Critical thinking

At first when critical thinking was introduced in our course, I thought that it was useless or rather more like extra work. Although going through all the processes of this unit, I have gained a lot of experience in writing.

Part of this unit was the debate. My debate wasn’t bad, although I think that there could have been more things that could have been said. I had a lot to say to my opponent, even though  there was a misunderstanding on my opponent’s  side.  He didn’t mention any  negative things about my project so I found it difficult to debate alone. We wished that we had another chance because both of us were not prepared. Although the debate was fun and if I had another chance I would do it again,  I’m not the type of person that likes presenting in front of an audience.   I have learned that you become confident when you do your research well and you gain all the knowledge about the subject.

This assignment made me look at others work while researching. Through this I was observing how others write, in terms of formal writing and even informal writing.  From one blog to another I notice that I was applying it in my work without even noticing. Although I still believe that there is a lot of room for improvement.

When it came to the last task, we had to be updated about the reference and citation. I paid a lot of attention to this because of the important of plagiarism when doing the literature review next year.

While doing the essay I gained more knowledge for my dissertation next year.

Although this is the end of my blogs, I am still going to revisit them next year during my dissertation. 

Task 3- Critical Analysis

This year was a preparation for next year’s thesis project. In the first semester, we had a specific unit that focused on the literature review so we had to come up with the title for our dissertation. Although some classmates changed the title but I kept the same concept.

I based this task on the proposal title, so that the information I gain for this essay could help me build up the knowledge of the subject chosen for my dissertation.

The hypothesis was “Counselling playroom activity space that helps children improve their behaviour and feel better.” The hypothesis title idea came when I was talking to Mr Omar Caruana and while telling him about my dissertation, he mentioned that for my design I could focus on a specific room, which is a playroom. He suggested that the playroom could help these children express their feelings and communicate with other children. This got me to think. So, I decided to do this essay based on playrooms.

While researching I found a lot of information, one thing I found was about play therapy. Play therapy, are activities held in the playroom and through therapists.  Children would be observed on how they are playing and encourage them to play with specific toys to help them improve their behaviour.  It is an interesting topic and I enjoyed researching and writing about it. According to the information I found and wrote about in the essay, the hypothesis was valid. According to statistics the counselling playroom space used for  play therapy, had a positive result due in improving children’s behaviour while attending counselling playrooms. Therapists comments show that playrooms are not ideal to be based at home because normally parents are busy and children end up playing alone and this is not healthy for the children. 

Although my research analyses shows that this type of playroom needs to be available to everyone.  Because of technology and parent’s busy lives,  many children are experiencing behavioural issues. My point is that this project needs to be introduced into Malta for local children that have behavioural problems.

However, the behaviour issues that orphans have are much more intense. These children have gone through tough times in their past. I think the counselling playroom space could help them express what they’re feeling and assist them to socialise with other children. 

Structure the essay.

This essay is going to be based on the hypothesis which is “Counselling playroom activity space that helps children improve their behaviour and feel better.” During writing this essay, I need to critically analyse  the topic that I have chosen therefor the hypothesis will indicate if its valid or not.

Before starting my essay I decided to structure my essay through the research guidelines that I need to tackle while writing this essay. Using this process will help me focus on the main points and help me to plan this essay so that there will be a continuation.   Below are the guidelines.

Introducing my hypothesis.

I’m going to begin my essay by mentioning the thesis title. Through the thesis title, the hypothesis was created.  My introduction will  start by introducing the thesis title that leads to the hypothesis.
The proposal title is “The impact of interior design on the emotional wellbeing of children as applied to local orphanages.”
I will firstly begin by mentioning some studies that I had found for my literature review,  about the negative behaviour that children project when they are separated from their mother.
Next I’m going to mention the poor environment that some local orphanages have. This analyse was done when I visited some orphanages, so I am able to criticise.
Then from all this information, I will be mentioning the hypothesis which developed from this research.

Information about activities carried out in these Counselling playrooms.

I will use research to find out what activities are carried out in other counselling playrooms and what they consist of.

Counselling Playrooms - are they available for everyone?

Through therapists or people who have their children who experienced the counselling playroom, who have had a positive effect on their children.  How did it help them and who are the counselling playrooms available to?

Statistics

Statistics will indicate if counselling playrooms help children improve their behaviour or not. This is where I will find if my hypothesis  is a strong topic to continue on or the other way around.

Advantage and disadvantage.

Putting forward advantages and disadvantages about the counselling playrooms as mentioned by people that have experienced the playroom.  I could also find disadvantages about the activities that are held in the playroom.

How Counselling playrooms are affecting these children?

I need to find information that  could lead me to the positive affects that people have mentioned or if there are any negative effects. i.e. that the playroom is not helping to improve the negative behaviour.

Conclusion.

The conclusion is the important part of my essay. Here I’m going to mention if my hypothesis is valid or not. If it is valid, that’s great because that means that I could consider making the same hypothesis for my dissertation.  If it’s not valid, then that means that I have to find another topic to do for my dissertation. Although the hypothesis is part of the project so there could be other topics that I could look at and keep the same dissertation title. 

Addition to the hypotheses.

My last blog was about my hypotheses which is “Playroom activities helps Children feel better and improve their behaviour”

On Monday morning, during our critical thinking lesson, I discussed the hypotheses with my lecturer, Mr Zammit. He said that it was too vague “playroom activities.” Mr Zammit suggested analysing the type of playroom, so when I do my research I’ll get straight to the point.

I noted his comments and re-arranged my hypotheses. I did more research and I looked at the previous blogs that I have written. These blogs contained my thinking around creating my hypotheses. In my last blog, I wrote about an article I had read by Kathy Eugster, who is an MA, Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Play Therapist and Child and Family Therapist.

Kathy Eugster says that a mental health professional used the power of play therapy with children that went through trauma.  As a counselling space, the playroom is the ideal room because it’s equipped with fun things that children love. 

When I read this again it occurred to me, that I could create a counselling playroom space where children could play and still be observe by the therapist.

During another consultation with Mr Zammit, I came up with a new hypotheses which is “Counselling playroom activity space that helps children improve their behaviour and feel better”

This essay is going to help me see if my hypotheses is adequate or not.   If during my research I found proves that the hypotheses is valid.  Therefore  my thesis is going to be based on this hypothesis.

Reference:

Eugster,K., n.d. Play Therapy: How it Helps Children Feel Better and Improve Behavior

. [online] Available at: < http://www.kathyeugster.com/articles/article003.htm> [Accessed 13,May 2017].

Hypothesis

For the last of this unit I have to come up with a Hypothesis. I am going to base My hypotheses on the thesis topic. Last semester I had to come up with the thesis title and I had to find information base on this title to write the literature review. My chosen area was about Local orphanage and the thesis title was “the impact of interior design on the emotional wellbeing of children as applied to local orphanage.”

To come up with the Hypothesis I started asking some questions that could help me.

1. What is the feeling and atmosphere an orphanage gives you when you enter the building?
2. What developments, orphanage have done since these days?
3. What would make it a more familiar atmosphere?
4. What would interest children?
5. How could the interior space help them with their therapy?

From some research that I did these children that are taken away from their mother in a small age they could have a psychology issue so I thought what could help these children on their psychology issue. Trough research and advice from some lecturer I talked to, the children’s psychology issue can be helped by colours, patterns, natural aspect and activities held in the building.

In an article that I read by Kathy Eugster, which is MA, Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Play Therapist and Child and Family Therapist. Kathy Eugster says that children that went through a trauma, a mental health professional use the power of play Therapy. Through the counselling space, the playroom is the ideal room because its equipped with fun things that children love.

I talked to my lecturer which said that it not only could be an indoor activity, it could be an outdoor activity. 

I was thinking that my hypnotisis would be “Playroom activities helps Children feel better and improve their behaviour”

Although I wish to talk to Mr Zammit to see if I’m going in the right track.

Reference.

Eugster, K., 2007. Play Therapy: How it Helps Children Feel Better and Improve Behavior - Kathy Eugster - Vancouver, BC [online] Available at: (http://www.kathyeugster.com/articles/article003.htm) [Accessed date 1, may 2017].

Dissertation title

I would like to begin my blog by saying that I have abandoned my weekly writing blog because in these past few weeks we have had a lot of deadlines and I found it difficult to cope with everything at once.

This blog is all about my dissertation title. As I wrote in the past blogs, my dissertation is going to be focused on orphanages. 

I chose Orphanages for my dissertation because some orphanages in Malta lack the correctly planned environment for children to live and grow happily.

The big problem in orphanages is that they were not design accordingly for users.   Probably in the past they only thought about how many children could fit orphanages rather than the comfort and wellbeing of the children.  This is a problem that creates crowded small spaces that many children live in.  I believe that everybody needs their space, especially if these children are new to an unfamiliar environment and people.

Some orphanages lack even playrooms and activities. For children, playing is the best therapy. Playing could help the children get their minds off their problems they are going through or have been through.

Another point are white walls. White walls are boring for children. Orphanages should have colours and patterns to help with a more friendly and fun environment.  My belief is that for children to live better and thrive, they need to have a suitable environment. 

I’m not quite sure about my hypotheses although I will continue thinking about what to write about it in the next blog.

Proposal Discussion 

For the end of this unit I have to come up with a Hypotheses. I am going to base my hypotheses on my thesis topic. Last semester I had to come up with the thesis title and I had to find information based on this title to write the literature review. My chosen area was about local orphanages and the thesis title was “The Impact of Interior Design on the Emotional Wellbeing of Children as applied to Local Orphanages.”

To come up with the Hypotheses, I asked some questions that could help me.

1. What is the feeling and atmosphere an orphanage gives you when you enter the building?
2. What developments have orphanages had since these days?
3. What would make it a more familiar atmosphere?
4. What would interest children?
5. How could the interior space help children with their therapy?

From some of my research, I found that some children that are taken away from their mother at a young age, could have psychological issues. So, what could help these children with their psychological issues?  Through my research and advice from some lecturers that I talked to, children’s psychological issues can be helped by colours, patterns, natural aspect and activities in the building.

In an article that I read by Kathy Eugster, who is the MA, Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Play Therapist and Child and Family Therapist. Kathy Eugster says that mental health professionals use the power of play therapy on children who have been through trauma. Using a playroom as a counselling space is ideal because its equipped with fun things that children love and feel at ease in.

I talked to my lecturer who said that not only could it be an indoor activity but also an outdoor activity. 

I was thinking that my hypothesis would be that “Playroom activities helps Children feel better and Improve their behaviour”

I do however wish to discuss this with Mr Zammit to see if I’m on the right track.

Reference:

Eugster,K., n.d. Play Therapy: How it Helps Children Feel Better and Improve Behavior 

. [online] Available at: < http://www.kathyeugster.com/articles/article003.htm> [Accessed 13,May 2017]. 

Mater Dei: Historical Background.

Mater Dei hospital is on a  250,000 square metre area located in Imsida.  The hospital offers health care with 1,000 beds and 25 operating theatres.

In the beginning of 1990, the government developed plans to construct a 480 bed specialized teaching hospital.

In 1993 the Monte Tabur Foundation were contracted to provide FMSS with a design for the new hospital. The agreement was that Monte Tabor take over operation of the new hospital upon completion.

The designer, Orkesa Spa was selected by the Monte Tabor Foundation.

On the 12th September 1995, Skanska JV were awarded the construction contract and the work began on the 10^th October 1995.  By June 1996 level 8 and 9 were already constructed.

On the 26^th October 1996, there was a change in government.   The new government insisted on changing the project into a general hospital to be used instead of St. Luke’s Hospital.

On the 29^th January 1998, permission was given to add levels to the existing structure.

In 1998 Norman and Dawbarn were assigned as the designers for the project of the new Hospital.

In September 1998, there was another change in government and in December 1998, an MOU was signed with Skanska JV for the design.

Certification for Mater Dei were issued on the 29^th June 2007. Although work was concluded on the 19^th February 2009, there was some final touches which were concluded by 2011.

This is a basic historical background of the projects evolving.

Reference:

ARUP, 2015. FMS Mater Dei Hospital | Malta Volume 2: MAU building (PDF). Availableat:<https://0d2d5d19eb0c0d8cc8c6a655c0f6dcd98e765a68760c407565ae.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/ddc57ec207dc06e052de74e0d98b7f449ff17a4b.pdf> [Accessed 18^th March, 2017].

Ta Qali  

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

This week I had a landscape design assignment to submit. A few weeks ago, I choose Ta Qali to be my site analyses for the research of landscape in Malta. Although I didn’t’t choose the National Ta Qali Park, I choose the Family Adventure Park. It was difficult to find information on line, so I went to the Administration of Ta Qali and asked some questions that helped with the assignment.

I liked the design and the thought process behind certain things, so I decided to write a blog about Ta Qali Family Adventure Park.

Basically, Ta Qali Park has become an enjoyable place for families to visit and is an ideal area for a break and some relaxation from our busy lives. The park is the perfect place for picnics and offers a wide variety of interesting plants.

wordpress.2012,Ta Qali airfield prewa,

Ta Qali holds a historical aspect. Between 1943 and 1950, Ta Qali Park was an airfield which was later used as a racing track which had a picnic area.

As children frequented the picnic area, the racing track was considered dangerous, not to mention the air and sound pollution from the cars. It was then decided to create a family park to compliment the picnic area.

In March 2008, construction began and in 2009 the Ta Qali Family Park was officially opened to the public.

Print screen goggle maps, 13th March 2017, Ta Qali.

Surrounded by nature and the lack of cars made this an ideal location.  The aim was for people and families to feel connected to nature.

 

The project began with the Ta Qali National Park, followed by the Advantage Family Park

.

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

While designing, they thought about the target audiences who were parents, children and wheelchair users. So, they included several ramps, one being at the entrance level which is tilted for easy access.

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

The restrooms and restaurants are in the centre, allowing easy access from all areas. The location of the restaurant, in the middle and above floor level, is so that parents can keep an eye on their children playing whilst they are having a coffee.

Parking is located alongside the park, to allow the use of bikes, pushchairs and other such items within the park.

Some of my information came from a site inspection along with answers from architects and designers that where involved in this project. 

Reference:

Government of Malta, N.D. Ta' Qali National Park. [online] Available at: <https://msdec.gov.mt/en/Pages/PARKS/taqali_nationalpark.aspx> [Accessed 14, March 2017].

Azure, N.D. FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. [online] Available at: <http://www.azure.com.mt/things-to-do-in-malta/family-friendly-activities.html> [Accessed 14, March 2017].

EL Te

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

El Te shop is situated at ground floor of a shopping centre in Porto Alegre. El te sells loose leaf tea and even tea products. The designer was Gatavos Bardelotte of Estudio 3051 that worked with an architect Mariana Bogarin to design in interior and exterior of El TE.

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

Their main focus of the design was to create an environment to enhance aromas for a variety of teas. So, in front of the cashpoint they created 30 variations of teas samples that are placed in small drawers This also allows the customer to be able to smell the product that he/she is going to buy. Beneath each drawer there is a colour that represent the package of that type of tea. These colours create a “stand out” display counter. With this when the customer enters the shop, they see the multi coloured cash point, which raises customer curiosity to go find out more about the product.

Gatavos Bardelotte choose wood for the primary material. The light natural wooden pallets used for the display counter allows the tea colours to stand out and be the focal point.

Gatavos Bardelotte selected warm lighting to create a relaxed and cosy environment which is also associated with tea.

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

The window display has two huge wooden letters “TE” that holds more than just a window display sign. The sign forms the facade and the interior at the same time. Trough the letter “E” that is the main design element. The letter “E” holds the interior, “the showcase of teas, infusions, preparation desk and cashier.”

The window display they design it to be a visually obstruction because the side of the shop next door was enclosing the El TE shop.

Reference:

elte-casa de chas, 2015. Me encanta.... [online] Available at: <http://www.elte-casadechas.com/> [Accessed 1, March 2017].

dezeen, 2014. Huge glowing letters lead inside El Té tea house by Estudio 30 51 [online] Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/18/el-te-tea-house-brazil-estudio-30-51/> [Accessed 1, March 2017].

Arch daily, 2014.  El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin [online] Available at: < http://www.archdaily.com/474415/el-te-casa-de-chas-estudio-30-51 > [Accessed 1, March 2017].

PROPOSAL FORM.

This week we had a meeting with Mr Omar Caruana regarding the thesis, explaining about a form that we must complete by the 31st of May 2017.  Mr Cuarana also explained that instead of coming up with the title next year, we will be doing it this year.   This will allow us more time to research and design.

We have already had some lessons guiding us as to what topic we would like to continue with. Some students have kept the same topic because they felt that it’s an interesting subject while others have changed it completely because they didn’t find enough resources or the topic didn’t interest them.

My title of my dissertation is
“The impact of interior design on the emotional wellbeing of children as applied to local orphanages.”
I have kept this title because the topic interests me and I feel that in Malta there are many orphanages that need to be improved upon for the health and wellbeing of these children.  Although while I was interviewing and seeing local orphanages there are many things that are being done due to more resources, however there is always room for improvement. 

While I was visiting these homes, the person caring for these orphanages offered me a job as a career.  This will assist me greatly with my thesis.  What could be better than getting directly involved in what would be needed to create a better environment.  Observing from the outside would be impossible.  Strangers would not be allowed to observe or take part in any proposed changes to ensure the security of the children.

Mr Caruana told us that we should be familiar with the subject we are choosing.  Although I am not familiar with orphan’s issues, I am passionate about this topic.   I have discussed this topic with my lecturer, asking for her guidance and she agrees that it is an interesting topic to continue on.

As my lecturer, I have chosen Vanessa Pace O’Shea. I chose her because I enjoy working with her. She makes me feel comfortable and confident.  Possibly because I have had many assignments with her and I know how she works.  

I have not yet completed the form as I’m still concern about the title. Although I know that it’s a topic I will enjoy doing.

Eurovision

 Blog by Adrián Valiente (Spain) on December 29, 2016. esc-plus, MFCC Ta Qali.

This weekend, as everybody knows, the Malta Eurovision song contest was held. For me, the most important thing of The Eurovision is the voice, song and performance. It’s not about fashion, hair stylist or make up artist.
Another important thing for the viewer watching is the show. This consists of the stage, lighting, projection and obviously the singer.

As this semester we have a unit about stage design, my observation was enlightened while watching the Eurovision.

 Tvm site, Eurovision song contact 2017 MFCC Ta Qali

It appears that Malta is improving every year in the world of design. This year there were four thousand people that attended the Eurovision in the MFCC Ta Qali. Four thousand people for one show.  Quite a lot, especially for Malta, so the organisers had to keep the stage design aesthetically pleasing and use all the available space.

The shape of the stage was a diamond shape.  It created more connection with the audience… how? The diamond shaped stage has four flat sides, so the audience was placed on the left and the right sides of the stage. Because  of this the audience where really close to the singers, which created a better atmosphere. It even allowed for more audience space.

 Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

The back of the diamond shape had two triangular black screens for projection. Six long triangular strips where added to the design to help reflect the spot lights on the stage. 

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

 Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

The singers and dancers were entering on stage from the middle. So I assumed the entrance was from behind the black screen to the middle of the stage.
Looking from the top view, I realised that there were two ramps on both sides of the stage. This was so that when the winner was called to join the presenters on stage to sing the winning song from the green room, entrance to the stage was via the ramps, also the other singers could join the winner.

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina, MFCC Ta Qali, Eurovision song contest 2017.

Lights play an important role in the stage design industry. Lighting creates a certain atmosphere or mood. 

Every year there is something different in the Eurovision show. Because the technology is constantly changing they must keep up to date with this change to allow for a better performance.

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

These observations was made from looking at videos and from the watching the live performance on TV.   Therefore some things that were mentioned are my opinions from what I viewed.

Reference:

Eurovisionfest, 2017. MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary). [video online] Available at: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i8Y6LbGZj8> [Accessed 19, February 2017].

Adrián Valiente (Spain) , esc-plus, 2016. Malta: PBS CEO John Bundy confirms winning song will not be changed, Available at: < http://www.esc-plus.com/malta-pbs-ceo-john-bundy-confirms-winning-song-will-not-changed/> [Accessed 19, February 2017].

timesofmalta, Mark Zammit Cordina, 2017. Malta selects its Eurovision song tonight Winner to be decided through a 100% televote, Available at: < http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170218/local/malta-votes-for-its-eurovision-song-tonight.639952 [Accessed 19, February 2017].

Rating myself

From the beginning of the blogs till now I feel that I improved my English writing. I had problems forming sentence, spelling and use technique words. This is the nineteen blog that I am writing and while I am writing it, it feels more confident and flowing. To connect one sentence with another I learned to use conjunctions Like however. Although it’s a basic thing but it helps me further my information while I’m writing. On the other hand, I know that I should work more on my spelling. Well the Microsoft word has an advantage and disadvantage side. While I’m writing, it will automatically select the spelling mistakes. For me I feel that when I write something wrong, I don’t try to think if the word is written right or wrong and try to find how to write the word on a dictionary, I will select and correct it without even looking at the word. This will not help me improve my spelling.

In these blogs, I worked on using some technique words that will make my English writing more formal and interesting to read. although there is a whole lot of room for improvement. I felt this when I was writing my literature review.

While I was writing, my literature review it was hard to put all that information into a small amount of words. Although this was, sort of a trial literature review. For the final it consists of more words although it included to find more research so it’s going to be the same thing.