End of month summary for September 2008

This blog lists down excatly the things i did by date and task as shown below. Enjoy!

Targets for the month (september)

• To take down notes using notebook provided and not disappoint supervisors
• Always complete given tasks in hand on time
• To update blog daily or weekly depending on tasks in hand
• Always use Outlook to arrange meetings, keep up to date with tasks done

Summary of activities this month (september)

• (05/09/08) Created a logo for the new Learning and Development department.
• (08/09/08) Introduced to the new library to be opened in October.
• (12/09/08) Used an area called ‘The Sandpit’ to set my own workspace. I created Gantt charts, documents and uploaded images.
• (15/09/08) Used Lectora an e-learning package to create presentations.
• (16/09/08) Learned how to use Share-point 2007 to create, edit and upload information.
• (17/09/08)Attended meetings and introduced myself to others. Most meetings were regarding topics related to NHS constitution, the board, how individuals are getting along with their jobs and the tasks in hand.
  Created a webcast project template in Microsoft word and emailed to staff so they were aware of what the term leant, how it would benefit them and why is the organisation using webcasts etc.
• (22/09/08)Was set the task to create tutorials on Microsoft Outlook using video capture software ‘My Screen Recorder’ also experimenting with ‘Adobe Capture’ and ‘Lectora built in video camera’ Also created chapters in PowerPoint presentation to give an introduction to the tutorials beforehand.
• (23/09/08) Edited web pages using CMS.
• (23/09/08) Uploaded information using CMS.
• (23/09/08) webcasts with the Librarians got brief ideas of how they want their webcast to be like.
• (24/09/08) Went to an e-Learning event at the Cedar Court Hotel (Wakefield).
• (25/09/08) Sat in for a Media training session, this related to how colleagues would handle a interview by the radio or Television people.
• (29/09/08) Went to an 'Equality and Diversity' meeting at the Park Lane Community Centre across from the tPCT. Here we discussed the issues regarding cultural and community backgrounds. A good understanding and very important topic.

Achievements this month (september)

• Created a logo for the Learning and Development team so they could launch their new department. This was to be laminated and trimmed down to the appropriate size so it would be displayed on to a display board.
• The staff were over whelmed as what they asked was exactly how they wanted it. It was perfectly done using the correct tone of the colour printer.
• Using the laminate machine was a new experience as I have never used it and I did bump into a few problems, but eventually got it correct.

Achievements -v- Targets for this month (september)

• Getting involved in not only the given role but work externally and internally get more knowledge of other peoples work too.
• Taking notes down for tasks as I go along to make sure I am up-to-date as well as keeping an eye on done tasks to ensure blogs are correctly created with dates to go with them.

Targets for next month (september)

• To carry on working like I have done for this month (September) and do well and benefit from the experience till the end of my placement.
• To create test runs for the webcasts (once the equipment arrives) meaning samples for me to enhance my skills and knowledge, so i am prepared for the real event.

Additions to my knowledge this month (september), standards achieved and the evidence

I have learnt a lot this entire month from having to work with staff and do such things as manipulate web-pages, create e-learning sample to liaising with staff within meetings. Its been a good experience and I have been privileged from day one to work alongside them. My managers in particular have cared and given me the opportunity to learn new things and I have grasped the learning stage effectively and efficiently.

• The evidence can be seen within my tPCT drive or alternatively my 'sharepoint' site (this link is only accessable via the intranet within the tPCT).

Tuesday 16th September 2008

As I was on the 3rd floor working along side the Learning and Development team I was also working with the Software Development team in order to get more knowledge about Share Point 2007. This is a software package ready to use and upload information on to it; it includes hosting and is useful for documenting and managing originally from Microsoft.

Another useful area of the share point I used was ‘The Sandpit’ this was to create my own work on to. I created a Gantt chart just a sample to what tasks needed to be completed. I played around further with the features that the share point offered and got used to it even more.

Furthermore, I was helping colleagues as to what it does, as some were not familiar with the actual interface which was quite interesting.

Monday 15th September 2008

The Monday back I spent a day with the Learning and Development department (floor 3) the team members were very welcoming like all the people I had met so far.

I was introduced to a piece of software that was called Lectora Professional. This software was quite straightforward and was specifically used for e-Learning packages. It uses a wizard base structure and has very tidy functions. But the downfall for me personally, was the toolbar as it was restricted and it wouldn’t allow you do what you intended but just do what it did (if that makes sense).

I constructed a piece of work based on the 'webcast project' using Lectora a small e-learning tutorial. I was also asked to create a logo for the new Learning and Development department so it would feature on a display board and within the staff talks (news updates every Friday via email).

Thursday 11th / Friday 12th September 2008

My 3rd day was meeting my line manager (Rachel Rutherford) she was my main contact after Mervyn Silva for the projects that i would under go in the following weeks to come. As it was my first day getting introduced to her i had alot of things to learn. Again I was introduced to the other memebers of the organisation.

Some were Interpreters people who make bookings regarding venues/rooms within the organisation or outside the organisation using different language tools.

I was introduced to the hierarchy of executives in a brief description of who they are what their roles are within the tPCT also members below them and so fourth.

First meeting of the week was at 11am till 12pm, this meeting was very professional and minutes were read out and apologies were also taken into account. It was within a boardroom that was quite large based on floor 1. The things that happened are as follow:

• I introduced myself and role to others that I didn't meet yet
• Discussion about each persons role and their work done so far
• Next meeting and time
• NHS constitution etc

Friday was as follow; we discussed some of what equipment would be used. The software and hardware that was initially discussed with the suppliers would consist some of the following:

• Adobe Premier for editing and encoding prior to uploading
• Windows 2003 / 2008 server
• Windows Media Server and Windows Media Encoder (to play the videos on)
• Digital video cameras, microphones and lighting etc
• A laptop or a desktop PC

The media training would be provided by the University of Bradford after a few meetings taking place etc.

I drafted a piece of work in Microsoft Word that would give an outline to the cost, capabilities and comparisons etc to what equipment should be used. So mainly my work involved me sitting at a desk doing word documents and other days i would get hands on work more practical.

It was quite fun as I was left alone and got on with my work and used my initiative to plan ahead.

10th Sept 08, Social Media Training, Wakefield Cedar Court Hotel

The 2nd day was a training course located in Wakefield Cedar Court Hotel on the 10th September 2008; it would last from 10am till 4.30pm.

I was the first to arrive there and I met some of my colleagues that were going to be present there too. We talked some of them are from universities located round the west Yorkshire region and it was nice to have other work placement student there too.

The event that took place was on social Media training the purpose of this was to give an introduction to the comms team and how the use of media likes of Youtube, Facebook and Wiki that has boosted the media industry and how it is being used to deliver the message across the world. Many are aware and many are not.

The NHS on the other hand, are not allowed to access such sites like the ones above as they hold confidential information, also accessing these sites is another issue as staff may go onto inappropriate sites.

Within the event there were refreshments and lunch present within and other members from different tPCT were present and it was nice to see different organisations (Yorkshire and Humberside) get together and share knowledge and opinions.

As I was totally new to the whole concept of NHS within the media event there were very technical terms being used which were out of my scope so I did raise questions to what the terms mean.

The event lasted a full day so it was a case of rather than going back to work I was able to go home.

Overall, the event was about communication using media streaming technology in order for us as an organisation and other organisations to spread the message across to patients/public and communities etc

My First Day 9th Sept 08

Hi this is Ajmal, student at University of Bradford currently on placement at Bradford & Airedale NHS. This is my blog. I have listed below what my first day activities were and how I got on.

• First day was exciting. Start was at 9am till 5pm, got introduced to my Manager(s), A tour of the building was given such things as the canteen, my work area (Floor 1 and 3), Fire Safety checks were introduced and assembly points, car park, toilets and working hours etc
• Like all jobs I was told to bring bank details, previous work pay slips, I was also told that my photo would be taken in order to give me a ID badge
• I was given a password and username for my PC login & assigned a network drive and own folder within the drive area.
• I met with different staff, discussed their roles within the tPCT
• With my job title being Webcasting and E-learning assistant I learned the software and hardware I would be using in order to implement the projects further.
• In the coming weeks of September my assigned work was to get involved with different work within the departments and fit into the surroundings
• In the afternoon I sat down with Mervyn Silva one of two managers to discuss my progress and I typed a document up of what I had learned so far. Not only to give me a insight of the work role but in order for me to get familiar with the software packages the organisation use for instance Microsoft outlook.
• I was given a mini tour of Microsoft outlook as I progressed that day and I had many things to add in my diary.
• I was told there is a stationary cupboard too for any kind of stationary I desire to use.
• For lunch there was a bit too much of a choice; canteen, your own sandwiches or food shops located not far from the NHS.
• I was also given a temporary laptop until I got a new one with a higher specification. This was due to the moving around I would be doing because working on two floors. And a mobile phone in order to keep in contact with my staff and external folks.

The experience so far from the start has been brilliant.
Supervisors & Work Address
Mervyn Silva - Software Development team
Rachel Rutherford - Communications team

Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust
Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford BD5 7JR, Tel: 01274 237290, Tel: 0845 111 5000,
Fax: 01274 237453

My work email address is ajmal.ashraf@bradford.nhs.uk

ajmal687@hotmail.com (personal email)

My mobile number is 07949783443