Lessons Learned from the feedback on My Term 1 Assignments

After one month full of worry, finally we received the results and formative feedback on three of our assignments: Critical Reading and Writing, Introduction to Quantitative Methods, and Planning of Research.  The first thing we checked when these were launched into BB9 was certainly the grade 🙂 , but  I realise that there is another highly essential part that can be a priceless source of learning and a stepping stone for our further development, that is the feedback section.

On the first day of receiving the results,  I was unable to digest the words written on the feedback section. It was probably due to my overwhelmed feeling after the long wait. Possibly my classmates are still overwhelmed as well which can be obviously noticed from our very quiet Facebook group *assumption :D. The group which is usually so merry with lots of posts and comments is now still so placid you can notice even a dot posted *exaggeration 😀

As I read the feedback through again early this morning. I realise that much I can learn from these.

Critical Reading and Writing: Lessons learned

Many things I learn from the feedback of this module. First is the importance of closing an essay with a strong conclusion. This shows how much we have learned from the paper we have written. Second is the need to keep our readers (even the non-specialists) on track while reading our paper.  Third we have to justify whether to pursue breadth or depth. Commonly, depth is more preferable. However, it was impossible in my case as I was still on exploration stage involving a wide range of literature, concepts, and terms. Nevertheless, I had attempted to narrow down my scope with  exclusion and inclusion criteria. Fourth, it is always good to keep an eye on what is discussed during the sessions, as we can always find useful concepts or knowledge to be applied in our assignments (It also applies for the other modules).  Fifth, it is important and useful to keep on practicing to write academically as it will develop our awareness and sensitivity on the language use.

Planning of Research: Lesson Learned

-the importance of explicitly addressing the trustworthiness of our research (e.g. through triangulation) and the trustworthiness of our data generation (e.g. through member check, or keeping researcher’s diary).

– the importance of structuring our methods more systematically and clearly

– the importance of addressing the ethical issues more clearly for each method of data generation. Ethical clearance is of an essential matter to concern while conducting research.

-the importance of considering feasibility and of being systematic when arranging timeline

– the importance of addressing issues of accuracy and trustworthiness when we undertake a study bilingually.

Introduction to Quantitative Methods: Lesson Learned

– it’s important to relate our work to the previous research

– When using a published questionnaire, it is important to address issues of validity and reliability if we adapt this questionnaire instead of adopting this.

-it’s important to provide more questions for a variable to be measured in order that we can get more valid and reliable data.

Those are what I learned from the feedback I received so far from the three modules.  Currently, I am still waiting (nervously) for the result and feedback of one more module, Qualitative Data Generations, which will be released probably next week. I do hope that my friends and I will have a big smile when receiving the result for this module next week :).

Best Regards,

Fitri