'Haitch' or 'aitch'? How do you pronounce 'H'?

Here is an interesting article from the BBC website worth a wee look perhaps - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11642588

What do you think? Mr Haitch, 'aitch, H...!

Randy Pausch

Here is the link to Professor Pausch's presentation (full version). Let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&feature=related

And this is a link to a website about him, complete with memorable quotes:

http://www.wisdomportal.com/RandyPausch.html

Oral presentation skills

Hi all, this morning was a great session on effective and ineffective oral presentation delivery. If you were unable to make the class today, please come and get the PP slides from the session. In addition to the factors affecting POSITIVE presentation delivery, the groups came up with the following points for discussion:

• The subject
• Being able to use PowerPoint effectively (and simply)
• Having a plan
• Using notes (but too many, and definitely NOT a whole script)
• Being prepared for the question and answer session
• Using language appropriate to the content of the talk
• How you dress
• Displaying and using statistics (where necessary) to enhance the information presented
• WORDS!
• Positive attitude
• Honesty, being up front
• Audience participation, integration, interaction
• Fun for the audience (where possible)
• Voice variation
• Articulation
• Hand outs for the audience
• Humour (if appropriate)

Well done all, Mark

Big Apple memories

Hi all, if anybody is interested, I wrote a blog of my experiences in New York. I was away with my best mate Vance, who used to teach in my team when I was working up in Aberdeen. It has been a wonderful experience, and I hope it isn't another 12 years until I am in the Big Apple again. The weblink is as follows: http://mrhanddra.blogspot.com/ I hope you enjoy the photo of the two Chairmen, entitled Mao and Me!

Cheers, Mr H

Happy holidays!

Just a quick note to say have a lovely holiday. I think we could all use one! See you all on Tuesday 26th October in 211. Take it easy, Mark

Feedback please

Hi everybody, now that you have all pretty much completed your first assessment for Communication IV, I'd like you to give me some feedback on the Communication class you have with me. We have covered lots of things so far, such as:

• icebreakers
• defining communication
• analysis of a short film
• evaluated a variety of local news articles
• discussed plagiarism
• an introduction to lots of interesting websites from Alma
• analysed writing styles
• worked in small groups
• handed in some reflective writing
• been given feedback
• you have commented on your thoughts on the first (reading) assignment
• visited the Scottish Poetry Library
• about to further develop our reflective writing by putting together our class yearbook
• completed (by and large) our first assessment (of 13!) on the 'Digital books are a threat to writers' article to name but a few!

After the well deserved October break I will be looking at oral presentation delivery.

I am keen to know what you are enjoying, what you are not, what you would like to see more of and how you think you are doing, that sort of thing. Please be honest and don't be afraid to be critical (as well as gushing in your positivity) for the feedback! I am really enjoying working with you, and hopefully my enthusiasm is coming through in my teaching!

Thanks, Mark

Access to Languages Yearbook

Hi all, for those who have finished their reading assessment, the session on Tuesday 12th October would be a great opportunity for you to start your yearbook. It shouldn't take you too long to put together and is to be a bit of fun. I ask that you e mail me your answers and a photo (more if you like) by 18th November. You can copy and paste the questions below to make things easier for you should you so wish. Cheers, Mark

Yearbook questions – Access to Languages

Please e mail me your answers and supply a favourite photo, or photos of you to mhetherington@stevenson.ac.uk

Please use the template below – if there are any questions you’d rather not answer, just leave them out. I will be doing one too!

About me

Name:

Nickname(s):

Favourite singer(s):

Favourite band(s):

Favourite film(s):

Favourite television show(s):

Like(s):

Dislike(s):

Who I am

· This is a story about me, John Doe.
· Where you are from.
· Where you were born.
· Any interesting stories about your name, or what it means, i.e. Smith was a name given to blacksmiths in the Middle Ages, so therefore anyone with the name Smith would have likely had a blacksmith as an ancestor. The name John comes from the bible and some people say it means ‘gift from God’. There are quite a few places on the Net where you can find information about names!
· Describe your physical characteristics i.e. height, appearance, hair/eye colour.
· What do other people say about how you look?
· Describe your personality.
· What do other people say about your personality?
· Note down some information about your personal interests – do you play any sports? Do you have any hobbies?
· Favourite website(s)?
· Why did you come onto the course you are currently enrolled on?

What matters to me?

· What are your earliest memories?
· Who or what makes you laugh?
· What object would you save in a fire?
· Which song is the soundtrack to your life?
· If you could meet any famous person who would it be, and why?
· What is your perfect Sunday?
· Who would attend your fantasy dinner party & what would you eat?
· Who did you text last and what was the message?
· If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

If there is anything else you would like to add in about yourself, pop it in here. It could be some poetry that you have written, your philosophies on life, anything you like really!

I want you to have fun with this task. It will be a nice keepsake for you and to reflect upon in later life…maybe!

Reading assessment

Just a quick word to say well done on the first assessment. Overall, the work has been of a very good standard. I am hopeful that you will all have passed the first assessment by Thursday of this week. All the best, Mark