WEEK 9- CONCLUSION FOR REFLECTIVE BLOG

I’ve been reflecting myself for more than 2 months since I’ve started this blogging habit.  I’ve realised the learning method provided in SHU is different from TARUC as students are encouraged to have reflective thinking after learning new concept and techniques. Reflective thinking may help students to identify what they’d learnt this week? What and why the week’s activities excited them? How can the week’s activities be strengthened? What new problem solving strategies they’d realized? etc. This is relatively a more effective learning style rather than just listening to what lecturer tells.  I’ve asked myself those questions when doing the blog posts to ensure I’ve reflected myself. Besides, I would like to acknowledge all the lecturers for providing me useful information to help in completing my module coursework successfully.

Throughout the reflective thinking, I’ve realised a common weakness in myself. Laziness and lack of initiative has caused me to have insufficient knowledge mastered after long study period. I should’ve practising and applying those techniques and skills learnt in various situations to reinforce my knowledge. Besides, I should’ve read more reading materials relating to my future career industry to furnish myself with more knowledge that can’t be obtained from academic session.  Lack of critical thinking skill is another weakness in me as this caused me to not thinking comprehensively when solving a problem. I’ve always ignorant to some essential factors those might have great impact to work outcome. However, now it’s not late for me to improve my weaknesses before entering real working environment. I hope that the elimination of my weaknesses may drive me to greater success in future. 

WEEK 8- INVESTMENT APPRAISAL TECHNIQUE

Topic taught in this week’s lecture is Property Economics and Valuation. Mr. Sam Moorwood had explained few techniques use for capital investment appraisal for a development which may define the development viability based on economical factor.

Those techniques are not new for me as I’d learnt in previous academic session. However, I’ve difficulties in obtaining the accurate answers in the homework practice although I’ve good understanding on the formula for each technique. I’ve reflected myself on this problem. This has due to insufficient and non-continuous practice done. I’ve not mastered the application of those techniques in different situation.

Further discussion had been done during the seminar later. Sam had showed us more examples to ensure we have full understanding on both traditional and modern methods. I found these calculation activities interesting as it stimulates my mind to solve different problems with different methods.

 Figure: Evidence of Practices Done During Seminar

Figure: Personal Findings and Understandings After Lecture and Seminar

Those investment appraisal techniques had been useful and I’ve applied them to appraise the economics for my development. For my development proposal, it assists better decision making on fund investment and the monetary issues are known earlier. From there, I can define proposed development viability and satisfy my client’s requirement.

WEEK 7- BUILDING ADAPTATION/REFURBISHMENT

Beforehand, I’ve decided to demolish and rebuild the existing building in Matilda Street for my module coursework because it’s easier and might be less costly. However, after the lecture and seminar, I’ve changed my mind because refurbishment is a quicker and suitable means on restoring existing building to new specification. Refurbishment can help in retaining the existing building appearance to ensure I’ve contributed in retaining a sense of local identity and location. Therefore, investigation on the condition of the building and site surroundings shall be done to mitigate unforeseen risks affecting the refurbishment works.

In the seminar, group discussion had been conducted to discuss the potential risk in development. It’s an interesting activity as we have the chance to exchange ideas with others and reinforce own thoughts through discussion. I’d learnt that detailed risk analysis is essential in a development to avoid any destructive factors affecting the development progress. 

Figures: Evidence of Potential Risk Assessment Discussion 

WEEK 6- SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

At the beginning of the lecture, a question: “What is sustainable development?” was asked. At that moment, green technology and sustainable development have got me confused as I’ve incautiously linked green technology with sustainable development. After the lecture, I’ve done some reflective thinking. I’m can clearly explain that sustainable development is development that capable to satisfy the present needs without affecting the ability of future generation to meet their need. Sustainable development attempts to balance different needs against an awareness of environmental, social and economic limitations appeared in a particular area. 

Figure: Elaboration on Each Sustainable Development Factor

I’ve tried to apply this understanding accurately in my module coursework to ensure a sustainable development has been proposed to make improvement in Matilda Street. By doing so, I’ve achieved another competency for Assessment of Professional Competence requirements for RICS to demonstrate my understanding in how sustainability applied in the construction industry.

I hope that the knowledge I gained on sustainable development can be applied in my future working life to improve construction industry. 

WEEK 5- MARKET ANALYSIS

Market analysis has been another essential element highlighted in this module. Two areas of analysis components namely SWOT and PESTLE have been explained in the lecture. SWOT analysis has been familiar for me as it was carried few times in previous academic session. The new thing I learnt is PESTLE analysis. However, after attending the lecture, I’ve realised SWOT and PESTEL analyses are essential in feasibility studies stage for any development but there was only a brief understanding as I’ve not attempt to assess the development information with both SWOT and PESTLE analyses.

In the seminar, group discussion has been conducted and I was given a chance to discuss the PEST considerations for our development. This activity is challenging and exciting as I didn’t have any idea on how to elaborate for each factor. I’m more confident in elaborating SWOT analysis. However, I’ve consulted the lecturer and searched information online to assist me in understanding the PEST analysis clearer. I also compare course mates’ elaborated points for PESTLE analysis to ensure my understanding.  

After the lesson, I’ve done some reflective thinking. The reason causing me to have lack understanding in marketing appraisal technique is insufficient practical experience. Now, I’ve improved my knowledge in market appraisal technique and will apply appropriately in my module coursework to analysis my development’s viability. 

WEEK 4- PLANNING FRAMEWORK AND REGULATIONS

Throughout the lecture and seminar, I’ve gained basic knowledge on the construction development planning system and related acts and regulations applicable in Sheffield. This information is useful as it can be applied accurately in the module coursework to describe the planning system of my proposed development.

For my module coursework, I’ve planned to propose a redevelopment (either refurbishment or demolition) on the existing building into a retail building to facilitate catering industry. However, this is an early idea which is not confirmed due to various unknown conditions. After understanding the local planning system by exploring information online from Sheffield City Council website, some policies have helped in ascertaining the possibility of my proposed development. I’ve understood that the existing building is located within the Conservation Area and is under flexible use area. This activity excites me because each time I read through the website I will gain more knowledge for the construction industry. I’ve also understood extra planning relevant policies and system those are different from Malaysia and clarify the specialty of Sheffield’s building requirements. 

Figure: GREAT BRITAIN, Sheffield City Council (2014) at: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development.html

Figure: Sheffield Proposal Map – Online Version (Map of Matilda Street, Sheffield, United Kingdom 2014). Showing The Proposal Site Is Located Within Conservation Area And Flexible Use Area

Figure: Table H1 Characteristics and Land Uses in the Policy Areas (Great Britain, Sheffield City Council 2013a) - Matilda Street

WEEK 3- CONSTRUCTION TECHNICAL ISSUE

In week 3’s lecture and seminar, I’d learnt a concept about thorough analysis on the site characteristics is essential in identifying the viability of the proposed development for module coursework. In the seminar, the group activity had excited me as we were given the chance to think critically on the site issues and look at the technical implications in conquering the issues to facilitate potential outcomes for our development. Besides, Mr. Tim Jones had also reminded us some important issues to be considered at the end of the seminar show in figure below.   

By comparing the group discussion outcomes with the issues raised by Mr. Tim Jones, I can see that we had not thinking critically and comprehensively. Many of the essential issues had been ignored and might be the destructive factors to our development. I’d realised issues consideration shall not only pointing at building construction but also the impact on economic, social and environment at the area. This weakness can be overcome by practising critical thinking more often in the daily events and to read more articles on how to develop excellent critical thinking skills. However, throughout the discussion, I’d learnt to collaborate well with other people and gain ideas from other people’s point of view to improve my knowledge. In brief, I’ve obtain a clearer view and direction in completing my module coursework after reviewing those issues. 

WEEK 2- SITE VISIT IN MATILDA STREET

Second week’s seminar had been replaced by an interesting site visit in Matilda Street on a vacant building own by Sheffield Hallam University. The purpose of the site visit was to provide the students an opportunity to carry out in-depth observation practically on the building (Nanotechnology Centre for PVD Research) and its surrounding to collect useful information to be inputted in the module coursework.  

Figure: Building (Nanotechnology Centre for PVD Research) Visited In Matilda Street

Figure: Primary Findings From Site Visit

After the site visit, I have done some reflective thinking. I and my two team members had worked together to collected information such as the internal design and dimension of the building, the nearby building uses etc. However, the observation wasn’t in-depth enough because we realised we didn’t investigate comprehensively around the building to understand some other risks.  We should’ve tasks divided among team members to workout individually to collect as much information as possible due to time constraint. The consequences of such poor team collaboration skill caused me and team members to visit the site for second and third time and to approach other course mates and lecturer for extra information.

From this event, I’d learnt that effective team working and sufficient preparation works prior to an event may ease the progress. 

WEEK 1- INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED PROJECT

The first class attended in Sheffield Hallam University was the lecture for Integrated Project conducted by the module leader Mr. Dave Weatherall. In the lecture, assessment criteria for the module had been introduced. This is an interesting assignment as it is slightly different from the previous assignment doing method. Padlet Wall and Google’s Blogger had been introduced under the module and had impressed me the most.

 Figure: Example of Padlet Wall

I see Padlet wall as an effective communication platform facilitates mind mapping and reviews information interestingly. It’s easy to be used as information insertion can be done through clicks. Users can share information collected from various sources on a common topic and presents beautifully on a particular wall instead of slides as compared with Microsoft Power point. I find it interesting after using as it is a new learning method not being introduced previously. I will make use of this application to complete this module and present information attractively in future working life.

Figure: Example of Blog

Beforehand, I think blogging is not necessary and time wasting. However, after the lecture, I’d tried to start blogging. I find its fun to blog about daily experience and some reflective thoughts after an activity. Blogging provides me the chance to improve myself by undertaking the comments left by other bloggers besides sharing my ideas and experiences. However, in this module, students are encouraged to create own reflective blog for the purpose to be more analytic during learning process.

By utilising the two new learning methods mentioned above, I may also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of effective oral, written, and presentation skills including the methods and techniques that are appropriate to specific situations which satisfy one of the competencies for Assessment of Professional Competence requirements for RICS.

Reference: RICS (2014). APC Requirements and Competencies. [online]. Last accessed 15 June 2014 at:http://www.rics.org/Global/RICS-APC-Requirements-and-Competencies-Aug-2014-WEB.pdf

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