EG1471 has been, overall, an enjoyable module. Lessons were undertaken in a relaxing manner, which I greatly appreciate. The occasional language games held further fostered cooperation among fellow classmates and enhanced the learning environment. However, there were still a few hurdles that I encountered over the past 4 months whilst reading this module.

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E-portfolios

Personally, I have no problem with using blogs as a yardstick of progress in this module. However, I believe that there is room for improvement in how assignments can be better drafted in order to meet the objective(s) of introducing the E-portfolios in the first place. The purpose of keeping an e-portfolio was said to facilitate the process of understanding and using academic English. Currently, assignments are mainly focused in presenting summaries of information gained elsewhere such as talks and suggested readings. The topics that were presented in the aforementioned sources did not vary much from each other, with global warming being the hot topic (no pun intended). In fact, I have written nothing but global warming in this module. I personally find this is extremely restrictive and repulsive. With those feelings, I tend to avoid my e-portfolio assignments as much as possible. I understand that our works can be evaluated easily if such conditions were imposed. Also, it may be a perfect simulation of what is to be expected in the near future when we are to partake actively in academic and professional community. However, as mentioned previously, this is very repulsive indeed and definitely not the best way to initiate our motivation in academic writing. Furthermore, I had great difficulty in commenting my fellow classmates' works constructively with the exception of offering compliments. As their works were centred around the very few topics that were provided in the first place, my comments for one piece of work would generally apply to other pieces with the same topic unless there were exceptional points highlighted. Again, the repulsiveness towards essays on the same topics applies here too.

I personally would have preferred a more engaging and less restrictive e-portfolios networks where blog entries are based on user preferences. Why limit them to global warming when the whole web is practically swarming with global warming articles?

Deadlines

Admittedly, this is a hurdle that I brought upon to myself. I included it here so as to serve as a reminder to myself that I have serious issues with deadlines. Thankfully, EG1471 tutors are a forgiving lot and I managed to meet stipulated deadlines for all the assignments. There is really no other solution to this than making sure that I work on assignments promptly.

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With these lessons learnt, hopefully EG1413 would be a more enjoyable module.