CC0001: Inquiry and Communication in an Interdisciplinary World, Assignment 1, NTU, Singapore

Step 1: Observed details

Activity- Students in library, not talking Head on their hands Doing homework Slouched posture Using table to study in library Pulling hair Walking to toilet quickly Flipping textbooks Using mobile phones

Environment:  Spacious library, yet many students cramped onto a small coffee table. All visible tables filled Stacks of paper and textbooks on table Cold and breezy Silent

Brightly lit Colourful decoration Musty air due to carpet Smell of old books and newspapers Smell of fresh paper Smell of sanitising spray Hum of air condition Hushed whispers

Interactions: Young student Pulling of hair Glaring at homework Few interactions between students, most focused on studying Flipping of pages Occasional sighing and yawning Quick Pen strokes on paper Fast walking Fast actions to retrieve objects/ papers

Objects:

• Stacks of homework/ papers
• Pile of textbook
• Schoolbags
• Different type of assignments (Chinese, English, science)

Step 2: Analytical moves

Clues & Inference/ Patterns/ Abnormalities / Meaning

(Environment)

-Cramped

-Lots of papers/books

Contrasting atmosphere

-Atmosphere of library is quiet, calm, organised.  However, student’s fast actions shows chaos urgency

(Interactions)

-Pulling hair

-Glaring

-Focused

-Quick writing

-Fast passed actions

Contrasting energy levels/ morale

-Students moving/ acting quickly, demonstrating high physical energy and motivation.

-Occasional yawning/ sighing demonstrates low mental energy, low morale (Fatigue, frustration, low morale)

-Yawning

-Students sitting close to each other from same school, signalling that they are friends. However, they are all isolated, rarely talk to each other and focused on their own work

(Users)

-Different uniforms

Social Abnormalities

-Students should be calm and composed in a library setting however, behaviour of pulling hair signals that student is in distress.

-Students at this age often portrayed as living a happy / fulfilling childhood, however the observations shows otherwise.

(Users)

-Different uniforms

Patterns
Despite being from different schools, the students all share the same trait of having large stacks of papers, books and are rarely seen interacting with each other

Even though the content students studying is different, they are all reacting negatively to it

Learning should be an enjoyable process; however, students are reacting negatively.

Step 3: What were some assumptions I held about this topic and what observations challenge or change those assumptions

Previous assumptions:

-Most secondary school students are not academically inclined

-Most students prefer to socialise instead of studying after school

-Singapore government is rolling out new plans to reduce academic stress on student population hence, current generation of students should feel less stressed

-Students should enjoy studying

-Students live happy and fulfilling childhood

Observation that challenges assumptions:

-Many students in public library academically driven

-Focused on studying

-High pressure and expectations placed on themselves

-Lack of interaction between friends at table

-Students still experiencing mental fatigue and low morale

-Students in distress and pulling their own hair

Step 4: Why do I care about this topic? Reflect on why I picked this topic and what personal significance it has on me. Why

I was once in the same position. I was intensely focused on academics and experienced the same feelings.

I often look back and think about the experiences I missed out on due to placing a heavy emphasis on maintaining productivity. There will always be another opportunity to study but some experiences are unique to certain stages of life and cannot be relieved.

As a firm believer of personal wellbeing, I also campaign for more awareness of mental health issues. I believe that every child should have the right to live a happy and fulfilling childhood.

By bringing light to these issues, we can collectively make the change we want to see.