Some suggested reading - NOT on our curriculum - an added extra if you will!

Morning, all.

I thought I would recommend a book that I have just finished reading, and it comes highly recommended. It is called 'The Funny Thing About Death' by one of the finest comedians in the country (in my opinion), Jo Caulfield. I have seen Jo play every year at the Fringe Festival since 2007 (apart from the lockdown non events), and count her now as a friend. She is excellent. Look her up on You Tube - maybe you will find her style of comedy great too.

But this is not a post about her brilliance as a comic, but rather, her new book that was released last week. Naturally as a fanboy, I got my copy on the day of release. Below is what her book is about.

Six years ago, Jo Caulfield was about to go on stage when she found out that her big sister Annie had cancer. Not the best way to start a nationwide comedy tour. But the tour turns out to be a welcome distraction for both sisters. As Jo reports back from various hotels and service stations, they revisit their childhood and adolescence while navigating Annie's illness, learning through trial and error how to behave when someone you love gets sick.

The Funny Thing About Death is a hilarious memoir of two unconventional girls growing up in the 1970s. They didn't fit in at the Air Force bases they were raised on or the strict convent boarding school they were sent to. The Air Force was obsessed with communists and the nuns were obsessed with the Virgin Mary, neither of which were of interest to Jo or Annie.

Annie was witty, spiky and greedy for life, rushing to be 'interesting' and experience adventures. She travelled the world and became a screenwriter and broadcaster.

Jo was equally rebellious but didn't have a plan. She just wanted to be interesting like her big sister and thought it might involve eyeliner, smoking and being in a band.

Like her stand-up, Jo Caulfield's caustic wit and razor-sharp observations make her account of life with her sister, even in the worst of times, as entertaining as it is touching and relatable.

All proceeds of this book go to the wonderful people at Macmillan Cancer Support. Let me know what you think if you decide to buy this book. 

All the best,

Mark

Great first class. Very well done, everybody!

Hello everybody, just a wee note to say how much I enjoyed the class yesterday and you all engaged very well indeed.

The initial class is of vital importance, as I outline the aims of the unit (assessment numbers still unknown) and to get to know each other.

I really liked the focus of all your comments in the icebreaker task, and I immediately sensed a clear click with all the group members. This is always a good starting point, make no mistake!

Why don't you pop some words in the comments section below, to get used to engaging with the blog? Go on, you know you want to...

Did you enjoy the session with me, were you nervous to speak in class (it is quite OK if you were), did you like hearing all about what your peers had to say? Anything goes, so let me read what you thought about our first meeting together.

Next Monday we will look at moral dilemmas, which is my favourite session. I am sure the chitter chatter will be great, no prep is needed, just a clear and open mind for what is to come. It will be fun and educational, I promise. 

Take care and well done again. Comments below welcomed.

Mark

Welcome to the class blog

Hello everybody and welcome to your blog!

You will be studying NC Communication (FA1W 12) with me. I'm sure we will have a few laughs over the course of the year, share experiences and I aim to learn from you guys too!

The course attempts to develop your communication skills in reading, writing, talking and listening.

There are four assessments across the year, but all of them come back to these basic, but important, skills.

Furthermore, given the nature of the course, and the high calibre of the student, we like to stretch you a bit! The first session will be about getting to know you, defining communication and giving an overview to the programme of study.

You are all in safe hands though as I am an SQA verifier for this particular Unit, I have worked with  Access students for many years and will always work WITH you. This commitment must be two way though. That is how we will be in a good place to achieve the outcomes.

I hope you enjoy the year working with me, the highs, the lows, the feedback, the class activities. June isn't THAT far away really is it?

Take care,

Mark

Running order of first few classes

This is how I plan to run the first few months of classes...

21/8 - What the Unit entails, getting to know each other, showcasing our class blog.

28/8 – Moral dilemmas and short reflective writing exercise given out (unassessed).

4/9 – Effective and ineffective presentation delivery, sharing experiences.

11/9 – Effective PowerPoint use / looking at assessment brief, possible subject areas (related to the subject of Nursing).

18/9 – using research tools effectively, firming up presentation titles and agreeing when everybody will deliver their individual talks. The class will be split up into three groups as agreed by you so that there is an ‘audience’ as well as me, but the assessment is individual delivery (minimum 5 minutes). Working on presentations in class time.

25/9 – September Holiday

2/10 – using research tools effectively, firming up presentation titles and agreeing when everybody will deliver their individual talks. The class will be split up into three groups as agreed by you so that there is an ‘audience’ as well as me, but the assessment is individual delivery (minimum 5 minutes).

9/10 – research for presentation. Everybody should send me their PP slides at least two days before delivery.

16/10 – October Holiday

23/10, 30/10 and 6/11 – presentation assessments – the dates and times will be posted on the blog and e mailed to everybody too. These may be done online – we can negotiate this beforehand.

13/11 – reflection on the presentation assessment and a look at writing skills – report writing.

Mark.Hetherington@nclan.ac.uk – Room F17

How to find me

Hello all,

My e mail address is Mark.Hetherington@nclan.ac.uk

E mail is always the most efficient way to find me. 

That said, my office is F17. I am in college every day apart from a Thursday and Friday, when I will be working from home, in Edinburgh.