LEAPS Summer School Notice Board

What to do when you get your results!

2010-07-29T14:44:00.005+01:00

1. SQA RESULTS – 4/5 AUGUST 2010
SQA results are due out on Wed 4 and Thurs 5 August. Hopefully, you will have met the conditions of your first choice university. If not, DO NOT PANIC! Once you contact us we can send your report to your 1st choice university and 2nd choice university, if required.

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ON RESULTS DAY !
It is ESSENTIAL that you contact the LEAPS office on results day asap – 4 or 5 August. We only send Summer School reports to University Admissions Officers if they are required and we will NOT send them until you contact us and instruct us to do so.

There will be a huge number of students contacting us so please follow these guidelines;

a) Please PHONE US as soon as possible on the numbers below if you HAVE NOT MADE
your conditions & require us to send your report to your 1st/2nd choice universities.

b) Please EMAIL US as soon as possible if you HAVE MADE your conditions and
confirm what university you are going to and what course you’ll be studying.

3) LEAPS CONTACT DETAILS

Email: LEAPS@ed.ac.uk

Telephone: 0131 651 1341 OR 0131 650 4677 OR 0131 650 4692

Please DO NOT phone in on the main office no – only use the above numbers on 4/5 Aug.

4. Try and BE PATIENT if your Summer School report is sent to Admissions Officers for consideration. It is a very busy time for universities and they may take a few days to make a decision. Resist the temptation to contact universities yourself. Call LEAPS instead! In most cases Alison/Claire will be happy to call the universities on your behalf.

CHECK YOUR UCAS TRACKER REGULARLY - The university will inform you about whether you have a place by changing the status on your UCAS online tracker.

5. AND FINALLY………………

We are here to advise and support you in the weeks between now and when you start your course. However, as this is a very busy time for the LEAPS team please phone to make an appointment, if you need one, to ensure someone will be available to see you.

On behalf of the LEAPS team I wish you all the best for your exam results. We will have our fingers crossed for you!

Claire

LEAPS Summer School Graduation Photos

2010-07-29T10:52:00.014+01:00

The photos are in from the photographer. If you see any photo that you would like to keep, all you have to do is the following:

- right click on the photo
- save picture as
- choose an appropriate place to save the photo onto your computer
- You can then have them printed at your local supermarket or photography shop.

If there are any photographs that you would like but they are not in full below, please email Jason at LEAPS: jason.bain@ed.ac.uk.

Thanks
LEAPS team

click on image to enlarge

Staff vs. Student Football - The Result

2010-07-29T10:38:00.003+01:00

LEAPS Challenge Cup: The Contenders

2010-07-21T07:16:00.002+01:00

As of midnight last night, 6 teams had faxed in team lists to the Football Association offices ahead of this afternoon's Challenge Cup.

1. Denningston Academicals (Staff)

2. CS Estudiantes

3. Mariam Javed and co

4. Ellen Mason and co

5. Rebecca Middlemass and co

6. Luke Sneddon and co

The people on the sports desk at the Denningston Courier are currently working on player profiles and witty team names which will appear here in the course of the day.

James

What happens this Wednesday?

2010-07-19T20:50:00.008+01:00

(click on image to enlarge)

This Wednesday, the final occasion that we will all gather together in class (note the you see the tear-stained text on this post) we'll be rounding off the Learning Skills course (morning) before looking to what will happen in the coming weeks (afternoon).

It's worth drawing attention to a number of sessions:

Student Panel: this will be a light-hearted session led by members of the Personal Tutor team where you'll have the opportunity to put questions about student life to our panel of experts. In case you don't feel like asking questions from the floor you'll be able to anonymously post your query in our question box which will be in the lecture theatre from the start of the day (although if you're planning to submit a smart or ironic question, please try and be humorous with it - asking whether a particular Personal Tutor is courting at the current time is about as original as it is funny). This is always a good session in helping you get an idea of the practical realities of starting university so don't miss it.

Sessions for students planning to study at Heriot-Watt, Napier or Stirling Universities: Another vital session if you're aiming for any of these seats of learning. Will include what to expect on your first days, student support and so on. These sessions will be delivered from some of our friends from these universities. Please note that the Stirling session will be at the end of the day, the Napier and Heriot-Watt sessions just after lunch.

Student photo: As Alison mentioned last week, it's a Summer School tradition that we take a photograph to capture our whole group before you embark on your different academic journeys. You'll be able to purchase a copy of the photograph after the end of Summer School as a lasting memento of all the cool people you've met these past weeks. You could even whack the image on a commemorative plate or at the bottom of an ashtray as you please. All good stuff.

So then, until Wednesday.

James

Forza Estudiantes! A new team enters the LEAPS Challenge Cup

2010-07-19T10:58:00.005+01:00

Recent Visitors to the Leapstown Football Academy on Buccleuch Place will have noticed that the line up for the first of our student teams has been pinned to the slightly grafitti-tainted notice board. The team - Club Sportiva Estudiantes - take their name from the famous football team from Argentina and are hoping to play what team captain Greg Stockwell describes as, "attractive, educated football".

On paper this looks to be a nicely balanced side with a mixture of hard graft and flair. The team are expected to look to the Latin trickery of Roberto di Kenmure up front and the agility of Chris 'The Cat' Catto in goal.

If you think you can teach CS Estudiantes a football lesson, simply find 7 other players* and e-mail the names to me at james.lamb@ed.ac.uk. We're looking for an even number of bloke and lady players on each team.

James

*footballing talent optional

Learning Skills: blogs we can't see

2010-07-19T08:04:00.007+01:00

'She's making a list,

She's checking it twice,

She's wants to find out whose blog's looking nice...'

OK, last chance for those of you who have yet to invite LEAPS Marker to view your Personal Blog, to do so. If you're on Lindsay's list below then she still CANNOT access your work:

Conner Stewart (PT Chantelle)

Bruce Halloran (PT Jennifer)

Laura Bunting (PT Keir)

Danielle Johnstone (PT Stefanie)

Zaira Yasman (PT Stefanie)

Connor Oldroyd (PT Vanda)

Michael Symonds (PT Vanda)

Jack Cree (PT Zubair)

Alaisdair Dippie (PT Zubair)

If in doubt, contact Lindsay (not me!) at lindsay.kelly@ed.ac.uk. I promise, this is the last thing I have to say on the matter!

James

Graduation Tickets

2010-07-15T15:41:00.002+01:00

Dear all
Tommorow (16th) is the deadline to let me know your graduation intentions! We've just been on a site visit to the venue and its all looking pretty exciting so if you want to go, please email me by the end of busines (5pm) tommorow with the following details:
your name
how many guests you would need (within reason!)

My email address is alison.train@ed.ac.uk

We will allocate tickets on Monday and give them out on Wednesday so if you are late to request you might miss the boat! Graduation is on the 23rd July at 7pm (6.30pm arrival) till 10pm and will include the awards ceremony that you were all voting for on Wednesday with fabulous prizes! Its a nice way to end Summer School before we get into the nitty gritty or results time!

Let me know by the end of tommorow!
Thanks
Alison

Learning Skills: can we access your blog?

2010-07-15T14:20:00.002+01:00

A number of you have been in touch to seek reassurance that the marking team can access your Personal Blog.

Here then this is a list (correct as of 10am this morning, Thursday 15 July) outlining all the blogs that the team are able to access (listed alpabetically by surname):

Hooray, the staff can see your blog!

If you are one of the few people NOT listed on this document (and are not otherwise in discussion with Lindsay Kelly) it is VITAL that you make contact with Lindsay immediately at lindsay.kelly@ed.ac.uk (you'll notice that this is the address for Lindsay, not for me). Lindsay will be ironing out any blog access issues tomorrow morning (Friday 16 July) therefore if you haven't been in contact by then you'll receive zero for this assignment.

Over to you then.

James

Learning Skills: Peer Assessment

2010-07-15T14:07:00.004+01:00

The following students need to contact me at the earliest opportunity to complete the Peer Assessment Exercise:

Connor Oldroyd
Jack Cree
Alasdair Dippie
Connor Robb

James

james.lamb@ed.ac.uk

Learning Skills Personal Blogs

2010-07-13T15:25:00.004+01:00

As promised, a list of students from whom Lindsay Kelly hasn't had an invitation to view their Personal Blog:

Ian Anderson
Louise Arnott
Laura Bunting
Fiona Choi
Jack Cree
Alaisdair Dippie
Ryan Fairbairn
Danielle Freeland
Affroza Haider
Bruce Halloran
Danielle Johnstone
Connor Oldroyd
Jordan Paterson
Cameron Paul
Suzanne Priestley
Amy Quinn
Marie Sambou
Stuart Smith
Shaunie Stevenson
Conner Stewart
Michael Symonds

If you are on this list we aren't necessarily assuming that you haven't created a blog - simply that we can't see your work. Either way, the result is the same - a score of zero unless you remedy the situation by the deadline.

I appreciate that you may have sent Lindsay an invite in the last 24 hours or that you may currently be in discussion with Lindsay - if so, then ignore the above message.

However if you are on the list, have set up a blog some time ago and are not currently in discussion with Lindsay then it's important that you make sure she can access your work. Marking of the Personal Blogs is going to commence at 09.30 this Thursday therefore if Lindsay cannot access your blog by this stage you will score zero for this assignment.

If you have any queries, e-mail lindsay.kelly@ed.ac.uk (not me, as I can't do anything about it!)

James

What happens this Wednesday?

2010-07-13T07:02:00.004+01:00

Wednesday 14 July

09.00-09.15 Registration and Notices

09.15-09.20 Student Stories (postponed from last week)

09.20-09.30 Guidance on submission of project reports

10.00-11.00 Drop in project work clinic with James and Denny (optional)

12.00-12.15 Recipe for Success with Stef

14.00-15.00 Drop in project work clinic with James and Denny (optional)

15.30 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROJECT REPORTS TO YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR

15.30-15.45 Completion of Peer Assessment Exercise (in your tutorial room)

15.45-16.00 Notices

16.00-16.15 Mentoring session for prospective Edinburgh and QMU students

(all sessions take place in WRB G.08 unless indicated otherwise)

James

Mentoring session for prospective Edinburgh and QMU students

2010-07-13T06:46:00.002+01:00

This Wednesday afternoon there were will be an invaluable session for students who are planning to study at either Edinburgh University or Queen Margaret University.

Neil Speirs (Edinburgh) and Jenni Murray (QM) will be visiting William Robertson Building at 4pm to provide information about student mentoring programmes and what to expect when you enrol at these universities in September.

Mentoring programmes are seen (and proven) to be a vital way of enabling new students to progress through the difficult early stages of university life and beyond. In its simplest form, mentoring involves being paired up with another undergraduate in later years of study who is doing well in their studies and is trained to offer guidance and support. A number of our Personal Tutors are mentors at their respective universities.

The commitment involved in being a mentor means that places are normally very restricted, however as a student on the LEAPS Summer School you can put your name down early by attending this session on Wednesday. All you need to do is stay around for approximately 15 minutes at the end of the day on Wednesday - from WRB, Neil and Jenni will lead you to adjacent venues. It's worth pointing out that, as well as providing you with the opportunity to find out about mentoring, you'll be able to put questions to our visitors - perhaps there's something you want to find out about matriculation or registration at your chosen uni?

So, a really useful session and a great opportunity that isn't on offer to all (i.e. non-Summer School) students. I've invited reps from Heriot-Watt and Napier to deliver an equivalent or similar session on the afternoon of Wednesday 21 July (week 7).

James

Message for Personal Tutor footballers

2010-07-12T13:27:00.005+01:00

This post is for members of the Staff/Personal Tutor football team.

Following on from our training session and team get-together yesterday, I thought it would be useful to give you a copy of the strategy board we agreed on - basically, I took a photo of what we came up with (before my nephew took his Subbuteo pitch back).

Jason - you're going to be keeping things tight at the back as you know. This will give Lauren and Alice the freedom to overlap down the flanks.

Zubair and Jenn - you'll be playing box-to-box - covering our wingbacks when they go forward and then pushing up into the channels when you get a chance.

Keir is going to play the Iniesta role - picking up balls from midfield and feeding Stefforlan to put the thing in the onion sack.

As the oldest player in the tournament I'll be playing a 'sitting role' in the centre of the park. As the tactics board shows, I'll be doing lots of shouting and pointing but precious little running.

A final note - with just over a week until the tournament please remember that you're on a strict fish and pasta diet. Lots of carbs, fruit and water but no late nights. I don't want to pick up the Metro and see you leaving a night club in the company of a model or pop singer etc.

James

Peer Assessment

2010-07-10T10:41:00.002+01:00

When you participate in assessed team work at university, peer assessment is often the device that's used to distribute marks between the different group members.

As you'll be participating in peer assessment this Wednesday afternoon (following the completion of your Learning Skills project) I thought it would be useful to give you an idea of how the process works in practice.

To this end, I've put together a short, basic, animated film. You'll find the film alongside the peer assessment form within the Study and assessment section of the course website.

As ever, get in touch via e-mail or the course discussion board if you have questions.

James

Referencing support

2010-07-09T10:42:00.005+01:00

It's likely that you'll have a number of different Summer School assignment deadlines looming therefore I thought it would be useful to draw attention to some supplementary referencing information I've added to the Learning Skills course website.

Firstly, I've uploaded the film of the 'human reference' that we built in class on Wednesday. If nothing else, it shows that referencing can be simplified by breaking it down into different components.

Secondly, I've included a link to an online reference builder. Now, I'm not saying that this will be the answer to all your referencing problems (not least as different Summer School courses may look for an approach other than Harvard) however I wanted to make the point that there's a wealth of online referencing help out there.

Thirdly, I've added a supplementary referencing exercise to the site so that anyone who would like another go at exercises similar to those from Wednesday's tutorial, can do so.

You'll find all these resources on the Presenting Evidence section of the learningskillsplus.com site.

And of course, if you have any questions, leave a message for me on the discussion board.

James

Learning Skills - Project Report mark sheet

2010-07-08T15:22:00.002+01:00

Following yesterday's Learning Skills classes, I've made a couple of tiny alterations to the Project Report mark sheet. This is really just offer a bit more clarity, for instance I've added more detail to the word count criteria to acknowledge that the 2500 words doesn't include your reference list.

Therefore please ignore the previous version and refer instead to this updated sheet.

Project Report mark sheet

As I suggested yesterday, once your report is nearing completion I think it's worth using the mark sheet as a check list to see whether you've covered the key areas.

As ever, if you have any questions put them on the course discussion board.

James

LEAPS film - do you want to take part?

2010-07-07T14:39:00.001+01:00

LEAPS are helping to make a film about widening access to Higher Education.

I am looking for volunteers to talk about their experiences of LEAPS so far. You will be given prompts throughout, so don’t worry.

Questions will be about:
- Your thoughts/feelings on progressing onto Higher Education.
- How have LEAPS helped you?

The interview will take about 5 minutes and be on the day of graduation.

If you are interested in taking part, simply email jason.bain@ed.ac.uk

LEAPS Summer School Challenge Cup

2010-07-06T11:22:00.004+01:00

The FIFA World Cup may be edging towards its conclusion this weekend, however the football-related excitement will continue with the LEAPS Challenge Cup on Wednesday 21 July (week 7). Put simply, our tournament will be just like with World Cup but won't be tainted by commercialism and will be mercifully free of terrace tourists wearing clown wigs who are more concerned about being seen on the big screens than watching the team the purport to follow.

Anyway, getting off my soap box for a moment, here's some basic information about the tournament:

Where and when: The tournament will take place in the Meadows Arena at approximately 4.30pm on Wednesday 21 July.

Teams: Each team should be made up of 4 males and 4 females. You can draw your team from across different tutorial groups as you desire, although your team should only be drawn from current Summer School students. There will be a combined staff and Personal Tutor team.

Registering your team: Teams should be registered by Tuesday 20 July. Simply e-mail at james.lamb@ed.ac.uk with the names of your players and I'll compile the fixture list.

Duration: Each game will last 20-minutes. The number of games each team plays will be determined by the number of participating teams.

The tournament is really just intended to be a bit of fun and will be played in a good spirit. Don't worry if you're not the best player - I've seen some of the staff team training and, rest assured, you'll be in good company.

Be sure to follow all the exciting build up to the tournament here etc...

James

Student Stories: Studying abroad

2010-07-06T11:12:00.003+01:00

Last Wednesday, members of the Personal Tutor team delivered a short, upbeat presentation celebrating diversity at university. In the second of our 'Student Stories' tomorrow, Rosie and Vanda are going to share their experiences of spending some of their time at university studying at foreign universities.

09.20-09.30

Wednesday 7 July

William Robertson Building Lecture Theatre G.08

Limited Places on Laserquest - Wed 7 July

2010-07-05T14:59:00.004+01:00

There are limited places left on Laserquest for this Wednesday 7th July from 5-6pm.

There are 40 places in total and it's proving popular so to guarantee your place please get £4.50 to me as soon as possible.

You can drop your cash into the LEAPS office from 9-5pm any week day or see Claire at Learning Skills on Wednesday.

Please be aware that final deadline for payment is 12noon on Wed 7th July. You will NOT be able to just show up at Laserquest and get a game. We need you to sign up first as places are tight.

The LEAPS team of staff and Personal Tutors will be hoping to build on previous victories, especially now that we have taught Roy how to old the gun the right way round!

The Laserquest we are going to is at 56 Dalry Road, EH11 2BA. It's just up from the big junction at Haymarket station. Follow a Personal Tutor or look the address up on Google maps for details of how to get there. It's right next to the British Heart Foundation's Furniture and Electrical shop.

Learning Skills Project Presentation marks

2010-07-01T10:52:00.002+01:00

Well done to everyone who got up and spoke during yesterday's presentation assessment.

Next Wednesday (7 July) each team will be given a copy of the mark sheet completed by staff for their presentation. This will include an indication of how your presentation fared against each of the assessment criteria, as well as your final mark (out of 20).

In general, the standard of presentations was good. All teams met the pass mark, most comfortably, some (very) narrowly. The pass mark within the common university marking scale is 40%.

James

LASERQUEST - WEDNESDAY 7 JULY

2010-06-29T23:44:00.010+01:00

LASERQUEST - Wednesday 7 July

Venue: Dalry Road, near Haymarket

Time: After classes

Cost: £5 to Claire at LEAPS HQ

Payment deadline: 12noon, Wed 7th July

Learning Skills - some tutorial room changes

2010-06-29T17:00:00.006+01:00

After three months without cleaning, the tutor's coffee mug had developed its own culture.

A number of our Personal Tutors will be attending university graduation ceremonies tomorrow (Wednesday 30 June) and will therefore not be present for Learning Skills. This means that some project teams will join different groups for the morning tutorial as follows:

Kayleigh's GM project team will join Keir's Group in 22 Buccleuch Place room 2.2
Kayleigh's Social networking team will join Zubair's group in 22 Buccleuch Place room 1.4
Rosie's Advertising team will join Hannah's group in DHT 4.01
Vanda's Smoking team will join Linz's group in DHT 11.01
Rosie's GM team will join Nicola in DHT 8.16
Vanda's CCTV team will join Nicola in DHT 8.16

James

Student Stories: Celebrating diversity at university

2010-06-29T16:10:00.004+01:00

We will begin tomorrow morning's session with the first in our series of Student Stories, the aim of which is to give you an idea of some of the positive experiences as well as the challenges of university life outside the classroom.

In the first session, our Personal Tutors Chantelle, Jay, Keir and Lynz (not pictured below) will discuss their experiences of diversity at university. The team have chosen the title 'Different Strokes' for their presentation, which will take place at 09.15 tomorrow, Wednesday 30 June, in William Robertson Building Lecture Theatre.

Should be good. We haven't done anything like this before at Summer School so I'm looking forward to it.

James

Some pics from Sumo !

2010-06-29T10:19:00.010+01:00

Learning Skills - marking team

2010-06-28T20:47:00.006+01:00

Each of this Wednesday's Learning Skills presentations will be assessed by two members of the staff team as follows:

Dr Mary Ho, The University of Edinburgh

Kendall Richards, Edinburgh Napier University

Marianne Sevachko, University of Glasgow

Dr Majella Sweeney, Queen Margaret University

...and of course, Denny and myself.

Each member of the marking team has a clear understanding of the Learning Skills course, having been involved in this exercise for at least the last five years (and in some cases, much longer). You will find each member of the team firm but fair. The same members of staff will be marking Project Reports in week 6 (two weeks away).

The marking 'pairings' will be agreed on Wednesday morning although as the staff team will meet directly before and after the presentations, rest assured that the standard of marking will be consistent between the different members of the team.

James

Learning Skills Presentation arrangements

2010-06-25T17:22:00.002+01:00

Details of next Wednesday's Learning Skills Presentation arrangements can be found on the course website on the Study and assessment page.

Remember, if you have any questions about the presentation, post a message on the course discussion board.

James

Planet of Sound merchandise

2010-06-24T15:44:00.005+01:00

I've had a few queries about Planet of Sound merchandise so thought it would be useful to post replies here:

You can buy badges (25p each or two for 50p*) and t-shirts (£7) by visiting the Planet of Sound Offi.....LEAPS Office at 7 Buccleuch Place.

We have 31 t-shirts left and, ooh, hundreds of badges.

T-shirts are available in S, M, L and XL.

James

*4 for a pound

Caledonia...ah, Learning Skills today

2010-06-23T18:50:00.003+01:00

Thanks everyone for your enthusiastic input to today's Learning Skills sessions. I hope you found the different activities useful.

You might be interested to know that a further news clip has been added to Planet of Sound news page.

There were a number of good responses to the 'crazy fan invasion' of this morning's public meetings, however I've selected just one example in the news clip as I think that it offers a really good demonstration of a few of the themes we've covered in the last couple of weeks.

Firstly, I was impressed by the way that the interviewee from Gigantic Events took time to think about his responses, as we covered in this morning's lecture. I thought this which made for a very effective defence.

Secondly, look I was impressed by the interviewee's body language. As per this morning's lecture, he uses eye contact with the audience and engaging posture. His overall demeanour gave the impression that he was taking the crazy fan's viewpoint seriously.

Thirdly, the responses given were very calm, measured, rational and unemotional - picking up on a number of themes from this week's session.

Well done to the representative concerned and to everyone for making today a pleasant learning experience (for Denny and I at least!)

James

Sumo & giant games!

2010-06-23T10:09:00.001+01:00

Wed, 4.30+, Pleasance (hopefully outside on the grass!)

You'll find the Pleasance on this map - central area map, building no. 10 (next to the Sports Centre). It's a courtyard with a bar and grassy area.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.20490!fileManager/campus_maps.pdf

See you there!

ps. the bar will likely be showing the England game if you are interested!

Visiting students, Wednesday 23 June

2010-06-22T14:49:00.002+01:00

We will be joined for tomorrow's classes by 27 students attending the LEAPS Campus '10 residential week. Like yourselves, our visiting students aim to start university this September and are preparing for this transition by participating in the Learning Skills course each day this week.

As well as joining us for the lecture, students will be joining the following tutorial groups:

Nicola (who will be in Chrystal MacMillan Seminar Room 1)

Zubair

Rosie

Jennifer

Jamie

I know you'll make our visiting students welcome and, judging by the equivalent session last year, you should enjoy the changing dynamic within your tutorial group.

James

2010-06-22T11:16:00.003+01:00

SAAS Finance Clinics - TUESDAY 22nd - REMINDER!

Got your SAAS application in yet?

We've been lucky to arrange some time from our lovely colleagues at SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) to come in and host Student Finance Clinics during Week 3 of Summer School.

This session is for you if:
a) you've still to complete your SAAS applications
b) you aren't sure how to fill your application in
c) you're not sure what you're entitled to
d) you have some general questions about student funding

SAAS are the experts, so this is a great opportunity to get your application in with their help. It's also worth knowing that if your application is not in on time, you might not get your funding when your course starts - not good! If you want to come along and complete your application, here is what you should bring with you:
- your SAAS reference number if you've applied before
- your National Insurance number & Passport number
- your bank sort code & account number
- your institution & course details
- your household income

The SAAS team will be here at the following times and venue:
Hugh Robson Computing Lab (http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/hugh-robson-building)

Tuesday 22nd June, 12.30 - 15.00

Just drop in when it suits you during these time slots. More general SAAS info can, of course, be found here: http://www.saas.gov.uk/index.htm
Any questions, just ask the LEAPS team!

The exciting world of Holly Green

2010-06-22T08:12:00.002+01:00

How is your Personal Blog coming along? You'll probably have made a few posts by now...even if your experience might not be quite the same as Holly's...

Planet of Sound...

2010-06-22T08:07:00.003+01:00

Interesting developments down Denningston way, as featured on the evening edition of Caledonia Today:

Sonic Pestilence confirmed to play at Planet of Sound Festival

This news will have a major influence on tomorrow's (Wednesday) Learning Skills tutorial so it's definitely worth making yourself familiar with what's happening.

James

Planet of Sound

2010-06-21T07:31:00.005+01:00

Don't forget to check the Planet of Sound festival website over the coming days as I have a feeling that there are going to be some important news updates ahead of Wednesday's Learning Skills session.

The Planet of Sound website

Password: leaps

James

P.S. If you're a keen music fan, feel free to wear your favourite band t-shirt to this Wednesday's classes - it will all add to the festival atmosphere. Or even better, bring £6 along on the day and you could become the proud and fashionable owner of one of our official, limited edition, Planet of Sound t-shirts (pictured).

Chemistry news

2010-06-17T12:50:00.002+01:00

Some exciting news for our Summer School Chemists from Elizabeth Stevenson, Course Coordinator.

And the news is:

Feedback on your lab reports has been sent to your (University of Edinburgh) e-mail account.

James

lost & found: top left at rounders!

2010-06-17T09:39:00.004+01:00

We found a top at rounders yesterday - is it yours?

It's a top I would describe as for 'men' and quite 'retro'. If you did lose a top at rounders, get in touch with the LEAPS office - if you can describe it accurately, it's yours!

Some photos from yesterday evening...

The Planet of Sound

2010-06-17T09:12:00.004+01:00

In yesterday's Learning Skills session we heard about The Planet of Sound, Scotland's newest (and in my opinion, most interesting) musical festival.

I thought it would be useful to post a link to the website. This is the VIP section of the site, with the password: leaps (all in lower case).

This is The Planet of Sound!

Be sure to visit the site at the beginning of next week as, according to rumours on the musical grapevine, some additional bands are going to be added to the line up.

James

Physics & Engineering - room change on 18 June!

2010-06-15T13:38:00.003+01:00

Physics and Engineering Class
Friday 18 June
1.45-4.30pm

Please note that the above class will now take place in the William Perkin Building, room WP1.09 and NOT the James Nasmyth Building as stated on your timetable.

If you are unsure where the building is, arrive a little earlier than normal and ask the staff at the Heriot Watt reception.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Wednesday 23 June - Sumo Wrestling!

2010-06-15T12:56:00.005+01:00

Edinburgh University, Pleasance Courtyard

Wednesday 23 June

4.30-7pm

We will be hosting an afternoon of sumo wrestling and giant games on Wednesday 23rd June. As well as donning a sumo suit and wrestling your Personal Tutor you will able to play a selection of classic board games including ' Giant Connect 4', 'Giant chess' and 'Giant Snakes and Ladders'.

The fun begins right after classes end (not that Learning Skills isn't fun! Sorry James - does that mean I'm fired???) The venue is the Pleasance Courtyard - just a very short walk from the George Square area. If you are not sure where you are going just follow a Personal Tutor!

Entry will only cost you £2 (a bargain!) and it is payable at the entrance to the Pleasance.

As well as Summer School students there will also be a number of students from 'Campus 10', a residential course, organised by LEAPS which is also taking place that week.

This event is a personal favourite of the Personal Tutors and the LEAPS team so we hope to see you all there!

Claire

SAAS Finance Clinics - Week 3

2010-06-14T16:24:00.003+01:00

Got your SAAS application in yet?

We've been lucky to arrange some time from our lovely colleagues at SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) to come in and host 2 Student Finance Clinics during Week 3 of Summer School. This session is for you if:

a) you've still to complete your SAAS applications
b) you aren't sure how to fill your application in
c) you're not sure what you're entitled to
d) you have some general questions about student funding

SAAS are the experts, so this is a great opportunity to get your application in with their help. It's also worth knowing that if your application is not in on time, you might not get your funding when your course starts - not good!

If you want to come along and complete your application, here is what you should bring with you:

- your SAAS reference number if you've applied before
- your National Insurance number & Passport number
- your bank sort code & account number
- your institution & course details
- your household income

The SAAS team will be here at the following times and venue:

Hugh Robson Computing Lab (http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/hugh-robson-building)

Monday 21st June, 11.00 - 14.00
Tuesday 22nd June, 12.30 - 15.00

Just drop in when it suits you during these time slots.

More general SAAS info can, of course, be found here: http://www.saas.gov.uk/index.htm

Any questions, just ask the LEAPS team!

Venues for Learning Skills on Wednesday

2010-06-14T14:49:00.011+01:00

Just a gentle reminder that for this Wednesday's Learning Skills lecture, we'll be moving to the delightful surroundings of the William Robertson Building Lecture Theatre Room G.08.

The lecture theatre is directly above the canteen therefore students at the front of the lecture theatre can look forward to the pleasant aroma of bacon sandwiches at the start of the day and then lasagne as we approach lunch. Which reminds me that we'll be using a different lay out this week, as follows (click on image to enlarge).

Remember, the fun* begins at 09.00 with Registration and notices.

See you in class,

James

*It certainly beats a long lie-in, doesn't it? Well, doesn't it? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

Holly's blog

2010-06-14T14:45:00.004+01:00

What has Holly been up to?

Recipe for Success 1: Pre-exam pancakes

2010-06-10T12:59:00.004+01:00

Each Wednesday during Summer School, Personal Tutors will be taking us through the 'signature dishes' that get them through their studies.

In the first of series of Recipes for Success yesterday, Kayleigh made a convincing case for the pancake as the perfect pre-exam snack.

When I set Kayleigh (and expert camera person, Jay) their task, I warned them that they only had 5 minutes for this week's Recipe for Success slot and that they'd be "cooking against the clock". The girls threw themselves into the challenge...and even decided to film the creation of culinary magic as it happened.

You can watch the entertaining results within a film I've posted on The Other Side page on the learningskillplus.com website. It's well worth watching...but did they manage to beat the clock?

James

Setting up your Personal Blog

2010-06-10T11:08:00.004+01:00

In yesterday's Personal Management session, Lindsay Kelly took you through how to set up your Personal Blog (worth 20% of your final Learning Skills mark).

You can now view a film (including an instructions soundtrack) taking you through each step of the process. The film can be viewed at the bottom of the Personal Management page on the learningskillsplus website.

Holly will be making her first post in the next couple of days - you can't access her blog just at the moment as she has the viewing options set up so that only the leaps marker can see it - that's how yours will look incidentally.

If you have any blog questions e-mail lindsay.kelly@ed.ac.uk.

James

Social Programme

2010-06-07T08:13:00.004+01:00

Thanks to everyone who came along to Ten Pin bowling last Friday and for throwing yourself into the activity - there was a really nice atmosphere and it was good to get the chance to meet you (and be entertained by your 'creative' bowling technique).

Top bowler on the day was Sarah Melrose from Lynsey's Personal Tutor group with the very impressive score of 131!!! Also worth a mention were Jennifer Anderson (128) from Hannah's group, Marcella Cooney (106), also from Lynsey's group (Lynsey has taught them all they know!) and Kelsie Russell from Keir's group (105).

I hope that all the people that I gave directions to (to Haymarket, Princes Street, Broxburn...the nearest bus stop) managed to find your way home. Well done everyone to remember to change shoes before heading home.

If you enjoyed Friday you might want to get involved in some of the other forthcoming social events, most of which take place after classes on Wednesdays (approx 4.45pm).

Wednesday 9 June, Rounders (or softball for those who like to be matcho), The Meadows, Free or charge.

Wednesday 23 June, 'Sumo Wrestling' and Giant Games, The Pleasance, likely cost of £2

Wednesday 7 July, Laser Quest, Dalry Road, likely cost of £5

Wednesday 14 July, Summer School World Cup (mixed football tournament), The Meadows, Free of charge

Attendance at the above events is optional, however we expect that everyone will want to attend the following event at the end of Summer School:

Friday 23 July, Summer School Graduation and Awards, Edinburgh Napier University, Free of charge - this is an evening event

Further social events may be announced - in fact, if you have an idea for a social event why not suggest it to your Personal Tutor.

Summer School Induction

2010-06-01T11:16:00.006+01:00

Summer School Induction will take place between 9am and 5pm on Friday 4 June.

Induction will commence with registration between 09.00 and 09.30 in David Hume Tower Lecture Theatre C (Edinburgh University's Central Campus) and will end at Megabowl in Fountainpark. Feel free to arrive for Induction, however door won't open until 09.00.

It's worth locating David Hume Tower (DHT) Lecture Theatres on this interactive map before you set off for your first day.

DHT is a short walk (approximately 2 minutes) from Buccleuch Place where you had your Summer School Interview last month.

We'll have staff posted to look out for you, however if you can't find us or the venue, visit the LEAPS Office at 7 Buccleuch Place. It's likely that our phoneline will be busy on Friday morning therefore don't assume you'll be able to just arrive in Edinburgh and phone for directions!

Meanwhile, here's where we'll end the day. The cost of bowling will be covered by LEAPS.

Although this isn't a typical day of study, you should bring study materials as you will need to take a written note of important information before classes begin next week.

Look forward to seeing you this Friday - do get in touch before hand if you have any questions.

The LEAPS Team

Useful pointers for your first Summer School classes

2010-05-26T14:28:00.002+01:00

Next week your course lecturers will look forward to meeting you for the first time and will welcome you into their classrooms. It's fair to say that they're a friendly bunch and want to help you enjoy a really positive Summer School experience. However, it's really important that you 'start off on the right foot' in the first weeks. These guidelines should set you on the right path:

Make sure you know exactly where you're going - including the room number - the night before your first classes.
Plan how you're going to get to your first classes, for instance which bus stop you need to get off at, so you don't end up arriving late.
When your lecturer introduces him or herself, make a note of how they like to be addressed i.e. do they introduce themselves as Dr Smith or just by a first name.
Be ready to take notes from the start of the class...and take notes unless instructed otherwise.
Take a written note of any venues, assessment dates or practical information you're provided with and put these into a diary. If you don't have a diary, buy one as you're going to need it over the Summer to help manage your time!

Finally, if you have any concerns or worries before your first classes that you think we can help with, please don't hesitate to contact the LEAPS Office at the earliest opportunity.

James