Remember, remember, the 5th of October...!

OK, well you get the point! Please remember that we will be doing our first assessment on Tuesday. You are allowed to use helpnotes, a dictionary, thesaurus etc. The questions will follow the types of things we were discussing in class this week, so remember to offer detailed responses and look for evidence from the text to back up your thoughts. In question one, the summary, you will be asked to use your own words where possible. I would say that a highlighter pen would be a good investment! Have a great weekend all, Mark

Reading analysis

Today's session was very good indeed. We covered summarising the text, target readership and type of text today. Your answers were very detailed and I was impressed with the level of application and concentration again. We will go over questions 4, 5 and 6 on Thursday and then we will be ready to start our first assessment next Tuesday and Thursday. I will give you all sample answers then for you to cross-reference. Well done, Mark

Weblinks

Hi all, thank you to Christian who pointed out that some of the links weren't loading properly. Hopefully I have rectified that now! Do keep posting on the blog as it is very much a two way process. All the best, Mark

Alma's session

A big thank you to Alma for giving up her library time to speak with us this morning. I hope that you will use some of the links in her presentation in your studies both here and when you go to University. See you all on Tuesday for our final reading practise before the first assessment. The topic of the reading article next week is on plagiarism, which ties in nicely with the research methodologies we learned about today! Cheers.

Off to a Flyer...

Hi all, I really enjoyed the class this morning and all four groups came up with some interesting comments about how the film could be analysed and interpreted. Like all things, we often have different opinions and that always makes learning, teaching and discussion all the richer! Like Hannah said this morning, it would be boring if we all thought the same and liked the same things, quite right! We looked at the text (the text being the film in this case) and had a good shot at breaking it down. For me, working in small groups and feeding back enhances our analytical and communication skills and I have been impressed with the level of industry shown in the classes we've had so far. Keep it up ladies and gents and I'll see you on Thursday for Alma's session (which Jordi will be attending too). All the best, Mark

Next few weeks schedule

Hi all, here is what I will doing with you over the next few sessions.

• 21st Sep - analysis of 'The Flyer'
• 23rd Sep - research skills (Alma from the library)
• 28th and 30th September - unassessed reading exercise (using reading helpnotes)

NB - 5th and 7th October - FIRST READING ASSESSMENT.

• 12th and 14th October - finishing off reading assessment / remediation as necessary.

Have a great Monday off and a lovely weekend and I will see you all, at 9am on Tuesday 21st.

Vodafone link

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7aLWbSv0Dg

This is the link to the advert linked to communicating with Vodafone, quite apt really!

Reading analysis

Hi all, today's session was very productive. We looked at four reading articles, covering issues such as snakes on the loose, yobs vandalising graveyards, the (arguably) ill-fated tram scenario and a 106 year old's secrets to longevity. We looked at summarising, purpose (why it could be written), target audience (who the articles may have been written for), evaluations (good and bad points) amongst other general discussions. We will revisit the idea of reading analysis shortly where will all read the same article and answer questions on it. I will also give you some reading helpnotes. Thursday's session will be a breather, where you will be doing a spot of reflective writing. See you then!

Summary Tips

•Summarise by sections/paragraphs
•Scan section/paragraph to find out main information/point – look out for key words/sentences
•Summarise statistical information or figures
•Use your own words
•Use a highlighter to help identify points

Definitions in pictures (and some words)!

Who says learning can't be fun!

Thursday 9th September class - types of comm

Hi all, this was a brilliant session. All four groups offered some excellent comments on types of Communication, both written and in the visual form. Amongst the types of communication we discovered were speaking, talking, listening, message in a bottle, internet, intranet, smoke signals, mime, telephone, msn, Facebook, Google, Bebo, Skype, pigeons, fashion, art, meditation, religion, traffic lights and signs, satellites, texting, acting, Braille, Morse Code, sign language (American and British), tattoos and many many others besides.

Wed 7th Sep - introductory session

Hi all,

I really enjoyed the session this morning and I was impressed with your ability to communicate clearly and effectively using the short reflective questions I set you. We had some cracking definitions too and here is a selection of what the three groups came up with.

Gavin's group - getting thoughts, feelings or pieces of information from one person (or group) to another. This can be achieved through different means.

Ellen's group - passing on information to others. Sharing, passing on, understanding information in many different ways, e.g. gestures, body language, signs etc.

Gary's group - the translating and swapping of thinking, language, ideas. Delivering or exchanging of information breaking down cultural barriers, common purposes etc. Interacting with others.

As can be seen, there seemed to be a consensus that communication involved a process where some form of information or meaning is passed between two or more entities.

These general thoughts about communication focused our attention on the communication processes that we will be encountering on the course. I highlighted that at times students will be the producers/senders of information and meaning through writing and presentations. At other times students will be receivers of information and meaning in their encounters as readers and viewers. Of course, generally we will be both producing and receiving information in a single activity (eg. discussions).

Superb stuff and we will continue on Thursday with TYPES of communication...

Rough schedule of work!

Access to Languages class

Communication 4 and Oral Presentation Skills classes – weekly plan

What follows is a schedule of what I plan to do with you for the next few classes. It could change of course!

7th September – Overview of the Unit(s), introduction to the class blog, mini verbal icebreaker, what is Communication? (part one)

9th September – What is Communication? (part two)

14th September (my birthday!) – Looking at various newspaper articles / analysis within small groups

16th September – Short writing exercises.

21st September – ‘The Flyer’ – watching a short film and answering questions on it (Listening)

23rd September – ‘Students learn the ABC of essay writing’ article discussion. (Reading).

28th and 30th September – ‘The World’s Language’ reading article – discussion and questions. Using reading helpnotes. (Reading).

5th and 7th October – first assessment, reading – ‘Throw in the vowel’.

12th and 14th October – remediation / completion of reading assessment as necessary.

19th and 21st October – HOLIDAYS

26th and 28th October – effective and ineffective oral presentation delivery. (Speaking).

At this stage, we will see how we are doing and plan our next stage of teaching and learning.

mhetherington@stevenson.ac.uk, Room 121.1

Scottish Poetry Library visit

Hi all, thank you to those who were able to make it along yesterday (31st August) to the Scottish Poetry Library. That building really is a hidden gem and I enjoyed Lizzie's talk. The link to their website can be found under the heading USEFUL WEBLINKS.