Some extra links on the blog

Hello all,


If you look at the section of the blog called 'Useful Weblinks', I think you will find something there which will be of help to you, should you be worried about writing, spelling etc.


These are trusted links that I have used in the past and they are there to help you.


If there is anything else you would like in that section, do let me know, I'm quite resourceful!


Mark

Oxford student 'too bright' for prison is spared jail for stabbing boyfriend

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/25/oxford-student-judge-suggested-bright-prison-spared-jail-stabbing/


I await your comments on this quite extraordinary story from the news this week.


All the best,


Mark

Happy Holidays when they arrive!

I wish you all a lovely September break when it comes next week and will see the respective students in their groups for the assessments on 2nd and 9th October for the discussion assessments. I will mainly be playing golf, wearing a selection of interesting trousers along the way!

This is how Facebook's shut-down AI robots developed their own language – and why it's more common than you think

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/facebook-shuts-down-robots-ai-artificial-intelligence-develop-own-language-common-a7871341.html


Above you will see a link to the article that one of my students in my Nursing class mentioned to me on Friday. It is certainly worth a look and might stimulate some discussion in the comments section!


Mark

What's it like to start reading at 60?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41204118


This is an interesting wee story worth having a look at.


Mark

Feedback on the first few classes

To get you into the habit of using the blog, please write in the comments part below what you thought about the first few Communication classes with me. You can do it anonymously or you can put your name against your comment, either is fine with me!

Sharing is caring after all...


 Thank you.

Groups for Discussions - agreed topics

Hello all,


Here are the groups for the discussion assessment.




2nd October at 11:15 - Jenny, Dean, Emma B, Emma HP, Lisa W, Megan - The Illuminati


2nd October at 12:00 - Ana, Chris, Shalha, Gemma, Lisa K, Rachel B - Alcohol Abuse


9th October at 11:15 - Cameron, Morgyn, Kirsty, Raechael, Shannon, Michelle - Should the monarchy be abolished in the UK?


9th October at 12:00 - Steven, Andrew, Laura, Ashleigh, Lynne, Samantha - Euthanasia


Many thanks,


Mark

Randy Pausch

Hi all,


Thank you for your comments on Randy Pausch's Last Lecture that we watched in class today.


Here is the shortened version we watched today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1CEhH5gnvg


Here is the full version should you want to watch the original delivery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo


The version Oprah Winfrey talks about has now been viewed over 18 million times. Quite a legacy. It is worth dipping in and out of the full talk, where Pausch fleshes out a lot of the points made in the diminished version we viewed. And observe the emotion at the end, fully deserved adoration for a great man.


As always, any comments you wish to share can be noted below, please keep them coming!

Are Americanisms killing the English language?

Here is an article from the BBC website which you may wish to comment on.


So, do you think that 'Americanisms' are killing the English language?


Here is the link: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20170904-how-americanisms-are-killing-the-english-language


Here are a few that infuriate me. Sorry if you use them - gotten, a half-hour, train station, oftentimes, period (instead of full stop).


Maybe I am just getting old, but I'm certainly not grumpy!


Mark

Moral Dilemmas Reflections

I thoroughly enjoyed the Moral Dilemmas session and it was a great exercise to get you thinking about the situation allocated to your group, forming a personal opinion, listening to the comments of your peers and articulating your thoughts individually and as a group.


I was impressed at the level of focus from the five groups today and you all performed very well indeed.

So what about the issue I have noted below? What are your thoughts? Pop your comments down in the comments box - your feedback counts!

Utah nurse arrested for refusing to hand over blood

The footage shows Alex Wubbels being arrested in Utah in July, after refusing to hand over a vial of a patient's blood to the police.
Salt Lake City's mayor, Jackie Biskupski, said the footage was "unacceptable".
In a statement, she said she extended Miss Wubbels "a personal apology for what she has been through, for simply doing her job".


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-41131664/utah-nurse-arrested-for-refusing-to-hand-over-blood