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Word + Quiz: plenary

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Word + Quiz: plenary

Note: Our Sixth Annual 15-Second Vocabulary Video Challenge is underway. It will run until Feb. 18.

1. full in all respects

2. of or pertaining to a meeting attended by all participants of a conference

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The word plenary has appeared in 14 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Oct. 26 in “Vatican Faces Modern-Day Suffragists, Demanding Right to Vote” by Elisabetta Povoledo:

Vatican synods are held every few years. Women have emerged as a major concern of this one, which opened earlier this month and focuses on how the church can better minister to today’s youth in an era of emptying pews.

“The presence of women in the church, the role of women in the church,” has been repeatedly raised, in the synod’s plenary meeting and within smaller working groups, said Sister Sally Marie Hodgdon, the superior general of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, and a synod participant. “The youth bring it up, as have some of the bishops and cardinals.”

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What Students Are Saying About: How to Treat Robots, Being Resilient and ‘Ghosting’

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What Students Are Saying About: How to Treat Robots, Being Resilient and ‘Ghosting’

The risk of embarrassing ourselves further prevents most people from communicating their failures but communicating them can be beneficial. Not only can it ease our worries about our failures but it can also strengthen the bond between our friends and classmates. Our failures are the cornerstones of our personalities. Without failure we learn nothing. But the way we retaliate from our failures is a choice the reflects the way we go about our lives. Do we hide in the shadows, waiting for them to pass or do we face them head on, fearlessly.

— Sam Martin, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC

When I was ten years old, my father accidentally overdosed and passed away very unexpectedly; I questioned “Why me?” “How is this possibly in God’s plan?” and “Why so soon?” for many years. But, eventually I realized that the resilience my father carried was admirable and was my driving force to quit dwelling on him being home but to celebrate his time here. Not only do I believe that resilience is necessary but I also realize that becoming resilient is difficult. Dwelling is the easier road; but, resilience is the right road.

— Truli Bates, Bryant, Arkansas, Bryant, Arkansas

I tend to be fairly resilient when it comes to dealing with embarrassing failures because I usually forget about these incidents a few days later. However, this past October, I dealt with too much failure. Not necessarily failure that makes you feel embarrassed, but failure that makes you feel disappointed and/or hopeless. By the end of the month I couldn’t hold myself together any longer and had a panic attack. During my panic attack I was in a state of extreme shock; I couldn’t speak, and I was shaking and sweating uncontrollably. The day after, I stopped eating and putting effort into my appearance. I gained a lot of acne due to the amount of stress I was dealing with, I never left my house unless absolutely necessary, dark circles formed under my eyes, my skin became more pale, and I physically became sick. I never really talked to anyone about my situation, because no one truly cared. Over time I was able to pull myself together and get my life at least partially back on track. I feel as though it is better to overcome obstacles alone because it make you stronger and prepares you for the next failure.

— Whitley Johnson, Hoggard Highschool, Wilmington NC

The challenge of admitting defeat and sharing your struggles

I would say that I am not a very resilient person. I try my best to produce perfect assignments and face all challenges with an open mind but sometimes, things do not go as expected and I am left with a feeling of failure. I agree with the article that when I do mess up, instead of learning from that experience, I try my best to cover it up or, forget about it completely. I admit that instead of talking about my mistakes, I try to internalize it so that I won’t look unprofessional or dramatic.

— Abbie, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC

Be resilient can be very difficult. I don’t really know how resilient I am. I’m someone who can be very sensitive. Where something hurts me a lot happens, very likely to cry, that’s the way I am. If I’m mad, sad, afraid or even exhausted, I will cry. Otherwise I’ll act like I don’t care, because I really don’t. I always try to act like I’m strong outside, in front of my family or my friends, and sometimes It works. The worst is when they understand that something is wrong, because at that moment I literally blow it.

— Dina, France

How resilient am I? A very difficult question! Every situation is difficult to handle for example every failure, rejection … Most of the time I just try to forget or just keep smiling. All I do is cry behind this smile and try to act like I’m strong outside but in fact it’s just a mask and i’am weak and just need help. But i’am always positive and just keep breathing! And I think the best solution is to talk and stay strong because your not alone! Don’t forget to talk to your mother or your father or your dog

— Queen Bey, Paris, France

I consider myself resilient when dealing with obstacles or failure, but only in the moment. I tend to disregard problems when they arise, and somehow find a way to quickly get around them, or just ignore there is an issue all together. This works fine until my oblivion gets the best of me; and I find myself drowning in the challenges I once laughed off, however this time they are not as funny.

— Riley Blanchard, Hoggard, Wilmington, NC

Learning With: ‘A Merciless Cold Lingers in the Midwest’

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Learning With: ‘A Merciless Cold Lingers in the Midwest’

Before reading the article:

What’s the coldest weather you’ve ever experienced? What do you remember about how it felt?

Watch the video above, then imagine you are the mayor of a city like Chicago and that you know a few days in advance that historically cold temperatures are coming. How would you prepare? What specific services, businesses, industries and groups of people might need extra attention? Why?

Now, read the article, “A Merciless Cold Lingers in the Midwest,” and answer the following questions:

1. How low did temperatures drop across the Midwest this week? What happens after going gloveless for minute or two in conditions like these?

2. What were some of the services and businesses that were affected? How?

3. Why do some experts think these low temperatures may be the result of global warming?

4. How did schools across the region handle the cold?

5. What is a “frost quake” and what does it sound like?

Finally, tell us more about what you think:

Do you understand the science behind the polar vortex?

Take a look at these images and graphics that explain the dangerously cold winds.

Once you’ve read the full piece, challenge yourself: how would you explain the polar vortex to a second grader?

The best quotes about leadership

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The best quotes about leadership

Building self-confidence is the key to Leadership. When in sixth grade, my shy, soft-spoken, niece Katie approached me and asked me the best way how to learn to speak and write Japanese to add captions to her Japanese action cartoon characters that she liked to draw. I told her to take and learn martial arts. Taking martial arts over the next six years, Katie built her martial arts proficiency and self-confidence to do anything that she decided to do and it helped her excel in both her school studies and other outside extracurricular activities. As a result, she has become a super-achiever leader… way, way beyond most women her own age.

8 of the best Spanish Idioms

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8 of the best Spanish Idioms

No se pueden pedirle peras al olmo
you cannot ask an elm for pears

In short: you cannot ask the impossible.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 4

Si mi abuela tuviera ruedas seria una bicicleta 
If my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a bicycle

This means if things happened differently, they would be different, so it’s silly to even suggest it.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 1

Pájaro que comió, voló 
bird that ate, bird that flew

A lovely phrase we don’t really have an English version of – it means a person who eats and then rushes off.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 2

Al pan pan, y al vino vino 
call bread bread, wine wine

A much more appetising way of saying call a spade a spade, as in to state something exactly as it is.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 3

Mucho ruido y pocas nueces
a lot of noise, and very few nuts.

Meaning a lot of fuss, not much actual action. There could be a few English versions of this – much ado about nothing, or maybe all mouth no trousers are two contenders.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 5

Al mal tiempo buena cara 
To bad weather good face

This means if life gets tough, stay happy – a bit like the English if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 6

Poco a poco 
little by little

 The English equivalent might be ‘one step at a time’.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 7

Más perdido que un pulpo en un garaje
More lost than an octopus in a garage.

 We saved the best until last – this phrase means to not have a clue.

FutureLearn Spanish Program Idioms 8

Explore more Spanish with an online program of flexible Spanish Courses and soon you’ll be using these phrases like a native. And remember to add any Spanish idioms you’ve come across in the comments – we’d love to see them.

5 tips to help you avoid awkward networking

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5 tips to help you avoid awkward networking

Networking is a fundamental part of building a career, but it can be a daunting prospect introducing yourself to strangers.

Yet the challenge is worth overcoming; successful working relationships can help you move companies, grow new skills or even bring in new business. To help you on your way, we’ve got 5 top tips to avoid the sweaty-palms and nervous chatter of awkward networking events.

networking tips futurelearn

  1. Do your research

If you’re going to an event, research it. Try to find out who will be there, so you’re aware of who you might like to approach and who might interest you. You may also find that there are people there who you’ve met before, which will help to ease you into conversations.

networking tips futurelearn

  1. Arrive on time

You don’t want to arrive too early – being one of only a few people standing in a large space is always uncomfortable. But equally, you don’t want to arrive too late or you will feel the pressure of having to walk into a crowded room, whilst figuring out where to place yourself and who to talk to.

networking tips futurelearn

  1. Balance the conversation

If the thought of talking a lot makes you feel nervous then find ways to balance your conversations; ask open-ended questions that encourage the other person to talk, so that awkward silences are kept to a minimum. If you’re feeling a little unconfident then playing the listener will give you time to step back, relax and consider what you want to say next. It also leaves a good impression.

networking tips futurelearn

  1. Take a break

At a busy and potentially long networking event it is perfectly acceptable to take a break. Even the most experienced and confident networkers will want some time to escape the room. Don’t wear yourself out, else you might find yourself not paying attention to people. Find some space outside for fresh air, get a drink and use the time to reflect on how things are going, so that when you re-enter, you feel ready.

networking tips futurelearn

  1. Don’t be too serious

Networking is your chance to sell yourself and expand your horizons, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be dull.  Share some anecdotes or appropriate jokes, and have a laugh with other people in the room – everyone knows it’s a little bit awkward.

Want to learn more networking? Join Business Fundamentals: Effective Networking. Or if you’re looking to develop your communications more generally, have a look at our Communication skills courses and programs page.

Open, online CPD: supporting different modes of study

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Open, online CPD: supporting different modes of study

Matt Cornock, Online CPD Coordinator at the National STEM Learning Centre writes about supporting different modes of study and designing online courses with extended availability in mind.

Online CPD courses from the National STEM Learning Centre encourage learners to actively participate, explore ideas together and take the time to reflect on their practice. An increasing number of learners are joining later, into the extended availability period, and are not able to draw upon our expert educators and mentor support. From our research, we’ve found that these learners are less likely to contribute to course discussions and so are missing out on a valuable learning process for professional development.

To address this, we’ve embedded a number of approaches which enable late starters to draw upon the social learning experience. For example, mentor video diaries and educator recordings help learners find their way through the course discussions, highlighting key learning points and issues within specific contexts that may resonate with them. We also convey the value of active learning with tasks that learners can do independently, such as self-audits, reflective writing and practice-based activities.

The flexibility of online CPD empowers our learners to decide how and when they study. We are open about when our mentors are available, to allow learners to choose what form of study they wish to engage with. Whilst learners could join the next mentor-supported run, they may choose to take a course together with colleagues to draw upon an immediate, offline, peer network. It’s clear that our course designs should continually evolve and be flexible, so that all our learners feel supported in their development journey.

Further details in: Engagement in MOOCs by pre-prepared vs just-in-time learners

Category
Research insights

Behind the Scenes at the Royal Palaces: Meet Lord Onslow

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Behind the Scenes at the Royal Palaces: Meet Lord Onslow

Bringing history to life on screen isn’t always easy, especially with something as visceral as food and feasting. To help people experience dining at court in way that’s truly vivid we used ‘historical interpreters’ who appear in a cameo role each week. So, what does it take to transform into a historic figure? We thought we’d ask Past Pleasures interpreter TJ Holmes, who played the part of Lord Onslow, a great favourite in the court of King George I, who had a reputation for being a good drinker and a lover of chocolate, a popular food in the Georgian period that was associated with power and kingship (get a sneak peak of Lord Onslow with his personal account of life at Georgian Court).

Reading Open Online Courses (OOC) team: TJ, can you tell us how you became involved in Past Pleasures?

TJ: I applied to join PP’s team of interpreters at a period when the company were seeking new recruits for the reopening of Dover Castle. Henry II’s Great Tower there had just been given a superb medieval makeover, so I arrived at an exciting time.

OOC team: We made A History of Royal Food and Feasting to bring the changing tastes of successive generations of royalty and the splendour of their palaces to a broader audience and the learners who have taken previous runs of the course commented that Lord Onslow ‘brings history alive’. Why do you think historical interpretation is such an effective way to share history?  

TJ: Thank you, learners! It’s easy to think of history as the stuff of dusty old books, and books are of course key to its exploration. In trying to breathe life back into it, though, historical interpretation strives to give audiences a more vital and sensory understanding of the past. And, for those who visit sites and experience live historical interpretation, it is wonderfully immersive and interactive too.  

OOC team: What’s it like filming in costume in the places where history happened, such as Hampton Court Palace? How did this add to your performance?

TJ: It’s a treat and a privilege. Past Pleasures pride themselves on the historical accuracy of their costumes, and wearing them at a site like Hampton court, which is so richly steeped in history, does make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. It certainly elevates your performance! And the clothing and location are, of course, prime resources for interpretation.

OOC team: What other historical figures do you play?

TJ: I have played a rebek-wielding troubadour, a dung-spattered medieval zoo-keeper, an assortment of mail-suited knights, a highwayman, a counterfeiter, Isaac Newton, Samuel Pepys, the ever-popular Judge Jeffreys and many more. Variety certainly is the spice of life!

OOC team: Can you describe Lord Onslow to us in a sentence?

TJ: A courtier and bon viveur who likes to think of himself as a bit of a raconteur.

OOC team: How did you prepare for the Lord Onslow piece?

TJ: I was provided with a resource pack by Past Pleasures which I duly gobbled up and supplemented with some further reading. I then tried to find the most palatable way of getting the most important and interesting parts of my research across. This meant trying to find a through-line so that ideas followed one another in a fluid and conversational manner. It’s also helpful to stay open to what happens in the moment, though, and to benefit from the director’s guidance.

OOC team: Your performance of Lord Onslow is very charismatic and amusing  – what was the thought process behind this portrayal?

TJ: Thank you kindly! His status within the court naturally informed the heightened level of etiquette and his cut-glass accent, and, whilst it’s hard to say precisely how our forebears would have sounded, there are period writings that provide excellent insights on matters of etiquette. Then we always try to inject some humour into proceedings to give the ball of learning a bit of extra bounce; the unofficial Past Pleasures motto is from William Schwenck Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame): “I can trick you into learning with a laugh”.

OOC  team: You wear a magnificent wig in the video. How heavy was it? What is your favourite part of the costume?

TJ: Wigs can be quite heavy and hot, but hasn’t it always been the way that you must suffer for your style! I love the clothing of this period, especially the waisted coats which, like the stockings and britches, are tailored to fit the male form. It’s a refreshing change from today’s fashion for men which often favours concealing the figure.

OOC team: And finally, do you like chocolate as much as Lord Onslow?

TJ: I’d challenge him to a chocolate-swilling duel any day!

Want to meet TJ in character as Lord Onslow, and explore all things royal food? Join A History of Royal Food and Feasting today.

Courses the Coursera Team Loves

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Courses the Coursera Team Loves

Jon W. Software Engineer

“Learning How to Learn from McMaster University and UC San Diego is one of the best courses, because it’s a great example of what Coursera has to offer! It’s a great way to prepare you for studying topics of all kinds on Coursera –– it’s meta like that.”

Jenny W. Product Manager

“Effective Altruism from Princeton is a great course for anyone who’s interested in becoming a more ethical person and who’s considering what it means to live an ethical life.”

Jade W. Learner Services Manager

“Leadership Through Social Influence from Northwestern University is my most recent course, and I’ve been recommending it to friends. Professor O’Keefe’s lectures are really engaging and interesting. I also had a great time taking Modern & Contemporary American Poetry from the University of Pennsylvania. That course has built an incredible community, and it was inspiring to join such a kind, dedicated, diverse group of people. It was a fun challenge for me to read, interpret, and write about poetry, as that’s not something I’m used to doing.”

Kyle C. Enterprise Content Expert

“The Executive Data Science Specialization from John Hopkins University was incredibly helpful in giving me baseline knowledge of what data science is and how it works. Giving Helpful Feedback from the University of Colorado Boulder was immediately applicable in my work; Digital Transformation from the University of Virginia helped me think about how to advise our customers, who are being digitally disrupted in their own markets; and Business Metrics for Data Driven Companies from Duke University was a great refresher on my early consulting days. What’s next for me? I’m currently working on Managing Big Data with MySQL from Duke University and Introduction to Public Speaking from the University of Washington.”

Alexandra U. Teaching & Learning Specialist

“I took so many courses, it’s hard to choose just a few to recommend! I really enjoyed A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment from the Indian School of Business because the videos were engaging and interactive. The instructor beautifully intertwined anecdotes and stories with research insights, making his video lectures interesting and applicable to real life. I also liked Python for Everybody from the University of Michigan because it gives you such great coverage of the basics and by the end of the Specialization, you’re writing complex programs that integrate with SQL and outputting fancy visualizations. The assignments were fantastic and completing them was immensely gratifying! But don’t just take it from me — find what interests YOU and dive in.”

Abigail H. Learner Services Strategist

“I recommend Project Management from UC Irvine. It’s a very practical course with interesting presentations. The ideas I learned were immediately applicable to my work.”

Sabah B. University Partnerships

“I’m a learner first and foremost, so I’ve taken quite a few courses throughout the years — even before I joined the Coursera team! I was in marketing and communications and had my own consulting business previously, so I focused on courses that taught me about business development and entrepreneurship. A couple that stood out for me were Excel Skills for Business Specialization by Macquarie University and Data-driven Decision Making by PricewaterhouseCoopers.”

Devon B. Talent Team

“I’m taking Learning How to Learn from McMaster University and UC San Diego! It covers the fundamentals of how your brain works and processes information. I’m also excited to have started taking Design Thinking for Innovation from the University of Virginia over the holiday break. A course that has been useful in my work is Successful Negotiation from the University of Michigan. It helped me improve my negotiating skills for when I’m communicating with hiring managers, agencies, and candidates.”

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Have you taken any of these courses? Do you have ones you’d recommend our team to take this year? Share your #CourseToSuccess with us on social media. 

 

3 Things You Can Do To Start Moving Forward

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3 Things You Can Do To Start Moving Forward

Jan 31, 2019

By Maria T.

Life doesn’t always go smoothly. There are ups and downs, backward steps, and sometimes no movement at all. Every now and then, something happens that really throws you, something that makes it kind of hard to concentrate or start moving on with your life. And even if nothing terribly bad has come your way, sometimes it just feels like not many positive things have happened for you lately, or even for a while.

Whatever the reason, sometimes everyone wants to get some sense of forward movement. The good news is, there are simple things you can do to make this happen. Not everything in life is in our control, but some things are. Here’s three simple actions that can make a positive difference, and allow you to start moving forward.

1. Join A Social Group

Interacting with new people who share a hobby with you is a great way to invite some change into your life. Whether you’re interested in football, art, board games, reading, even just online gaming, there is probably someone in your town who shares that interest. And if there isn’t, there are countless online forums where you can discuss your interests and discover people who share them with you. Start or join a group in your local area or online, and see where it leads.

2. Start A Fitness Routine

People who don’t have a fitness routine often think that exercise is just about getting in shape. While of course exercise is great for your health, putting together a fitness routine is about more than that. A daily or even just twice weekly routine can activate you in a way that makes the rest of your day and week a lot easier. A good routine should leave you feeling ready for your day, more capable, more productive, and more energised. This can really help get you out a slump and start moving forward in your life.

3. Set Great Goals

It doesn’t particularly matter what your goals are, so long as they are meaningful to you. Setting goals gives you something to work towards, a sense of achievement, a feeling of control, and can help you organise your week and make worthwhile career plans. Sometimes it can be difficult to set the right goals, so check out this advice on how to choose the best goals for you.

By taking one or more of these steps, you can start moving forward and enter a new routine. This can be a great little boost for anyone feeling like life hasn’t been going so positively lately, or who just wants to make a change. So give it a go, you never know where it might take you.

Author: Alison Marketing

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