A Very Merry Christmas

Book Christmas Tree by Buttontree Lane

As we approach Christmas, now is the time to start thinking about what resources you might need over the holidays.  No doubt revision will be the last thing you want to think about - but the exams start in January and it's important to be prepared!

You can take resources out over the Christmas holidays - just ask a member of staff for further details.

The LRC will be closed on Monday 19th December - but we are open from 9.30am to 3.30pm from Tuesday 20th - Thursday 22nd December if you need to do some last minute studying or loan some books. 

However, even the LRC staff need a break so we are closed from Friday 23rd December, reopening at 8.15am on Wednesday 4th January 2012.

All the Learning Resource Centre team would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas Bokeh! by kelp 1966

TRC College Production - ANIMAL FARM

Another year, another college production and another display - please take the time to view the LRC's artistic exhibition.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is perhaps the most celebrated 20th Century English satire. The college production this year is a musical version from the stage production by Sir Peter Hall. Based on this novel that established Orwell's reputation as a literary great, Peter Hall's dynamic theatrical adaptation perfectly captures this satirical story of rebellion, manipulation and dictatorship.

Free Road Safety Resource

This week is Road Safety Week and as part of this we are encouraging students to learn more about keeping themselves safe on the road.

Whether you are learning to drive or have already gained your licence, it is always important to ensure your safety on the road, particularly when 1 in 5 young drivers have a crash in their first year of driving and young drivers were involved in 45,000 crashes last year throughout the UK.

THINK! Safety Sign by Gene Hunt

To help you stay safe on the road we are promoting Drive IQ, which is a free online resource that has interactive modules on perception, distractions, eye scanning, anatomy of a crash and seatbelts.  Students are encouraged to access and use this free resource.

You can also access the resource via the E-Resources database and via the External Links section on Moodle.

TRC CAREERS FAIR - THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2011

TRC CAREERS FAIR

Thursday 10 November

10.30am to 3pm

Venue: SPORTS HALL

On Thursday 10 November, TRC is holding its very first Careers Fair in the Sports Hall from 10.30am to 3pm.  There will be representatives from Universities, Colleges, Employers and Training Providers.  Please take the time to attend this event and look at the TRC Careers Fair display in the LRC. 

HISTORY BOOKS - NEW SUBJECT BOOKS

This year the History department is covering two new subject areas, The Tudors and Elizabethan History (British History, Class No. 941.05) and American Civil Rights (American History 973-979).  Books on these topics have been put on a separate shelving unit, as shown above.  All of these items are available to borrow from the LRC.  Reservations can be made on books currently on loan.

Remembrance Day - 11 November 2011



What is Remembrance Day?

November is the time of year when we wear a red poppy in memory of those who sacrificed their live for us during wars.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918 to signal the end of World War One.

Remembrance Day is on 11 November, which is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who have died during the two World Wars and other conflicts.  At one time it was known as Armistice Day and was renamed after the Second World War.

Remembrance Sunday is held the second Sunday in November, nearest to the 11th day.  Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain, including at Thomas Rotherham College.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE DISPLAY IN THE LRC.

Volunteers Needed

As the new term begin we are looking for student volunteers to help out in the LRC.  If you are a student at Thomas Rotherham College and fancy learning more about working in a learning resource centre environment, along with having the opportunity to add some volunteer work to your CV, then this could be just for you.

Help Wanted by TheWmatt

We are looking for a number of volunteers to work for no more than 1 hour per week carrying out basic tasks including shelving, shelf tidying, book processing and displays.

For more information call into the LRC and speak to a member of staff.

LRC October Half Term Opening Hours

LRC October Half Term Opening Times

24 to 28 October 2011

Monday to Friday

9.30am to 3.30pm

Open for individual study and the use of resources and computers.

No admittance to the LRC without your ID card.

Black History Month

October is Black History Month.  The aims of Black History Month are to promote knowledge of Black History, Black contributions to British Society and heighten the awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage.

One of the many key moments in Black History is that of the African-American Civil Rights Movement and the campaign for freedom and equal rights for African-American people.  Current History students will find this particularly interesting, as they study this for their course.  Some of the key names you might want to look up include Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.  You can find more information about these people on Britannica, which can be accessed via the College's E-Resources. 

The LRC currently has a display on Black History Month, particularly focussing on the Civil Rights Movement and the key players involved.  Please take a look!

What's That Strange Barcode?

Have you seen this strange little barcode type thing on posters around the LRC and College?  What is it?

This is what we call a QR Code and you might have seen them in shop windows, on food packaging, at a museum, etc..  They are very much like barcodes - but with one click they direct you to different online information.

To view the information in a QR Code you need a camera phone and an app called a QR Reader.  You can get these apps for most SmartPhones (iPhone, etc).

You then scan the code and it directs you to some information, which could be some text, a photo, a website, or an e-mail contact.

Watch this video to learn more....and look out for more QR Codes coming soon to the LRC.

LRC and Fresher's Week

During Fresher's Week, look out for the LRC in the Courtyard this Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.  We will be holding a book competition and a book swap along with telling you about the different services available in the LRC.

Book Swapping by nSeika

Book Competition
This is your chance to win a copy of The Host by Stephanie Meyer (author of the bestselling Twilight Series).
All you have to do is guess how many books are in the LRC.
Entry slips are available in the LRC or in the Courtyard this Thursday/Friday lunchtime.

Book Swap
Bring along your unwanted books (in good condition) and swap them one for one in the Courtyard this Thurs/Fri lunchtime.

Wishing you all a Happy Fresher's Week!!

Welcome Back!!

A huge welcome back to all returning students and a big hello to all you new new students!

hello/welcome by sorakirei

We hope you are all fully prepared for the new term.  Remember if you need pens, paper, USB sticks, etc., you can buy all these from the LRC.  You can also buy any textbooks from the LRC and get a 15% discount.

We've made a few changes and improvements over the summer that we hope will be of benefit to you and your studies....

- We have purchased loads of new books for all subject areas including Performing Arts, Music, General Studies, Computing, Sciences, English, History and many more - check out the Library Catalogue to see what is available.

- We have 8 shiny new computers - there are 6 on the upper level now and 2 on the lower level coming soon.

- We have created a new quick use computer centre on the upper level where you will find 8 PCs that you can use for 15 minutes to check your e-mail, print your work or check your Facebook account.

- We have purchased some more digital cameras and digital voice recorders that can be borrowed for up to a week.

- The e-mail system has changed and now includes a Microsoft Office application where you can save and store your work and access it from home.

This is just a brief overview of some of the improvements made. For further information please call in to the LRC and speak to a member of the LRC team.

Don't Forget to Return your Books!

Don't forget to return ALL the books that you have borrowed for your subjects by no later than Thursday 30th June.

66/365 Things I must do today by owlbookdreams

It is important the books are returned to the LRC and NOT the departments to ensure we don’t end up chasing you for overdue books and you don’t end up incurring any unnecessary fines/replacement book costs.

If you don't return your books then returning students next academic year won't have access to the same resources that you have had.

So.....if you have finished with your textbooks, don’t leave them hanging around on your bedroom floor, return them today!!

LRC SPRING BANK HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS

LRC Spring Bank Holiday Opening Hours

30 May to 3 June 2011

Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 May 2011  CLOSED

Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 June 2011  9.30am to 3.30pm

Open for individual study and the use of computers and resources.

NO ADMITTANCE TO THE LRC WITHOUT YOUR ID CARD.

REVISION HINTS AND TIPS

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Revision - Summer Examinations



Don't be a Distraction

Keep Talking by alternakive

The LRC offers a social learning environment, one where you can relax, study, revise and text to your heart’s content. However, the disruption caused by students talking on their mobile phones is often a significant one. Why is this such a big deal? Well, recent scientific research has proven that hearing half of a conversation, as you're forced to do when people are talking on their mobile phones, is more distracting to the human brain than hearing a complete conversation. The human brain likes things to be predictable, and it can't relax if it is surrounded by half conversations, that don’t make sense. Therefore talking on your mobile phone significantly reduces the concentration levels of those around you and their ability to carry out their studies.

As we head into revision/exam season, please have respect for your fellow students and help us to maintain a positive learning space, put your mobile phone onto silent when in the LRC and please don’t make or take calls!!

Deaf Awareness Week

Monday 2nd May to Sunday 8th May 2011 is Deaf Awareness Week.  This week aims to raise awareness of the different methods of communication used by deaf and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading. 

Sign language is where you use different signs using your hands, arms, body, facial expressions and body language to communicate.  There are many different types of sign language, but in the UK, the most commonly used is British Sign Language. 

Hand Spelling: 2-Hand British System by sinosplice

The first step to learning British Sign Language is to learn how to finger spell.  This is using your hands and fingers to spell out words. 

The LRC currently has free leaflets that you can take away that show you how to finger spell - both left handed and right handed.   These can be found on a current display about Deaf Awareness Week where you will also find sign language dictionaries and various other materials related to different aspects of deafness.

The Royal Wedding

There's still time to put up some bunting or arrange a last minute street party as we approach the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton to be held this Friday 29th April at Westminster Abbey.

People are already camping outside the Abbey in the hope of getting a front row seat to the event.  For the rest of the world, you can watch the wedding via the Royal Channel Live Stream or follow the wedding on Twitter, Facebook or the live St James's Palace Blog.

If you want to find out more about the Royal Wedding, there is a display in the LRC, with free bookmarks, information on the wedding route and timings, guest list, royal musicians and members of the wedding party.  There's also resources about Westminster Abbey, monarchy, marriage, the Royal Family, Kings and Queens and much more.

More Printing Credit

Money by Community Friend

Each full term students receive £7.50 worth of print credits. It's a new term, therefore this amount will now have been added to student accounts.  However that's it for the remainder of the academic year - so print sensibly as any further credit required will need to be paid for!

Black and white printing is charged at 5p per side.  And remember that colour printing must be paid for separately and cannot be taken from your printing credit allocation.

Easter Opening

Just a reminder that the LRC is still open during the Easter holidays offering a quiet space to revise, study, read or just to check your e-mails. 

Easter Reading by petahopkins

We are open from 9.30am - 3.30pm on 11th - 15th April and 18th - 20th April
(we are closed: 21st - 25th April)

Easter eggs are only permitted if you are willing to share with the LRC staff!!

RED NOSE DAY - FRIDAY 18 MARCH 2011

St Patrick's Day - LRC display

LRC Laptops - Printing now available!

TRC students who regularly work on LRC laptops (available for 90 minute hire within the LRC) will be pleased to hear that printing is now available from these machines. This latest update effectively gives them the same overall functionality as a regular college PC, and we are happy to announce the continued improvement of this popular resource.

For those who are unaware of this resource, laptops are available from the LRC Upper Level on 90 minute loans for use in the LRC only, with full wireless intranet, internet, Z:\ drive access, and now printing (especially useful when computers are in short supply)! Please ask a member of staff, who will be happy to help with any enquiries or in issuing a laptop.

You must have your student ID card to take out a laptop loan, and on the first time of borrowing the resource you will be required to sign a user agreement.

Thank you
LRC Staff

International Women's Day

Tuesday 8th March marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.  Each year numerous events take place on this day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women.

The first International Women's Day events were run in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911 and attended by over one million people. 100 years on, International Women's Day has become a global mainstream phenomena celebrated across many countries.

8 March sees extensive global women's activity, including a mass march across London's Millennium Bridge for charity led by performer and social activist, Annie Lennox.

The LRC has created a display for International Women's Day featuring information about successful and famous women including a number of texts written by female authors.

World Book Night 2011

The Learning Resource Centre and the English Department recently held an event to celebrate World Book Night where they gave away copies of Carol Ann Duffy's, The World's Wife.

A number of English students were invited to the event along with a guest of their choice and the LRC was transformed for the venue.

The event included an introductory talk by local author Victoria Howard who offered an insight into the world of publishing and gave some useful tips on how to write an enjoyable read.

Introductory talk by local author, Victoria Howard

The evening also included a number of English students giving readings of Carol Ann Duffy's poetry. These were very entertaining, not only because of the hilarity of some of the poems, coupled with the occasional outburst of bad language amongst the lines, but the sheer emotion and dramatic effect from the students.

Poetry readings by TRC students

This relaxed, informal event was truly inspiring and really highlighted some of the talent and enthusiasm we have here at TRC.

Quick Reads

New in this month are a selection of the 2011 Quick Reads.  These short, fast stories, written by bestselling writers and celebrities, are fantastic for fitting around a busy schedule of revision and studying.  To find out what Quick Reads we have available, check out our displays or speak to a member of LRC staff.

Banned Book Display by covs97

And don't forget it's World Book Day on the 3rd March, which is a celebration of books and reading.  So if you haven't picked up a book in a while - why not borrow one today from your Learning Resources Centre.

LRC Software Updates

As some students may be aware, there have been some recent changes and improvements in the LRC and Satellite areas in the region of software verions and their locations.

You can access full details of these updates in Moodle, though the Learning ResourCes link in your 'courses' area:

CAREERS WEEK - Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 February 2011

Come and take a look at the Careers Week display in the LRC, which has information on all the talks taking place this week from Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 February, as well as a range of resources that can be loaned from the Careers Library. 

LRC FEBRUARY HALF TERM OPENING HOURS

LRC February Half Term 

OPENING HOURS

21 to 25 February 2011

Monday to Friday            9.30am to 3.30pm

Open for individual study and the use of resources and computers.

No admittance to the LRC without your ID card.

National Apprenticeship Week - 7 to 11 February 2011

Apprenticeships offer on the job skills within a range of different work settings covering accountancy to textiles, engineering to veterinary nursing, business administration to construction, as well as receiving regular training from a local provider or college. 

If you are interested in finding out more come and take a look at the display in the LRC or see a Careers Adviser who are available this week from Monday to Thursday lunchtime in the courtyard.

LGBT History Month - February

February is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History Month.  The LRC has a display which in particular hightlights personalities within the world of sport.  Please take the time to come and have a look.

TV Player on Moodle

Kicking Television by dhammza

Looking for TV programmes relevant to the subjects you are studying?  Then look no further.  You can watch TV programmes on college computers via the TV Player.  Programmes on the TV Player have been specifically chosen by your teachers and there are 100s to choose from covering almost all subject areas.

To access the TV Player, log onto Moodle, select your subject area and the TV Player search box will be on the right hand side of the screen.

Ask you teacher what programmes are available and what they recommend or just search the TV Player and start watching!

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) - 27 January 2011 commerates HMD and is the international day for remembrance and contemporary action.

The LRC has a display with pictures and texts reflecting the atrocities of war, academic literature, DVDs of historical value and true stories of sheer endurance and survival.  All of the resources can be taken from the display.

Please take the time to have a look.

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE

World Religion Display

Sunday 16 January was World Religion Day for this year.  The LRC has a display to celebrate this event and it is hoped that you will take the time to come and have a look.  Resources can be taken from the display.

LRC REVISION DISPLAY

Please take time to look at the revision display, which gives you hints and tips for your exam preparation.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS

FROM ALL THE LRC STAFF

Happy New Year

The LRC team just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 

As I'm sure you are all aware, it's that time of year for exams - so that means revision!  If you need a place to study remember the LRC is open from 8.15am every day and closes at 5.15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We have a silent study area on the lower level for those of you needing some peace and a 'quiet' study area on the upper level if you prefer a bit of background noise! 

Too..many...notes by NinJA999

Good luck with your forthcoming exams from all of the LRC team!