Turnip or Pumpkin?

Happy Halloween!

Trick or treat? No, not for me, it's called guising where I come from! So if any little darlings come round to Academia (my flat) this year, for ten bob they'll need to perform one of these elementary tasks, but they do have a choice, I’m not mean:

1) Recite Shakespeare's Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate etc. in full;

2) Name all the members of The Beatles in descending order of height;

3) Sing 'O soave fanciulla' from La Boheme.

I'd say that's perfectly reasonable, don’t you? ;-)

Have a smashing day everybody and don’t forget, a tumshie lantern trumps a pumpkin one all day long...

I have posted a few pics of the golfing trews I was wearing on Saturday, which nobody 'batted' an eyelid to when I went shopping afterwards. Edinburgh eh? And who doesn't like a pumpkin full of wine?

See you all on Friday,

Mark

Scottish women to be allowed to take abortion pill at home

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-10-27/women-in-scotland-to-be-allowed-to-take-abortion-pill-at-home/


The link above is for an article on the story Lorraine alerted us to in the class this morning. Thank you for that by the way, as I hadn't picked this one up at all.

Women in Scotland are to be the first in the UK to be allowed to take the abortion pill at home.

Campaigners have welcomed the move and called for it to be rolled out across the rest of Great Britain.

However, ministers were warned going ahead with the plans risks a return to the days of 'back-street abortions'.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), which has been lobbying to change the law in the UK, urged Theresa May to follow the Scottish government's lead.

So what do you think about this story?

Mark

Plan to crack down on websites selling essays to students announced

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/feb/21/plan-to-crack-down-on-websites-selling-essays-to-students-announced


Hello, as a rejoinder to the session we will have (or have had, depending on when you read this), this article is worth reading.


As academics, we always insist on honesty in our teaching practice, integrity in our marking which should be equitable and fair and in return we expect the same strong principles in our students when submitting work.


There is, I believe, a clear line between academic dishonesty and using the work of others as a framework, guideline, signpost, call it what you will.


The one thing to remember is, that you are credited for citing the work of another, and done properly, can have very positive results. Original and creative thought doesn't come easy to many learners after all. But you are not always asked for that. Always consider the possible outcomes which are inherent in plagiarising. When processed properly, it really isn't worth the risk at all.


I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the issues of plagiarism, the article discussed in the class on Friday 27th October and the link at the top of this post.


All the best,


Mark

Is the smacking ban in Scotland a good idea?

Scotland to ban parents from smacking their children with landmark legislation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41678797


Hello, a lawyer friend of mine recently posted this link on his Facebook page and I too am curious to hear what people's views are on this. "It never did me any harm" replies may or may not be correct in some or even many cases but does that still apply now? Is a degree of parental discretion for discipline purposes when required desirable? Should it be regarded as the same as assault?


As always with our blog, all comments are valid, welcomed and no judgements made. Let me know what you think about this issue.

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

Hello everybody,


When we return after our well deserved October break, there will be only 9 weeks until the end of the academic 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, discussion, working in small groups 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 with me before the end of the semester and gives us a good run at work to do in the New Year.


Anybody who has not achieved assessment passes by the end of the first semester will be able to use the catch-up week which is week commencing 22nd January 2018. That will hopefully bring everybody up to speed.


The reading assessments / teaching fits nicely with the listening assessments too and how I will teach you is the formula needed to achieve passes in the assessments.

I have been busy 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. Both the reading assessments are new for 2017, so hopefully they will work out well.

So, here is how I intend to roll out the next nine weeks. I am a great believer in schedules and sticking to them, so there should be no problems if we follow this recipe for success.

Week Beginning


23/10 - reflecting on the discussion assessment, reading a newspaper article on plagiarism, particularly in Universities, discussion around this important topic and information on how you can answer reading analysis questions. Lots of handouts to keep for you.


30/10 - answering practice questions on plagiarism article in small groups (sample answers at the end after group discussion).


6/11 - practice reading exercise on working in the mental health sector from the perspective of a health professional (sample answers at the end after group discussion).


13/11, 20/11, 27/11 - first reading assessment - this will be on a topic of interest and I will mark what you have done for the following week so the assessment is continuous. 


4/12, 11/12 and 18/12 - 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. The answers will be handwritten and done in class with me supervising but your spelling etc. is NOT being assessed here, just your answers.

I hope you will all be able to enjoy your break and I look forward to seeing you all on our return on Friday 27th October.


All the best,


Mark

Discussion assessments, part two

Well done to the students who participated in the discussion assessment today. All attendees passed and both groups (each discussing euthanasia) produced some great discussion points.


I was struck by some personal anecdotes and the amount of research put in prior to assessment, and every student provided a lot of content to be reflected upon.


For those students who were assessed today, let me know what you thought about the session.


 All the best,


Mark

Utah police officer sacked for dragging nurse out of hospital in row over blood sample - justice!

http://news.sky.com/story/utah-police-officer-sacked-for-dragging-nurse-out-of-hospital-in-row-over-blood-sample-11075799


Here is the resolution of the dilemma we discussed a month or so ago.


Mark

Noel Conway: Terminally ill man loses right-to-die case

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41506155 - this is a story from a few days ago about a man who is terminally ill with motor neurone disease who lost his High Court challenge to fight for his right to die.


The judgment does confirm, however, that the courts do have the authority to declare current inconsistency with human rights.


Noel Conway, a grandfather and retired lecturer from Shrewsbury, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in November 2014 and is not expected to live beyond 12 months.

Both groups on Friday will be looking at the contentious issue of euthanasia and that is what prompted me to post this story for all members of the class to comment on.


I do understand that this issue can be sensitive, personal, difficult to articulate thoughts on, but if you do wish to make some comments, please do so in the box below.


Mark

Time Management Skills

Hello loyal readers!


Below are two really useful links on time management strategies. 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#

Additional helpful websites for you

Hello all,


If you look at the section of the blog called 'Useful Weblinks', I think you will find something there which will be of help to you, should you be worried about writing, spelling etc.


These are trusted links that I have used in the past and they are there to help you.


If there is anything else you would like in that section, do let me know, I'm quite resourceful!


Mark

"I'm a man and a midwife. Are you OK with that?"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41426691


The story above from the BBC website today is a wonderful talking point. Have a look at it and let us know what you think.


It is interesting that I taught both Nursing classes last year and there were males in both but your group is female only. I'm not sure how the other group is made up gender wise.


Anyway, let me know what you think. No judgements made on this blog!

Day trip to Inverness!

Hi all,


I am competing in a golf final tomorrow in Inverness, at a place called Castle Stuart. It is truly the most spectacular course I have played anywhere in Scotland.


The prizes are pretty big for this competition, and we have all been playing in comps to qualify for the final since May.


I think there are around 450 competitors or so, and last year I was lucky to win which meant I qualified to play for a week all expenses paid to Turkey. But I turned it down! Yes, you did read that correctly. It was during term time before Easter which is a critical time for students, so my place went to the first reserve. Noble or completely mad, you can make your own mind up on that one!


So, here is my low key outfit for tomorrow and some pics of Castle Stuart. I am up at 5am and travelling up and down in the day, so I could be a tad jaded on Saturday evening. My cat Jet isn't coming, despite what he may think...


I hope you are all having a great weekend and I will see you all soon.


Cheers,


Mark

Discussion Success

Hello all,


I listened to and assessed two excellent discussions this morning. One on abortion and the other on transgender issues.


Well done to all of those involved today, I enjoyed listening to the research and opinions. All 11 students passed the outcome.


I look forward to the discussions next Friday too.


Cheers,


Mark

A nurse’s letter to her children

http://thefootnotes.com.au/a-nurses-letter-to-her-children/


I thought you might be interested in the above article. I'm sure it will strike a chord with many of you and one for you to reflect upon.


As always, I'm keen to read your thoughts.


Thanks to Jen who teaches the other Nursing class Communication who referred me to this article.


All the best,


Mark