Planet of Sound badges

Thanks to everyone who bought badges from the merchandise stand at Wednesday's Planet of Sound festival.

We raised £18 which will go to Casa Alianza, a charity that does fantastic work with street children in South America.

If you missed the chance to buy a badge you can still do so by visiting the LEAPS Office. The badges come in four different designs ('Dancing Sunflower', 'Planet of Sound', 'Groovy Little People' and 'The Sun has got his beanie hat on') and cost 25pence each (or four for a pound - bargain!) The badges make a good gift for a loved one (or a perfect gift for someone with cheap tastes).

Thank you to Mhairi and Imma (Personal Tutors) for staffing our merchie stand on Wednesday.

James

Learning Skills Project Report: Stylesheet and submission arrangements

The stylesheet for the Learning Skills Project Report, including submission arrangements, can be downloaded from the learningskillplus website here.

There shouldn't be anything too complicated in the stylesheet although do get in touch if you have any questions. As you'll have seen from Section 4 of the Project Report Mark Sheet it's worth paying attention to the suggested format for your submission as it will gain you some 'easy' marks.

James

Mixed Football Tournament, Wednesday 22 July

"All that I know most surely about morality and obligations, I owe to football"

Albert Camus

Date: Wednesday 22 July

Venue: The Meadows

Time: Kick off at 4.45pm approx.

Teams: Six-a-side. You can have a larger squad but you must have 3 boys and 3 girls on the pitch at all times.

Matches: 7 minutes each way.

Registering your team: E-mail with the names of players

James

Learning Skills: Presentation running order for week 7

As promised earlier this afternoon, information about venues and the running order for next week's presentations as follows:

All students will assemble in William Robertson Building G.08 at 09.15 for Notices as per normal. Two thirds of teams will then make their way to Appleton Tower, with the first presentation beginning soon after 09.30.

The running order can be viewed on the learningskillsplus website here. If you don't recognise your project team on the list please e-mail me.

When not presenting, you will form the audience for the other presentations in your lecture theatre. Students are encouraged to ask (relevant) questions at the end of each presentation.

Out of courtesy I am happy to provide you with the names of staff who will be joining Denny and I to assess your presentations and reports: Craig Jamieson (University of Edinburgh), Mary Ho (University of Edinburgh), Marianne Sevachko (University of Glagow) and Majella Sweeney (Queen Margaret University). Each member of the team has a long-standing relationship with LEAPS, in fact Majella, Mary and Marianne were all Personal Tutors as undergraduates before moving onto Phd and university teaching.

As ever, if you have any questions in the run up to your presentation please don't hesitate to e-mail me - I really do want to help.

James

Learning Skills: Project Report stylesheet

A stylesheet for your project report (including expected layout, content of cover page etc.) will be posted here tomorrow, Thursday.

James

Learning Skills: Personal Blogs

Making your Personal Blog available to view by the marker

We have now reached the 'submission deadline' for the Personal Blog assessment. Although you are encouraged to continue working with your blog, you will only be assessed on your work up to and including today, Wednesday 15 July.

In order for your blog to be marked you MUST carry out the following actions today or tomorrow:

ACTION A. Invite the following e-mail address to be able to read your blog: leapsmarker@googlemail.com.

Without this, the marking team won't be able to view your blog in order to mark it. If you're unsure how to do this, look at the following slides. If you think you've got the hang of it scroll down to ACTION B below.

STEP 1: Once logged into your blog click on Customise from the top right menu

STEP 2: Choose Settings from the menu bar

STEP 3: Choose Permissions from the menu bar
STEP 4: Add 'leapsmarker@googlemail.com' to the Invite some people... box

ACTION B. Make sure that your full name is listed in the banner (so the markers know who to give credit to!). In case you don't know how to do this:

STEP 1: Once logged into your blog click on Customise from the top right menue

STEP 2: Click where you second the second Edit option (a little below the NAVBAR)

STEP 3: In the Blog description box, type your full name like so...

If you experience problems carrying out either of these tasks it's essential that you e-mail me at the earliest opportunity i.e. as soon as you realise there's a problem.

James

Learning Skills: Project clinic

News of a drop in 'clinic' ahead of tomorrow afternoon's Learning Skills session, as follows:

Rather than visiting individual projects teams as in previous weeks, Denny and I have decided to make ourselves available tomorrow afternoon to receive visits from any individuals or teams with questions about the Learning Skills Project.

From 2.30 until 4pm Denny and I will be in William Robertson Building lecture theatre. If you have questions or concerns about the project report or presentation you can drop in without appointment.

James

Announcement for Psychology Students

Dear Psychology Students
Just a quick reminder that you're going to the zoo on Thursday! You're to meet at the entrance hall to the zoo at 9.30am and bring student ID cards + wear sensible clothes and be prepared for all weathers.
Have fun!
Alison

Learning Skills: Personal Blog message from Morag

This message from Morag Williamson regarding your Personal Blog (with the Wednesday deadline looming). The same information has been e-mailed to you - I've included it here just in case you've missed the e-mail.

Dear LEAPS Student,

Week 6 already! It’s not long till the end of Summer School, and you’re probably juggling assessments and feeling under pressure....

Hopefully you’re still managing to make time for your personal blog. Your blog will be assessed by tutors from this Wednesday onwards, and we encourage you to continue with it over the final couple of weeks; now that you’re well into the reflective habit, perhaps you’ll carry on with this kind of blogging when you’re at university.

Here are some suggestions to think about when making your blog entries this week and next: at this stage you might take a step back and consider how you see yourself and your plans now, compared to six weeks ago. Taking the longer view: have your long-term goals - eg subjects you’re going to study, your commitment/ motivation, your career plans – been influenced by SS experiences? How might your SS experiences help you prepare for university?

Remember to check the marksheet for the blog to ensure you’re meeting the assessment criteria, and so maximise your marks – you should check criteria for EVERY assessment!

You’ll get marks and feedback on your blog on the last Wednesday of Summer School; at that point no doubt you’ll be looking forward to some well-earned relaxation, at last!

Best wishes,

Morag

Announcing the Graduation and Poll Winners Party, Friday 31 July

As we already fine ourselves in week 6 of Summer School (how did that happen!) we thought we it would be a good idea to tell you a bit more about what happens on the last day of Summer School - namely the Graduation and Poll Winners Party.

Firstly, here's a quick word from Alison about...

Graduation

'Graduation day starts for students at 1pm. You need to be at Napier's Craiglockhart Campus for then so we can have a run through and get you all seated and teach you the LEAPS song! (!) If you are coming with your guests, there is a lounge area and a Starbucks that they can wait in till its time for them to go in! Please DO NOT BE LATE or I will be very cross and the whole schedule of the day will be held up! If you aren't sure how to get to Craiglockhart err on the side of caution and leave early. If you don't want me to go grey with stress this would be most appreciated!!!!

Once we've rehearsed etc we can let the guests in, probably between 1.30pm and 1.45pm and the ceremony itself kicks off at 2pm! It will last about an hour! After that we'll all head straight outside to have our photos taken - you'll have to ignore your parents for a wee while longer - and then we all head back into Craiglockharts foyer area for some food and refreshments! Everyone will be allocated 1 guest ticket initially! If you require another (no one can get more than 2) we will sort out a way for extra tickets to be allocated nearer the time - we will announce this at notices!

You can wear whatever you like to graduate in! People tend to be smart ish but its not compulsory! If lads want to wear kilts please do - Keir the PT will be wearing his so you won't be alone and girls like boys in kilts so it's a win win situation!!! The reception will end no later than 5pm (more likely about 4.30pm) and you are free to go and get ready for the Poll Winners Party in the evening!!!' Claire will tell you a bit more about that..........

Poll Winners' Party

After you pack your parents off back home you have the option to come to the popular Poll Winners' Party which will be held in Edinburgh's Hilton Grosvenor Hilton Hotel near Haymarket station from 7pm - 12midnight.

The Poll Winner's Party is open to all Summer School students, Personal Tutors and LEAPS staff. We have been able to negotiate a very good deal with the hotel and LEAPS is also heavily subsidising your ticket so the cost is a bargain basement £15 and for that you will get;

- Tasty 3 Course Meal (details on menu to follow)

- Brilliant disco starring ex-Summer School student, DJ Jamie Short

- The Poll Winners Party Awards - unofficial awards voted on by all Summer School students!

- A chance to dress up (optional) & have a great night with SS students, PT's and LEAPS staff!

The deadline for getting your money to me is FRIDAY 24TH JULY at 5PM!! I am going to have to be super strict with that deadline as the hotel wants final payment by then so if you want to go get your cash to me asap! The shop is open for business every Wednesday at LS but you can also pop over to the LEAPS Office any day from 9-5pm.

It's going to be beautiful! We personally can't wait!

Claire and Alison

Edinburgh's Napier University, Craiglochhart Campus, Colinton Road, EH14 1DJ

Hilton Edinburgh Grosvernor, Grosvenor St, Edinburgh, EH12 5EF

Hilton Edinburgh Grosvernor, Grosvenor St, Edinburgh, EH12 5EF

LEAPS Quiz

Hello lovely summer schoolers,

Just a quick reminder that the LEAPS Quiz is happening this Wed. The PTs have spent many grueling hours organising this event and it would be great if you could all come and make it a success. The quiz will have a number of rounds (can't remember how many), including the usual Film, TV, Music etc and a couple of our own special rounds (e.g. sports charades). Heres the info:

Date: Wed 15th
Time: 4.30pm
Place: Royal Medical Society (this is just above Potterow, but as always the PTs/LEAPS staff will be heading there after the summary session so just follow us)
Price: FREE! (although any donations are more than welcome, and should be given directly to me)
Teams: Each team must have between 2 - 6 people

In addition, the PTs have pooled together our own hard-earned cash to buy prizes, which will be given for the Winners, Losers and Best Team Name. We haven't bought them yet, but I'm pretty sure they will be amazing, and definitely worth coming to the quiz for (except the Losers prize - so don't aim for that one)! We will also be providing refreshments, so if you're not already convinced by the quiz or the chance to win some amazing prizes, then at least come for the free food!

Hope to see you all there,
Imma

Learning Skills: Personal Management Blog

As you'll remember from the Personal Management lecture in week 1 (as well as the Learning Skills Course Descriptor (page 3) and the learningskillsplus.com site, the process of marking Personal blogs will commence next Wednesday 15 July.

The Personal Blog is worth 15% of your total Learning Skills score and, as it is an individual piece of work, is not affected by Peer Assessment.

Assignments will be marked by Morag Williamson (Psychology, Edinburgh Napier University), Ann Gallagher (Psychology, University of Edinburgh) and Lindsay Kelly (Law, University of Edinburgh).

Although Morag would like you to continue to use your blog once the submission deadline has passed, assessment will be based upon your entries from the beginning of Summer School up to and including Wednesday 15 July. That means any entries after 15 July will not be marked, as per guidance given at the outset of the course.

Feedback will be provided in person by the members of the marking team between 09.30 and 10.30 on Wednesday 29 July (week 8).

James

Using free images in your work as a student

This message from Denny Colledge about using free images during Summer School (and beyond):

"At this Wednesday afternoon's session some of the students asked about free images for using in presentations. Here therefore are are some links:

http://www.sxc.hu/
http://morguefile.com/
http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp
http://www.freephotosbank.com/
http://www.stockvault.net/

*Visual Arts Data Service
http://www.vads.ac.uk/collections/index.html

*Sites available via the Library webpages using your MyEd login: Education Image Gallery and SCRAN
http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resources/databases/findlita.shtml (scroll down to find resource)"

Denny

Learning Skills: Referencing questions

A quick follow up to yesterday's Presenting Evidence session:

As requested I have now posted the answers to the tutorial exercise onto the learningskillsplus.com website within the Presenting Evidence section.

I've also uploaded the footage of Sarah and her fellow Personal Tutors creating the 'human reference'.

Meanwhile, just a gentle reminder to listen to the audiocasts that can be found on the learningskillsplus.com site. This week's clips include staff and students sharing tips on how to get the hang of referencing and how to avoid accidental plagiarism.

Finally, it would be great if you could take a couple of moments to tell me what you thought of yesterday's session by completing this week's online survey - it's totally painless, I promise.

James

Laser Quest - photies!

Dear all
If anyone took any photos at Laser Quest (obv not IN Laser Quest but outside in the "holding" area!) can you email them to alison.train@ed.ac.uk
Many thanks!
Alison - the triumphant winner of Game 3 and breaker of the "Eric Alliance!"

LEAPS Olympics: Wet and Wonderful

The LEAPS Olympics, which had a distinctly old school sports day feel, took place in the Meadows on Wednesday. Unlike other wimpy sportsmen and women, heavy showers and distant thunder didn’t stop play.

First event at the LEAPS Olympics: The egg and spoon race. For safety reasons the egg had been replaced by much less treacherous potatoes. Observations from commentators are a bit sketchy on this event, largely because this commentator hadn’t made it to the field yet. Moving swiftly on…..

Next up: The three legged race. Many different techniques were perfected during the heats: The slow and synchronised, the partner drag, the fast and furious. The fledging PT team were making an appearance as Hazel and Georgina took the first round, Kelly and Imma in the second round and Keir and Laura in the third. But sadly all PT pairs were beaten (humiliated) in every round. The overall winners were dynamic duo Carly McCart and John Connolly. John is soon to be a PE student; some might call that an unfair advantage, I of course wouldn’t be so bitter.

Event number three: The balloon race. Serious stuff and defiantly not a novelty event. Teams of six must place a balloon between their legs and hop/walk/run/waddle round a marker, back again and then transfer the balloon to the next team member WITHOUT using their hands. This made for some pretty intimate encounters. Overall winners were the newly formed Team Sheep, featuring Sean Buchanan, Eric Murdoch, Conor McLeary, Sam Penman and Gill McRobbie. Narrowly beating rivals Team Eric featuring Eric Wong, Slava Lawson, Sinead Russell, Rumilla Bibi, Irqa Riaz and Ross Fagan.

By this time the rain had hit at monsoon proportions. Nevertheless LEAPS Olympics powered on to the field events. First up: The welly throw. This was a closely contested competition wit Eric Murdoch, Conor McLeary and Hazel Robertson all claiming victory. Roy Crichton led the veteran’s completion using an impressive discus throw style. The heavy showers had made the welly wet and slippy which proved dangerous for LEAPS team members Claire and Alice who were at the receiving end of Gill McRobbie’s throw.

The field events continued with the egg throw. So traditional infact, “That’s just how we did it in my day” heckled one of the many assembled spectators. This event is a test of nerves, concentration and egg agility. In the first round, team sheep members Eric and Conor proved victorious against those dangerously slippy eggs. Rumilla Bibi and Aimen Tahir also put in a brave performance. Others were not so successful, with Gill McRobbie ending up with some very literal egg on her face.
The last scheduled event of the LEAPS Olympics was the hotly contested wheel barrow race. Medics were on high alert due to previous year’s infamous finger cracking incident. In a nerve wracking moment Johnny Anderson dropped ‘wheel’ Caitlin, but luckily serious injury was avoided.
In the last moments of the tournament an unscheduled sprint race was spontaneously scheduled. This was a brave attempt over wet grass. Sadly an overall winner could not be declared as the finish line was located too far away for any LEAPS officials to verify.
Sadly the first (hopefully annual) LEAPS Olympics were called off at that point; the rain had come on again. Nevermind. We’re hoping to form a very special Team LEAPS for London in 2012.



Hazel Robertson

Learning Skills: Presenting Evidence

Tomorrow's Learning Skills session will follow the same format as recent weeks, with general Summer School Notices at 09.15 followed by the Presenting Evidence lecture at 09.30.

In tomorrow's session we'll be looking at the importance of acknowledging your sources, where and when to do so, and then how to do it effectively using the Harvard Referencing system. We're also going to look at the 'hot topic' of plagiarism.

Thanks to everyone who has completed the online survey about last week's Academic Writing session - you've made some really interesting points that I'll pick up on tomorrow. If you haven't already completed the survey I'd really appreciate it if you could take a moment to do s0 - it only takes a couple of minutes. Click here to complete the survey anonymously.

James

The Perils of Peer Assessment (or Rewarding Effective Team Workers)

During the course of last week's progress meetings, a number of students had questions or concerns over how peer assessment might influence the scores they achieve for group work during Summer School. I have prepared a few notes below that I hope will offer some reassurance.

Many university departments use peer assessment (compared to giving a 'flat group mark') as it provides an opportunity for students to award marks to individual team members, based upon their status and perceived value within the group. Put simply, peer assessment is a useful system as it rewards team members who show a good attitude and throw themselves into the project. It can similarly be viewed as a system that 'punishes' those who are lazy, lack enthusiasm and generally don't want to work for the collective benefit of all. To put this in context:

Peer assessment suits the student who:

- attends team meetings and makes a meaningful contribution

- keeps in contact with team members and replies to e-mail messages

- is prepared to listen to the views of others and treats team members with respect

- carries out tasks (by the deadline) that they agree to undertake

- approaches the project with industry and vigour, irrespective of whether they like the subject or their fellow team members

On the other hand, peer assessment won't suit a student who:

- attends team meetings but is passive, offering few suggestions or sits on the periphery

- is hard to contact and doesn't take the project as seriously as other team members

- is content for others to set the group's direction and waits to be told what to do

- chooses the role of the passenger, safe in the knowledge that other team members are putting in a shift

- isn't prepared to put aside personal differences when doing so would help the team to work more effectively

- decides to only make a token effort on the basis that "I've got other coursework to do" (which normally reflects poor time management.

Peer assessment scores are sometimes calculated by the team members sitting down  at the end of the project and having a (sometimes heated!) debate over who contributed effectively to the group's efforts. An alternative system sees each team member individually completing a questionnaire about every other member of the team. Put simply, highly regarded team members will take a higher proportion of the makrs than the 'passengers' I mentioned early.

This is the system that will be used at the end of the Learning Skills Project.

In my experience, the student who raises concerns about peer assessment during the middle of a project tends not to have too much to worry about - the fact that they are seeking clarification is often the sign of a conscientious student. On the other hand, a student who approaches me at the end of a project, expressing concern about 'being marked down by the rest of the team' has left it too late to start worrying about whether they have earned the respect of their fellow workers.

James

Library helpdesk and 'Study Pods'

This message from Denny Colledge from Edinburgh University Main Library:

"The Library Helpdesk is now downstairs, with HUB Collection and new Study Space which has 'study pods'. These will be great for Summer School students working on their Learning Skills projects."

Of course, these new facilities can be used for all your different Summer School courses, not just Learning Skills. Further information to follow on Wednesday, meanwhile here's a link the appropriate part of the Edinburgh University library website.

And here's a reminder of the Helpdesk opening hours.

James (on behalf of Denny)

Using E-mail during Summer School

Just a gentle reminder about e-mail protocol during Summer School...

1. When e-mailing staff, whether it's a member of the LEAPS team or one of your lecturers, please remember to use your university e-mail address. If you send a message from a different account it might not make it through the university's firewall, and if it does make it that far, it's plausible that the intended recipient will delete it without opening on the basis that it has come from an unknown sender and could there be spam or contain a virus.

On a related note, please remember to put your full name in the message so we know who the message has come from!

2. Please try to check your university e-mail account each day, Monday to Friday, to keep abreast of important Summer School information. You probably won't have received too many messages landing in your inbox thus far, but as we reach the assessment stage of Summer School it's likely that staff will e-mail with you deadlines or exam information. Speaking of which, I e-mailed everyone earlier today with follow up information from yesterday's Learning Skills session.

Thanks everyone - do get in touch with the LEAPS Office if you're experiencing problems with your university e-mail account.

James

Learning Skills: Week 4, Wednesday 1 July

It's the same routine once again for Learning Skills classes tomorrow, Wednesday 1 July.

Notices will take place around 09.15 followed by the Academic Writing lecture at 09.30 sharp. This will be followed (after break) by an Academic Writing tutorial and then the Summary session where, alongside questions arising on the day, I'll be addressing queries from the Constructing an Argument session in week 3.

In the afternoon Denny Colledge and I will aim to visit all 28 project teams to see how the Learning Skills projects are progressing. I'll be focusing on the small number of teams I caught up with during week 3 who, for a variety of various reasons, couldn't provide documentation reflecting their activity to date. 

Look forward to working with you all again tomorrow.

James

Sociology and Criminology AND History and Politics!!!

Hello all lovely Sociologists and Historians

I have been hearing noises and rumours and chat that the times for the above subjects has changed! This is catagorically not the case! Sociology is still on on a Tuesday morning and a Friday afternoon and History is a Monday morning and a Thursday afternoon! Not sure if this is just a wee mix up, a misprint on a handout or folks being minxy but the official word from LEAPS HQ is that nothing is changing! Everything is as it was! And I now have three more grey hairs from the stress! LOL!
Laters....
Alison

Library opening hours

As we are now 'out of term' the Main University Library has slightly restricted opening hours, as follows:

Monday - Thursday:
8.30am - 8pm Services 9am - 7.50pm

Friday
8.30am - 5pm Services 9am - 4.50pm

Saturday:
10am - 1pm Services 10am - 12.50pm

Sunday:
Closed

Details of library opening hours at other libraries on Edinburgh University's campuses can be viewed here.

Remember, if you have library queries, Denny from the Learning Skills course has kindly offered to point you in the right direction. Simply e-mail Denny at denny.colledge@ed.ac.uk explaining the nature of your enquiry.

Finally, remember to carry your library card with you during Summer School - you won't be able to get into the library without it.

James

Sumo/Giant Games

Well done to everyone who made it to Sumo/Giant Games. Hope you all had a good time! We had a variety of different games on offer including Twister, limbo, sumo wrestling/cock fighting and chess. Students and Personal Tutors alike demonstrated some pretty impressive skills and I’ve chosen a few of my favourite moments to highlight here:

To start off, eight of our students attempted to beat the world record for the biggest game of Twister, little knowing that they were about 4000 people short. Nevertheless, what followed was a gruelling competition testing each individual’s strength, flexibility and determination to win. After a number of cramps and pulled muscles, we were left with the four toughest competitors: Eric Murdoch, Johnny Anderson, Iqra Riaz, and Caitlin Paul. When it became clear the these four weren’t going to lose anytime soon, two Personal Tutors (who shall, for their own safety, remain unnamed) introduced a couple of twists to the game, including a number of attacks on the players with the inflatable dice and shaking the Twister mat. Soon only one player was left standing (or rather, on his hands and feet in a twisted and painful looking position) - Eric Murdoch, who battled through the entire ordeal with a determination worth admiring. A special mention to Caitlin though, who managed to pull off some pretty impressive shapes – well done! And thanks as well to Gill McRobbie, Becca Rosso, Sean Buchanan, and Jenna Muir for taking part and showing us just how entertaining losing can be.

Zubair Akhtar earned the right to the Sumo Champion title by winning all eight matches he participated in. For the rest of the night he was kept busy signing autographs and taking photos with adoring fans, however, I did manage to get a few words from the man himself:
“I’m delighted to say I managed to win all eight matches, so delighted that words cannot describe my emotions right now”.
He also took the time to congratulate the efforts of his competitors, in particular Eric Murdoch who managed to win all of his student matches and was therefore named Best Student.
In Sumo however it is not always about winning, but rather injuring your opponents as much as possible, as demonstrated by Johnny Anderson who managed to leave his opponent Shoaib Ashraf with a massive ‘Harry Potter-like' scar on his forehead.
Special mentions also to Ross Colborne, Conor McLeary, Sean Buchanan, Jenny McIntyre, Lauren Berry, Sunniya Rasul and Gill McRobbie who all fought hard and were gracious in defeat.

There didn’t seem to be an overall winner in the Cock Fighting, but Emma Whittingham was “really good at the fighting chicken thing” as put by the spectators and Aysha Iqbal had some impressive moves. In addition Personal Tutors Hazel Robertson and Linzi Mclean decided to battle it out in a one off sudden death match. It was a close one but Hazel finally managed to triumph. Her victorious streak was short-lived however, as Campus ‘09’s Jill Nicholson showed us all how to fight without mercy.

Fresh from their sumo pursuits Eric Murdoch and Johnny Anderson challenged Personal Tutors Kelly-Anne Lennon, Arezo Darvishzadeh, and myself to a ‘limbo-off’.
What began as an friendly game, soon became a fierce contest. After numerous rounds of painful ‘limbo-ing’ there was one clear winner – yep, you've guessed it Twister, Sumo and now Limbo Champion Eric Murdoch who managed to successfully limbo under the pole at its lowest level. Our very own Kelly-Anne Lennon fought hard and came a respectable second. It is also worth noting here that Arezo had a rather unorthodox limbo technique, which although technically classed as cheating, was nonetheless, highly amusing for all those watching.

To complete the fun-filled evening, several students and Personal Tutors participated in a mammoth 45-minute chess match. The players split themselves into the White team (Ross Colborne, Craig Fraser and myself) and the Black team (Sean Buchanan, Ross Fagan, Zubair Akhtar and Conor Mcleary – although Conor soon left, after bitterly realising that giant chess is in fact not ‘Wizards Chess’ and the pieces don’t magically move). The white team took an early lead thanks to the strategic mind of Ross Colborne, who successfully managed to take both black rooks. The Blacks however, soon redeemed themselves with some brilliant teamwork and a series of tactical moves, leaving both sides practically equal. With time running out (seriously – the Pleasance staff had began to clear up the board) the game turned into speed chess with both sides now relying purely on quick thinking and instinct. Seconds before being physically thrown out of the Pleasance courtyard the Whites managed a spectacular checkmate, albeit a surprise to both sides, and celebrated their victory in the form of dance (fortunately no pictures were taken to document this).

Once again, thanks to everyone that came and made this such an enjoyable event. LEAPS Olympics should be just as good, if not better, so come along to that!

Imma

WEEK 4 SOCIAL EVENT - LEAPS OLYMPICS!

After being mightily impressed by your sporting prowess at bowling, rounders and Sumo we have decided to hold a 'LEAPS Olympics' this Wednesday 1st July.

It will be an 'old stylee sports day' like you did back in your yoof at Primary School and will include such classic races as the egg and spoon, sack race, three-legged race and many more exciting and slightly silly challenges!

As usual it will be held after learning skills on Wednesday around 4pm. No cost to participate. You can also just come along and watch the madness!

Personal Tutors and LEAPS staff will be there as always to cheer you on and annoy you for being so hideously competitive. Go TEAM LEAPS!

All competitors will be required to receive their medals on the LEAPS Olympic podium that we will be installing especially in the centre of the 'Meadows Arena'. The singing of the LEAPS anthem is compulsory as you watch on while the LEAPS flag is hoisted up the flag pole. Tears of pride are of course optional.

Can't wait!

Claire

Personal Tutors: materials for week 4

This message for Personal Tutors:

A draft version of next teaching materials are available to download on the popular learningskillsplus.com website, within the Academic Writing section.

We'll work through the tutorial next Monday evening (29 June) at our team meeting. The meeting will take place at 4pm in William Robertson Building as per normal.

Until Monday then.

James

The 2009 LEAPS Sumo School

D'you see what I did there?

A review of last Wednesday's highly entertaining social event (including sumo wrestling, limbo, giant Jenga, Twister and, erm, 'cock fighting') will appear here soon, prepared by Imma (Personal Tutor and Chess Grand Master).


Meanwhile...







James

Learning Skills: Personal Management feedback

This feedback from Morag Williamson in relation to the first Personal Management submission:

"All 'lost' marks were marks that were 'thrown away' - due to simply not following the assessment guidance; these were marks that could have been gained far more easily than most assessment marks."

"It's likely that these marks provide a good predictor of later assessment performance (because they indicate level of motivation as well as strength of time management skills), however those with low marks do have the chance now to improve their approach."

"Some students may feel it is rather harsh that they have lost marks for omission or inaccuracy or the title of the course, or the type of assessment. However, if there were only one or two such omissions, and everything else was accurate, I still gave 5 marks (but in most cases there were other inaccuracies as well). The expectation of accuracy is made clear in the guidance."

"Some photocopies included assessment details that had been written in AFTER photocopying, suggesting that the calendar in the student's Handbook did/does not include all details."

"Presentation: quite a number of student had not put their name on their work, or omitted their surname, or their name ineligible; many had errors that had been cross out (the latter would lose marks). There was little awareness that submitted work (of whatever type) needs to be reasonably well presented."

"Finally, art from the few who achieved 5 marks, I suggest that students complete/correct their calendars as soon as possible so that they are effective for their self-management".

If you were absent when assignments were returned you will be able to collect your assignment next Wednesday 1 July. If you have questions about the feedback on your assignment, e-mail Morag at m.williamson@napier.ac.uk.

Referencing during Summer School

A number of students have approached me with questions about academic referencing and how to go acknowledging information sources during Summer School.

This will be covered in detail during the Presenting Evidence session of the Learning Skills course, in week 5.

Meanwhile, I'm making an 'at-a-glance' referencing guide available in case you need to submit work that requires referencing, before week 5. I put the guide together for the 2007 Summer School and I know a number of graduates from that year continue to use it during their university studies, so hopefully it will help to 'tide you over' until the dedicated session in week 5 of Learning Skills course.

The guide is available to download in two formats. There's a Microsoft Word version and as an alternative, a Pdf version. The guide might take a few moments to download. If you're unable to access these versions for any reason, feel free to e-mail me and I'll get it to you in a different format (carrier pigeon being the next best option that springs to mind).


As always, if the attached information doesn't make sense, please let me know and I'll do my best to put you in the picture.

James

Learning Skills: actions

Thanks everyone for taking part in yesterday's Learning Skills session. More than 180 students were present in class which is the highest attendance we've had in 14 years of the LEAPS Summer School. Right then, before I get too gushy, here's a reminder of what you need to do individually as a follow up to today's session:

1. Listen to the Constructing an Argument audiocasts

2. Complete the online survey to let me know what you thought of the session

3. Add your name and a picture to your Personal Blog if you haven't already done so.

As ever, e-mail with any questions.

James

Sociology and Criminology students!

Hi!
Before Friday's lecture could you read the following please:


Macionis and Plummer (1998) Sociology: a Global Introduction Chapter 14 "Ageing and the Elderly"
Shelfmark .301Mac and HM51 Mac

Jenks (1996) Childhood Chapter 3 "The Birth of Childhood"
Shelfmark HQ767.9 Jen

Learning Skills: week 3

We will be joined for Learning Skills classes tomorrow by students attending the LEAPS Campus '09 residential programme. We will also welcome colleagues from the Lift Off programme, working in Fife and Tayside.

The layout for the lecture theatre will be slightly different tomorrow and the following groups will be sitting in a slightly different area of WRB lecture theatre (to be advised by Personal Tutors in the morning): Kelly, Imma's, Arezo's and Laura's groups.

Meanwhile, the following groups will have additional students joining them for the tutorial exercise: Kayleigh's, Laura's group, Kelly's group and Sarah's group.

The format for classes will be the same as for week 2, with Notices at 09.15 followed by a lecture on Constructing an Argument at 09.30. It's going to be beautiful.

James

Learning Skills: Progress reports

Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 24 June) we will enter the third week of the Learning Skills course therefore I'll be visiting tutorial groups in the afternoon to see how project work is progressing.

In particular I'll be asking teams to give me a succinct report on the following:

• team meeting activity (where I'll be looking at agendas and minutes/action points)
• time planning documentation (I'm interested to see Gantt charts and/or schedules of activity)
• diagrammatic break down of the question plus brainstorming (I anticipate this will be in the form or mind maps or spider/spray diagrams)
• evidence of meaningful library research during and outside of class time

Until tomorrow then.

James

Progress Meetings - week beg 29 June

Just a little reminder that you should all have completed a tick sheet showing your availability for a Progress Meeting week beginning the 29 June.

If you did NOT fill in one of these forms or were absent from Learning Skills on Wednesday please speak to your designated Guidance Contact in the LEAPS team first thing this Wednesday (Alison, Alice, Roy or Claire).

If you were at Learning Skills on Wed 17 June and did fill one of these sheets in and passed it to your Personal Tutor - well done, pass go and collect £200. You will receive an appointment card this Wednesday from your PT indicating the date, time and venue for your Progress Meeting.

If you cannot make the time on your card (it'll have to be a good reason!) you should contact Alison, Alice, Roy or Claire as soon as possible so they can arrange another suitable time. Please remember you should NOT be missing any classes to attend your Progress Meetings. It should be when you are free!!

Also bear in mind that Progress Meetings are there to help you. They only last around 15 minutes and it's an opportunity to discuss your progress on Summer School so far and iron out any queries or problems you might have.

In the meantime if you have any questions, queries or just want to find out how untidy the LEAPS office really is please just pop over to see your Guidance member of staff. Alternatively email us;

Alison - alison.train@ed.ac.uk
Alice - alice.c.smith@ed.ac.uk
Roy - roy.crichton@ed.ac.uk
Claire - claire.aitchison@ed.ac.uk

Thanks

Claire

Giant Games and Sumo Suits!

Week 3 Social

Claire's shop is now open for bookings for the week 3 social - an event not to be missed! Summer School 2009 and Campus '09 are teaming up for a giant game gathering!

Games: Giant Ludo, Limbo, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Chess & Sumo Suits!

Venue: Pleasance, University of Edinburgh (next to the Sports Centre)

Time: After Learning Skills, 4pm approx - 7pm

Price: £2 to book

Rules: Limited places, first come, first served.

Location: Outdoors if sunny, indoors if wet (Ochil & Highland rooms)

Anything else?: The bar will be open too.

Deadline: Wednesday 24th

I promised you a pic of me in a sumo suit:

See, it's fun! See you all there...

Alice

Personal Tutors: team meeting

This message for Personal Tutors:

Next Monday's team meeting will take place in WRB at 4pm, as per last week. Look out for a LEAPS sign in case of late change of venue.

I've uploaded a draft version of next week's tutorial to the Constructing an Argument section of learningskillsplus.com.

A copy of the lecture slides will be uploaded at some point over the weekend.

Until Monday then.

James

Learning Skills: Personal blogs

Well done to everyone who has set up their Personal Blog (more than three quarters of you).

If you haven't created your blog or started putting it to meaningful use yet, you need to do so a.s.a.p. Although this assignment will be marked during week 6-7, your blogwork from week 1 onwards will be assessed.

On a related note, if you've set up your blog but haven't included your name (first and surname) as a subheading, you need to do so. Also, if you can include a picture of yourself to aid recognition that would be really helpful. You'll find help on how to do so here.

As ever, if you're having problems with this e-mail me at james.lamb@ed.ac.uk outlining the nature of the problem.

James

Give us a ring..........

Just a wee quick reminder that if you are off sick, you need to ring into the office to let us know! More info available in the Summer School handbook in your red folders!
Cheers!
Oh and I heard bowling was good yesterday! Bring on the Sumo!!!!
Alison

Ten-pin-tastic!

Well done to everyone who managed to get along to Ten Pin Bowling at Megabowl last night. Here are some pictures, including Top Bowlers Louise Rankine and Benji Ho.

(When you score 110 or more, Megabowl let you keep the shoes.)

(Benji is overcome with emotion when told that he's Top Bowler of the day with 130.)

(some players brought their own shoes)

(Personal Tutor Supreme Team - Georgina, Imma and Nicola)

(It's now how you bowl, it's how stylish you look when you do it)

(It's all about team work)

(Glowing with enthusiasm -Shoaib and Hamid)

Next week...sumo wrestling.

James

Learning Skills: Week 2 arrangements (Wednesday

Arrangement for Learnings Skills week 2, tomorrow, as follows:

(click on table to enlarge)

You have been sent a gentle e-mail reminder drawing your attention to the submission of Your Assessment Calendar. As you'll read in the e-mail, your work should be submitted to your Personal Tutor by 13.30 in the plastic folder you were given during last Wednesday. We've set an end of lunchtime submission deadline to avoid interfering with project work in the afternoon.

James

Library access and card

A gentle reminder that you'll need to carry your University of Edinburgh Card in order to access the main university library.

You'll understand that for security reasons no one can just wander into the library therefore you need to be in possession of your University of Edinburgh Card whenever you wish to visit. Unfortunately there's nothing that LEAPS can do to get you into the library if you forget your card.

If you lose your University of Edinburgh Card it can be replaced at a cost of £6. This process takes a couple of days during which time you won't be able to visit the library. If you do lose your card, visit Linda in the LEAPS Office who can arrange for a new card to be ordered (at your expense).

James

Places left on Bowling - Wed 17th June!

Just to let you know that we have had a brilliant response to bowling this Wednesday. A total of 75 students, staff and Personal Tutors have signed up so far.

There are a few places still available so if you are keen to take part please get £3 to me as soon as possible. The final deadline to get your money in is lunchtime tommorrow (Wednesday 17 June).

We'll leave for Fountainpark straight after classes. We need to be there between 4.30 and 4.45pm so we have time to do our warm up exercises (you think I'm kidding ?) and collect our fragrant smelling bowling shoes (nice!). It's not that far to walk or you can catch the number 35 bus that leaves from Lauriston Place - just opposite George Heriots School. The LEAPS team and Personal Tutors will be able to point you in the right direction.

After Alison and Roy receiving low tackles at rounders the staff team feel we might have to take the precautionery measure of bowling in Sumo-suits just for our own protection but we'll leave the sumo suits for next Wednesday. More info to follow on that soon.

Claire

Taking minutes during team meetings

A number of Summer School courses will see you working in a team.

You might find it useful in some cases to take minutes of your team meetings, for instance when you need an accurate record of what has been decided or where tasks have been allocated to different team members. I know that a number of you have already tried your hand at taking notes during Learning Skills project work.

There are different ways of recording minutes and action points from meetings and you might take a little while to find a style that works for you. Meanwhile here's an example of how you might want to do it.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

James

Learning Skills: What did you think of the Note Taking lecture?

How did you find Tuesday's lecture on Note Taking and Note Making?

If you get a moment, why not tell me what you thought of the session (what was good? what was bad? did you find anything confusing?) by clicking on this link and completing the online survey.

The survey only takes a couple of minutes to complete and is done so anonymously - that way you can be as honest as you want and ask for clarification of any themes that you didn't think were very clear.

Although your feedback would be useful, completing the questionnaire is optional therefore don't worry if you don't find time to look at it this week - I appreciate that there's been a lot to take in during this first week of Summer School.

Meanwhile to those of you who have already completed the survey, thanks very much - your feedback is really useful.

James

Experience wins the day in staff v student softball

Skill. Technique. Athleticism. Three words that weren’t used yesterday afternoon to describe the inaugural Summer School sports event in The Meadows.  But what this softball contest – or ‘matcho rounders’ as some chose to call it – lacked in sporting excellence, it more than made up for in effort and entertainment. 

For large parts of this contest, bat and ball gave the appearance of distant strangers, with air shots and red faces in plentiful supply. Nevertheless, this was an enthralling encounter for the spectator, as the game swung one way and then the other, building up towards a thrilling conclusion.

In a potentially divisive move, students and staff/Personal Tutors chose to line up on opposite sides, adding spice to what was intended to be a gentle end to a busy day of study. What followed was a keenly fought contest with plenty of verbal sledging and numerous off-the-ball incidents. The ‘competitive’ approach was typified by a late sliding lunge on staff veteran Roy Crichton by Conor McLeary, who followed it up with a barge on Alison Train that can only suggest that he’s certain he won’t need to rely on a good Summer School report to take up his university place. On this type of performance, Conor can rest assured that if higher education proves out of reach, a career at Heart of Midlothian is a distinct possibility.

Nevertheless, some examples of fine play did break out amongst the goading and jostling. On the student team Sean Buchanan strategically hit the ball into open spaces, Sinead Russell pulled off an outstanding catch and Campbell Don dazzled the opposition with his chequered shirt as well as his batting prowess.

Notable mentions also to Caitlin Paul for her close fielding, Gillian McRobbie who played through the pain barrier following an ankle injury and Eric Murdoch for “decent bowling and lots of running around” as one of his teammates put it.

On the staff team meanwhile, Stewart Adamson was a model of consistency until his lungs gave way, Imma Shah was a demon on first base and Linzi McLean made up for a lack of timing with a creative interpretation of the rules.

After five innings scores were level so it was decided that a sudden death play off would decide who would leave the field victorious. With staff bones audibly creaking, the student team chose to bat first, seemingly confident that a final push would leave some of the more senior members of the team longing for a hot bath and their slippers.

But as the light faded, first choice staff bowler Laura Dalgleish lived up to her reputation as the Dalkeith Joe Dimaggio, varying the pace and direction of her pitches, some would say intentionally. With the pressure beginning to tell, the student team were restricted to two points and the scene was set for a nail-biting finale.

In a clever tactical move the staff team put their big hitters up front, knowing that a score of three would see them to victory. First up to the plate was man-of-the-match Zubair Akhtar, fresh from his exploits with the Pakistan team at the 20/20 Cricket World Cup. The first ball was duly dispatched in the direction of Liberton and the writing was on the wall. Next to step forward was Keir Robinson who could sense what he thought was victory (although as a Newcastle United supporter he admitted that he wasn’t speaking with any authority). With the bases loaded the staff sent in Georgina Bolt-Philp who scampered round in record time to seal victory for the staff team by the narrowest of margins.

As the dust settled on the Meadows Bowl and the previously mentioned spectator made his was back to the Golf Tavern, it was possible to conclude that the student team hadn’t quite achieved the level of focus and commitment that had been on display in the lecture theatre earlier in the day. Nevertheless, its clear that this fledgling group have unlimited raw talent and it will be interesting to see whether they fulfil their potential over the next seven weeks.

In the post-match press conference staff coach Alice Smith said, “After we worked out the rules I think our players did alright. I think you could see out there that our strict diet of coffee and Kit Kats really paid dividends. Some of our players defied the laws of Sport Science in the final round – the mix of caffeine and sugar kept them running when it was clear that their bodies had given up the ghost”.

Polite words of congratulation and commiseration were exchanged at the end of the game and, with such a keen and close contest, all agreed that the real winner was the game of softball. Rumours of a TV coverage deal with Setanta Sports are, as yet, unconfirmed.

Personal Tutor team meeting

This message for Personal Tutors:

Team meetings will take place on Monday afternoons at 4pm in William Robertson Building Room G.09. This applies to next week's meeting on Monday 15 June and the same every week up until Monday 27 July.

An agenda will be circulated at the beginning of Monday's meeting.

James

Learning Skills - any problems setting up your blog?

One or two students have been in touch to say they've experienced problems setting up the blog for the Personal Management aspect of the Learning Skills course.

If you're experiencing problems please feel free to drop into the LEAPS Office tomorrow (Friday) afternoon or on Monday afternoon and I'll be happy to offer some help. There's no need to book an appointment, just drop into LEAPS HQ at 7 Buccleuch Place between 1pm and 4pm.

James

Softball/Matcho Rounders

A match report from last night's exciting staff versus students rounders match will appear here later today.

James

Learning Skills: arrangements for week 1

The first Learning Skills classes will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 10 June.

Following an introduction to the course, Morag Williamson (Edinburgh Napier University) will deliver a lecture on Personal Management, followed by a tutorial that will be led by your Personal Tutor.

In the afternoon, attention will turn to the group work and the Learning Skills Project.

James

Tuesday 9th June 2009 - Day 1 down and social events!

Hi all
Well you survived Induction day! Well done! From here on in you'll find it becomes much more like University - Learning Skills will start tommorow and then other subjects on Thursday and Friday. I promise you that the 8 weeks will fly past and before you know where you are we'll all be celebrating your acceptances into University!

Remember its the first social event of the season tommorow (Wednesday 10th June) - Rounders on the Meadows! This will be a great way to get to know folks better and a good laugh. If you don't want to run or get sweaty you can still come over and spectate - thats what Claire and I will be doing!!!!!!!!!! Bowling is scheduled for next Wednesday (17th June), costs £3 and if we get enough people to go you get to wear your own shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Previous LEAPS Summer School bowling events have been highly competative and gone down to the final throw so don't miss! Get your money to Claires Wee Red Shop by Friday afternoon AT THE LATEST!!!!

See you all tommorow morning at 9.15am for notices in the same lecture theatre you were in today!