Portfolio 4

In my recent essay, I discovered that I have weak grammar skills that are usually related with tenses. In addition, I also found that I tend to be long-winded in articulating my thoughts in the essay.
Grammar skills take time to improve and reading helps to improve on our grammar skills. However, it is also important to place emphasis on how we communicate with our peers. I have come to realise that I do not pay much attention to the tenses when speaking to my peers. In addition, my conversation is usually consists of a wrong sentence structure. For example, when I had a problem answering a question, I would had asked my friend in the following manner, “This question very hard. Can teach how to do?” An appropriate use of the language would be; “I find this question quite difficult. Can you teach me?” Hence, when we used the correct form of words in our conversation, we could avoid mistakes in writing our essay.
I also tend to be long-winded when it comes to writing an essay. I guessed this is due to several reasons. Firstly, the lack of direction in my essay that compels me to use more words to express an opinion. Secondly, I assumed that by using more words, you express your ideas clearly to your reader. However, this is often not the case. Being long-winded tends to confuse your readers and in addition, you tend to use the wrong form of grammar in your sentence. I also learn that you need to exactly know what kind ideas or opinions you want to present to your reader in a sentence. Hence, we can avoid irrelevant words or structure that we used in our sentence.
To conclude, we can avoid grammar mistakes in our essay by reading and using proper forms of English in our daily conversation. It is also important to ensure that your essay should not be long winded as it contributes to more grammar mistakes and it confuses your readers.

Portfolio 3: Summary of "Restore and improve urban infrastructure"

Infrastructure is the fundamental system that supports a society, ranging from the sewer systems to the transport networks and the power grids. Engineers face the challenge to provide the needs of basic infrastructure more broadly and economically. Funding has been insufficient to improve on the current state of infrastructure that is aging and failing. Urban areas are mostly affected by this issue as more infrastructures are stressed by the growing populations. Sustainability, with addition to environmental and energy-use considerations, are key aspects in implementing solutions to these problems. For buried infrastructures, there is a need to implement methods for proper mapping and labeling. This is to assist in improving the infrastructure and deter it from damage. Transportation is another major infrastructure as streets and highways are the fundamental networks of transportation. The challenge is to implement an integrated system of different transportation networks as seamless and efficient as possible. It is also important to provide better access to transportation for the elderly and disabled. A similar approach can be adopted in combining energy, water, and waste into “neighborhood” systems in urban areas. This sustainable approach could relieve pressure to meet all society’s needs. When designing an infrastructure, engineers should also consider the aesthetic value of the infrastructure that can contribute to a livelier environment. There are many opportunities to showcase an aesthetically pleasing design while achieving multiple goals. For example, a better drainage and cleaner water not only enhance the appearance of a landscape but also offer recreational spaces for people. Hence, the challenge is not only to devise new solutions but also to showcase its value and worthiness to society at large.

Reference
National Academy of Engineering. (n.d). Restore and improve urban infrastructure. Retrieved August 31, 2008, from http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9136.aspx

Writing Assignment 1: Why people resist new technology

People resist new technology because technology represents change in their way of life. New technology unsettles those who are familiar in their established routine. This is true as adapting to a new course of action requires time and knowledge. Furthermore, some people are skeptical that new technology would serve them better than existing technology. Frustration sets in when people have to be equipped with a new range of skills each time there are changes in technology. Today, for example, it is common to send documents or letters, which were once enclosed in an envelope, via e-mail. However, some people detest e-mails as the habit of writing is hard to break; furthermore, it requires time and patience to adjust to typing. These changes in technology are met with resistance as the degree of adjustment may vary with each individual. Some people may even get turned off by one frustrating experience dealing with new technology and end up distancing themselves from any form of technology. They see technology with skepticism as it merely complicates a routine that they are comfortable with. Despite the advantages of paying the bills by transferring funds from the bank, for instance, making payments in hard cash is still the preferred choice, judging by the long queue in many establishments. It is difficult for people to embrace change when people around them are comfortable with the status quo. To sum up, people are skeptical of such change when the old methods have served just as well, if not better than the new practices.