Happy Holidays

Just a final word before we close for the end of this academic year. I have enjoyed working with you all, and without exception, all of you (across both classes) have performed very well indeed.


It will be no mean feat (from both you and I) to have almost everybody at the stage where you have passed three of the assessments for my Unit. It takes time, dedication and skill to produce work to the requisite standard.


So, we have done three assessments: the discussion and two reading analyses (Mental Health in the workplace and Warning to mothers over risks of regular drinking). Some very good work indeed was submitted for that particular triptych!


We have five further assessments to complete in the Ne'er: an oral presentation on a subject which is of relevance to the Nursing vocation, two listening assessments (recorded presentations on a Nursing / medical theme) and two writing assessments. One will be an essay (free choice) and one will be a report (which is integrated with a new subject you will be taking in semester two).


I plan to use the weeks after Xmas as follows:


Week beginning...


9/1 - reflection of your learning so far, what you could do better, some reflective writing, discussions.


16/1 - what makes an effective / ineffective oral presentation / how NOT to use PowerPoint


23 / 1 - catch up week - I will be trying NOT to use this as most of you are completely up to date. I will speak with students individually about their progress if we need to use time in this slot.


30/1 - examples of presentations from some of my former students, look at the assessed brief


6/2 - prepare presentations in class


13/2, 20/2, 27/2 - deliver presentations in class (splitting the class up)


At this stage we will see when your report has to be submitted and update the teaching, learning and assessment schedule from there.


In the meantime though, have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas and guess what I will be doing over the Festive period? The clues are in the photos!


Have a great one, one and all,


Mark

Communication with a modern twist?

Pointers for the reading assessment next week

Hello all,


I was impressed with your input over the last few weeks, verbally and in your written analysis, so well done to all of you in attendance over those preparatory sessions.


So, some FAQ...


Q. Can I use all of the materials we have used over the last three weeks?


A. Yes


Q. Even the sample answers you gave out and all the amazing helpnotes you lovingly prepared?


A. Yes!


Q. How does the assessment work?


A. I have set aside three weeks for each reading assessment (there are two to do before the Christmas break). This is so nobody feels rushed and has ample time to give their best work in. The sessions will be done in silence and I will mark what you have done after each class. This feedback will be made available to you the following week on a one to one basis.


Q. What happens if I don't get through the two assessments by the time we break for the Christmas vacation?


A. There will be time in the catch up week (in January) for you to complete any work not already passed for me.


Q. Am I right in saying that question 1 is where I provide a summary of the main points in my own words, no quotes, but questions, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 require supporting evidence from the article, which means I need to quote?


A. Absolutely correct.

Dragons' Den rejected me but my invention is saving lives across the NHS

https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2016/oct/12/dragons-den-rejected-invention-saving-lives-nhs-nurses


The online article from The Guardian (link above) is definitely worth a wee read.

Lifelong Learning!

http://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/News/184/Ada%20nominated%20for%20SQA%20awards


This is a fantastic story about a student with an amazing educational story to tell. I would say she has earned her nomination, that's for sure!


They say every day is a school day and this is especially true for 72-year-old Edinburgh College student Ada Pagan, who has racked up 78 qualifications across a broad range of subjects. And now Ada's dedication to lifelong learning has led to a nomination for a Scottish Qualifications Authority Star Award.


Ada, who is currently studying Advance Criminology through open learning, has six A levels, 17 Highers, 11 O grades, 9 O levels, more than 20 credits in business subjects, four certificates in public speaking, four certificates in counselling and therapy, a HNC in Business Administration and a HNC in Languages and Tourism. She earned 55 of her qualifications at Edinburgh College and its legacy colleges in 40 years of study here.


Ada has been nominated for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Star Awards for the Lifelong Learning category. The annual awards celebrate success and commitment from individuals, schools, colleges, training providers and businesses.


Talking about her lifelong learning at Edinburgh College, Ada said: "I had a bad experience at school and left aged 14 without any qualifications. I didn't want the punishment my fellow classmates had experienced when they had asked questions in class. Fourteen years later I started working as a social worker and my employer encouraged me to pick up some part-time qualifications - my first was an O grade in English and O level in sociology in 1977.


"Being in the encouraging atmosphere of a modern college really pushed me to study more and more and, as well as pushing myself academically across a broad range of subjects, I have also made friends among the staff and students at the college."


Ada's current study is through open learning although she uses Edinburgh College's Sighthill Campus as her study base. Edinburgh College has a high number of students for whom English is a second language, and Ada has become the go-to person for them and other younger students looking for help and advice on living in Edinburgh and on their studies. Ada is also a source of wisdom and inspiration for older students returning to study after being out of education, and is able to give them the benefit of her years of experience to allay any fears and support them as they get back into the classroom, often with younger students.


Ada continued: "I thoroughly enjoy studying. It gets me moving. Many people over 70 say they can find the day drags but that's never the case for me. I get up and get myself organised and get cracking with the studies. It's an interest and a challenge for me. I get to meet new people and learn new things. I would always recommend the college for studying because the staff are really friendly and there's a lovely supportive atmosphere there."


Ada will attend the Star Awards Ceremony at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, on Friday 11 November.

Some articles you may find of interest

I have noted some articles which you may wish to read at your leisure. They are about issues concerning the field of Nursing. I have posted them so you are used to reading articles of a suitable level and they should be of interest to you all.


https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2016/oct/26/nhs-bullying-ruined-career-healthcare-professionals - 'It's ruined my career': accounts of bullying in the NHS


https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/views-from-the-nhs-frontline/2016/aug/01/everyone-tells-me-nhs-in-crisis-not-what-i-see - Everyone tells me the NHS is in crisis – but that's not what I see


https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/26/nurse-cutbacks-death-rates-data-staffing - Nurse cutbacks 'linked to death rates', study finds

Language is a strange and wonderful thing...

If you are a poor speller this might not help matters but it did make me laugh! Don't forget, the caffeine inside is beige! If you are ever struggling though, that's why a spellchecker should be your new best friend this term. Anyway, have a look at this mug...

Fish can't climb trees...

This is a fantastic video which questions how we can learn, how we can be taught and raises many different questions about our own psyche perhaps. Thank you for showing me this clip today, it's wonderful. Collaborative learning works well, sharing ideas and thinking differently works. The Finnish education system works. And addressing different ways to approach an assessment, well that works too. 

On another note, it actually reminded me of my dad who was a Music teacher and how he viewed the curriculum. I'll leave that to one of his star pupils, arguably one of  Scotland's finest female writers, to describe that. There's a wee link to an article from a 'quality newspaper' from Janice Galloway at the bottom of this post. 

If you have any comments on the video, please note them below as I'd like to hear your thoughts. 

Have a lovely weekend, 

Mark

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jul/13/janice-galloway-my-hero-kenneth-hetherington

Cheating rife at Universities PP slides

Dear all,


Some excellent discussion in the respective classes this week. There can be no doubt, DO NOT CHEAT!


Below are the slides and you should look at the weblinks which highlight the problems of plagiarism in other areas of society. And these are merely the tip of the iceberg.


http://www.slideshare.net/spar69/cheating-rife-discussion


Next week we will look at the questions, work in groups and feedback our collective thoughts.

lhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7194850.stm

lhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7452877.stm

lhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4449580.stm

lhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19432240

A

l

Suggested book to purchase

Greetings,


In some of our other classes we are using a text which may be of interest to you. I think it is around £10 new but I see on Amazon you can get a used one for around £6. I haven't checked eBay but there are often bargains to be had there too.


Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Students-Guide-Writing-Spelling-Punctuation/dp/0230373887


Palgrave are excellent and I am not telling or advising you to buy the book, but just that it is a trusted text used by me and my colleagues in other areas of the curriculum and may be of help to you in your studies.

Proposed schedule of work until that time in December which shall not be mentioned!

Hello everybody,


Only 9 weeks until the end of the year (that nicely avoids the 'C' word!)


Below is how I intend to roll out the classes which will be a mixture of reading analysis practice and doing two assessments. I feel that if we get these two reading assessments out the way it will mean we (you) will have three out the eight assessments done a few weeks before the end of the semester and gives us a good run at work to do in the New Year.


The reading assessments / teaching fits nicely with the listening assessments too and how I will teach you is the formula needed for success.


I have been busy (too busy perhaps in between golf games and the occasional Pinot Grigio sipping) updating teaching and assessment materials for you, but this preparation is not misplaced prep., as you can use any helpnotes I give you for the actual assessments.


So, here is how I intend to roll out the next nine weeks.


Week beginning


24/10 - reading a newspaper article on plagiarism, particularly in Universities, discussion around this important subject and information on how you can answer reading analysis questions. Lots of handouts to keep for you.


31/10 - answering practice questions on plagiarism article in small groups (sample answers at the end after group discussion).


7/11 - practice reading exercise on why Nurses are leaving the Nursing profession (sample answers at the end after group discussion).


14/11, 21/11, 28/11 - first reading assessment - this will be on a topic of interest and I will mark what you have done for the following week.


5/12, 12/12 and 19/12 - second reading assessment - see above.


I have allowed three weeks for each assessment which means that you all have sufficient time to complete the assessment(s). Everybody will receive one to one written and verbal feedback on their work.


One other thing, in addition to the helpnotes I distribute to you, you are also permitted to use a dictionary should you so wish.


Enjoy the rest of your break and I look forward to seeing both classes next week.


All the best,


Mark

Congratulations and happy holidays!

Hello all,


I really enjoyed listening to all the discussion topics and it was clear that all attendees had put a lot of work into their respective topics. Nobody should have been nervous as the discussions all unravelled naturally as you reacted to the information communicated from your peers. All the discussions lasted 35 minutes or more which tells you (and me) a lot about the depth of content you all outlined, so well done for that.


There were a few students who were not able to make the assessments for genuine reasons (I think four in total if memory serves me right) and there will be time either around Christmas time or in the catch-up week in January to get that completed. This isn't a problem, so if you are in this boat, please do not worry!


As always, do leave a wee message below about what you thought about the discussion assessment. Did you enjoy it? Do you feel you could have done better? Have you learned anything? It is up to you to decide what to write, anything goes.


It is nearly the October break and the photos below give you a clear idea as to what I will be doing. Are you surprised I wear such colourful clobber on the golf course?


Have a restful time and I wish you all well.


Mark

Time management information

Hello loyal readers! Below are two really useful links which my colleague is using with his Highers Tutor Group. They are worth a look, especially as I am such an advocate of the importance of effective time management skills. I think you will all find them of use.

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/study/advice/?playlist=150&videoid=2244

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/time?wssl=1#

UCAS video - personal statement

Here is a helpful video on writing the UCAS personal statement which might be of help to most (or all) of you.


https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/when-apply/writing-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement

Discussion assessment times (agreed)

Hello all,


Below are the names of the students in the respective groups for the first assessment for the Communication 4 Unit you are taking with me - discussion.




Next week I have been able to book PCs for you to do some research in our class time. Please come to the normal room we are in though and I will give you info on log ins, what numbers of PCs we have, what floor etc.


You will be able to look up info on the subject you have chosen, write notes, print info. off and look at all angles of your subject. On the day of your assessment you can bring notes, these will help you. You may want to consider statistical info, comments from people, experts etc., historical context, political commentary etc. This is dependent on your topic.


Assessment dates -


Remember, you only have to attend the slot where you are being assessed and will be authorized for my class only on the day you aren't doing the discussion assessment.


Tuesday 4th October at 11.15 - Elizabeth, Amy, Sarah, Victoria, Emma, Carol - should there be a further referendum?


Tuesday 4th October at 12.15 - Leanne, Stacey, Nadine, Connie, Ashley, Paula - conspiracy theories


Tuesday 11th October at 11.15 - Shelley, Heather, Lorna, Kayleigh, Susana, Gina - death penalty


Tuesday 11th October at 12.15 - Michelle, Dale, Jamie, Danielle, Suzanne, Karen - evolution of nursing


Thursday 6th October at 11.15 - Ashleigh, Donna, Stewart, Denise, David, Karen - assisted suicide


Thursday 6th October at 12.15 - Lisa, Andrea, Kayleigh, Catherine, Jodey, Samantha, Sarah - issues surrounding the smacking of children


Thursday 13th October at 11.15 - Lisa, Yvonne, Samantha, Courtney, Adele, Sean - China's one child policy


Thursday 13th October at 12.15 - Nichola, Lisa, Kirsty, Lynn, Stephanie, Kerryann - cosmetic surgery


Mark

Randy Pausch Last Lecture - full version

Randy Pausch on Oprah Winfrey

Here is the link to the Pausch reprise talk I showed in classes this week. If you have any further comment, please note them below. What an inspirational speaker he is (present tense).

Interesting article on sick days

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37353742


I came across the link above today and thought it was worth sharing.


This quote leaped out at me - "The attitude is 'I'm irreplaceable - if I don't show up, my job won't get done.' Some of it is also concern about how you are going to be viewed as an employee - whether you can be counted on or not. Whether by having too many sick days, too many absences, you are not seen as reliable." Do you agree with that?


Any comments on this, fire away below. Obviously the moggy below needs some spelling assistance!

Moral Dilemmas

I thoroughly enjoyed the Moral Dilemmas sessions and it was a great exercise to get you thinking about the situation allocated to your group, forming a personal opinion, listening to the comments of your peers and articulating your thoughts individually and as a group.


I was impressed at the level of focus from the eight groups across both days and you all performed very well indeed.


Below is one final dilemma for you to consider. Which course of action would you take? What factors have you identified to make your decision?


Dilemma - your partner has gone out and left themselves logged on to Facebook. You can't resist having a look and discover that they have been exchanging messages with an ex. What do you do?

Communication in pictures...

Sadly we didn't have time to see how good the Tuesday group's drawing skills were as we had to catch up from missing the class last week due to the strike. But fear not, the Thursday group did a great job in looking at 'types' of Communication with varying results below! I love art but I am a rubbish drawer, so well done to everybody who lifted a pen for this fun exercise. It also shows just how much Communication affects and effects our lives. If you click on the photos you will see the images a little better.




When viewing, be humming the tune to Tony Hart's Art Gallery when you do so. Remember the lovely Pat Keysel who used to do the signing for Vision On??? Younger learners can Google it...




http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vision+on+art+gallery+song&&view=detail&mid=5E2D25CFCF866C9D18985E2D25CFCF866C9D1898&FORM=VRDGAR

Communication in words...

I really enjoyed finding out what you thought Communication meant and what 'skills' you felt would help make a Nurse effective. I have kept a log of both classes' thoughts and they are noted below. Well done to the typists who stepped up and gave their IT skills a public airing, bravo! It is interesting to see the similarities in your thinking and this bodes well for the future. Thank you to everybody who contributed. Don't forget to add any comments at any time as well!


Tuesday Group - definitions

Group 1 – How information is passed on from one to another.

Group 2 – A way to convey or exchange information between individuals whether written or verbal.


Group 3 – To interact with others through talking, listening and lip reading.


Group 4 – The ability to express yourself and understand what is being conveyed.

 

Communication Skills Needed for Nurses

Group 1 – being a good listener and understanding the needs of the individual. Being able to read the body language and understanding, good manners, respect, humour.

Group 2 – Empathy, good listener, understanding, gentle, kind, willing to learn, efficient, adaptable, trustworthy, honest, impartial, respectful, compassionate, being able to read an individual, team worker, supportive, approachable.


Group 3 – Listening, approachable, understanding, trustworthy, compassionate, thoughtful, caring, kind, respectful, obliging, helpful, careful, empathetic, non-judgemental, patient and honest.

Group 4 – Listening skills, observation, tailoring your communication skills to the individual, understanding their needs and being knowledgeable of your patients’ circumstances, tolerant, non-judgemental, approachable, trustworthy, educated.



Thursday Group - definitions

Group 1 – A way to effectively interact with another person.

Group 2 – expressing your views using different methods.

Group 3 – A way to put across your points and/or opinions via speech or writing.

Group 4 – to be able to share ideas using different forms of language.

Communication Skills Needed for Nurses

Group 1 – listening, speaking, writing, reading, speaking clearly, hand gestures, lip read, body language, sympathetic, empathy, passionate, facial expressions, flash cards.

Group 2 –listening, patience, manner of speech, good body language, empathy, good mannerism, understanding, passionate, emotionally stable, reading, writing,

Group 3 – speak clearly, listen, body language, multiple languages (sign/foreign), facial expressions, literacy, numeracy, appropriate touch, compassion, empathy, tone of voice.


Group 4 - Patience, remain calm, speak clearly with proper language, empathise, communication at different levels, clear instructions, good listening skills, to make patient understand clearly, clear writing, understanding needs of patients, other methods of communications, e.g. visual aids.

Reflections on our first few classes

To get you into the habit of using the blog, please write in the comments part below what you thought about the first few Communication classes. You can do it anonymously or you can put your name against your comment, either is fine with me!


Thank you.

How to find me!

My office is situated on the second floor, in room 2023.


My e mail address is Mark.Hetherington@nclan.ac.uk


For some reason I have a telephone, but no extension number. Communication isn't always effective it would seem!

Link to PP slides on the Unit Introduction

http://www.slideshare.net/spar69/comm-4-unit-intro-65083895


If you click the link above, you should be able to see the slides I put together for the Introduction to the Unit.


All the best,


Mark

Welcome to Communication 4 (FA1W 12)

You will be studying Communication 4 (FA1W 12) with me. I'm sure we will have a few laughs over the course of the year, share experiences and I aim to learn from you guys too!


The course attempts to develop your communication skills in reading, writing, talking and listening.


There are quite a few assessments, but all of them come back to these basic, but important, skills.


Furthermore, given the nature of the course, and the high calibre of the student, we like to stretch you a bit! The first session will be about getting to know you, defining communication and giving an overview to the programme of study.