Bringing it together...

Having just met up with Carl and Lucy, we have decided to incorporate images to back up our points. After Googling many ways to discover how we can design a podcast that enables us to speak, also being visual, we came up with a PowerPoint presentation. The three of us have created PowerPoints for assessment's over the past three years, so this type of media would serve us well. We had difficulty on finding a microphone as the ICT suite was locked. Luckily the librarians were happy to help us and kindly let us borrow their WebCam which had a microphone built on.
Next we designed the PowerPoint. We used a green colour scheme throughout, relating to the green plants and eco theme. Google images was extremely handy on finding good quality images, displaying exactly our research.

I brought my memory stick in to the library, this allowed us to put our separate research in to one script. We labelled each person's research to a chosen slide, this was organised well.
We introduced what Medicinal Plants are before individually talking about our research-informed plants. We spoke clearly into the microphone giving detailed knowledge and understanding of our two chosen plants. These voice memos were simply embedded on to each slide, with a clear speaker logo for the viewer to click. Effective collaboration and a mix of ideas between Carl, Lucy and I, made these voice memos and images work successfully. We used relevant literature from a selection of credible sources. We thought a simple reference list at the end of the presentation would be relevant to illustrate our findings.

When researching my chosen two medicinal plants I found limited information on the Daffodil. I came across an edible herb that I love and was very interested in what its medicinal use is. This is garlic. These are the bullet points I am going to read out on the podcast:

 

• ONLY FRESH GARLIC Effective its used against many fungal infections – can be used as an antibiotic as it kills a range of microbes in the viruses, bacteria or fungi. It helps conditions like athletes foot

 

•  Used to treat toothaches, earaches, cough and colds – if the smell does not make your body hold the strong odour , then the remedy was not very useful, the smell indicates the presence of the healing properties.

 

•  Reduces blood pressure by dilating blood vessels – prevents blood clots – reduces heart attack or strokes

 

•  Reduce heart disease,lowers cholesterol levels

• Some herbs with medicinal uses are edible and fun and safe to grow in school gardens (SCIENCE/CREATIVITY)

 

The doc leaf provided me with lots of facts, these are as follows:

• Resemble Rhubarb more of less, with similar general characteristics – All docks are edible – salad/herbal teas/ stir fries – natural iron in the human system.

 

Round-leaved dock

 

·         Known as the troublesome weed growing on good land however, used to as a remedy for burns and scalds and dressing blisters. It is most known for the popular cure for nettle stings (found growing with nettles)- instant relief.

·         The root of docks have a gentle laxative action, creating bowel movement and good digestion by stimulating the release of gastric juices. This is very similar to that of Rhubarb, but perhaps a little less active, the dock operates without pain or uneasiness. Use only the smallest dose to avoid cramping of the stomach, do not use any other laxatives in combination to the dock.

Sharp-pointed dock

·         The root has been used in drinks as a general blood cleanser/purifier – conditioner for the blood.

·         Both round-leaved dock and Sharp-pointed dock, together with their roots make a useful infusion against bleedings and fluxes in a tea form

• An infusion made from  their leaves and roots also make a curative of several chronic skin diseases that cause itching or sores for example. For this ypu put the leaves in blender with water & apply to itchy skin.

 

I came across a powerful picture on the social networking site called Twitter, which illustrated the negative effects global warming is having on people, the image shows a pregnant lady. It was fundamental to me that this image was somehow to be shown in our podcast.

 

 

First stage of Assignment Part 2

     After a successful visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, St. Fagans and the Natural History Museum in Cardiff, Carl, Lucy and myself came up with an innovative scientific idea for our second assignment. We have chosen to discover how certain plants can create medicine. We thought it would be an interesting topic and relevant to today's modern world. Whilst getting together at the library, we discovered many of the powerful drugs used in today's modern medicines originated from plants. We wrote down names of some plant-based drugs and I was given the doc leaf and the daffodil. The three of us now has two chosen plants which we will research individually.

Suzie Pugh - design a brand

As a task to be completed over the Easter Holidays, Suzie wanted us to meet as a group to design a brand and advertising poster. Lucy, Sophie and I met up and thought of food as a theme. We then came up with a "fruit and veg store" (grocery) as there's one in every town. This will attract all types of customers and it is open everyday. We decided on the name "FRESH". Each of us took pictures of fruit and vegtables in our kitchens. I'm lucky enough to work in a restaurent so got some awsome images. As I have Photoshop we then came over my house to create the poster. We decided on a green theme as its neutral, then went on to edit the pictures. We thought of slogans such as "let's eat smart" and "best of British" to draw attention. The poster also had the website and address on, which we made up. This is how the poster looked: (sorry poor quality)

Suzie Pugh - sense of place

In this session we got given our assignment title - "sense of place". This confused alot of us as we did not know exactly what the phrase meant. After examples and explanations were given to us by Suzie, most of us had a rough idea what we were going to focus on. I thought of fashion and art, I hopefully will combine both to make a portfolio and final peice. To understand in more detail Suzie gave us a huge sheet of paper, magazines and newspapers. In partners we had to cut out pictures that meant something to us and present it on the board like a collage. Lucy and I's collage consisted of pictures of holidays (beaches), cupcakes (making cakes with Gran) and the Welsh flag.

Suzie Pugh - objects of significance

In this seminar we had to bring in objects that showed specific significance in our lives. We had to bring in 3-5 objects, then get into groups of 3 and explain what they meant to us. After discussing we then had to pick 1 object and explain again in detail to the whole class. I picked my cars keys as I had my car for my 17th birthday. I received it off my parents and it was the best gift anyone could have ever given me! It has made me feel independant and more of an adult. Other people's included photographs, charm brakelets and a lot more crazy things. The stories behind the objects were very interesting and touching.

Steve Gullick (guest speaker) ASSIGNMENT

On the 6^th Feb 2012, Steve Gullick a previous Head Master came in to give us a lecture on Governors. Mr.Gullick explained that there are 23,000 Governors in Wales today. The majority are white, middle-aged and belong to a middle-class family.

     There are four types of Governing bodies:

·         The abdicators – these tend to believe that you should leave the work to the professionals such as the Head.

·         The adversaries – these visit the school often and keep a very close eye on all aspects of the school.

·         The supporters club – these offer advice and support the head.

·         The partners – these are the best Governors, they share everything good and bad by working in partnership with the head and staff.

Governors have many roles. The must meet up adleast 3 times a year to discuss results and plans for the school. The governing body is usually made up of parents of pupils, LEA (local education authority), teachers, other staff, community and the Head. A major duty the group have, is to employ staff. Governors interview employees and decide as a group who they will take on. They also decide whether or not to exclude pupils. The Governors approve the school budget, the more pupils in the school the money coming in. Mr.Gullick told us from experience that the Head Teachers cannot stop inspectors or Governors from coming into the school at any time. After explaining his perceptions on Governors, Mr.Gullick gave us a hand sheet with more in depth details. I now know that Governors:

1.    Conduct the school to promote high standards of educational achievement

2.    Set appropriate school targets for pupil achievement at Key Stage 2, 3 and 4

3.    Managing the schools budget – this includes staff pay

4.    Making sure that the National Curriculum is being taught

5.    Participating in the appointment of the head teacher and deputy head teachers and other staff and regulating staff conduct and discipline

6.    Finally drawing up an action plan after an inspection.

Mr.Gullick then gave us real world examples of Government Statements that he had heard.

“I expect local authorities to participate in consortia arrangements, including shared consortium services, or suffer financial penalties.”

Leighton Andrews, Written Welsh Government statement, 2^nd Feb 2011.

Mr.Gullick explained to us the contact between the school governors and the teaching staff. The only way both will meet each other is through job interviews, informal visits to schools and celebrations such as school concerts and productions. Some staff will see Governors at governing body meetings and staff disciplinary meetings. This means Governors have seen evidence of poor teaching, therefore will arrange training courses to progress.

     I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Gullicks talk on Governors, as my mum was a Governor in my Primary it is interesting to see exactly what they did and what they have achieved at my time in the school.