Day 1
Introduction to the Course and Industry Insights
On the first day of our class, we had an introductory session where we got to know our instructor. She shared her past experiences and insights from working in the industry, giving us a glimpse into the practical aspects of the field.
Following that, we had a self-introduction session where each of us went on stage to introduce ourselves. Our instructor asked counter-questions, encouraging us to reflect on our choices and motivations. This made the session more engaging and thought-provoking.
Since this subject focuses on skill development, we also discussed the internal workings of the industry and received valuable tips on how to set and achieve our goals. Additionally, we explored the importance of creativity, self-representation, and public speaking. The session helped us understand why effective communication and industry experience play a crucial role in our professional growth.
To document our learning, our teacher also instructed us to record a video summarizing how the day's lecture went and upload it to our ePortfolio. This exercise not only helps in reflection but also improves our ability to present information effectively.
06 Feb 2025Day 2
Revisiting Concepts and Understanding Personal Profiling
We started the session with a brief revision of the previous class, reinforcing the key takeaways and discussions from Day 1. This helped us reflect on what we had learned and prepared us for the new topics ahead.
After the revision, we moved forward with our syllabus and explored the concept of personal profiling. We discussed its significance in unlocking our potential, increasing self-awareness, and setting clear goals. Our instructor explained how personal profiling helps us refine our strategies to achieve our objectives effectively.
A key topic of the day was SWAC, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges. We learned how this framework helps in self-assessment and goal-setting. To put this into practice, we had an activity where we listed our own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges related to achieving our desired goals. This exercise gave us valuable insights into our personal and professional growth.
13 Feb 2025Day 3
Overcoming Barriers to Self-Expression and Understanding the Johari Window
On the third day, we focused on self-expression and the factors that prevent us from confidently expressing ourselves in public or during personal interactions. We reflected on these barriers and wrote about how they might impact our ability to reach our desired goals. This exercise helped us identify personal challenges and areas for improvement.
After this discussion, we moved on to learning about the Johari Window, a psychological tool that helps in self-awareness and personal growth. We explored its four elements:
- Open – What we and others know about ourselves.
- Blind – What others know about us, but we are unaware of.
- Hidden – What we know about ourselves but choose not to share.
- Unknown – What is yet to be discovered by both ourselves and others.
To apply this concept, we formed groups of six and conducted an interactive session. Each person in the group had a turn where the rest of the group shared their observations about them. We discussed their strengths, weaknesses, and other aspects based on the Johari Window model. This activity gave us valuable insights into how others perceive us, allowing us to recognize our blind spots and hidden qualities. It also helped us improve our ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
Additionally, we were assigned a task to record and upload a podcast based on our group discussions. This allowed us to document our thoughts, practice our speaking skills, and reflect on our learning in a creative way.
20 Feb 2025Day 4
Introduction to Presentation Skills and Crafting an Engaging Opening
On the fourth day, we started a new unit focused on Presentation Skills. We explored the key elements that make a presentation effective, including:
- Understanding the Audience – Knowing who we are presenting to and tailoring our content accordingly.
- Structure and Organization – Arranging ideas logically for clarity and impact.
- Engaging Opening – Capturing the audience’s attention from the very beginning.
To put these concepts into practice, we were given a task to write an engaging opening for a presentation. After preparing our openings, each of us had to present them in front of the class. This activity helped us work on our confidence, delivery, and ability to connect with the audience right from the start.
Following this, we were assigned another task to promote our engaging openings. This involved refining our introductions further and presenting them in a way that would capture more attention and engagement. This task pushed us to think creatively and improve our ability to present ideas persuasively.
24 Feb 2017