Collective Working Spaces

We were given the topic of "Collective Working Spaces" in the Design Process.

When I see this topic, I was quite wondering what is it about and related to elderly...

The collective work spaces was designed based on a creative studio layout, a design concept which encourages people to work together. The co working spaces are not so popular in Singapore so maybe many of us will not know about it. This is one of  a co working creative space in Berlin. In public, there are many requests for renting desks so it is a space where people can create, collaborate and work. They feel it is super useful spaces for them as they can communities of working people in collaborative space, exchange good knowledge for the creative commons, and learn to be the leadership look in groups.

I did this brainstorming for the information regarding our topic with my group in the mahjong paper:

• We tried to look for where can be used as a co-working spaces like in office, boardroom, lounge, refreshment station or library.
• Who can use it- Student, employed, unemployed, actually everyone is suitable for using.)
• When can be used- Normally office hours or until midnight.
• How to use- It is need to pay for renting according how long and how big area that you are using.
• Its advantages & disadvantages.

We also found out with some problems that associated with it:

• Not as quiet as private office, sometimes will be very annoying and deconcentrated to work in such big area.
• Interruption always is a problem to happen.
• It will not be comfortable when you face people that you cannot work together. 
• Extra cost have to pay of there is needed.  

References:

1. Morgan. 'Where to find creative/work Space in Berlin'. Agora Collective. Accessed by 15 Aug 2014.<http://agoracollective.org/blog/find-creativework-space-berlin/>
2. Collective works. Coworking Office Space in Singapore's Central Business District. <http://www.collective.works/our-philosophy/>

Presentation Skills

10 Keypoint in making a Good Presentation~

1) Dress Smartly
Don't let our appearance distract from what we are saying. 


2) Focus on our Audience's Needs
Our presentation needs to be built around what our audience is going to get out of the presentation.
As we prepare the presentation, try to make it easy for audience to understand and always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know. While we are giving the presentation, we also need to remain focused on our audience's response and react to.


3) Speak Clearly
Speak firmly and confidently as this makes you sound in control. Don't talk in a monotone the whole time. Lift your head up and address your words to someone near the back of audience. If you think people at the back can't hear, ask them.


4) Slow down
You are likely to speed up and raise the pitch of your voice when nervous. Consciously slow our speech down and add pauses for emphasis. Give the audience time to absorb each point.


5) Smile
Don't hunch up and shuffle our feet. Have an upright posture. Try to appear confident and enthusiastic.


6) Be Prepared
It can be very helpful to practice at home in front of mirror. We can also record our presentation and play it back to ourself. Don't judge ourself harshly when we replay it but always notice our bad points and  not the good when hearing or seeing the recording. Time how long our talk takes. Run through the talks a few times with some friends.  


7) Don't read
Don't read out our talk, as this sounds boring and stilted, but refer to brief noted jotted down on small postcard sized pieces of card. Don't look at our notes too much as this suggests in security and will prevent us making eye contact with the audience.


8) Tell stories
Use personal examples and stories in our speech whenever possible. Make sure our stories help to emphasize or support our point. Stories will help us to pay attention and also help us to remember things.


9) Walk around a little and gesture with our hands
Bad presenters keep their hands on the podium or in pockets! Don't stand in one place glued to the spot hiding behind the podium. Good presenters will walk from side to side and look at different parts of the audience.


10) Come early, Really early
Don't fumble with powerpoint or hooking up a projector when people are waiting for us to speak. Come early, scope out the room, run through our slideshow and make sure there won't be any glitches. Preparation can do a lot to remove our speaking anxiety.

Examples of Good Presentation:

1. http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_levitin_how_to_stay_calm_when_you_know_you_ll_be_stressed

2. https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_uglow_an_internet_without_screens_might_look_like_this#t-153224

References:

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/present/presentation-tips.html
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/presentationskills.htm
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/18-tips-for-killer-presentations.html
http://www.ljlseminars.com/elements.htm

Empathising

Name: Charin Lim

Age: 65

Gender: Female

Occupation: Cleaner in Nafa

Address: Blk 862 Woodlands Street 83 #02-100 Singapore 730860

Family Condition:Rented a HDB room from her friend.

Family members: Charin's  husband has passed away because of illness and she has no children. Although she has a elder brother but they have no contact since she married.

Charin was a housewife. Unfortunately, her husband's got cancer after married and she was taking care him. Charin has no high education and working experiences so she took up a cleaning job after her husband passed away. 

She has to wake up at early morning and arrive school by 7am to start her work. School starts at 9am so she has to make sure the cleaning was done before that, otherwise her work will become very inconvenience.Charin's back and neck were aching badly since she works as a cleaner, although she has see the doctor but it is useless so she always rub the medical ointment on them to smooth the pain out. She also fell down once in the toilet because of the wet floor was slippery.

Charin also suffering from lack of appetite when she started work as a cleaner, because it is quite used to see the toilet bowls with shit or piss in it, sometimes might be see it were splattered all over. Moreover, the hand-wash basins always stuck by some leftovers to stop the flow of water. Although Charin has handled it already but such an unhygienic sight will always be ruined her day. 

During the rest time, Charin always has no places to go as her house is very far from school, so she always find out some shop or chair to rest. As a cleaner, she will feel satisfy to see people enjoying work or study  in a cleanness environment. She is very responsibility and commitment to her job although she is given by a low wages but she has a willing heart to serve.

Toilet papers is always splattered all over.

   

   

These are some picture and video that we have taken. They show how we try to act like the elderly cleaners who are doing the cleaning job. Although we are still young, but it is not so easy to do for us also especially when you do it for a long time then we felt very tired.

References:

https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/care/wp-content/uploads/State-of-the-Elderly_Release-2.pdf

http://thehearttruths.com/2014/07/16/my-life-as-a-cleaner-having-new-found-respect-for-our-cleaners/

https://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-many-old-people-working-in-hawker-centers-in-Singapore-I-noticed-some-old-people-cleaning-tables-who-are-having-a-hard-time-walking 

http://singaporemind.blogspot.my/2008/04/elderly-cleaners-in-singapore.html?m=1

http://www.transitioning.org/2011/01/13/can-minimum-wage-system-work-in-singapore/