Thursday 23 May 2013

You are NEVER too old to learn something NEW

This week is Adult Learner's Week:


Events start taking place from Saturday 18 May in all regions of England and our Awards Ceremonies commence with our National Ceremony on Monday 20 May, followed on by seven Regional Ceremonies, all of which recognise outstanding adult learning.
Adult Learners’ Week events are taking place nationwide; with activities including bee keeping, CV writing, museum tours, art workshops and much more that you can get involved with. These events inspire many people and highlight the broad benefits of adult learning, so make sure that you don’t miss out.
Events can be searched online or by calling The National Careers Service advice line 0800 100 900 which can support those looking to attend an event in their region.
We hope that you all enjoy Adult Learners’ Week 2013!
For information on Adult Learners’ Week 2014, please register to receive updatesor keep visiting our website, where information will be posted in the autumn. 
Quick Reads 2013:



Love is Blind by Kathy Lette
When Jane decides to move to the Australian outback in search of a husband, her sister Anthea thinks she’s mad. But the sisters have never seen eye-to-eye. Anthea is slim, beautiful and has a perfect life and fiancĂ©. Jane has always felt like the ugly duckling in comparison.
But when Anthea tries to save Jane from this latest crazy plan, she ends up taking a walk on the wild side herself…
A sexy, funny and heartwarming adventure – curl up and enjoy this fabulous Quick Read from Kathy Lette.
A Sea Change by Veronica Henry
Jenna is known as The Ice Cream Girl.
She doesn’t mind the name one bit. After all, there are far worse jobs than selling ice creams by the sea. Then one hot summer’s day, everything changes and Jenna faces the most difficult decision of her life.
Craig spends as much time as he can at the beach hut in Everdene he rents with a few of his mates. It’s the perfect break from his stressful job, and he loves to surf. But one weekend he notices a girl on the beach – for all the wrong reasons.
For Jenna and Craig, it’s a chance meeting which could change their lives forever...


Today Everything Changes by Andy McNab
Abandoned as a baby, Andy McNab's start in life was tough. He grew up in South London with foster parents, and poverty on all sides. Andy attended seven schools in as many years, disillusioned and in remedial classes. Before long his life was one of petty crime. By the age of sixteen he was in juvenile detention.
Recruited into the Army from there, it soon became clear that he had the reading age of an eleven year old. The next six months in the Army education system changed the course of his life forever.
Today Everything Changes is the inspiring story of when life changed for the better for now bestselling author Andy McNab.

Wrong Time, Wrong Place by Simon Kernick

You are hiking in the Scottish highlands with three friends when you come across a girl.
She is half-naked, has been badly beaten, and she can’t speak English.
She is clearly running away from someone.
Do you stop to help her? Even if it means putting your friends’ lives – and your own – in terrible danger?

A Dreadful Murder by Minette Walters

Based on a true story...Caroline Luard is shot dead in broad daylight in the grounds of a large country estate. With few clues available, her husband soon becomes the suspect . . . But is he guilty?Bringing to life the people involved in this terrible crime, bestselling author Minette Walters uses modern detective skills to attempt to solve a 100-year-old crime.

Doctor Who: The Silurian Gift by Mike Tucker

'My new Fire-Ice will solve all the problems of the planet!'
The world is on the brink of crisis. As fuel runs short, society begins to break down. One man seems to have the answer. But is it too good to be true? The Doctor arrives at an old oil refinery near the South Pole, concerned by claims about this new form of energy. He soon discovers something huge and terrifying is stalking the refinery. It brings death and destruction in its wake. The battle has begun for planet Earth.
A thrilling, all-new adventure, featuring the Doctor as played by Matt Smith.
The Open University’s Open Learn
The Open University’s Open Learn (www.open.edu/openlearn) website is launching two full online courses for free: Learning to Learn and Succeed with Maths. Find out more here:

http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/news/2013/05/16/free-online-courses-open-university
Open Learning - OpenLearn - Open University
www.open.edu
OpenLearn: The home of free learning from The Open University

News from Digital Unite - May 2013
Thousands helped to ‘spring online’

"I came to this event today scared of a laptop even though I owned one, I knew it had a plug and a mouse but that was it, I did not even know how to turn it on. 

"As I leave today I can turn it on, surf the net and even send an email to my dear friend abroad."



We are very proud to say that last month, following our Spring Online campaign in association with Carphone Warehouse, a whopping 20,000 older people and other less confident users were helped to use and enjoy digital technology, many for the first time.

Over 1,000 free digital taster events were held across the UK by our fantastic event holders. The stories we’ve been hearing have been hugely uplifting and once again, really demonstrate what a life-changing impact Spring Online has:
  • On seeing what a tablet could do at her event, one 85 year old lady exclaimed "It’s like magic!"
  • One event holder told us how a learner came into their event literally shaking with nerves but left saying "I get the feeling from [the staff] that I can do this!"
  • Another learner said: "I'll be able to Facebook my grandson tonight!
  • And one elderly gentlemen said: "I am not scared of it all now. I can't believe how much you can do on here. I shall be getting Broadband fitted and come to any future sessions. I never thought I would be able to achieve all of this in a year, never mind an hour".
Twitter

Are you Tweeting?  Have a look out for these folks to follow:


Social Networking for Book Lovers

Have you heard of these great bookie social media places to find other bookies too?  Check them out!


http://www.librarything.com

http://www.goodreads.com/

Union Engagement - Learning in the workplace and the community
Unions work with a multitude of stakeholders to build a learning offer that reaches people in the workplace as well as the community. Unionlearn endeavours to offer the best possible support for unions and has gathered together a collection of stories to showcase the inspiring work of unions and their partners.
These case studies take a look at how unions work to engage learners and work with employers. Exciting union development work is happening with digital champions and community learning champions across the country. Union learning reps (ULRs) and trade union led learning centres do excellent work encourage people to take up learning opportunities. And once learners catch the learning bug, they rarely stop. 
(Our Digital Champions Pinterest Account is a part of this report, check out page 25)
http://issuu.com/unionlearn/docs/union_development_case_studies_booklet_2013_lr__2_/27
In case you missed the Pinterest Account, here it is once more:
https://pinterest.com/digitalchampsuk/

Well  we think you've got enough to be going on with today, our work here is done.
Your BL Union Learning Representatives,

Iwona Jurkiewicz, Prospect [London]
Marjorie Newson, Prospect [Boston Spa]
Andy Robinson, Prospect [Boston Spa]
Sarah Wood-Ripley, PCS [Boston Spa]