My choice of TED talk - "Every kid needs a champion"

This is of the late, great, Rita Pierson. No visuals, just delivered from the heart, using personal experience as her greatest asset. 

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

What do you think? 

Mark

Jan was quick off the mark - top of the class Jan!

Thank you Jan for this TED talk, which is entitled "The power of vulnerability" - a great choice of presentation to watch and listen to, lots of layers to this presentation. 

Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.

I have noted down a few points below, to tie the theme of Ms. Brown's talk and how you may be feeling at the moment. We really ARE all in this together!

 

Thank you for your contribution and some feedback please

Hello all,

I thoroughly enjoyed the first session today, a really rewarding experience I thought.

The information I discussed (what the unit is and the weekly plans until 2nd November) are on the Moodle for you, at the bottom of the page!

I have a good feeling about the group and as I said in the session, working together and supporting each other is so important.

Don't be freaked out about the 8 assessments either, we have plenty time. 

See you all next week at 2 and I will post a nice TED talk tomorrow for you to look at in your own time, should you so wish.

Please note down any comments about the first session, any thoughts about the unit, questions etc., it's all good communication for sure, good, bad or indifferent!

All the best,

Mark

PS - I think if you want to comment you need to do so on the laptop / PC. I tried on my mobile and wasn't able to.

How to contact me

My e mail address is Mark.Hetherington@nclan.ac.uk and this will be the best way to contact me.

I guess this year is going to be different for sure, but let's see what we can achieve together.

I will post the 8 assessments PP either on here or on your Moodle page (if I can get access to it) - update, this is now there (24/8/21).

The blog will be used to add some interesting news articles, discuss what we have been doing and really to reflect. That is the plan at least...

Welcome to Communication (NC) with Mark

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 quite a few assessments, 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 and giving an overview to the programme of study. You are all in safe hands though as I have taught this Unit for many years and 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 (online) class activities. Early June isn't THAT far away really is it? Come and say hello below and let me know how your first week has been so far. The blog is for all of us. Mark