The difficulties I find in writing in university classes. How I come about in resolving them and improve on it.
In writing, the difficulties I face are in vocabulary and expressing the ideas clearly to readers.
First for vocabulary, it is hard for me to find the correct word which well explains the meaning of things. For example, “the music is soft”. For non- engineers, they will know what soft means but for engineers, they want to know the definition of soft so how soft is soft, very soft or extremely soft. For engineers, we are more precise and more accurate on things so on using words we need to choose words that well explain things.
Expressing my idea clearly to others is hard. When people write report or essay, the writer will understand what the report or essay they written means and assume that other will understand it also but to other people it is not understandable to them. In writing report or essays, I may write my ideas in form that only I clearly understand. For example, “Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a well known technology today, which helps to reduce the source like power plants and other big source from emitting carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that causes global warming.” In this sentence the “other big source”, I will know of it but when others read it, what the other big sources are? So I need to give more examples or explain on it.
In writing reports and essays, I normal use a dictionary and a thesaurus in helping me with my vocabulary so to choose word that are more protruding to people and also more precise on things without changing the meaning of my ideas or meaning of my sentence. In expressing my ideas clearly to others, I will let my sister and few of my friend read through my report or essay and ask their opinion on it, so to change place in my report or essay to form others will understand on reading.
In improving on my writing, I need to learn word that I do not know of from the dictionary and use them in speaking and writing. Reading is also very important, from reading I can see how people express their idea in their writing and also to pick up the using form of the words and new words from the essay.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
3 Common Grammar Mistakes
English is Singapore main language, but using it may be challenging. In writing English essay, no matter people with good English or bad English, both still will make mistakes in grammar. Learning English is never ending. I am going to write about 3 grammar mistakes I commonly make.
1st common mistake is the using of comma. For example, “I like ling, she is very hot.” This is wrong because comma cannot connect 2 independent clauses. The correct way of joining 2 independent clauses are to use a conjunction or replace comma with semicolon. The correct writing is “I like ling. She is very hot.” or “I like ling; she is very hot.” or “I like ling, because she is very hot.”
2nd common mistake is the using of ‘I’ and ‘me’. For example, “My sister and me are going home.” This is incorrect. “This phone belongs to my sister and I”. This is incorrect. It is wrong because ‘I’ must be a subject, never the object and ‘me’ must be an object, never the subject. The correct way of writing is: “This phone belongs to my sister and me.’ And ‘My sister and I are going home.”
The 3rd common mistake is using ‘its’ and ‘it’s’. For example, “The mother cat carried it’s kitten in it’s mouth.” This is wrong because ‘it’s’ is a contraction of it is or it has. The correct way of writing is ‘’The mother cat carried its kitten in its mouth.” Another example is “I think its going to rain”. This is wrong because ‘its’ is the pronoun; it modifies a noun. The correct way of writing is “I think it’s going to rain”
Those are just a small part of my common grammar mistake I have made in all my writing. Constant reading, practice and may be speaking English in everyday without using other languages. My means are not to master English but to improve on my English, for one to master English meaning he/she is perfect on it, so there is no room for improvement and no one is perfect in the world. So by saying I want to improve on English means, I will always learn from it and improve on it and always apply it.
1st common mistake is the using of comma. For example, “I like ling, she is very hot.” This is wrong because comma cannot connect 2 independent clauses. The correct way of joining 2 independent clauses are to use a conjunction or replace comma with semicolon. The correct writing is “I like ling. She is very hot.” or “I like ling; she is very hot.” or “I like ling, because she is very hot.”
2nd common mistake is the using of ‘I’ and ‘me’. For example, “My sister and me are going home.” This is incorrect. “This phone belongs to my sister and I”. This is incorrect. It is wrong because ‘I’ must be a subject, never the object and ‘me’ must be an object, never the subject. The correct way of writing is: “This phone belongs to my sister and me.’ And ‘My sister and I are going home.”
The 3rd common mistake is using ‘its’ and ‘it’s’. For example, “The mother cat carried it’s kitten in it’s mouth.” This is wrong because ‘it’s’ is a contraction of it is or it has. The correct way of writing is ‘’The mother cat carried its kitten in its mouth.” Another example is “I think its going to rain”. This is wrong because ‘its’ is the pronoun; it modifies a noun. The correct way of writing is “I think it’s going to rain”
Those are just a small part of my common grammar mistake I have made in all my writing. Constant reading, practice and may be speaking English in everyday without using other languages. My means are not to master English but to improve on my English, for one to master English meaning he/she is perfect on it, so there is no room for improvement and no one is perfect in the world. So by saying I want to improve on English means, I will always learn from it and improve on it and always apply it.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Round Table discussion summary
In the round table discussion, group 1 discussed the potential and usage in transportation of biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable energy which is made from crops such as soya bean, when 20% of it is mix with normal gasoline or diesel fuel, it provide the equivalent energy power to run a vehicles engine at a cheaper price. Comparing biodiesel to other normal fuel, it emits lesser carbon dioxide which helps climate change and can be produce in a shorter period of time.
There are still concerns of biodiesel as in cold countries; it may not replace normal fuel as it has a higher freezing point than normal fuel which will clog vehicle’s engine.
The other concern is if biodiesel is to replace gasoline, food crops will be affected, as higher demand of biodiesel means more money earn from selling the soya bean which will make farms to grow soya bean more than other crops. A solution is suggested to tackle this problem; by using the government power to control the types of crop the farmer should grow in the area to average out the type of crop grow.
With the continued research and improvement on the biodiesel, it may replace fossil fuel in the future. There is a great prospective for it.
Group 2 discussed about green chemistry on whether Singapore should adopt it or not. The focus was on biodegradable plastic which is made from biomass such as corn and beans.
Green chemistry is more efficient manufacturing and better waste conversion as compare to normal plastic. Green chemistry can bring about profits and they are renewable and safe which can replace normal plastic in anyways. The concerns are is it toxic to human and will the price of plastic increase if Singapore uses green chemistry.
With the continue research of biodegradable plastic, it may one day replace the use of normal plastic and could save the earth.
Group 3 discussed about genetic engineering. It offers a great breakthrough to varying who we are today, but it also has its limits to opposition religious and humane to activists. The discussion of whether genetic engineering should be allowed is discussed.
Deciding the baby’s gender before birth and also deciding his/her future which makes the parents has a choice to decide on the babies. Deciding for the babies, there is no right or wrong answer to it. Problem of sex imbalance will occur as people prefer having male over females.
With genetic engineering, it will be able to create athletically stronger babies when they grow up, make them more resistant to diseases and also minimizing defects babies. This are more appreciate matters.
Concern of whether athletically better babies who grow up are allowed to participate in sporting event to compete again normal people. The choice was made for them before birth, but whether it is a burden or not, this is up to the people to decide.
With genetic engineering, we can make perfect babies, but what we define perfect as and what comes after perfect. Nobody knows the answers to it, but most importantly is who we are to the people around us.
There are still concerns of biodiesel as in cold countries; it may not replace normal fuel as it has a higher freezing point than normal fuel which will clog vehicle’s engine.
The other concern is if biodiesel is to replace gasoline, food crops will be affected, as higher demand of biodiesel means more money earn from selling the soya bean which will make farms to grow soya bean more than other crops. A solution is suggested to tackle this problem; by using the government power to control the types of crop the farmer should grow in the area to average out the type of crop grow.
With the continued research and improvement on the biodiesel, it may replace fossil fuel in the future. There is a great prospective for it.
Group 2 discussed about green chemistry on whether Singapore should adopt it or not. The focus was on biodegradable plastic which is made from biomass such as corn and beans.
Green chemistry is more efficient manufacturing and better waste conversion as compare to normal plastic. Green chemistry can bring about profits and they are renewable and safe which can replace normal plastic in anyways. The concerns are is it toxic to human and will the price of plastic increase if Singapore uses green chemistry.
With the continue research of biodegradable plastic, it may one day replace the use of normal plastic and could save the earth.
Group 3 discussed about genetic engineering. It offers a great breakthrough to varying who we are today, but it also has its limits to opposition religious and humane to activists. The discussion of whether genetic engineering should be allowed is discussed.
Deciding the baby’s gender before birth and also deciding his/her future which makes the parents has a choice to decide on the babies. Deciding for the babies, there is no right or wrong answer to it. Problem of sex imbalance will occur as people prefer having male over females.
With genetic engineering, it will be able to create athletically stronger babies when they grow up, make them more resistant to diseases and also minimizing defects babies. This are more appreciate matters.
Concern of whether athletically better babies who grow up are allowed to participate in sporting event to compete again normal people. The choice was made for them before birth, but whether it is a burden or not, this is up to the people to decide.
With genetic engineering, we can make perfect babies, but what we define perfect as and what comes after perfect. Nobody knows the answers to it, but most importantly is who we are to the people around us.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
WA2: Summary on views of climate change
With increasing concern over global warming, countries are trying to source for ways and invent new technologies to tackle the amount of greenhouse gases being release into the atmosphere.
The article on “CO2 Solution Commends Canada-U.S. Agreement on Carbon Capture Collaboration” shows how support from various countries can contribute to the development of carbon capture and other clean energy technologies.
As highlighted in the article, collaboration, commitment and funding support from countries like Canada and USA are some key factors that could enhance the development of carbon capture and other clean energy technologies to capture greenhouse gases before they're emitted into the atmosphere, and to maintain the standard of living.
Drawn from the article, Glenn Kelly, President & CEO of CO2 solutions stated "We applaud both governments for their commitment to formal talks to jointly advance carbon capture technologies as a solution to address greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously enhancing the energy security position of both countries. As a technology provider, we look forward to supporting this dialogue in any way possible."
Article obtained from: http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/090223/e_co2solu_carboncaptu.html?.v=1
While the above article highlights the importance of joint effort from various countries to identify solutions to address greenhouse gas emissions, the following article “Capitol power plant dims clean energy hopes” touches on how a congress struggles to tackle the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon dioxide is one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases that contributes to climate change and coal that produces carbon dioxide when burned accounts for half of U.S. electricity production.
As mentioned in the article, the congress is running out of options to make the capitol power plant fully green and cost is another concern that the congress faces especially in the mist of economic crisis.
Using carbon sequestration technology or converting the plants entirely to using natural gases were some of the ways mentioned in the article, as means to reduce carbon dioxide, however cost has been one of the concerns for such implementation.
Using carbon sequestration technology could reduce 60% of carbon dioxide emission by capturing and storing carbon dioxide to prevent it from being release into the atmosphere will cost $112 million. Other concerns for using carbon sequestration technologies include availability of disposal grounds and increase in other types of air pollutions.
Natural gases that burns cleaner then coal can reduce half as much carbon dioxide, however the cost to upgrade the equipment in existing coal fired power plants will cost about 6 to 7 million and the cost of using natural gases is four times more expensive then using coal.
Should the above be implemented, it demonstrate Congress' willingness to deal with global warming.
Article obtained from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_go_co/congress_power_plant_5
The article on “CO2 Solution Commends Canada-U.S. Agreement on Carbon Capture Collaboration” shows how support from various countries can contribute to the development of carbon capture and other clean energy technologies.
As highlighted in the article, collaboration, commitment and funding support from countries like Canada and USA are some key factors that could enhance the development of carbon capture and other clean energy technologies to capture greenhouse gases before they're emitted into the atmosphere, and to maintain the standard of living.
Drawn from the article, Glenn Kelly, President & CEO of CO2 solutions stated "We applaud both governments for their commitment to formal talks to jointly advance carbon capture technologies as a solution to address greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously enhancing the energy security position of both countries. As a technology provider, we look forward to supporting this dialogue in any way possible."
Article obtained from: http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/090223/e_co2solu_carboncaptu.html?.v=1
While the above article highlights the importance of joint effort from various countries to identify solutions to address greenhouse gas emissions, the following article “Capitol power plant dims clean energy hopes” touches on how a congress struggles to tackle the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon dioxide is one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases that contributes to climate change and coal that produces carbon dioxide when burned accounts for half of U.S. electricity production.
As mentioned in the article, the congress is running out of options to make the capitol power plant fully green and cost is another concern that the congress faces especially in the mist of economic crisis.
Using carbon sequestration technology or converting the plants entirely to using natural gases were some of the ways mentioned in the article, as means to reduce carbon dioxide, however cost has been one of the concerns for such implementation.
Using carbon sequestration technology could reduce 60% of carbon dioxide emission by capturing and storing carbon dioxide to prevent it from being release into the atmosphere will cost $112 million. Other concerns for using carbon sequestration technologies include availability of disposal grounds and increase in other types of air pollutions.
Natural gases that burns cleaner then coal can reduce half as much carbon dioxide, however the cost to upgrade the equipment in existing coal fired power plants will cost about 6 to 7 million and the cost of using natural gases is four times more expensive then using coal.
Should the above be implemented, it demonstrate Congress' willingness to deal with global warming.
Article obtained from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_go_co/congress_power_plant_5
Friday, January 30, 2009
The summary of lecture
In the lecture the first speaker talks about one of the priorities changes in the world the climate change. He mentions that there is an increase of carbon dioxide being emitted to the atmosphere each year with the next year higher than the previous year with the coal consumption increasing.
He talked about how to response to climate change and the actions to be taken. The responses are by switching to alternative energy which does not produce carbon dioxide and also fuel efficiency and conservation. Actions that can be taken are to capture and store carbon dioxide below 2750m under sea water, increase taxes and reduce emission of carbon dioxide. With every individual saving electric, use public transport instead of personal transports and other more, it can contribute to the big picture of reducing the effect of global warming.
Lastly he mention that reducing solar input to the earth, by building mirror in the space or putting sulphur into the atmosphere to reflect more sun light back to space. This can be done by a few countries like China, Russian and American. But because of political will, none of this has been done.
The second speaker talks about science and technology studies (STS) on how technologies are being change due to culture, social and political.
By culture, last time people are not acceptance of everything but now people are looking at social consideration defining technology. By social, peoples view to choose to keep for example even a product is better than another product but is not like by the people, it will be deserted. By political, flawed expectations, variable incentives, varying standards and underfunded R&D
He then touches on public apathy and misunderstanding, consumption and abundance, psychological resistance, aesthetic and environmental concerns that affects the technologies in many ways. By this reason, he showed us that we chosen the technologies that are harmful to the environment. He also makes clear to us that technologies also changes by the challenges of technical, economic, political, social and cultural.
In his conclusion, how STS methods provide a useful lens to evaluate new technologies.
In the closing stages of the lecture, the last speaker also touches on climate change but more in detail of the causes, consequences and examples of reducing the effect of global warming.
He talked about the gases which are emitted by greenhouse effect which rise the temperature of the earth. He shown us the evidence that global warming is really happening and the scientific prediction consensus about future global temperature changes.
He listed and explained the consequences of global warming like extinctions, intense storms and hurricanes, rising sea levels and more. He also showed us the difficulties in dealing with climate change. He lastly talked about how an individual and government can do about global warming. An individual can save electric, use public transport, reduce wasted and more. Government can increase carbon taxes, subsidize energy efficient technologies; regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant and more.
The common message brought across to me is human beings are a very big factor to the issue of global warming. Even with solution presented to us, we still walk the path to destruction and death. We the human being now must change, if not now than when our earth can be save so that we can be save. It is everyone affects that counts.
He talked about how to response to climate change and the actions to be taken. The responses are by switching to alternative energy which does not produce carbon dioxide and also fuel efficiency and conservation. Actions that can be taken are to capture and store carbon dioxide below 2750m under sea water, increase taxes and reduce emission of carbon dioxide. With every individual saving electric, use public transport instead of personal transports and other more, it can contribute to the big picture of reducing the effect of global warming.
Lastly he mention that reducing solar input to the earth, by building mirror in the space or putting sulphur into the atmosphere to reflect more sun light back to space. This can be done by a few countries like China, Russian and American. But because of political will, none of this has been done.
The second speaker talks about science and technology studies (STS) on how technologies are being change due to culture, social and political.
By culture, last time people are not acceptance of everything but now people are looking at social consideration defining technology. By social, peoples view to choose to keep for example even a product is better than another product but is not like by the people, it will be deserted. By political, flawed expectations, variable incentives, varying standards and underfunded R&D
He then touches on public apathy and misunderstanding, consumption and abundance, psychological resistance, aesthetic and environmental concerns that affects the technologies in many ways. By this reason, he showed us that we chosen the technologies that are harmful to the environment. He also makes clear to us that technologies also changes by the challenges of technical, economic, political, social and cultural.
In his conclusion, how STS methods provide a useful lens to evaluate new technologies.
In the closing stages of the lecture, the last speaker also touches on climate change but more in detail of the causes, consequences and examples of reducing the effect of global warming.
He talked about the gases which are emitted by greenhouse effect which rise the temperature of the earth. He shown us the evidence that global warming is really happening and the scientific prediction consensus about future global temperature changes.
He listed and explained the consequences of global warming like extinctions, intense storms and hurricanes, rising sea levels and more. He also showed us the difficulties in dealing with climate change. He lastly talked about how an individual and government can do about global warming. An individual can save electric, use public transport, reduce wasted and more. Government can increase carbon taxes, subsidize energy efficient technologies; regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant and more.
The common message brought across to me is human beings are a very big factor to the issue of global warming. Even with solution presented to us, we still walk the path to destruction and death. We the human being now must change, if not now than when our earth can be save so that we can be save. It is everyone affects that counts.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Global Warming
Global warming means the slow increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans which may permanently change the Earth’s climate. Increase of Earth’s atmosphere due to carbon dioxide created by human activates, will cause more of the Sun’s radiation to trap on Earth which is the factor of global warming.
With the changing of Earth’s climate, bigger and more frequent storms have occur, fasten the melting of ice in the two polar of the Earth which will rise the oceans level, which lead to floods and country land to be cover up by sea water forever, increase in temperature which causes larger scale of forest fire. These are few examples only.
The main causes of global warming are human. Carbon dioxide is produce by burning of fossil fuels which it’s emitted from cars, airplanes, building structure, power plants and many more.
In Singapore, the government sector has organized campaign to help reduce the effect of global warming. The smoking campaign, by banning smoking in most area in Singapore, one person smokes creates a little carbon dioxide but when millions of people smoke creates a big cloud of carbon dioxide. The recycle, reduce and reduce campaign, when everyone do this, it will help reduce the burning of waste that’s create carbon dioxide. In Singapore, the governments use the waste to build lands in Singapore at Semakau. The government has build more public transport to the people, so to reduce the vehicle on the road that create carbon dioxide.
An individual can help to decrease the effect of global warming, by the means of decreasing the amount of electricity usage or use other source of power like solar, wind and water energy. Cut down the amounts of cars in a country, create more public transport, and increase taxes of car. Reduce burning of waste, recycle the waste. More solution can be thought of, is whether we have the heart to do it. The solution is just within our hands, we just need the determination to make it happen. We need to save the Earth so to save our life and our next generation.
With the changing of Earth’s climate, bigger and more frequent storms have occur, fasten the melting of ice in the two polar of the Earth which will rise the oceans level, which lead to floods and country land to be cover up by sea water forever, increase in temperature which causes larger scale of forest fire. These are few examples only.
The main causes of global warming are human. Carbon dioxide is produce by burning of fossil fuels which it’s emitted from cars, airplanes, building structure, power plants and many more.
In Singapore, the government sector has organized campaign to help reduce the effect of global warming. The smoking campaign, by banning smoking in most area in Singapore, one person smokes creates a little carbon dioxide but when millions of people smoke creates a big cloud of carbon dioxide. The recycle, reduce and reduce campaign, when everyone do this, it will help reduce the burning of waste that’s create carbon dioxide. In Singapore, the governments use the waste to build lands in Singapore at Semakau. The government has build more public transport to the people, so to reduce the vehicle on the road that create carbon dioxide.
An individual can help to decrease the effect of global warming, by the means of decreasing the amount of electricity usage or use other source of power like solar, wind and water energy. Cut down the amounts of cars in a country, create more public transport, and increase taxes of car. Reduce burning of waste, recycle the waste. More solution can be thought of, is whether we have the heart to do it. The solution is just within our hands, we just need the determination to make it happen. We need to save the Earth so to save our life and our next generation.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The expanding world of engineers
In today’s context, engineers contribute greatly to the economic as they are highly demand by the world. In the olden days, engineers are only demand by construction, manufacturing and quality control sectors but now they are also highly demand in other sector likes health care which to design and manage health care systems, in banks to design security systems, also securities fund managers and investment firms in making decisions, and also other several more sectors.
Tertiary education plays a very important role in providing the education to meet today’s demands. Engineers are train to systematically analyze complex information, apply a holistic attitude in designing solutions and to be more flexible. Engineers are not only educated with only engineering related course but also is educated with other courses like science, business management and other courses. This prepares the engineers to comprehend today’s needs and also providing more working opportunities to engineers so to survive and thrive in this competitive society.
Globalization continues to fuel the need to process more information at an even faster pace and to make decisions within shorter time frames. As a result, technologies become more advance. Hence, engineers need to keep up to date with the technologies, not only that but also to replace the technologies with newer technologies as to survive in this society.
The society needs a workforce which does not fear technology but to embrace and thrive on it. This is where the engineers come into pictures due to the engineers are train to systematically analyze complex information and apply a holistic attitude in designing solutions. This is where engineers are highly sought by all working sectors.
Engineers not only duel with commercial products but also using the knowledge and creativities to solve environment and natural factors.
In conclusion, today’s engineers have become more complex in accomplish various task and becoming more than an engineer.
Tertiary education plays a very important role in providing the education to meet today’s demands. Engineers are train to systematically analyze complex information, apply a holistic attitude in designing solutions and to be more flexible. Engineers are not only educated with only engineering related course but also is educated with other courses like science, business management and other courses. This prepares the engineers to comprehend today’s needs and also providing more working opportunities to engineers so to survive and thrive in this competitive society.
Globalization continues to fuel the need to process more information at an even faster pace and to make decisions within shorter time frames. As a result, technologies become more advance. Hence, engineers need to keep up to date with the technologies, not only that but also to replace the technologies with newer technologies as to survive in this society.
The society needs a workforce which does not fear technology but to embrace and thrive on it. This is where the engineers come into pictures due to the engineers are train to systematically analyze complex information and apply a holistic attitude in designing solutions. This is where engineers are highly sought by all working sectors.
Engineers not only duel with commercial products but also using the knowledge and creativities to solve environment and natural factors.
In conclusion, today’s engineers have become more complex in accomplish various task and becoming more than an engineer.
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