The DEN - April 2011

The DEN. Issue 20, April 2011. 1

Issue 20April 2011

The CSU Distance Education Newsletter

©The DEN is a Rivcoll SRC Publication

Distance Education Newsletter

THEDENDEN

AUTISMOne Family’s Journey.

WORLD CREATIVITY &

INNOVATION WEEK

WINTER ‘STUDY ’ RECIPES

CSU GREEN STEPS TRAINING

Regular FeaturesDE News With Richard

LogophobiaThrough The LensMeet DE Students

Shaggy’s Recyled CraftBook Reviews

DE CraftQuiz

SPECIAL FEATURE:colouring page

2 The DEN. Issue 20, April 2011.

From the editor

REGULARS3. World Days this Month

4. DE News with Richard

10. Through the Lens - Shoes

12. Quiz - Footwear -scattered throughout ‘Shoes’.

26. Logophobia - an obsessive fear of words

27. PebblePad. Creating ripples for learning - Action Plan Tool

30. Shaggy’s Recycled Crafts - Using paper Napkins

33. Book Reviews - Where the academic worm takes a break from study

Issue 20, April 2011FEATURES8. Green Steps

13. Colouring Page

14. Our Journey on the Autism Spectrum - Sharon Gwyn

16. What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders - Autism Spectrum Australia

18. Getting to know each other - Meet DE students

20. Meet Your DE Rep -Dean White

24.. Winter Recipes Some stolen from MAF

28. Concept Maps

29. Creativity and Innovation Week

Disclaimer: The DEN is a Rivcoll SRC publication and the opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the editor, staff or student members. Association by persons or companies with ‘The Den’ does not necessarily reflect the religious, political, sexual or racial beliefs of those parties. The Editor and Rivcoll SRC do not accept any responsibility for any omissions, errors, inaccuracies, or the views and opinions contained in any article accepted for publication. The editor reserves the right to edit or reject any articles submitted for publication.

Email letters to the Editor & submissions to [email protected]

30. Next Month - Quiz Answers

EDITOR/LAYOUTSandra Stewart

CONTRIBUTORS

Salutations to all DE and non DE readers

Congratulations to all those that have graduated recently or are about to. Please can we have photographs for the next edition. I’ll promise my photo if you share yours.

I met three othere DE students that I knew from the forums, whilst I was in Wagga for the first CSU Green Steps Training - see page 31 for the photographic proof. The Green Steps training was a very full five days - see page 6.

I would sincerely like to thank Sharon Gwyn for sharing her family’s journey on the Autism spectrum in writing and photographs.

At this point I only have three items 2 recipes and 1 graduation photo in reserve for next month. I need your contributions to keep up the quality of The DEN. See the last page for topics for next month.

My apologies for the lateness will try to be on time for next month.

Sandra Stewart, Editor.

Pheona Anderson, Amanda Baynham, Mark Boulet, Sharon Crossett, Joh Curtis, Kate DiCamillo,Pamela Frape, Ben Gleeson, Sharon Gwyn, Alissa Haddad, Jessica Leard, Ed Maher, Richard Maher, Sandra Stewart, Cornelia Versluys, Dean White, Alex (AJ) Zauner De Ville


April Days

World Days in April

2nd World Autisim Day Awareness Day

Declared on December 18, 2007. It is one of only three disease specific United Nation’s

Day.

http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917077/k.186A/About_World_

Autism_Awareness_Day.htm

22nd Earth Day The 2011 theme was A Billion

Acts of Green. This marks the start of the environmental movement in 1970. It was inspired by the anti-Vietnam war protests, 29 million US residents took to the streets. In 1990 it went global with

200 million people in 184 countries anfd giving a huge boost to recycling efforts.2011’s theme was to get a billion acts of environmental service around the world.

http://www.earthday.org/

21st World Creativity and Innovation Week

Celebrations begin April 15 - Leonardo da Vinci’s Birthday World Creativity

and Innovation Week April 15 - 21 is a celebration of our ability to get new ideas, use imagination and make new decisions to make the world a better place and to make your place in the world better too.

Do what you can, do what you like. There’s only one rule: do no harm.

http://www.creativityday.org/Welcome.html

25thWorld Malaria Day.Recognised by the World Health

Organisation. In 2009, about 3.3 billion people - half of the world’s population - were at risk of malaria. Every year, this leads to about 250 million malaria cases and nearly 800 thousand deaths. People

living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable.

World Malaria Day - which was instituted by the World Health Assembly at its

60th session in May 2007 - is a day for recognizing the global effort to provide

effective control of malaria.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/malaria/en/index.html


been going on with DE representation at Rivcoll. Firstly, I am lucky enough to have a new DE colleague, Dean “Deano Supremeo” White, who has been on the Rivcoll board for over one year now. Dean is known for his passion and dedication in all matters pursuant to student representation and is a wonderful asset to our SRC. Dean and I are good friends outside of university and we will work well together in our official capacity as DE reps. So down to some news. Recently, I emailed all head of schools (HOS) in relation to minimum contact requirements from our subject co-ordinators, and for the most part, this was warmly received and it generated excellent discussion and very helpful feedback from the HOS.

I would like to acknowledge the positive help, suggestions and feedback I received from HOS at our university as well as the NTEU at a recent meeting.

During these discussion I found out that the minimum requirements for contact is currently being reviewed at a committee level within the university, c/o the Student Communications Steering Committee (SCSC), and Rivcoll SRC has expressed an interest to its Chairperson for a voice/audience/involvement in this committee.

The current minimum standards may be found at the following web address: www.csu.edu.au/acad_sec/academic-manuel/docs/p8.rtf I encourage any interested student to read this document and email either myself or Dean with your suggestions on what you feel, as students, are acceptable minimum contact standards from

your lecturers/subject co-ordinators.

It is all very well Dean and I, and the Rivcoll board, making discussion, however, we want to best reflect your opinions to the people who matter. Another major issue that is currently on Rivcoll’s agenda is the “un-capping” issue that starts next year. For those who don’t know, currently in Australia, enrolments within Australian universities are “capped” due to funding agreements between commonwealth and individual universities. From 2012 the Australian government will turn to a new “student driven demand” system in which the government will attempt to fund all domestic undergraduate students that universities choose to enroll.

In practice, universities will be able to enroll as many students as they can fit into the class room,

or in CSU’s case with over 20,000 DE students, as many as they can fit outside the class room. However, with academics workloads already considerably stretched, this would mean they are not necessarily enrolling students they can realistically teach to a good and competent standard. According to the government it has set a national target to increase the proportion of 25-34 year olds with a tertiary qualification or higher degree to 40% by 2025 and this government policy is aimed at developing universities responsiveness to demand for a tertiary education and to boost greater participation; however having a piece of paper does not make you good at your job nor does it give you the relevant academic or

DE News with Richard DE Rep Rivcoll SRC

DE News with Richard

Dear fellow students,

I hope this little note finds you well and enjoying your studies!? ;). I would just like to tell you what has


practical skills that a good education does with excellent educators who are not overworked.

From a Rivcoll SRC perspective, uncapping of universities seems to be a very double edged sword. We can see a great benefit of allowing more Australians to gain a tertiary education which in most cases will allow for more meaningful employment and upwards mobility in our society; however, on the other hand, this will realistically put massive strains on university educators, admin staff and facilities at the expense of a quality education and students. Here at CSU internal students are blessed with excellent class sizes, student friendly educators (they are nice to DE’s also!) and a nice environment to work and study in, for the most part, one can get access to a computer in the library or a place to sit down and study.

still maintain a high academic standard to keep up with students needs if this uncapping system is going to work in meaningful and beneficial way for all stakeholders.

At a Student Senate level I am currently drafting a proposed structure for a DE Sub Committee that would handle all DE matters, however this is not as straight forward as it seems (funding is a massive issue); for a university where a vast majority of students are DE; Rivcoll feels that a DE Sub Committee is appropriate as it would ensure, at the very least, all SRC’s within CSU appoint a DE contact to advocate and represent DE students

physically on campus, however, this would still have to be properly discussed and voted on at the next student senate meeting by all members.

Again; we welcome any feedback, ideas or suggestions in this matter, you can email these c/o our Student Senate President, David Bate, at [email protected].

I would like to finish off by re-affirming what Dean and I are mostly here for. We want to be your hands and feet on campus, if you have an issue, especially when your administrative campus is Wagga, please contact us via email (preferred) or on the phone at the office and we will try and help you out as best we can. Very very best regards!

Richard MaherDirector, Rivcoll SRCJoint DE Rep, Rivcoll SRCMember, Student Senate ContactMonday: 10:30am - 11am, 1pm-3pmTuesday: 10:30am-1pm (02) 6933 [email protected] (after office hours) – emails sent here will also be sent to Dean. Best Regards,RichardDirector, RIVCOLL SRC

To read a lighthearted intro and meet Dean see page

DE News with Richard

However, the potential workload that will result in a DE environment for university staff is scary. Universities will have to ensure that they actively seek to employ more quality educators, build more (environmentally friendly) facilities and


Environmental Corner

CSU Green Steps Training

Monday April 4th saw six CSU students from a wide range of study areas

introducing ourselves, playing strategy games and doing a lot of thinking as we delved into environmental issues, whilst other residential students were in chemistry labs or lectures.

Participants in the inaugural CSU Green Steps training program came from as close

Wagga Wagga April 2011

as Wagga and as far away as Merriwa to attend the training. The participants’ university courses included Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) Environmental Science and Management, Land Management (Ecological Agriculture),

Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine), Masters in Education (Information Technology),

The course is open to all CSU students and was first organised at Monash University over 10 years ago.

Green Steps was a great experience and a wonderful way to make time to focus upon some of the really pressing issues confronting our society and us as individuals today. Without learning about these kinds of issues and gaining the skills needed to help create improvements how are we ever going to make the shifts required? I'm very much looking forward to being able to implement some of the change managment skills and perspectives I learnt when I get to do my internship. Aside from this, it was great to spend some time among other people who are also concerned about lowering our environmental footprint and starting to account for some of the externalised costs associated with our modern lifestyles. Ben

“I was impressed with the quality of the students from CSU (as well as the venue and the catering). I believe that the CSU Green Steps Interns will be able to guide and influence the organisations where they undertake their internships to move towards becoming more sustainable. I look forward to meeting the 2012 trainees.”Mark Boulet,

Green Steps Trainer from Monash

Some time for socialising on Thursday night.

I learned so much about change and implementing change in organisations. Not being an environmental studies student there was a lot of new ideas and concepts but I came away enthused about the possibility of being an agent for environmental change. Sandra


Green Steps Training

“This is the first year that we have run the Green

Steps Program at CSU and we are really excited by the

potential outcomes. Our interns are really switched on to sustainability

and their active participation made the training a real success.

There is no doubt that these guys are going to make a real contribution to making their host organisations

more sustainable once the internships kick off. We hope the demand from future interns can make this

training a must for next year.”Ed Maher. A/Manager CSU Green

A rubbish audit from some CSU offices. Sandra got the double jackpot with her finds, two dead mice and $6.38.

Partner Presentations on the results of an

energy audit..

The trainees were invited to delve into two large green rubbish bags and determine what could have been recycled, what was organic waste and what actually should have been placed in the office bin.. As you can tell there were protective gloves and tongs. The divided rubbish was then weighed or a volume measure taken this could be multiplied by the working days each year to estimate an annual rubbish output and if it could have been didposed of in other more appropriate and environmentally friendly ways.

Water and energy audits (tested the maths but calculators allowed) were also carried out and then recommendations made for organisational improvement.

'I enjoyed meeting students from different backgrounds and brainstorming sustainability ideas applicable to their situations' Pheona


Through the LensSHOES

“Diamonds on the Soles

of Her Shoes”

“Walk a mile in my Shoes”

“Footloose”

“Boogie Shoes”

“These Boots Were Made For Walkin”

“Goody Two-Shoes”

“Old Brown Shoe”

“Those Shoes”

High Heel Shoes

“I Saw Your Shoes”

“SensibleShoes”

All shoe photos on this page: Jessica Leard

Through the Lens


I was given away in 2005 by a friend of hers who didn’t

like me. I went to

South America to hike mountains. I have been all over the world and up and down various mountains since then.

Through the Lens: Shoes - our storyThe Working ShoeI am old but I was once a

proud pair of working shoes... Before my owner went to

uni, we

had

been inthe sex in-dustry for 18 years as a strip-per and sex worker’s adorn-ment. I am over 20 years

old and I have seen... well... I have been around

the world a couple

of times, danced

wildly on many a stage,

and seen the insides of some

very strange places. If you

take a good look at my

bottoms (I’m not shy), you will

see that my kind aren’t really

made any more – steel tips on the stiletto, and resin soles. I have not been worn since I left the industry 7 years ago, but the sentimen-

Recently a brand new pair of fancy hiking shoes was bought, and I, the Docs have been relegated to being excellent door-stops.

“We’ve been through a lot together...”

The Docs

Photos and original story. AJ Zauner DeVille. Story adapted by Sandra Stewart.

tal value is huge.

Shoes


• In Biblical times a sandal was given as a sign of an oath.

• In the Middle Ages a father passed his authority over his daughter to her husband in a shoe ceremony. At the wedding, the groom handed the bride a shoe, which she put on to show she was then his subject.

• Today in the U.S. shoes are tied to the bumper of the bridal couple's car. This is a reminder of the days when a father gave the groom one of his daughter's shoes

as a symbol of a changing caretaker.

• In China one of the bride's red shoes is tossed from the roof to ensure happiness for the bridal couple.

• In Hungary the groom drinks a toast to his bride out of her wedding slipper.

SHOESQuiz

This month the quiz is embedd throughout our shoe photographs. Name the singer that goes with the song titles on our photography and she fact pages. Answers are on page:

Shoes As Symbols

“The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes”

“Shoes

Without

Heels”

“Blue

Suede

Shoes”

“My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You”

“Little Red

Shoes” “Wearing Out

Your Walking

Shoes”

“Can’t Afford No Shoes”

Photo:Old Boots: Pamela Frape

Quiz


CopyrightText or pictures of all the web pageshttp://www.mandala-4u.comand their sub pages may only be copied for non-commercial purposes and passed on.After being copied, the pictures and text may not be altered.This also applies to passing on printed Mandalas.Dala Freeman

Colouring Page

Following a recent MAF discussion I thought I’d throw in a colouring page. Would love to see some of the results for the May DEN. Ed PS Note the copyright for finished Mandalas below.

Colouring Page


Things that made others raise their eyebrows we accepted as just being one of ‘Nick’s Quirks’.

On Nick’s 3rd birthday we had family and friends over for a party. While the other children ran and played he lay on the floor with a matchbox car watching the wheels spin round and round and refused to open any presents.

A line up of the toy variety. Photo:SharonGwyn

On the 12th November 2004 we were blessed with the birth of our first child –

a healthy baby boy, Nicholas James. He was a fussy baby, a poor sleeper and seemed to cry constantly.

He was born via c/section after discovering at 38 weeks that he was breech. My pregnancy and delivery all went smoothly.

Being our first child we did not see the signs.

His favourite toy was an old computer fan that my husband had cut the wires out of, and he would sit for hours in the car just watching it spin.

Developmentally Nick reached all the ‘milestones’ as expected. He spoke his first word at 8 months ‘Dadda’ quickly followed by his second and third words ‘this’ and ‘that’ which he used correctly. He started crawling at 5 months, sat at around the same time and was walking by 11 months.

Only after starting long daycare at the age of 3 and having numerous reports of ‘bad’ and ‘anti-social’ behaviour did we took him to be assessed when he was 4. Our first assessment came back as ADHD along with the recommendation to medicate.

We decided not to medicate and had him re-assessed 6 months later. We were more than a little shocked to hear that our little man was on the Autism Spectrum and was diagnosed with Asperger’s.

Our Journey on the Autism Spectrum

Nick - Comfort in a Cuddle. Photo:SharonGwyn

Autism Journey


He struggles with social interactions; he is extremely literal and has some trouble reading facial expressions.On his first day at kindergarten his teacher said “it’s easy peasy lemon squeezy”, all the other children laughed then she had to spend the next 2 hours trying to explain what she had said and what she meant to Nicholas who was very confused and upset about it.

Along with Asperger’s Nicholas has sensory processing disorder – he is a sensory seeker who loves to spin, run, jump and cannot sit still – EVER! School is a challenge for him, not because of the work but he constantly struggles to be still, to pay attention, to make friends.

He is turning 7 this year and has made amazing progress with the help of his Occupational Therapist –she truly is a miracle worker. Our daily routines are displayed on the wall, our calendar is full of specialist and therapy appointments and our house is full of ‘therapeutic toys’.

We accept him as he is, some days are harder than others, and we hope that he can find his place in this crazy and often judgemental world that we live in.Sharon Gwyn

Nick is a very bright and intelligent boy, he has the most amazing mind and is fascinated with factual information

(no fairy tales in this house!).

Our Journey on the Autism SpectrumAutism Journey


ASDs are lifelong

developmental disabilitiescharacterised by markeddifficulties in social interaction,impaired communication,restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours, and sensorysensitivities.

The word “spectrum” is usedbecause the range and severity of the difficulties people with an ASD experience can vary widely.

ASDs include autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder andpervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified,which is also known as atypical autism. Sometimes the word “autism” is used to refer to allASDs.Studies show 1 in 160 Australians have anASD and that it is more prevalent in males than females.The effects of an ASD can often be minimised by earlydiagnosis and with the right interventions,many children and adults with anASD show marked improvements.

The three main areas of difficulty are:

1. Impairment in social interaction

May include:• Limited use and understanding of non-verbal communicationsuch as eye gaze, facial expression and gesture• Difficulties forming and sustaining friendships• Lack of seeking to share enjoyment, interest and activitieswith other people• Difficulties with social and emotional responsiveness

2. Impairment in communication

May include:• Delayed language development• Difficulties initiating and sustaining conversations• Stereotyped and repetitive use of language such as repeatingphrases from television• Limited imaginative or make-believe play

3. Restricted and repetitive interests,

activities and behavioursMay include:• Unusually intense or focused interests• Stereotyped and repetitive body movements such as handflapping and spinning• Repetitive use of objects such as repeatedly flicking a

doll’s eyes or lining up toys• Adherence to non-functional routines such as insisting ontravelling the same route home each dayIn addition to these main areas of difficulties, individuals with anASD may also have:• Unusual sensory interests such as sniffing objects or staringintently at moving objects• Sensory sensitivities including avoidance of everyday sounds andtextures such as hair dryers, vacuum cleaners and sand• Intellectual impairment or learning difficulties

What are the different types of ASD?The term ASD is an umbrella description which refers to threedifferent diagnoses. Regardless of the specific diagnosis given,individuals with an ASD will experience difficulties in manydifferent social situations such as school and work.

Autistic disorder(sometimes

referred to as classic autism)The diagnosis of autistic disorder is given to individuals with impairments in social interaction and communication as well asrestricted and repetitive interests, activities and

What are autism spectrum disorders?Autism


behaviours whichare generally evident prior to three years of age.

Asperger’s disorder(sometimes referred to as

Asperger’s syndrome)Individuals with Asperger’s disorder have difficulties with social interaction and social communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours. Individuals withAsperger’s disorder do not have a significant delay in early language acquisition and there is no significant delay in cognitive abilities or self help skills. Asperger’s is often detected later than autisticdisorder as speech usually develops at the expected age.

Developmental paediatricians, psychiatrists andpsychologists with experience in assessing individualswith ASD are qualified to make a diagnosis. When makinga diagnosis, the clinician will usually first determine whetheran individual meets the criteria for autistic disorder. If allthe criteria are not met, they may consider Asperger’sdisorder, or PDD-NOS (atypical autism).If you have concerns, your GP may refer you to adevelopmental paediatrician or diagnostic assessmentservice in your area. Alternatively, you may contact

AutismSpectrumAustralia (Aspect) about the DiagnosticAssessment Service on 02 8977 8300.

What causesASD?Currently, there is no single known cause for ASD, howeverrecent research has identified strong genetic links.ASDis not caused by an individual’s upbringing or theirsocial circumstances.Is there a cure?There is presently no known cure for ASD.However, earlyintervention, specialised education and structured supportcan help develop an individual’s skills. Every individual withASD will make progress, although each individual’s progresswill be different. Progress depends on a number of factorsincluding the unique make up of the individual and the typeand intensity of intervention.With the support of family,friends and service providers, individuals with ASD canachieve a good quality of life.

What services are available?Autism SpectrumAustralia (Aspect) is the largest serviceprovider for individuals with ASD and their families in

Australia. Aspect’s range of services include:information, diagnostic and assessment, early intervention,Autism Pro® (a web based tool for parents andprofessionals), schools for children with ASD, educationaloutreach, behaviour intervention, specialised casemanagement, community participation for adults, familysupport, research and training programs.

AspectAutism Information Line1800 069 978or 02 8977 8377Building 1, Level 2, 14 Aquatic Drive Frenchs Forest NSW 2086Telephone: (02) 8977 8300Fax: (02) 8977 8399Email: [email protected]:www.autismspectrum.org.au©Autism SpectrumAustralia (Aspect)ABN 12 000 637 267May 2009

Article reproduced with permission. Autism Spectrum Australia.Website:www.autismspectrum.org.au

What are autism spectrum disorders?Autism


My humble apologies to both Sharon Gwyn and Sharon Crossett whose names I mixed-up in last month’s DEN. I am humbly begging for forgiveness and apologising with great sincerity. Luckily Sharon Gwyn was working on the same assignment that I was and understood my stress! Ed

Sharon GwynWhereabouts do you live? Penrith, NSW

What are you studying? Masters in Education (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

What are your likes? Reading, computersWhat are your dislikes? Rude people, early mornings

If you had 3 wishes what would they be? More sleep, more time and for the kids to stop growing!

Would you rather have warts or pimples and why (you can’t say neither!)? Pimples... Cause they go away faster

When you were young, what job did you want to have when you grew up? Teacher

What did you end up doing? Teaching!

Activities when not studying? Facebook, reading, World of Warcraft, chasing around after my 2 kids.

Pets: We have a budgie (Charlie) and a rabbit (Badger)

Your thoughts on the environment: That people should be more aware of the footprints we leave behind

Favourites:• Party food: Chocolate! • TV show: House, Lie to Me• music: Eclectic• Song: Eclectic• Movie: The Notebook, Avitar, The secret garden• Game: World of Warcraft• Book -:Daughter of the Empire (all three in the series)• Things to do on a Sunday: SLEEP• Most embarrassing moment - A peacock pooped on my head as a child when we were at the zoo• memorable holiday - Vanuatu 2004, our honeymoon

Meet a DE Student


Joh CurtisWhereabouts do you live? Bathurst

What are you studying? Grad Dip Secondary Teaching – Secondary Science

What are your likes? My children, reading for pleasure and chocolate

What are your dislikes My partner at the mo-ment and peas – not necessarily in that order

If you had 3 wishes what would they be? To win lotto. To pass chemistry this year with a really good mark.Hmmm – not sure of my third??

Would you rather have warts or pimples and why (you can’t say neither!)? pimples – cos you can always get a good foundation, warts have to be burnt off…

When you were young, what job did you want to have when you grew up? Stewardess on an airplane

What did you end up doing? Laboratory Man-ager

Activities when not studying? What do you mean? I study all the time – sleeping I guess

Pets: one staffy - Jesse

Your thoughts on the environment: try to keep it clean and recycle, but that’s about it

Favourites:• party food? Sausage rolls• TV show? Vampire Diaries• music? U2• Song With or without you• Movie The Notebook or Lord of the rings• Game wii sports or my Nintendo dsi xl• Book – way too many, but currently waiting for the last Jean Auel book• Things to do on a Sunday: study (sad I know)

Most embarrassing moment – when my mother sent me to school on a public holi-day and I had to do the walk of shame home with my school bag under my raincoat (I was about 10)

• memorable holiday going to Disneyland and London with my Dad and sister

“The pic is of me and my 2 girls Charlotte (3) and Georgia (1.5) when we went back to NZ for Xmas, taken on a great beach in Nelson.”

Meet a DE Student


Whereabouts do you live?: Henty, N.S.W.What are you studying?: Pharmacy

What are your likes?: Webcomics, computer games and narwhals. Big time nerd!

What are your dislikes?: Vegemite, Making my bed and the band Oasis.

If you had 3 wishes what would they be: There is an exception on wishing for more wishes yes? More Genies! Or an Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (but I think I would want isomorphic controls on it, to prevent it from being stolen, or I could just wish that it never gets stolen)

Would you rather have warts or pimples and why (you can’t say neither!)?: Pimples, I've had them all my life but couldn't say they are particularly botersome.

When you were young, what job did you want to have when you grew up?: I looked through my kindergarten things and one says Pharmacist. I think I wanted to be like my brother.

What did you end up doing?: Pharmacy. I am incredibly boring.

Activities when not studying: Painting / Playing 40k (I collect Tau), playing Minecraft or thinking about studying (also called procrastination).

Pets: 1 Cat named Temma, used to have a Labrador named Sadie and another cat named Sebastian (my puddy tat).

Your thoughts on the environment : Greenhouse Effect / Global Warming / Climate Change is a very real thing and we should be doing as much as we can to prevent it. And recycle your aluminium!Favourites:• party food?: Johnnie Walker Black, breakfast of champions, accept no substitutes.

• TV show?: Doctor Who, can't you tell from the photo?

• music?: Radiohead. Also pretty big fan of Pink Floyd and David Bowie.

• Song?: I'm changing this to: Album?: Ok Computer, or Dark Side of the Moon, or Ziggy Stardust.

• Movie?: Donnie Darko or Scott Pilgrim vs The World

• Game?: I just lost The Game. But in seriousness probably Starcraft 2 or Settlers of Catan.

• Book?: 1984 by George Orwell

Deano “Supremo” WhiteMeet a DE Student


Alissa HaddadLives : SydneyBorn: 1970Degree: Completed Bachelor of Teaching (o-5yrs)in 2010 and started the Bachelor of Education (0-5yrs)in 2011.Interests: soccer, multicultural foods, music of all genres. Favourite colour: Purple Favourite food: anything healthy except for chocolate and donuts especially krispy crèmes.Married for 18yrs with three boys aged 7, 12

Dean joins Richard as our DE Rep at Rivcoll.

I begin my uni journey and explore all these sites on my screen. My csu, interact, I am not

sure what this is all about but press the MAF link.

There are hundreds of messages, more than my subject forums have. I wonder what peo-ple are talking about.

Hmmm very interesting, there is talk of rock bands, job searches, mug cake recipes, crazy inarticulate posts that make absolutely no

sense to me. see lots of reminiscing about music and life back in those good ol’ days. There are calls out to forum gods, what should I do questions and look at my pet photos.

So much happening and sooooo much dis-traction. I really must get back to my study but only after just one ore quick look. Refresh, refresh!

The MAF is now a hotlink where I go for some respite away from my study, for a laugh, for a cry or for a group of us to stand up for what we believe in. I can always get at least one reply and are tempted to read postings with numbers higher than 10 next to them.

Yep! MAF #1 distraction alright but damn well worth it.

Alissa.

M.A.F!!!!!!!

• Things to do on a Sunday?: Study. Noth-ing happens of note on a Sunday (everyone wants it to relax), so it is best used for pro-ductivity. Or painting my Tau. Or cleaning my car.

Most embarrassing moment?: When I was in year 11 and pronouncing the word "orgy" wrong when reading Cosi. I didn't know what it meant.• memorable holiday?: When I went to New Zealand with my family. I bunjy jumped. It was awesome.And I’ve attached a pic of me dressed as the 11th doctor from O-Week. Cheers!

Meet a DE Student


Meet Cornelia VersluysCornelia sent this introduction about herself and the community at Warnum in Western Australia. The poem on the next page is a favourite one of hers, with an Australian adaptation. Ed

I am now studying for a Diploma in Ageing and Pastoral Studies. I am a mature age students and am motivated to study in this area because of our ageing society. I have been motivated most of all by people who have acute memory loss. I hope I will become more able to communicate with people in the second part of the journey of life, and to feel more at home within that part of my personal journey.

I visit people of all ages and have found the attached prayer usually resonates with people. Even we who are studying, often in difficult circumstances can draw some strength from it, I believe.

For those interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

Google Warmun WA. This community is famous for its art. On the weekend of 13-14thMarch there was a flash flood through the community. Great devastation occurred. The art centre was damaged, up the 1000 paintings lost. No loss of life but most people were evacuated to Kununurra. The rest you can read yourself. I worked close to and with members of the Warmun Community up to 2006. Cornelia Versluys

Cornelia (left) with friends at Warmun 2006

Robert FrostI wonder about the trees.Why do we wish to bearForever the noise of theseMore than another noiseSo close to our dwelling place?We suffer them by the dayTill we lose all measure of pace,And fixity in our joys,And acquire a listening air.They are that that talks of goingBut never gets away;And that talks no less for knowing,As it grows wiser and older,That now it means to stay.My feet tug at the floorAnd my head sways to my shoulderSometimes when I watch trees sway,From the window or the door.I shall set forth for somewhere,I shall make the reckless choiceSome day when they are in voiceAnd tossing so as to scareThe white clouds over them on.I shall have less to say,But I shall be gone.

The Sound of the Trees

http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/robert_frost/

Meet a DE Student


Excerpted from May I have this dance?by Joyce Rupp Copyright (1992) by Ave Maria Press, P.O. Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Used with permission of the publisher. Pps 41-42

LEAN ON GODSome people lean against fence posts

when their bodies ache from toil.Some people lean on (gum) trees,

seeking cool shade on hot humid days.

Some people lean on crutcheswhen their limbs won’t work for them;

and some people lean on each otherwhen their hearts can’t stand alone.

How long it takes to lean upon you,God of shelter and of strength;

how long it takes to recognize the truthof where my inner power has its source.

All my independence, with this ignorance,stands up and stretches within me,

trying to convince my trembling soulthat I can conquer troubles on my own.

But the day of truth always comeswhen I finally yield to you, God,

knowing you are a steady stronghold, a refuge when times are tough.

Thank you for offering me strength,for being the (gum) tree of comfort;

thank you for being the sturdy supportwhen the limbs of my life are weak.

Praise to you, Eternal Lean-to,for always being there for me.

continue to transform mewith the power of your love.

Joyce Rupp

A Poem


Recipe and Method

In the bottom of mug pour in golden syrup (so that it covers the bottom (then swirl it so it coats half

way up the mug)- this was a bit less than 1 teaspoon for me.

In a separate cup put in; 1 medium egg,

1/3 cup self raising flour, 1/3 cup sugar ( i used white), 1/4 cup butter splash vanilla essence

Mix it, add a splash of milk (literally less than a tablespoon) so it mixes into a thick batter

Spoon batter over the golden syrup.Cover with cling wrap/poke some holes in it and cook in microwave for 3-4 minutes.

Winter Recipes

Winter RecipesSome stolen from Maf

Amanda Baynham: Golden Syrup Mug Cake “The taste is amazing (if you like GoldenSyrup)... but i put in a bit too much baking powder so it bubbled over the mug...”

“It makes more of a thick/self sauc-ing pudding kind of dessert as op-

posed to the chocolate cake recipe.“This was made up so i think i could

do it with less butter next time.”

This is one of my favourite studying recipes... Amanda Baynham

1 packet of instant noodles cooked and drained (without the salt/seasoning packet), a sprinkling of cheese, 1/4 can corn kernals, small tin of tuna and some sweet chili sauce...put back in microwave for minute and mix throughgreat study snack...

(or the naughty version is drained noodles, tablespoon peanut butter and sweet chili sauce- microwave and mix...) “actually- now i am hungry and need to procrastinate..

Lemon Surprise Pudding - Sandra StewartNot sure where it came from...120g flour zest and juice 2 lemons1 level tsp baking powder 1 cup milk120g castor sugar 2 eggs (separated)90 g margarine

Method

1. Preheat oven 175 deg Grease dish2. Cream margarine and sugar. Add egg yolks and lemon. Beat until mixture curdles3. Add flour and milk4. Whisk egg white until soft but not stiff. Fold into lemon mixture.5. Pour into greased dish. Bake for 45 minutes.

“Light sponge on top of a creamy lemon sauce.”

butterflies taste with

their feet.

chewing gum stimulates signals in the learning center of the brain and thus help save memory as you age.


Winter Recipes

Ingredients4 tablespoons flour2 tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons butter¼ teaspoon vanilla essence or peppermint

1 tablespoon crushed up easter eggs (or any other chocolate)

Two Ingredientschoc ripple biscuits

cream

Winter RecipesSome stolen from Maf

MethodAdd dry ingredients to the cup , and mix well.Crack egg into cup add it to your mug. Mix well to get all flour.Pour in the milk and butter. mix well.Add the vanilla essencePut cup into microwave for 3 minutes on maximum power (1000watt).Wait until the cake stops rising, and sets in the cup.

Amanda Baynham: A CAKE IN A CUP??“It’s not my favourite but only one I have on my computer (my favourite comes out more like a self saucing pudding but doesnt have eggs in it).”

Eating - the MOST important partTip the warm cake out of the cup and onto a saucer or eat it out of the cup.

Sharon Crossett: A CHOCOLATE BISCUIT CREAM CAKE...WITH A CRUNCHIE CRUSHED ON TOP....YUMMMMMYYYYY :D“oh it is not really something I invented...”

Method

Beat cream til thick...Stick biscuits together in any arrangement you like...The only trick is to make sure the entire biscuit is covered in cream...I made mine in a spring form tin...layered it up with biscuit....cream...biscuits...etcLeave for at least 3 hours in fridge...but it is better over night...

Eating- the MOST important partsmash a prefered chocolate over top...eat...delish :)you could add icing sugar to cream...or grog...I suppose you could flame it too...or add fruit like berries if you want to be healthy...

An all year round yummmmmm!!

I have held some recipes over until the May edition - we can’t have too many yummy things at once. Ed


Logophobia:

an obsessive fear of wordsSycophant: A person who tries to gain an advantage by pleasing someone.

Autotonsorialist - one who cuts their own hair

Cataglottism – kissing with the tongue

Kakorrhaphiophobia: Having fear of failure.

Sesquipedalian a person who uses long words

Gynotikolobomas-sophile. This describes someone who likes to nibble on a woman’s earlobe.

Logophobia


PEBBLEPAD ...creating ripples for learningThe Action Plan Tool

The PebblePad Action Plan Tool steps you through the process of creating an Action Plan.An Action Plan can take you through the steps required to achieve a short or long term outcome or goal.

I have completed a Finishing the April DEN Action Plan to show you.

1. The first page asks you for a title and summary.2. Asks you for the ideal situation.

3. Put your steps in, the order can be changed after you have listed them.

4. Guides you through a SWOT analysis with hints provided.

5. Provides a place to list supporting re-sources.6. Is for reflection.

Your finished plan is then converted to a web page. Your plan can be kept private or shared with others by email which provides a link to the published asset.You are also able to ask people to comment on your Action Plan if you wish. I use the Action Plan tool for anything from what to take on holidays and of course, for planning assignments and the DEN.

Where are the best places to find out more?These ones are good for starters:CSU PebblePad Help Site https://eportfolio.csu.edu.au/pebblepad/viewasset.aspx?oid=16838&type=webfolioPebblePad Blog http://pebblepadtips.wordpress.com/PebblePad UK http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/

I have personalised my PebblePad which is why it is hot pink. I have seen a preview of PebblePad 3, it has far more flexibil-ity. The designers have been working hard to provide for user needs. Ed

PebblePad


Concept MapsYour ideas radiate out from

a central idea.

Take an idea an pop it in the middle of a page - usually portrait mode, though square paper is better.

Then around this put any ideas related to your central theme.They can be pictures, symbols or words whatever way you work better.To show relationships link your ideas together.Look for connections between topics ie so as well as going outwards you can go sideways or across the page.

You can use arrows or symbols with words if you use something that is meaningful to you it will help you more to link ideas and concepts.

Don’t be organised just put ideas down as they occur to you.

This allows you to get ideas freely from your head onto paper so that you can start to organise connections and ideas.

For a full explanation of the mind mapping technique see Buzan, T. (1991). The mind map book . New York: Penguin.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/tldinfo/learningskills/mindmap/index.html

http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/my-studies/learning/guides/summarise/concept#what

Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. I found this to be quite heavy reading but useful if I had the time to digest it. Ed

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework has a page with links to examples. It is mainly pitched at VET teachers bur has good easy to read and understand information.

Editor’s Notes: Depending on my mood I will use paper or computer. Some people use large sheets of paper but i find this hard to bring back to a ‘desk’ level.

Other Resources Institute for Human and Machine CognitionThe Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Them[1]Joseph D. Novak & Alberto J. Cañas

Concept maps


CREATIVITYWorld Creativity and InnovationWeek

In May 2001 Canadian creativity specialist Marci Segal noticed a banner headline in one of Canada’s national newspapers, “Canada in Creativity Crisis” it read.

“No it isn’t”, she thought, shaken to the core, “there’s plenty of creativity. It’s just that people don’t know it when they see it or, they swat at it when it shows up differently from what they expect.” The article described a creativity conference held in Ottawa, ON, the

Canada’s capital, between scientists and artists and reported on the BIG discussion: who is the more creative of the two. “There’s a bigger question.” she thought, “How do we get everyone

to realize they have the ability and can use it to shape a better future?”

She made a call to other Canadian creativity colleagues John Sedgwick, Paul Rousseau and Jacynthe Bedard. “There’s got to be a way.”

They brainstormed, claiming World Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21 to encourage people to use their creativity to make the world a better place and to make their place in the world better too. Celebrations began in 2002 and has grown to include 46 countries

and over 106 communities, businesses and schools.http://www.creativityday.org

World creativity and Innovation Day

MethodCut the card/plastic cover to a size slightly

bigger than the desk calendar sheets.(If you are using envelopes, cut to a size

you want )

Run a groove about 1.5 cm from top of cover so the cover bends

for easy access to the paper underneath.

Punch two holes through the card/cover to match the calendar sheets.

(If you are using envelopes, cut to size, and use one sheet as a

template to mark/punch holes.)

Set aside, if possible clamp together with a clip.

Paper NapkinsMaterialsCardboardI used the back of an old spiral bound book orplastic cover off a spiral bound note book or both

Envelopes preferably old ones ( CSU assignment return envelops are excellent)old desktop calendar ( I only ever write on one side of those things, the backs are usually clear or are lined which makes them perfect for this project, plus they come pre-hole-punched)thread/string/cord some sort glue ( PVA is best, though stick glue works well)paper napkin ( any colour/print)sharp scissors or knife blade hole punch


Shaggy’s recycled Crafts


Doodle PadDecorate the covers... the possibilities are endlessI used a mixture of PVA and paint to stick down the napkin.

Once covered I then added another sheet of paper.When it started to dry I got to it with a nail file to sand back the layers tomess it up a bit.

Adding the napkin, especially when not neat, adds texture and interest. You could just used a floral napkin, or paper from a book, envelope, magazine, anything really..or just paint.

More decorating Ideas ... anythingstamps an old card, stickers, old rusty tape measure, clips, beads, broken needle threader, and a plastic milk bottleOne I stamped using Kaisercraft stamps, and added the plastic inside ‘thing’ of a fake flower with a brad for decoration. I also stamped a bird onto paper from an old book (that had seen better days) and added this.

The other I added a playing card (stained with paint), tape, needle threader, clips and stapled a piece of milk bottle over the top.

Shaggy

Paper Napkins


Childrens’ Books - That ALL adults should read.

Bookworm:Where the academic worm takes a break from study.

happy to accept CSU’s bestowal of the word “Mature”.

The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.

“The Bridge to Terabithia” is a story about how two children learn to deal with a real and complex world. Jessie is a young boy living at home with his three sisters and mother. His father works in Washington DC. When Leslie, an outgoing girl from Arlington, Virginia arrives in town his life changes and the story develops their friendship. It shows how they deal with the pressures of a real, complex and sometimes frightening world by creating a magical world they name “Terabithia” where they reign as King and Queen. Finally it shows how Jessie deals with one of life’s hardest lessons: how to handle the loss of a beloved friend.

This book is aimed as much at adults as at children. Its themes of anger, depression, bullying and fear are just as relevant to us today as they were when the novel is written. Although set in the USA, the novel’s theme is timeless and it would translate to any outback Australian school easily. That said, because of its themes this is not a young child’s novel; the book is approximately 144 pages long and would most likely be suitable for a child ready to go to high school or just started right through to their “adult” childhood.

Reading this book will help children learn about anger, fear and frustration. It will show how a dreamlike, magical world can validate and mirror the real world we live in today. It will ask the child to think about what secrets they keep and how they interact with each other and to think of others, perhaps, from that other person’s perspective; and in the end it will confront the child with one of life’s most difficult foes: death.

Parents should be warned that the book has been subject to a lot of challenges. Challenges include an accusation of secular humanism, taking of the Lord’s name in vain and an accusation of New Age religion, occultism and Satanism. All of these challenges are, in this author’s opinion, utter non-sense and show a failure to understand the true meaning of the book. That said, if the child is thoughtful expect to be able to have some interesting conversations about the book, its contents and subject matter.

“The Bridge to Terabithia” - published in 1977 by Harper Collins and still in print - is a story about us. It’s a story about how we, as children, use our imagination to help cope with the real, complex and frightening world. It is a wonderful book and this author highly recommends it. It certainly deserved the Newberry Medal it was awarded a year after its publication.Reviewer David Lloyd lives in Adelaide, SA is studying Christian theology Although he’s 35 years old he doesn’t think he’s ready to grow up yet but he’s

A few years ago I found this beautiful children's book 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' by Kate Di Camillo. I read it to my 2 boys and we all just loved it. Even my husband joined in on the bedtime story. It's a tale of a little china rabbit who starts his live belonging to a little girl who just loves him to bits. He gets lost one day and has an enormous adventure that isn't very nice a lot of the time. But, one day he ends up back with the girl, who by this time is now a mother and has her own daughter who picks him off the shelf of a toy shop. The lesson in the book is basically to never give up hope. That you can love, be lost, go through terribly hard times and then learn to love again. If you ever come across a copy of the book, I highly recommend you give it a go. Sarahttp://www.edwardtulane.com/

'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane'

by Kate Di Camillo.

Bookworm: Book Reviews


DE Craft Corner

Here’s a picture of the slippers that I knitted, they are in

study mode. The dress on the right I bought from the Op shop for $3 and converted it into a dress for my daughter. I am in the long dress on the right and my daughter is in the short dress. So the long dress was the original from the Op shop, then I used a dress pattern to cut it out and re sewed it to fit my daughter who is on the left.

Cass’s Creations

DE Students meet in personAfter being in Wagga for

5 days I had my second chance to catch up with Mafers in real life. Jacqueline (Jack) Wilcox and Patricia Millard, that’s me on the right. (ed)

I was supposed to join them for drinks on the Friday

night but I got homesick and went home Friday night rather than Saturday morning.

DE Craft Corner. DE students Meeting


Quiz AnswersOld Brown Shoe - The Beatles

Boogie Shoes - KC & the Sunshine BandGoody Two-Shoes - Adam AntHigh Heel Shoes - Neil Young

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul SimonWalk a Mile In My Shoes - Joe South

Footloose - Kenny LoginsI Saw Your Shoes - Cowboy Junkies

Those Shoes - EaglesSensible Shoes - David Lee Roth

These Boots Were Made for Walking - Nancy SinatraBlue Suede Shoes - Hank Williams

The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes - Elvis Cos-tello

My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You - Ray PriceCan’t afford No Shoes - Frank Zappa

Little Red Shoes - Loretta LynWearing Out Your Walking Shoes - Hank Williams

NEXT MONTH and beyond ...

Email letters to the Editor & submissions to [email protected]

Some topics for MayContributions due May 20

Why I love Maf.

This is an ongoing sectionSurviving Exam Tips

Your personal hints and tips for surviving the stress of exams.

Writing: Poem, Shoty StoryMy Dream

Photography: MY MUGInterpret this in any way that you like

Meet other DE students. Come on, don’t be shy ..

FirefightersInternational Firefighters Day is in May - tell us your

story

My FamilyInternational Day of

FamiliesThe good, the bad and the

ugly, humorous, furry - your choice.

Nurses DayInternational Nurses Day

Any nurses or trainee nurses with a story

Your Colouring PageSend in the completed

masterpiece

WeddingsMy Wedding

The wedding I would have liked

How I would do it next time.

MISSING in April

No reader contributions for.DE Craft

Movie ReviewsWe need book and movie

reviews to prepare us for the semester break.

Acknowledgements:Photos sourced from stock.

xchng http://www.sxc.hu/home

All other photographsand graphics as acknowledged.

Quiz Answers. Next Month

Documents

The DEN - April 2011