Stress management presentation topics

Greetings,

One thing I intended to ask you all today, being of curious mind, was what your topics were for the stress management talks.

So I know about Michaela’s boxing techniques, Charlene’s flower making expertise, and I saw some stress balls floating around the room, which all looked fantastic! As I recall from last week’s chat, Jordan was discussing massage and relaxation.

Do let me know what the other subjects were and which ones you particularly liked!

Yours in nosiness (and taking a genuine interest in cross unit skills development!),

Mark

Meaghan Ramsey: Why thinking you're ugly is bad for you (second practice Listening example)

About 10,000 people a month Google the phrase, “Am I ugly?” 

Meaghan Ramsey of the Dove Self-Esteem Project has a feeling that many of them are young girls. 

In a deeply unsettling talk, she walks us through the surprising impacts of low body and image confidence - from lower grade point averages to greater risk-taking with drugs and alcohol. And then shares the key things all of us can do to disrupt this reality. 

Please feel free to comment on the presentation after the class in the comments box. Remember, this is a totally different type, style, form of presentation from the Jamie Oliver talk. But nevertheless, one worthy of clear critique following the 5 part questions we looked at last Thursday.

Bedtime social media use may be harming UK teenagers, study says

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/22/bedtime-social-media-use-may-be-harming-uk-teenagers-study-says

Teenagers in Britain may be putting their health and education at risk by spending too much time on social media at bedtime, according to a major study by academics at the University of Glasgow into adolescent sleep habits.

I think this is worth a look and some feedback on the content.

Can you recognise the pattern in your own children if you are a parent? Do you agree, disagree, partly agree with the findings?

Very interesting.

PTSD / Mental Health BBC reports

Hi all,


I have been reading a couple of stories on the BBC website on the theme of post-traumatic stress disorder lately.


Those of you who attended James' assessed presentation will remember the problems PTSD sufferers encounter on a daily basis.


Both articles are of general interest and any comments you have on either or both for discussion are welcomed as always.


The first link is headed PTSD affects 'one in 13 by age of18' and highlights the findings of the first research of its kind.


The second link is headed Armed forces with mental health problems 'failed by system' and makes reference to a recent report which found many servicemen and women often do not seek help because of the stigma around mental health problems and the fear of damaging their career.


Link 1: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47317891


Link 2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47351645

A final visual rejoinder to the Jamie Oliver presentation...

It reminds me of a joke I used to tell as a wee boy.

Q. What is green and goes to summer camp?

A. A Brussels scout...

I'll get my coat!

(I am aware what these veggies are by the way, ha ha).

Have a great weekend.

Mark

Dyslexia in animation and music

https://youtu.be/F9SxijF8VRc

Thank you to Myra who sent me this fabulous link which goes some way to help explain about the challenges of dyslexia.

I took a screenshot from the link and I’d encourage everybody to have a look at this.

I found the short presentation uplifting, inspirational, educational, thought-provoking and very insightful indeed.

I have shared the link far and wide on social media and with friends and colleagues.

Mark

Listening analysis class recap

Hello all,

Another very productive class today where we looked at some interesting discussion issues (such as online Doctors), heard about an excellent engaging presentation from a UWS employee and analysed Jamie Oliver's presentation.

We looked at questions 2-5 today in class and I have given you some sample answers. There are many ways to analyse an oral presentation using evaluative and analytical techniques, right?

In the sample answers I have included a summary which is bullet-pointed. You don't have to do the summary at home, I haven't set homework, but if you do, you could cross-check against my thoughts. But having the sample answers should be very helpful for you.

I was having a quick chat with Simbi and Clare before they both left tonight and we ended up talking about GPs and associated issues.

I was telling them about my mum who must have strong genes as she is 86 this year, on no medication, in great health, and attributes this to two things: porridge every morning and gin and tonic (not at breakfast!)

We call her the Duchess for a laugh and here she is, wishing you all the best.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

Schedule of work for the next few weeks

Greetings,

Here is how I see the next few weeks going for our Communication class.

28/2 - second and final practice Listening assessment (discussion, questions, class answers, sample answers).

7/3 and 14/3 - Listening assessment 1.

21/3 - submission date for Listening assessment.

28/3 - Listening assessment 2 (submission date to be agreed).

There will be 9 academic weeks remaining post Easter where we will look at reading assessment prep. I will adopt the same strategy for those assessments (2 reading assessments) as we have done for the Listening outcome.

On 30/5 or 6/6 we will have a final session to recap all the learning you have done, which is plentiful to say the least!

All the best,

Mark

Would you be happy to see your doctor online?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47196286

Would you be happy to see your doctor online? 

Growing numbers of patients seem to be attracted by the convenience. And doctors are also finding it useful as health services come under pressure from growing and ageing populations. 

What are the benefits? Can you see any problems with this potential strategy?

This is a great talking point. Let's hear your thoughts!

Mark

Nursing in Practice online magazine

https://view.joomag.com/nursing-in-practice-106/0607063001548417619?short

This is an interesting publication I was looking at today which you might find of use.

There are a number of wide ranging articles within, hopefully there is something in there which you find interesting.

Reading and engaging with vocationally relevant subjects is always good for skills development.

Resources for all things Nursing!

Hello all,

I was looking at various news stories and stumbled across this neat website which may be of use to you.

It seems to be a one stop bookmark for a lot of resources (jobs, news, regional, national, international issues etc.)

Not something I have used before myself, but the link to either or both below might be worth bookmarking?

http://www.british-nursing.com/news/

http://www.british-nursing.com/Scotland/index.asp

Practice Listening - Jamie Oliver presentation - Teach Every Child About Food

Here is the link to the TED talk we will look at on 14th and 21st February. 

It doesn't matter that this talk is from 2010, as the comments within hold true to this day. The actual assessments are more up to date of course. 

I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts today and this really is a passionate delivery which has lots of aspects to critique. Thank you for your input, it made for an excellent class. 

We will have a look at the generic questions on Thursday 21st and some sample answers to help you with the two upcoming Listening assessments.

Jamie Oliver has been drawn to the kitchen since he was a child working in his father's pub. He showed not only a precocious culinary talent but also a passion for inspiring people to eat fresh, honest, delicious food. While serving as sous chef at the River Cafe in London, the BBC took note of him. His series, The Naked Chef, debuted in 1999. In the years since, he has built a worldwide media empire of TV shows, books, cookware and magazines, all based on a formula of simple, unpretentious food that invites everyone to get busy in the kitchen. 

As much as Oliver's cooking is generous, so is his business model. The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation trains young chefs from disadvantaged backgrounds to work in his restaurants and runs an extensive gardening program that teaches children where food comes from. Series like Jamie's School Dinner, Jamie's Ministry of Food and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution combine his work in the kitchen with serious activism and community organizing - to create change on both the individual and governmental level.

Oliver uses his fame and charm to highlight the changes people need to make in their diet and lifestyles. With the 2010 TED Prize, he set the vision for Jamie's Food Revolution, a global campaign to educate kids about food and inspire families to cook again. More than 750,000 people have signed up to be a part of it. At the same time, Oliver continues to advocate for policy changes, like sugar reduction and clearer food labelling. 

Comments below on Jamie's talk are welcomed.

Cheers,

Mark

Fonts matter - it is all in the tone!

Instagram urged to crack down on eating disorder images

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/08/instagram-urged-to-crack-down-on-eating-disorder-images


This is an article from The Guardian which advises that the social media platform (Instagram) should follow the self-harm picture ban (with particular focus on anorexia).


The Guardian has discovered thousands of hashtags and accounts promoting anorexia, including diaries of weight loss, alarming pictures and comments on goal weights.


Let me know what you think about the content of this article. The issues surrounding images on social media have been plentiful within all areas of the media of late.


Mark

Dry January: Does it lead to binge-drinking in February?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46949102


This is an excellent article which poses the question about the fairly recent inception of 'Dry January'.


So does a month off drinking help people form new habits, or is it likely to lead to a February binge?


I would love to hear from you if you participated in Dry January (if you drink), or know of anybody who did, or what you think about the content of the article.


I know a lot of my friends, information gleaned from Facebook of course, went on proper binges post January, so there could be some mileage in the claims. A case of going from Detox to Retox if you will!


As always, please comment below at your leisure. All feedback welcomed.


Many thanks,


Mark

Alan Turing is named BBC's 20th Century Icon after passionate speech from Chris Packham

This is a short, but nevertheless impressive, passionate and measured presentation from Chris Packham. 

Scientist and World War Two codebreaker Alan Turing has been named 'The Greatest Person of the 20th Century' in the live final of BBC Two's Icons series. 

On Tuesday (February 5), Turing won the public vote after being up against fellow finalists Dr Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Ernest Shackleton, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali and Pablo Picasso.

Let me know what you think about the presentation. 

https://mobile.twitter.com/bbctwo/status/1093192600239001600

Some essay titles used in previous years

Great class today and we had some very good discussion about possible essay titles.


These are some titles written by students in previous years which might help whet your appetite?


Remember, think about the sources you are using, look at the range of sources in the example essays and perhaps places like the NHS, The Guardian, NHS Conditions, BBC, NHS Scotland, Nursing Times could be good starting points for research.


Take your time with the essay and you have plenty of time.


To what extent is nursing training today better than in the past? Academic vs Hands on training


DNACPR and the law in the UK.


Big Pharma and the pharmaceutical companies


Asthma and the effects of Singulair


Is the NHS prejudiced against obesity?


Doctor Google - friend or foe?


Privatising the NHS


Obesity and the cost to the NHS in Scotland


Why the use of ECT should be banned


Talking to children about their bodies. Should it be left to the parents?


Euthanasia - should we have the right to make the choice to die?


Give every mother the chance to save their unborn baby's life


The cost of the UK's first 'fix rooms' for addicts in Glasgow


Obesity in children


Prescription drug addiction


Lazy parenting and obesity

Links to some good sites on essay writing

Here are a few links to sites where you will get some more information on writing essays (argumentative and persuasive).

http://access-socialstudies.cappelendamm.no/c319365/artikkel/vis.html?tid=382115

https://academichelp.net/academic-assignments/essay/write-persuasive-essay.html

http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/

Strike / Communication

Hi all,


Just a quick note to say that if you contact me tomorrow with any remediation / report information, I will not be able to reply on the day. As I will be on strike, that means that all labour is withdrawn, so just a quick message to say I won't be ignoring your messages, just that it will have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday.


All the best,


Mark


https://www.facebook.com/honourthedeal/

Mental health crisis in teens is being magnified by demise of creative subjects in school

https://theconversation.com/mental-health-crisis-in-teens-is-being-magnified-by-demise-of-creative-subjects-in-school-102383


This is an interesting article worth looking at. There has been a lot written about creative subjects of late, and in particular I have been deeply saddened that some councils in Scotland are scrapping free music tuition.


It has always been my opinion that music helps develop self esteem through challenging “comfort zones” through public performance & constructive feedback.


It helps to develop a child’s world wide cultural awareness, so much political history, language skills, geographical awareness, not to mention the exposure to around seven centuries worth of cultural output.


Learning to sing or play an instrument has empirical evidence of neurological development.


It’s a wonderful stress reliever.


I was once a proficient classical musician and have never forgotten the numerous positives that music has given me in my own personal development when at school.


I look forward to your comments.

Proposed plan of action for the next few weeks

Hello all,

Below is how I propose to run the classes for the next few weeks.

7th February - discuss essay writing, look at the second writing assessment (vocationally relevant topic of your choosing), look at exemplar materials and some signposting to some helpful websites. A submission date will be agreed in this class.

14th February - sadly no chocolates and flowers, but something way better...watching a TED talk in class, discussing the content, looking at Listening questions and how to answer them.

21st February - looking at the presentation we will have watched on 14/2/19 and answering questions in line with the ones we will use for the actual assessment.

28th February - one further practice Listening presentation.

7th March - it is anticipated that I will know what the assessment presentation will be at this point. The Listening and Reading assessments are now centralised across the whole college instead of me preparing them!

I wish you all a great weekend and I will see you all in 2012 on Thursday coming.

All the best,

Mark