Happy Holidays

Just a quick word to wish you all a restful break, whatever you are doing. 

Well done to every student in the class who have now passed all 5 assessments.

Don't forget that there will be time in the first class back after Easter to complete the second Listening assessment. I would like to think that our IT people will have that 'BOB problem' fixed shortly.

I have been impressed with the quality of work from the submissions thus far, so well done, the amount of industry you all put in should not be underestimated. I shall be at Carnoustie for a few days over the weekend, playing and relaxing with friends. Much needed. And yes, they ARE pineapples, ha ha. Pina colada anybody?

Try and get some 'you time' and I will let you know, when I know, when the Listening Link is back up and running again. I didn't sabotage things, I promise you!

Mark

Highlands woman with rare gene mutation feels no pain!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-47719718

This is a curious and indeed excellent article about Jo Cameron, who only realises her skin is burning when she smells singed flesh. She often burns her arms on the oven, but feels no pain to warn her.

That's because she is one of only two people in the world known to have a rare genetic mutation.

It means she feels virtually no pain, and never feels anxious or afraid. 

That is truly astonishing, on a number of levels.

Let me know of any thoughts that you may have on this story below as always!

Mark

Weekly schedule of work until the end of term

Hello all,

This is how I envisage the rest of the Communication classes going until the end of the academic session.

I am mindful that some of you are going to Malta for two weeks too.

18/4 - work on second Listening Assessment in class. Submission date Friday 26th April 2019. 

25/4 - look at Reading analysis outcome, helpnotes, discussion on a formative text.

2/5 - look at questions, sample answers and second text to work on outwith class and cross check against my sample answers. We will use a similar strategy to how we worked on the formative Listening assessments. 

9/5 and 16/5 - Reading assessment One done in class. I will mark the scripts for the following week with feedback for you. 

23/5 and 30/5 - Reading assessment Two done in class. I will mark the scripts for the following week with feedback for you. 

6/6 - final reflection session (whole class) in first part of class and remediation second hour as necessary.

13/6 - remediation for reading as necessary.

Impressively, at time of typing, all 23 learners in the class have passed the first 5 assessments.

* IF necessary, I will permit time in some of my other classes should anybody need further time to work on the reading assessments. They need to be done with me in attendance, so can't be worked on outside of college sadly. 

6000 views on our blog, wow!

New brain cells made throughout life

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47692495

People keep making new brain cells throughout their lives (well at least until the age of 97), according to a study on human brains.

The idea has been fiercely debated, and it used to be thought we were born with all the brain cells we will ever have.

The researchers at the University of Madrid also showed that the number of new brain cells tailed off with age.

And it falls dramatically in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease - giving new ideas for treating the dementia. 

Another fascinating article surrounding the brain. This is becoming a theme!

BBC announce new Louis Theroux documentary which explores post-natal mental health

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/louis-theroux-bbc-post-natal-16007712

I came across this article which is likely to be a very interesting watch on a number of levels.

The award-winning filmmaker's latest project will see him spend time in two specialist psychiatric units which treat mothers experiencing serious mental illness whilst allowing them to live alongside their babies.

I have long been an admirer of Theroux's work and this should be no exception, in fact, it could be ground-breaking in many respects.

Second Listening Assessment Link

https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/114704


This is the link to the second Listening summative assessment which we would have watched in class for the first time today (28th March 2019), had the College network not been experiencing the gremlins today. I am sorry about that, nothing that I could do and no possible plan B on this occasion.

What should happen is that you click the link, type in New College Lanarkshire and then a) either the link is there or b) you have to log in using your normal NCLAN e mail details. I had hoped to do a dry run today regarding how you login, but alas, it wasn't possible.

Please do not make any comment on this particular post as it is an assessment.

If you need to ask any questions about the assessment, please e mail me tomorrow (29th March) or when we come back (15th April).

When the link is up and running again I will e mail some members of the class to let everybody know.

Submission date is: Friday 26th April 2019.