborators, we were only able to secure Dr. Amani. Moreover, our workshop, which aimed to attract 50 participants, presented the challenge of fluctuating attendance, with participants joining and leaving, making it difficult to meet our target. Despite these challenges, the team adapted and collaborated effectively to navigate the evolving dynamics of the project.
What are my reflections?
Looking back on my role in the SULAM project, being chosen as the leader initially stressed me out, especially with a bunch of teammates I didn't know. However, I saw the importance of leadership, so I took it on and managed to get everyone on the same page. It was cool to see my team members not just cooperating but even stepping up for extra duties, like being the emcee for the workshop.
While I liked the teamwork, I also noticed times when folks held back from sharing different opinions or pointing out mistakes. That made me think we need an environment where everyone feels free to speak up. Dealing with tech issues and delays during the workshop taught me to be ready for surprises and handle hiccups better. This whole experience showed me I've grown in leadership, teamwork, and the need to keep communication open.
As for the healthcare workshop, our collaborator wasn't thrilled with the turnout and preferred a face-to-face setup next time. Even though she liked how we worked together, this feedback tells me we need to match expectations with the format chosen and maybe try other ways to get the audience more involved next time. If I had the chance, I'd take on the leader gig again. It's about refining those leadership skills, making sure my team speaks up, and keeping the vibe open for everyone. It's not just about me growing but making sure the team succeeds too. Additionally, in the workshop I have learnt some useful healthcare advices, like I have been burnt out recently and I seek for help from Dr. Nur Amani, I will try the solution given.
Last but not least, in TCS I met a lot of people and friends with them. I feel very happy knowing lot more of friends. All of them are very talented and friendly , having positive vibe and give me motivation to move on! I'm glad I met them!
Thanks!
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