Pathway Reflection
Event
On the PROV class, we are asked to attend some event and do a presentation. Instead of event itself, the presentation is more interesting to me. Since I didn’t learn much from the cybersecurity conference, and it is the first way to do a presentation in class in the U.S., it makes me a little nervous. Most students in my class are from Indian, I know they can speak fluent English, so I think I use a humor way rather than a serious way to introduce cybersecurity. Since the Professor have a good sense of humor, I think saying some joke during the presentation will be okay. The presentation goes smoothly, and after the presentation, some classmate come to me and said “Nice job on presentation”, which makes me feel more comfortable to speak in front of people in English. I learned that although English proficiency play an important role during a presentation, the way to express an idea is more important.
Academic – classroom
I remember when the EAP Professors first enter the classroom, from their talking, I feel that the professors are full of energy and are very enthusiastic in education. They tend to like to interact with students and ask questions. In addition, they like to keep student thinking and help student improve their answers while they are answering questions in class. Although most stereotype shows that Professors in Asia are very serious and don’t like interact with student, it is not fully true. Some Professors in Taiwan are educated well in the Western, thus they use Western way to teach students. However, a Western way need not only Professor to accomplish but also need students to participate in. In a Western classroom, I feel free to ask questions and challenge views provide either from Professors or classmates. I find out although I can provide a view that is very logical and usually with a strong foundation, there is always some rooms that can be improved. I learned the importance of interaction with others, the value of collective intelligence.
Academic – assignment
I learned a lot from working on assignments in various class. Since the university have a wonderful online system, we turn out our assignment online often. I learned that knowing the deadline is important- since once assignment is due, the upload line is closed, there are no possibility to negotiate with the instructor. In addition, the requirement is very different. For example, when turning out EAP assignment, the professor didn’t give a very clear guide of what is needed. Instead, they want us to try out and seek for ways to improve out assignment. Another example is my AIT class. I find out my past work experience helps me deal with team project very much. Since the Professor focus less on theory but more on practicable aspect, I have the opportunity to contribute my programming knowledge to the team project. I find out Western education focus more on attitude and learning process rather than marks and test on class. Professors usually focus on how the student improved rather than their ability level.