Reflections

Even with all the hardships and obstacles encountered during the projects, all of us had different takeaways and new insights, learn throughout the course of our research and site creation. Each of us have written our own reflections and thoughts about the process of completing this research project.

Jeremy’s Reflections

To say that our ThinkQuest experience was interesting would be an understatement. In fact, it has combined the infinite possibilities of web design with the academic rigor of research, providing us students to pursue our interests in a unique blend and share the gift of the knowledge that we have gathered on the Internet. To see our website – the culmination of 5 months of hard work amongst other committments – in its full splendour today gives one pleasure. Indeed, it is a dream come true to vest our creative energies in etching a niche in a medium where imagination takes free reign and technology allows us freedom of expression.

As a cohesive and informative medium that powerfully networks people regardless of distance, the Internet is truly an essential resource in the Computer Age. Apart from expanding our horizons, these 5 months have also taught me about the importance of team dynamics and that adhering to deadlines and schedules is important. The oft–bandied adage goes: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”, but to me, keeping an open mind is the most crucial prerequisite to a successful ThinkQuest experience. I have truly enjoyed this project, and I’ll be happy to take it up again next year. Here’s wishing all budding web designers out there to take their first step into the frontiers of the world’s most diversified resource — the Internet!

Kenneth’s Reflections

Over the course of this project, I have come across many obstacles and of course, faced them all. The main problem was that the group had only about five months to complete a project of this proportion, which meant that we had to rush almost everything just to meet the deadline. However, looking at the final product, this website, I am proud of what we have done over these past five months.

I have also learn many new things about web design, not just how to code the pages, but to increase its aesthetic appeal and design it such that we get our message across to the readers. Of course, I also learned more about our research topic, Instant Messaging. I must admit that I found out things I would never have thought of, for example how the foundations of Instant Messaging were laid as early as the 1970’s.

Finaly, how could I forget the htings we did to “destress” during meetings, like fooling around with our work? All in all, this project has been a fruitful learning journey for me. If I could do this all over again, I would definitely do it.

Raveen’s Reflections

On the whole, I feel that I have benefited a lot from this project. I have gained much information about our topic; Instant Messaging. We have had many experiences as a group, and we now know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well, we have bonded together as a group, and we can now cooperate well to do projects.

Throughout the past few months, although there have been many ups and downs, we have managed to finish our work on time. Our group leader, Hubert who was constantly been motivating us to finish up our work. Without team cooperation and such a wonderful leader, we would not have been able to accomplish this task.

From the experiences that we have gained as a group, from doing ThinkQuest, we are now able to cope with a wider range of work as well as research scopes. I feel that I have really learnt much, and I can apply the things I have learnt through this experience. I look forward to doing ThinkQuest again next year.

Hubert’s Reflections

When we first started on this project, I thought that it would be a simple and easy task. However, as we progressed on into the project, I realised that I was very wrong; especially due to time constraints. We met many obstacles throughout the course of this project, and have hurdled past all of them, and in due course have learnt many skills and much knowledge. When we completed the final product, the website, I could not help but feel a strong sense of achievement; that we have managed to persevere and complete this daunting task of creating a fully–fledged website. All I felt was that it would not matter if we did not win the competition, as we have done our best, and that in itself was already a solid achievement.

Even with all the hardships we met during the course, all I can remember is the fun we had learning about our topic and website creation, the fun we had brainstorming, and most importantly, the fun we had working as a team. I believe that if we had not worked and cooperated as a team, we would not have been able to complete this project, let alone enjoy the experience. This project let me learn the importance of teamwork and allowed me to experience it first hand. In addition, learning, working, and playing together has forged between all of us a bond; one of friendship and understanding.

I once felt that ThinkQuest was a waste of time, merely five months of free time that was to be taken off my schedule, however looking back at what we have done during the past five months, I feel that it definitely was not a waste of time. On the contrary, it was a invaluable piece of experience. I realized how fast these five months have passed, and how much has happened during this time. I will never forget this enjoyable experience researching on our topic and creating a website, especially the joy we all felt when we saw our completed final product.

©The Probl(IM)s Group 2008