What difficulties do you have in writing in your university classes? How do you resolve these difficulties? How will you continue to improve?
In semester one of school, it took me almost a week to write a two-page report. I had so many troubles on choosing the right format, the right word and so on.
One of the difficulties I have encountered in writing in university classes is keeping it short and precise. As most of the report and essay have word or page limit, that is the reason I have keep to the word count. It forces me to select carefully which point should I put in the essay. I have not only constantly looking for new vocabularies but also rephrasing my sentences to express my ideas short and sweet. The method I am using to improve my skill is to listen. By listening to the local news, I learnt how they express a story in a short period and pick up new vocabularies at the same time. Furthermore, I do not have the habit of doing the outline for an essay. Hence, the flow of ideas would be sometimes interrupted. In order to solve this problem, I usually spend more time to understand the topic so that I can try to avoid irrelevant points.
Next, the way I phrase my sentences in Vietnamese might still somehow affect the way I write. For instance, Vietnamese language does not differentiate present prefect, present perfect continuous or past perfect tense; it gives me hard time trying to find which tense should be used during writing process. I tried to keep to simple structures to avoid mistakes and confusions.
Writing was never my favorite task in both Vietnamese and English language. It caused me many difficulties. (It is still not my favorite now). However, after this module, the more I write, the more I feel comfortable. Hopefully, it would eventually help me to overcome those difficulties to improve on my communication skills.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
6th Entry
I have been learning English for the last 12 years. Though it is somehow simpler than Vietnamese language, I still need much more time to master it. These are some of the common English grammar mistakes that I usually make.
Firstly, my most common mistake is article. It is simply put “a/an” to generic references and “the” to specific ones. However, there are cases when we do not have to put any articles. That is how I occasionally make this mistake. For example, in my writing assignment 1, I wrote “With the new development of technology”, while the correct one should be “With the new development of the technology.
The second common grammar mistake that I have made is tense. There are many types of tenses unlike Vietnamese language. Present perfect, past perfect tenses are those I usually get confuse. Present perfect tense is used for events happening in the past that affect or might go on at the present. Past Perfect Tense is used for events that happened and completed in the past. It is hard to identify these mistakes unless you understand the context thoroughly. For example, “The Florida institute had more pregnancies -19-using frozen eggs than any other facility” the correct one should be “The Florida institute has had more pregnancies -19-using frozen eggs than any other facility”.
Lastly, my third common mistake is prepositions. This the most troublesome grammar point since the entire meaning would be changed if you use the wrong preposition. There are no particular rules on this. The best way are to use them more often and memorize by heart the meaning of each case. For instance, we use “get on” a bus and “get in” a car.
With this, I am able to know my mistakes well. I realize that I still have many things to do in order to improve my English. Hopefully, I could avoid these mistakes in the future.
Firstly, my most common mistake is article. It is simply put “a/an” to generic references and “the” to specific ones. However, there are cases when we do not have to put any articles. That is how I occasionally make this mistake. For example, in my writing assignment 1, I wrote “With the new development of technology”, while the correct one should be “With the new development of the technology.
The second common grammar mistake that I have made is tense. There are many types of tenses unlike Vietnamese language. Present perfect, past perfect tenses are those I usually get confuse. Present perfect tense is used for events happening in the past that affect or might go on at the present. Past Perfect Tense is used for events that happened and completed in the past. It is hard to identify these mistakes unless you understand the context thoroughly. For example, “The Florida institute had more pregnancies -19-using frozen eggs than any other facility” the correct one should be “The Florida institute has had more pregnancies -19-using frozen eggs than any other facility”.
Lastly, my third common mistake is prepositions. This the most troublesome grammar point since the entire meaning would be changed if you use the wrong preposition. There are no particular rules on this. The best way are to use them more often and memorize by heart the meaning of each case. For instance, we use “get on” a bus and “get in” a car.
With this, I am able to know my mistakes well. I realize that I still have many things to do in order to improve my English. Hopefully, I could avoid these mistakes in the future.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
5th Entry
Our group round table discussion was on “Should institution or governments regulate the use of brain computational modeling technologies? Why or Why not?” We divided our group into two; one supports the rules and regulations while the other says we should let the technologies develop without regulations.
Firstly, Weng Yi as the moderator opened the discussion by introducing the topic briefly and the panelists. Next, I started the discussion to support government regulations. I emphasized on health factor as the main reason for regulations. In order for others to understand, I explained some of the common scanning techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computer tomography (CT) scanner. Because of the possible side effects during and after the scanning process, hence, regulations must be implemented to prevent abusing the technique.
Next, Li Xu agreed with me and added some ethical issues involved. The main issues were about consent and privacy. For instance, brain modeling could be forcefully used on criminals to read their minds for information related to the crime. Although, they are criminal, it still violates human rights. Jiao Jiao further supported this issue. She emphasized on privacy, as brain computational modeling is literally mind reading. For example, one could know your bank account password by this technology. Hence, without guidelines, this brain modeling could be abused. Li Xu, then, added the possibility of inaccurate data, and how scanned results should be handle. As a result, Li Xu and Jiao Jiao believed that computational modeling should be regulated.
On the other hand, Eric opposed regulations by stating that all technology should freedom to develop. He believed that computational modeling is just in infant stage. We should let scientists develop it till mature state. By then, government might still be able to regulate. To support his point, he suggested the usage of mind-reading device as small spectacles that are capable of predicting danger or exchange thoughts to overcome language barrier. However, it still related to privacy issue.
Lastly, Song Yan agreed with Eric about the immature state of the technology, he against rules and regulations imposed by government. He doubted that the rules and regulations could ensure the confidential of the scanning data. On the other hand, regulations might only limit brain computational modeling’s development.
Finally, Weng Yi summarized the whole discussion. It was such an interesting discussion. However, it ended with an open conclusion. This was indeed a long termed debatable issue, which can be resolved in a near future. At least, we did agreed one thing that brain modeling should some how be regulated.
Firstly, Weng Yi as the moderator opened the discussion by introducing the topic briefly and the panelists. Next, I started the discussion to support government regulations. I emphasized on health factor as the main reason for regulations. In order for others to understand, I explained some of the common scanning techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computer tomography (CT) scanner. Because of the possible side effects during and after the scanning process, hence, regulations must be implemented to prevent abusing the technique.
Next, Li Xu agreed with me and added some ethical issues involved. The main issues were about consent and privacy. For instance, brain modeling could be forcefully used on criminals to read their minds for information related to the crime. Although, they are criminal, it still violates human rights. Jiao Jiao further supported this issue. She emphasized on privacy, as brain computational modeling is literally mind reading. For example, one could know your bank account password by this technology. Hence, without guidelines, this brain modeling could be abused. Li Xu, then, added the possibility of inaccurate data, and how scanned results should be handle. As a result, Li Xu and Jiao Jiao believed that computational modeling should be regulated.
On the other hand, Eric opposed regulations by stating that all technology should freedom to develop. He believed that computational modeling is just in infant stage. We should let scientists develop it till mature state. By then, government might still be able to regulate. To support his point, he suggested the usage of mind-reading device as small spectacles that are capable of predicting danger or exchange thoughts to overcome language barrier. However, it still related to privacy issue.
Lastly, Song Yan agreed with Eric about the immature state of the technology, he against rules and regulations imposed by government. He doubted that the rules and regulations could ensure the confidential of the scanning data. On the other hand, regulations might only limit brain computational modeling’s development.
Finally, Weng Yi summarized the whole discussion. It was such an interesting discussion. However, it ended with an open conclusion. This was indeed a long termed debatable issue, which can be resolved in a near future. At least, we did agreed one thing that brain modeling should some how be regulated.
Friday, March 13, 2009
4th Entry
After reading two articles on computational modeling in brain studies, I was amazed at how scientists have had better understanding on how the brain process. However, despise the new promising advanced technology on society, it also has some ethical issues as well as technical problems.
The first article, "A computer that can 'read' your mind" describes how computational modeling could be used to read a human's mind. The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is used to locate and detect brain activity when the subject thinks about a specific word. The advanced modeling could even predict the brain activation patterns even if the fMRT images for a specific noun were not created in the database. The accuracy is also better for cases that the activation patterns were know before hand. It improved the reliability of the modeling. This research could be further improved to use brain scans to predict symptoms of disorder and identify thoughts.
The next article, "Ethics and mapping the brain", is mostly about ethical issues involved in using fMRI to read human's mind. By using the images from the fMRI scan, brain activity and behavior patterns could reveal a person's thought, memory, or even show whether one is lying. Although the new technology could be used to cure diseases, there are still some doubts about its accuracy of. For that reasons, standards and regulations should be set to guide the new technology for a proper use. Another way is to seek consent. However, criminal might use this consent to refuse scanning. Another ethical issue is related to privacy since a person’s private thought and memory are exposed. The most controversial issue would be ethical considerations the testing of children. There are still many questions left unanswered about who should be tested and how the data would be used and kept, as the author mentioned in his article.
National Science Foundation. (2008,May 30). A computer that can ‘read’ your mind [Press release 08-091]. Retrieved February 12, 2009, form http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111641&org=olpa&from=news
Marano, L. (2003, June 3) Ethics and mapping the brain (an abridged version of the original in the Washington Times). Retrieved February 12, 2009, from the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics Web Site: http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neuro/brain_mapping_ethics.htm
5-relevant vocabulary:
1. Hypothetical: assumed by hypothesis; supposed
2. Schizophrenia: a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a break down in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior.
3. Psychiatry: a medical specialty devoted to the treatment, study and prevention of mental disorders
4. Cerebrovascular disease: is a group of brain dysfunctions related to disease of blood vessels supplying the brain
5. Pedophilia: sexual behavior that involves an abnormal interest in children
The first article, "A computer that can 'read' your mind" describes how computational modeling could be used to read a human's mind. The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is used to locate and detect brain activity when the subject thinks about a specific word. The advanced modeling could even predict the brain activation patterns even if the fMRT images for a specific noun were not created in the database. The accuracy is also better for cases that the activation patterns were know before hand. It improved the reliability of the modeling. This research could be further improved to use brain scans to predict symptoms of disorder and identify thoughts.
The next article, "Ethics and mapping the brain", is mostly about ethical issues involved in using fMRI to read human's mind. By using the images from the fMRI scan, brain activity and behavior patterns could reveal a person's thought, memory, or even show whether one is lying. Although the new technology could be used to cure diseases, there are still some doubts about its accuracy of. For that reasons, standards and regulations should be set to guide the new technology for a proper use. Another way is to seek consent. However, criminal might use this consent to refuse scanning. Another ethical issue is related to privacy since a person’s private thought and memory are exposed. The most controversial issue would be ethical considerations the testing of children. There are still many questions left unanswered about who should be tested and how the data would be used and kept, as the author mentioned in his article.
National Science Foundation. (2008,May 30). A computer that can ‘read’ your mind [Press release 08-091]. Retrieved February 12, 2009, form http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111641&org=olpa&from=news
Marano, L. (2003, June 3) Ethics and mapping the brain (an abridged version of the original in the Washington Times). Retrieved February 12, 2009, from the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics Web Site: http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neuro/brain_mapping_ethics.htm
5-relevant vocabulary:
1. Hypothetical: assumed by hypothesis; supposed
2. Schizophrenia: a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a break down in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior.
3. Psychiatry: a medical specialty devoted to the treatment, study and prevention of mental disorders
4. Cerebrovascular disease: is a group of brain dysfunctions related to disease of blood vessels supplying the brain
5. Pedophilia: sexual behavior that involves an abnormal interest in children
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
3rd Entry
On the 30th January 09, in EG1471 lecture, three lecturers delivered to the students important and interesting information on climate change. Each of them have their respective ways and stands on what we can do from our part to save our environment.
Dr Andrew Palmer of Center for Offshore Research and Engineering was the first of the three lecturers to give his speech. He told us about the increase of carbon dioxide as compared to before. The increase of carbon dioxide have caused global warming around the world. Through studies that he had done, Dr Andrew Palmer gave us examples on how we could reduce the carbon dioxide emission level, example using natural gases and resources (Solar or Wind energy), capturing and storing carbon dioxide under the sea.
Next, Mr. Savacool delivered his speech on Using STS to Address Energy Problems. He used case studies to present and demonstrate to us the topic. In my opinion, his method of presenting was more interesting. As we could easily relate the problem and find a proper solution. He explained to us about the issue between USA and Kyoto Protocol and reasons behind why USA did not sign the Protocol in the end.
The last lecturer is Dr. Rajasekhar Bala and he touched on climate change in terms of assessment and mitigation. He mentioned that the earth's atmosphere is getting warmer because of human activities. The main causes are due to greenhouse gases that prevent heat to escape. They are mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Without these gases, the earth would not be so warm. He also mentioned signs that suggest Global Warming is occurring and its possible effects and consequences. The rate of climate change could be slowed down by increasing energy efficiency, use renewable energy resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some basic approaches that Dr Bala presented in dealing climate change are drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing strategies to reduce its harmful effects.
To conclude, I found the lecture interesting. However, the topic that amazed me most was the use of membrane to store carbon dioxide because it was the first time I heard of it. I did understand more on Global Warming issue after attending the lecture.
Dr Andrew Palmer of Center for Offshore Research and Engineering was the first of the three lecturers to give his speech. He told us about the increase of carbon dioxide as compared to before. The increase of carbon dioxide have caused global warming around the world. Through studies that he had done, Dr Andrew Palmer gave us examples on how we could reduce the carbon dioxide emission level, example using natural gases and resources (Solar or Wind energy), capturing and storing carbon dioxide under the sea.
Next, Mr. Savacool delivered his speech on Using STS to Address Energy Problems. He used case studies to present and demonstrate to us the topic. In my opinion, his method of presenting was more interesting. As we could easily relate the problem and find a proper solution. He explained to us about the issue between USA and Kyoto Protocol and reasons behind why USA did not sign the Protocol in the end.
The last lecturer is Dr. Rajasekhar Bala and he touched on climate change in terms of assessment and mitigation. He mentioned that the earth's atmosphere is getting warmer because of human activities. The main causes are due to greenhouse gases that prevent heat to escape. They are mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Without these gases, the earth would not be so warm. He also mentioned signs that suggest Global Warming is occurring and its possible effects and consequences. The rate of climate change could be slowed down by increasing energy efficiency, use renewable energy resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some basic approaches that Dr Bala presented in dealing climate change are drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing strategies to reduce its harmful effects.
To conclude, I found the lecture interesting. However, the topic that amazed me most was the use of membrane to store carbon dioxide because it was the first time I heard of it. I did understand more on Global Warming issue after attending the lecture.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
2nd Entry
After watching the video “An Inconvenient truth” by Al Gore, I think it is the time to wake up and make corrections for our father’s mistakes. If we don’t act fast enough, our next generations would have to bear the consequences.
One of the main reasons for the global warming is the uncontrolled emission of carbon dioxide, and CFC gases. In order to cut down the emission rate, our government needs to solve this major problem. In Vietnam, where almost everyone owns a motorbike, the government is trying to encourage its people to use more public transports. More buses are being operated as well as more campaigns to promote the new mean of transport. The infrastructures are implemented as well to accommodate these changes. The government not only increases the taxes on vehicles but also increase the operating fee for individual vehicles. For the time being, we feel somehow annoyed by these new policies, because the taxes on vehicle was already one the highest in the region for such a poor country. However, if we look into the long term, these necessary policies mean to keep the emission of carbon dioxides as low as possible, as vehicles produce as much as 30% of the total emission.
Besides these policies, Vietnam government also reduces the process of deforestation. More new materials are encouraged to replace wood in construction. Farmers could earn more money from the government by protecting and planning the wood than harvesting them. Protecting the wood could help in reducing the level of carbon dioxides as well as prevent more natural calamities such as mug flood.
Another important policy that helps to reduce the global warming is the 3Rs, that are Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. Each household is encouraged to classify their waste into separate bins. Further more, there is no tax for the recycling businesses, in order to attract more investors to this business.
Next, heavy industries are reallocated far away from the crowed cites. Each factory is encouraged to implement ISO 14000, a standard system to control polluted gases and wastewater before releasing them into the surrounding area.
By all the recent policy, we hope to cut down to emission of carbon dioxides and slow down to global warming process. These tasks are not only belonged to the government but also to each one of us. We all have a role to play in this big picture, as the Earth is ours.
One of the main reasons for the global warming is the uncontrolled emission of carbon dioxide, and CFC gases. In order to cut down the emission rate, our government needs to solve this major problem. In Vietnam, where almost everyone owns a motorbike, the government is trying to encourage its people to use more public transports. More buses are being operated as well as more campaigns to promote the new mean of transport. The infrastructures are implemented as well to accommodate these changes. The government not only increases the taxes on vehicles but also increase the operating fee for individual vehicles. For the time being, we feel somehow annoyed by these new policies, because the taxes on vehicle was already one the highest in the region for such a poor country. However, if we look into the long term, these necessary policies mean to keep the emission of carbon dioxides as low as possible, as vehicles produce as much as 30% of the total emission.
Besides these policies, Vietnam government also reduces the process of deforestation. More new materials are encouraged to replace wood in construction. Farmers could earn more money from the government by protecting and planning the wood than harvesting them. Protecting the wood could help in reducing the level of carbon dioxides as well as prevent more natural calamities such as mug flood.
Another important policy that helps to reduce the global warming is the 3Rs, that are Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. Each household is encouraged to classify their waste into separate bins. Further more, there is no tax for the recycling businesses, in order to attract more investors to this business.
Next, heavy industries are reallocated far away from the crowed cites. Each factory is encouraged to implement ISO 14000, a standard system to control polluted gases and wastewater before releasing them into the surrounding area.
By all the recent policy, we hope to cut down to emission of carbon dioxides and slow down to global warming process. These tasks are not only belonged to the government but also to each one of us. We all have a role to play in this big picture, as the Earth is ours.
Monday, January 19, 2009
1st Entry
After reading the article “The expanding world of engineers” by professor Seeram Ramakrishna, as an engineer student, I feel proud of the discipline I’ve chosen. The modern engineer is now playing an important role in various disciplines due to their ability to work systematically.
As an engineer, we have to adapt to the new working environment, new challenges, which require engineer to have broad knowledge to come up with appropriate solutions. In order to achieve anything, firstly, we need passion. In my opinion, it’s the most important one. Passion would give us the urge to learn, to observe on variety of phenomenon. By attending lectures, we are able to obtain the knowledge of analyzing the problem and step-by-step construction of the solution. Further more during laboratory sessions, we should seize the opportunity to gain more hand-on experiences because that’s the most effective way of learning. An experiment is a good practice for us to work systematically from setting up the experiment to collecting and analyzing the data. Another important skill is observing, a good observer can simply understand any process or procedure quickly and holistically. That would eventually help an engineer to build up the skill to analyze complex information.
In order to solve more complex problems effectively, engineer should build up a strong foundation on their respective field. Next, we would try to gain board knowledge by taking initiative to venture into different fields. We need to open up our social network, meet more people from various disciplines to exchange experiences. By joining more collaborative projects, engineer would be able to expose themselves to more techniques of problem solving. Lastly, we should keep a positive thinking, willing to work and to face tomorrow’s challenges.
As an engineer, we have to adapt to the new working environment, new challenges, which require engineer to have broad knowledge to come up with appropriate solutions. In order to achieve anything, firstly, we need passion. In my opinion, it’s the most important one. Passion would give us the urge to learn, to observe on variety of phenomenon. By attending lectures, we are able to obtain the knowledge of analyzing the problem and step-by-step construction of the solution. Further more during laboratory sessions, we should seize the opportunity to gain more hand-on experiences because that’s the most effective way of learning. An experiment is a good practice for us to work systematically from setting up the experiment to collecting and analyzing the data. Another important skill is observing, a good observer can simply understand any process or procedure quickly and holistically. That would eventually help an engineer to build up the skill to analyze complex information.
In order to solve more complex problems effectively, engineer should build up a strong foundation on their respective field. Next, we would try to gain board knowledge by taking initiative to venture into different fields. We need to open up our social network, meet more people from various disciplines to exchange experiences. By joining more collaborative projects, engineer would be able to expose themselves to more techniques of problem solving. Lastly, we should keep a positive thinking, willing to work and to face tomorrow’s challenges.
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