Reflected journal by Nerias YANG

Future predictions

emmayang8 — 2025-02-02 23:49:51 UTC

This is my first class of Action project, we start with divergent and convergent thinking. I think it's a good method to spread your thinking and create something logical. For instance, " How to shaved a monkey?" The answer is funny and creative. Waxing and inject medical are memorable for me. I consider this is activities reflect on GIHS values's creative and critical thinking which is important for student progress. On another aspect, because this activities is team work, we exchange ideas and resonance, it's another way to zoom in relationships. What's more, this is my first time making a padlet which is a new experience and will record my reflect journal for Action project. I am looking forward to have more deeper thinking and find out the justification behind.

1+1=1

emmayang8 — 2025-02-03 00:00:12 UTC

We individually creative product with 30 circle. I made up hot air ballon, glasses, hat and so on. Not only shocked by the creativity of classmate but also increase the observation of daily life. For the second phrase, teacher stand out the topic 1+1=1. At first, I was thinking isn't the answer should be 2 or 3 which tell us to be harmony and inclusive. The strength for 2 people can be bigger? But the fact is that teacher want us to combined two circle together with the person nearby, and give new meaning. We made up Caterpillar sofa with world map that leading your world map learning, the cat face hot air ballon provide you lovely family time, and apple hat might hot sale in south Asian countries that have juicy fruit. The effort from two of us generate these product, it will be my meaningful class experience. I think this activities is fun and collaborative. This activity can a be a good demonstrate of communication, collaboration and creative and critical thinking. For the communication, we are inclusive and share our ideas at the first. Keep ey contacting and being respectful while others expressing their idea. What's more, it's the first teamwork of Action project, I cherish the opportunity to make friends so beside of these I mentioned, I also encourage her to generate new ideas and determine her thinking clue. For collaboration, There's a part of this activity is to combine your circle together, this can be symbolism of gather us together, collaboration individuals into a group that fits will and have more power, isn't it another way to tell us being collabrative. Last but not least, creative and critical thinking, it's hard for this part I admit because we need to fill 30 circles with different product, but we did it by observing the classroom and integrate with the thing we usually use. we also inspire each other while communicating which is magical, no one knows that we talking about the hot air balloon while introducing the universal studio in my country. As a result I want to say :1+1=1 !!!!

Redesign activity ---- Empathy map

emmayang8 — 2025-02-03 02:52:36 UTC

For this class, we completed empathy map of partner's unpleasant experience and make a solution for her. The definition of empathy is put yourself in other's position, try to understand how they feel and what issue they are facing. For me, I joined a birthday party of my friends, but the result is a bit pity, we didn't organised for the party and create memorable experience for her. Even no birthday cake and candles !!!! I felt sorry for all decision-making( nobody doing decision). For my partner, she was chasing her guinea pigs at her backyards which the day was hot. The most important thing is her pigs was jittery because of neighbour's constructions, the sound too loud for guinea pigs. On the emotion aspect, I feel pity and sat, she feel frustrated. Next lesson, we are going to give a speech about the solution you advise for your partner. I consider about an invention in a flute shape that can call guinea pigs inside her house, then she don't have to spend too long time outside in the hot summer and ensure her guinea pigs safety back. What's more, if its possible, organise the time with neighbours about the construction will be nice. During this task, we work on communication, creative and critical thinking. For the creative and critical thinking, we provide a solution for our partner's issue and check its efficiency and achievability. By managing the uncertainty, I did a greta job that overcome classmates question attack, they asking question to doubt your solution and i answer all of them and give an relative answer, this is how I demonstrate managing uncertainty. Commit to purpose as well, we figure the solution and analyse what we can write on the empathy map, detailedly explained our solution and problem, as you can see, our empathy map filled with words. On another aspect, communication is definitely a great tool to get the information you want, it's hard to let your partner say more details because it's the thing happened in the past, but after a long communication, you can get more understand about what happened at that day. What's more, we are being respectful while communicating, i don't judge about their problem and engaging with my partner and conversation. For the things we can in prove, hopefully I can speak a bit louder and fluently, be more confident about my content and face challenges calmly.

Reflection of partner weekend experience presentation

emmayang8 — 2025-02-11 03:42:08 UTC

What tools, skills or activities did you find most useful in the redesign your partner’s summer activity?
In this activity, I hardly interested in the empathy map. It helped us nicely organise what to write in the speed script and the aspect we should mention. What's more, I develop my communication skills in this activity too. New partner, new activity, but everything successful begin with the experience sharing. The best way to bring a relationship closer is to talk about your daily life and put yourself into it. Try to understand their intention and behaviour. This also identify the difference between empathy and sympathy for me, new knowledge new insights.
How did you use or develop or grow your 5 C’s? (Collaboration, Communication, Critical and Creative Thinking, Citizenship, Character (Strengths))
Communication, collaboration and Critical and Creative thinking probably, quite comprehensive. Collaboration reflect on team work and engage opinion advising, communication obviously reflect on every single talk. About the creative and critical thinking, the mission is to find out. solution to solve or help partner's problem. During the process of finding solutions, I improve my imagination too. Honestly I did figure some digital solutions like guinea pigs translator to let them go inside, but in my opinion, talking to natural animals with natural solution is the best respond, so mine looks a bit outdated.
What did you find most difficult during the activity? How will you overcome this in the future?
The most difficult thing must be collect all the informations together and how to present this speech. Speaking in humour? Speaking seriously?What will the audience ask me about the drawbacks of the solutions? These are the questions I concerned before the speech. I will be more comprehensive, presenting in my own style, stay calm and logically in the future.

Reflection of Spin-off topic

emmayang8 — 2025-02-19 22:51:56 UTC

What are our initial thoughts about our Spin Off Topic?
The initial thought of this topic is confused about what we are going to do. Then, teacher give us some paper to right down the issue you met and try to solve it with a product. Me and Henry got loads of ideas and we totally agree to do the truth translator. Honestly, this is one of my start point, the beginning of this idea is from the personality of me and Henry. We are the person not good at express personal idea and slowly receive the message from casual conversation, we can't understand their emotion well. So that's why we design this product.
What do we still need to know or find out?
Based on this is just an imagine, we still need to find the audience it suits to and improve the function. For our teamwork, I feel comfortable and hope we can inspire each other by communication.
How can we find this information? Person, survey, internet, experts etc
We can find the information from personal and internet, we reference some design from translator, so that the using and influence can be similar.
What is most intriguing about this topic?
In my opinion, this most intriguing about this topic is we are going to record the video for our own product. It seems like Apple Conference which is pretty cool. I like the opportunity to record and editing video and create interesting stuff.
What am I most concerned about (either this topic or Spin Off in general).
The things I concern the most is actually my vocabulary, my idea can'r chased on my vocabulary. There are serval things I want to express but might meet the improper use of words or don't know how to explain's situations, Hope I can strength my vocabulary and whole hear and soul direct in this topic.
What persuasive techniques did you find most effective? Descriptions Here
Resonance and been convince will be the persuasive techniques i find most effective. What we want to do is let the audience stands in our position and consider how they going to solve these questions. We just provide a method to ease this problem, the true significant is face this problem face by face, person by person.
What presentation techniques where most effective?
Last but not least, video and make a slide are the ways most effective. Wealthy movement and briefly demonstration is the fast way to insert a new idea.

Persuaders Toolkit

emmayang8 — 2025-02-25 03:52:18 UTC

SAVE THE TURTLES !!! This is what we mainly did for this class. My partner is a good convincer, he use his full of emotions and talent freestyle skills. I think I should learn this communication skills from him. I've also earned some persuade technique, such as Anecdotes, Catchy phrases or slogans, Chatty style, List of three, a tripartite list, Contrasts, Criticising the opposite opinion/the opposition, Emotive words, Emotive pictures and Exaggeration (also known as hyperbole). We did a good job on slogan and emotive words, we will improve on other aspect next time. What's more, this topic really remind me to pay attention of release plastic, this is turning an increasingly serious problem, just as Henry mentioned, I don't want to be part of the problem. I will aware this in the future. In the 5C's aspect, this a train of communication, citizenship and collaboration. For communication, we need to draft out a pitch at a short time, we collect the information we want to say and communicate what can be more convincing which can be a demonstration of committing to purpose. Secondly, for the collaboration, we organise the work for each other before the task start, Henry is really interested in this topic and being empathy, combine with his tone of convincing, we decide to let him doing the speech and I will provide help with the presentation and typing the content, respective and engaging with my partner. Thirdly, citizenship. This topic reflect the harmful issue of the sea animals, as a human citizen, I think I have the mission to carry the responsibility to save the turtles, we should do more action after this task and raise awareness of throwing waste in the correct area.

Technique:

Anecdotes
Catchy phrases or slogans
Chatty style
List of three/a tripartite list
Contrasts
Criticising the opposite opinion/the opposition
Emotive words
Emotive pictures
Exaggeration (also known as hyperbole)
Forceful phrases (also known as imperatives)
Humour
Imagery
Opinion as fact
Personal pronouns
Repetition
Shock tactics
Statistics (and facts)
Quotations and expert opinions
Rhetorical questions

Spin-off reflection after presentation

emmayang8 — 2025-03-13 01:40:39 UTC

I am shocked with the colourful videos made by my classmate, they use persuade music, interesting drama and big effort to edit the video. I saw a lot of topic about scammed which helps me to remember the app "Shield". While the society is developing, some of the video do related to nowadays issues, like the traffic ones, I hate inconvenient traffic, the video just represent what I want to say. In summary, all the videos are good, full subtitles, different angle record, creative scenario are all what we have to learned. On another hand, I am quite satisfied with our video even though a bit awkward while watching it in front of the whole class. There are still improvement fro us, because we create a product by ourselves, the respond of the impact is not as big as we imagine, maybe next time it should be effective for most of the people in our class. Collaboration in my group express quite peaceful, we only have 2 people in our group, so most of the conflict being avoided and we divided the part averagely, doing the same amount of work and pay same effort is a good demonstration of collaboration. We use humour and emotive words and create our own slogan for our product. Last but not least, We will bring better work and demonstrates in new format, there are still a lot we can use our creative and critical thinking to express. We got C for our Spin-off assessment, it was terrible, first C in my life. However, I sort of know why because we got I level in inquiry and reflection because we create a product without evidence support. We did well on collaboration and communication. Me and Henry try our best to present this video and discuss several detailed for this task, and generate the slogan and image for this uninvented product. There are plenty of improvement we can work on, such as choosing a topic that's supportive.

Peer discussions on innovate problem

emmayang8 — 2025-03-28 05:46:40 UTC

Today's class is rush coming out with a problem and a solution, while thinking teacher will provide conditions in any aspect, sometimes that's totally opposite what we imagined. Fortunately, we did overcome this task and come up with our device-- VR vacation. It's a device you can reduce stres and spend low money but gain advanced joyful surface. The problem of our device is stress, this solution is relevant to now's technology life topic and efficiency solve the problem. During this task, we improved creative and critical thinking, communication, collaboration. We are being inclusive and respect for everyone's opinion and clue. On another aspect, keep open-minded, always accept the new condition that's coming through and attempt to strength the device. For communication, we committing to purpose to complete the device and seriously treating as a device that's really exist, active communication provide the result we had that gather's every body's creative and critical thinking.

Can you explain the problem in more detail? What specific issue are you addressing?
Yes, for stress we have loads of ways to reduce but having a vacation can be more efficiency and useful way. Our group focus on adult working stress.

Why do you think this problem is important? Who is affected by it?
Our problem is stress, it face to every people in the world, everyone have stress.
What evidence do you have that this problem exists? Have you observed it or gathered any data?
The evidence can be the processing of now's VR progress, the incredible visual experience and real scenario. go for a vacation is not a big deal. We sure have data for our product, with some research suggesting that those who vacation regularly experience lower stress levels compared to those who don't. Stress Reduction Benefits of Vacations included
: Break from Routine, Mental Health Benefits, Physical, Health Benefits:, Improved Productivity and Focus. So the solution of go on a vacation is undoubtable. Consider of the budget in $10 and the Fast-paced living environment, VR vacation can be a good option.
How does this problem impact people or the community? What are the consequences if it remains unsolved?
This product can reduce stress of the people in the community and bring a peacefully and positive energy environment. Also engaging community by having conversation about the trip they want in VR vacation. The consequences of not being solved won't be a big deal, I believe their can more ways to reduce stress for the people, our product just provide a way we all agree and it's efficiency and popular. However, we will improve and adjust our product if it unsolved.
Is this problem widespread, or does it affect a specific group? How large is the scope of the issue?
No it widespread for everybody in this world, the scope is infinite big.
Do you think this problem can be realistically addressed? What challenges might arise in solving it?
Not really, the extent of people's stress are diffrent, sometimes, having a vacation can't solve every stress, the result is reduce stress. The challenges can also be have bad memories during the VR vacation and increase stress with mad.
Are there other ways to view this problem? Could it be part of a larger issue?
We can view as a more specific stress like homework stress or something else, this can being provided more detailed service for VR vacation. I don't think it will be larger, more smaller I suppose.

First reflection

emmayang8 — 2025-03-31 01:12:24 UTC

So far, during our lessons, what are the concepts you have learnt (or further developed) and how are they influencing the way that you approach problems.
I have learnt rapidly thinking and active providing solution. This approach my target of thinking creatively and applies in daily life. After the inspirement in Action Project, I solve the issue in my life more comfortably and fast. For instance, when we are in a event of finding clues of the treasure, I prefer to do teamwork instead of work alone, then combine the information we got and find out the fast route to reach the treasure.
What do you think your biggest challenges are going to be in AP?
My biggest challenge might be language communication. As an international student, sometimes it hard to follow up the process of a creative and uncommon topic, I want t express my creative opinion but don't know how to say. i guess i will overcome it though more communicating and practice, if this challenge been solved , my english level will increase into the next stage too.
What are you most excited about in AP?
I was excited when we start a new task about creating a product, I like to create and invent the product that born with my thinking and the thing I want to express. Action project is a good platform for me to attempt new stuff and experiment my draft.
What about your personality (or Character) do you think will help or challenge you in AP?
Being engaging in the team of course. I have to admit i might not. a good leader that leading the team committing to purpose but i will try my best contributing for the team. I used stay the second-place of a team, providing suggestions and help the leader, I will demonstrate well in Action project I suppose.

Early INNOV8 Reflection

emmayang8 — 2025-05-13 04:54:29 UTC

What is our current problem that we are focusing on?
- We prepared for both options, but we were afraid that the audience would prefer option 2. We admit we concentrated on option 1 a bit more, making it a little difficult to balance the progress for both options
How is the use of the empathy map evolving our idea? What new ideas or insights have you uncovered from this process?
- It clarifies our logic and direction, briefly summarising what our content should be and the best order to demonstrate it. That's when we have the draft of option 2, which is the opposite of option 1, as we figured out using the empathy map..
How is our group collaborating? What can I do to improve collaboration within my team? (contribution level- inclusivity, listening to others?)
- I enjoy our team's collaboration; everyone tries their best to finish their work in an organised manner and attempts to help others. We can improve on our contribution levels. Actually, Maren in our team contributes more than we do. She's a native English speaker, so when we make grammar or expression mistakes, she helps to modify them. Thanks to her contribution, and we will try our best to balance the contributions.
What barriers are we currently experiencing?
- Barriers related to income can affect the profitability of the product or service we are using, which may be low profit but high value. I believe the most significant benefit is providing a solution for South African students to have more opportunities to learn and see the world. This could be a drawback of our product or service, and we are trying to adjust it to make it more financially viable.
What are our next steps?
- Our next step is to practise our presenting, fix any unclear aspects, and seek a better presentation mode.

INNOV8 Marketing Pitch Reflection

emmayang8 — 2025-06-02 02:14:17 UTC

I saw there expression, language, skills of attraction and content's creativity. There way of opening the problem did impress me and there presentation were so comprehensive and convincible. I have to admit there INNOV8 pitch are already really mature, that' what i really admire from.

Well, I did find some point that are not successful, such as pitch 2 doesn't finish on time which our team didn't do well as well, the presentation is just reading the script with no eye contact, informal speed rate and drafting slide. However, I have no quality to comment their cons, hopefully we can concentrate on our improvements and avoid the cherish unsuccessful experience that other group provided.

We got great ideas from our pitch which makes our next step basic on, our solution might be too completed fot audience to comprehend, so it will be briefly and clearly next time. The thing we didn't regret is our colourful slide and logo design.

"Grade: B+

Feedback:

Explanation of the problem: A, extremely clear explanation of the problem

Explanation of the solution: B, Solution is clear and creative but explained too quickly. Spend some time here to really explain your ideas since this is the main section of your pitch.

The visuals in your presentation were clear and relevant, but consider making a demo website that can be scrolled through by potential investors/users

General presentation of idea: C, Speaking was mostly clear, although quiet at some points. When presenting a pitch, it is important that you are not reading from a script. Consider using cards with key points to remind yourself of what to cover and rehearsing the rest. This will also ensure that your body language is open and that you are not covering your face with a script paper.

The presentation slides were clear and included creative visuals. Be sure not to rush through your slides - take your time in explaining.

All group members contributed- good division of tasks and allocation of speaking roles.

Quality of response to feedback: B, Students answered positively and confidently- explaining that you are still developing the product to improve accessibility is a good answer! This is something you could consider implementing in your final presentation for week 6. " Here's our feedback from teacher and we awake from the stuck situation. Honestly, we misunderstanding of the purpose that day, we thought it will be the final presentation so that our content didn't finish. We prepared the pitch anyway but not being used. We should make sure the content of the presentation next time and learn presentation skills from others and feedback. I shouldn't covered my face through script, that's not official and discuss each part in order( we cut off some part on the day so not really familiar with the new script).

I feel hard collaboration, communication, and creative and critical thinking through this assessment even though it was not successful. It was a good teamwork, everyone in out team contribute a lot and carry the thinking of if I did more , others can be easier. We organised our time and do after school discussion as well. Lastly our creative and critical thinking being inspired from every single discussion, we came u solution and figure suitability with everyone participating. That's how we demonstrate 5C'S.

We should rewrite out script to make it comprehensive and simply to understand. Practice presentation skills and raise confidence. Reference on previous failure experience, present more clear and discover potential users. We believe that a single failure is not a permanent failure, and if you are like gold, you will shine !

Brain storming stall design with use of prompts

emmayang8 — 2025-06-05 00:45:13 UTC

How has this task changed my way of thinking how i could brand and display my product. (ie. display, feature, sound product, interaction, information)
- This task inspire me and my teammates about the imagination and decoration of the stall. We haven't think about get help from technology and more interesting way to express our product. Now we do, according to the prompts we've got, rotate exhibition, live feeds. They are all good prompt that have high accomplishable and unique innovation. The specific movement from our group might be create a south African atmosphere stall, with books and globe on the side. live feed of South Africa student study environment and images that express their follow-up dilemma in this period.Not only the live feed, but the rotate study environment. As our product a library, what we can provide a comfortable vision or a imagination can rotate in the video. We open our mind, Although not common thinking of rotate globe, in another angle to pass our opinion. Last but not least, we have some ideas of interaction with auidence. The stall can be simple if we don't generate some efficiency interactive, i think that's the direcytion we have to focus on during the following lessons.

Did u get any other ideas along u gallery walk with other student that u could extend upon your initial stall thoughts?
- Yes, a lot of inspiration through others brainstorming achievement, their gallery is direct and modern i have to say. Some using the element of VR glasses and sound effect, which we can learn about while decorating our stall.

emmayang8 — 2025-06-24 04:04:12 UTC

emmayang8 — 2025-06-24 04:05:44 UTC

About me Post

emmayang8 — 2025-06-24 04:20:38 UTC

My interest/Hobbies/Passion

I’m someone who finds joy in creativity and discovery. I love building with LEGO, watching animations and movies, listening to music, and exploring new places through travel. These hobbies help me relax, inspire my imagination, and open my mind to different stories and perspectives.

My ambitions

Right now, I don’t have a clear ambition, but I’m following the path of someone I admire—learning from their example and growing step by step. I believe direction can come naturally when you're open to experiences and keep moving forward.

What annoys you or makes your ‘blood boil’

What really gets my blood boiling are challenges and unexpected surprises. They push me out of my comfort zone and force me to think differently, which is both exciting and frustrating in the best way. I guess I thrive when things don’t go according to plan—it’s how I learn the most.

Year 10 Action project final reflection

emmayang8 — 2025-06-24 05:48:08 UTC

What have you gained from this experience?
- According to the journey of the Action project, I have developed my key skills of communication, creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and overcoming challenges with a calm attitude. Additionally, this subject helped me understand how to transform little inspirations into real concepts and bring them to life. For problem solving and design thinking, I have been through a complicated process —- testing, failing, improving, rather than getting perfect at the start. Lastly, I commit to my purpose and calm down if an accident happens. Things do not go as we expect every time, so the only thing we can do is face it in courage, just like where the second solution that we think is as good as the first solution.
How has the Action Project developed your understanding of the 5Cs?
- Action projects go through my 5C’s as well. Communication plays an important role in my presentation and explanation of our main ideas of our product. My speaking skills are more formal, convincing and flexible. For collaboration, we did most of our tasks in a team which offered me a meaningful lesson of contributing to the team. It is part of my responsibility and the team should gather their goals and move forward. Creative and critical thinking should be the most affected capabilities I develop. I participate in each innovative product and design everything in steps. Big to the mini model, small into the business card, the growth of it is uncountable.
How can you use the skills developed in Action Project in other areas of your life / in the future?
- The knowledge and skills I have developed in the Action Project are invaluable in the diversity area and my future career. These impact my decision-making and adaptability, essential personal and professional growth. The knowledge fosters my deeper understanding of complex issues, promoting future experience in confidence and eagerness to approach challenges.
What challenges did you face in this course, and how did you overcome them? Were any of your personal Character Strengths a benefit or did you have to stretch your lesser strengths, explain how.
- The biggest challenges we face is the approaching due date oF INNOV8 expo. We decided to make a minimal library, which is hard work and we have limitations in working together. I had to stretch my lesser strength, leadership during this period. Proposing on completing the mission efficiency, I organised each work and set up a deadline for each part of the library.. I felt really anxious at that time, the only thing I was thinking was to keep a steady mind. Since then, I have made a step of improving my leadership and feel accomplished.
How have you developed as a learner throughout this course?
- I developed as a learner by enhancing creative thinking and collaboration skills. I become more adept at brain-storming tasks and have a variety of experience on [problem-solving. These skills are transformed into learning experiences, enabling me to overcome challenges with confidence. Reflecting my character strength, I strengthen my leadership and time-management. I have a higher standard of efficiency and play the role of leader in the team when our team needs people to make the final decision. This growth makes me look forward to my future performance.
What have you gained from this course at a personal level?
- I gained the ability to withstand pressure. I stay focused when high pressure passes through and have confidence of self-regulation. It also highlights the strength of my perseverance, even in the face of challenges.

Reflection on introduction week

emmayang8 — 2025-06-25 01:44:45 UTC

The introduction week is my first time doing Action project, a subject designed to help us develop creative and critical thinking skills. Through this week, I participate in plenty interesting activities. The most memorable activity is that group in peers and combine our artwork into one artwork based on a circle. That's also where i first met my friend Maren, which make this experience more unique. What's more, the teacher encouraged us to keep our minds open and ask deeper questions, which made me rethink how I usually approach problems. The whole atmosphere was fun, welcoming, and full of energy. Looking back, I feel that the week wasn’t just an introduction to a project, but a valuable step into thinking differently and connecting with others.

VIA character strength reflection

emmayang8 — 2025-06-25 01:53:06 UTC

I have discovered my character strength creativity have a good performance. I think from different perspective and curious of solution from problem solving. And my less strength such as leadership have improved in certain extent. Initially, I feel hard to communicate and guide a team together, but when the situation become serious, I come out to become the person in charge. I am proud of how far I've come.