Susan Airey

Susan Airey

I'm 73, widowed, work Saturday mornings just for interest I was a teacher, and later an officer in an LEA. I have frequently studied with O.U. I live near Murcia, Spain and enjoy life and travel.

Location Murcia, Spain

Achievements

Activity

  • I think education is the key to reform and an opportunity to learn a skill, such as plumbing, or plastering...for example. Providing opportunities for people to change their future. Not everyone is an academic, so having a trade that provides the possibility of working when released is also important. In my experience some children just “ don’t stand a chance”...

  • My own personal feelings about the conditions of prison cells, is that they should be acceptable conditions, clean, adequate bedding etc, private toilet, wash basin, and a tv. Neither is Solitary confinement an acceptable punishment. I don’t think the regime should be tough, just orderly, taking account of health and safety for all.
    I suspect for many people...

  • During my career in Education I experienced the “ Glass ceiling” phenomena associated with women trying to progress. It made me angry at the time, and all the more determined but, I did feel I would need to behave more “ man like” in order to succeed.
    Currently I live in Spain, near a very “Spanish” village. Until we were accepted, we experienced...

  • When I was training to be a teacher, we were shown a video, which was a true story called “ Eye of a storm”. It was about a young American teacher, ( I think she was American ) who, trying to show young children what it was like to be discriminated against, halved the children in her class, and gave one half a PE band to wear. This half had their work marked...

  • Until we do recognise that every human being has dignity, they will not be treated as equals, worthy of equal treatment. Some will receive better recognition, better status, better education, and by implication those receiving less will be regarded as inferior.

  • I’m Sue, British, but currently living in Spain, 73. Having worked in education it was really important to accept “ difference” and “ rights”. Now as an older person and living in another country, I still feel that “ human rights” are as important now, as they ever were. The emphasis for me now is perhaps more personal, more about me.

  • I think to cut down on commuting time, makes sense, both for the teacher and the learner.

  • I have taught English language and literature in English schools, English as a Second Language in Spain, to very young children, 11 year olds and professional adults. I have not done any " online teaching", though I have been an "online" learner myself.

  • I'm never sure of names anyway! Recognised a few!.

  • Female, very short blonde/white hair, pixie cut, very elderly, heart shaped face, narrow eyes, elderly looking teeth, not white and even , lined face.

  • I know very little, and feel that if I knew more, I could have more meaningful discussions with colleagues and friends, regarding the current situation.

  • Never saw the mouse....had to play video again to actually believe it!

  • This really made me think. What is good " social" capital...... I should think it's when the social investments made, show positive returns. So, there is a good system of education, which results in a positive change for the community or country, good employment opportunities for all young people, good health care, good community care and pensions fior older...

  • I voted economic, as even today tours visit the buildings and developments introduced during the Olympic Games of 1992, over 25 years ago now.

  • In my region ( Murcia) Catalan is just regarded as another part of Spain, and therefore should not be treated differently., to other areas. There is a lot of resentment about Catalan wanting to separate itself from Spain.. Currently the unrest in Catalonia has probably affected the economy of Spain ver all, as some businesses have moved their head offices out...

  • I'm wondering what effect the recent troubles in Catalonia, have had on the economy, particularly related to to tourism.

  • I live in Spain, and want to know more about Catalonia and the reasons for the recent situation.

  • As a person who works in retail, this course has really made me think more about "the customer" . We already have to focus on the customer, in my company, find out what they are looking for and why. But now. I think, what they experience, the welcome they receive, and interest, the knowledge of the product, must be key to them returning and purchasing. As for...

  • I know about Waitrose selling their products elsewhere and similar products in other supermarkets, but....the whole shopping experience in Waitrose, as well as their products, results in my loyalty to the store. I order boring but necessary products like detergent, toilet rolls etc online....and "shop" in Waitrose.

  • I also think there will be closure of stores as online shopping increases. Although grocery shopping has been around for a while, clothes shopping, shoe shopping hasn't been as easy. With AI will come the ability for your size, shape and foot shape to be " measured" and things like virtual shoe shopping could be a reality.

  • I'd like to see an automated doctor's receptionist! Always pleasant, matter of fact .....yes.......but not judgmental, rude or selective!

  • We use them in our shops, to look at and show customers stock items, to transmit to a larger screen, the product in different colours and styles, and ultimately to place the order.

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    Due to ease of access to data, this is an area likely to increase, for a time. However, as with most things, it is likely to be over taken by other methods. Hard to predict what.....but possibly collection and analysis by robots.

  • I tend to be loyal to Waitrose and their branded foods, as I haven't had a bad experience yet with their products.

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    I agree with Paul, below. Responsibility is with the consumer to ensure that only information they wish to share, is given. We do not know, in reality, what happens to any information we give. Whatever assurances are given by retailers, it can be down to simple human error, such as leaving information on a train!

  • I believe that ( having completed other FutureLearn courses) it is sensible to try to protect oneself as far as it is possible from cyber crime. I wouldn't want to be neurotic about it, but there are indicators, such as customer data being stolen, that imply that the store hasn't been as vigilant as it might have been. I would be interested to see what the...

  • I try not to provide it. I think it's intrusive and do not trust stores to just use that data for themselves.

  • I would want to know why?

  • I think many people signed up to social networks before being aware of the implications of doing so
    ( me included) Now, being more aware, I hardly ever tell the truth when completing any personal data!

  • I always read reviews of hotels, before I book with Booking.Com, or other hotel apps. I also read Amazon reviews. Obviously "you cannot please all of the people all of the time" but I do find them helpful and informative. Obviously not specifically " social media", but still a means of informing others.

  • The ability to see furniture, clothes, shoes etc etc in different colours, styles etc online.

  • One of the frst questions I would ask is " why?". Why does the Chid Care centre store and process the information? On what and for whom? I think this Centre is acting totally incorrectly, both by not informing parents initially, and by using the information without permission.

  • Data subject.

  • To ensure that the new legislation keeps up with the new initiatives in our ever advancing IT world. Not sure how this will affect the UK as it exits the EU.

  • This course has been so informative and important for me, as my husband us struggling with liver cancer. Some good information regarding recent developments, the importance of diet and building up muscle, why the muscle disappears and how to try and replace it. Thankyou.

  • I am also interested in finding out about liver cancer, or tumours in the liver that are metastes from primary cancers

  • Reading about these projects inspires me. When my husband was first diagnosed we were devestated and believed he would die, sooner rather than later. He was diagnosed in 2011 and has undergone all sorts of treatments that have reduced us both, mentally and physically. He, like me, believes we have a lot to live for, and finds it hard to contemplate the...

  • My husband is currently undergoing chemotherapy, again, and has lost his muscle mass, he looks like an 85 year old person, rather than almost 75. This time last year he struggled to fasten his trousers, now they fall down! His chest stomach, arms, legs and buttocks are skinny. I have encouraged, nagged, persuaded him to walk, round our house, locally, to...

  • In my recent experiences of having first hand contact with a cancer patient, my husband, I also have observed and spoken to other patients whilst at the chemotherapy clinic.about the effects of the cancer and the drugs. Fatigue seems to drag people down, and although there is the will and the desire to be " normal" the sense of heavy tiredness can be...

  • I have just bought an Amazon "dot", to help remind my husband to do various things on the says I'm at work. His memory has deteriorated, not sure if it's the chemotherapy, or diabetes related, or neither of these, but certainly he is now more forgetful. Currently I organise his medication, purchasing and administering them, hospital and doctor visits,, it can...

  • I forgot to say, my husband Roy is an insulin dependant diabetic, has been for approximately 20 years, and he also has pernicious anaemia. So he has been used to having injections, monitoring his sugar levels etc etc.

  • My husband, Roy, currently had prostate cancer, with metastases in his liver and his back. He is on his second round of chemotherapy. After the first course, he was put on tablets, Zytiga, which unfortunately didn't work. He is almost 75, quite a strong character and determined to be well. He lost his hair, which has re grown, which may happen again. I have...

  • I like to think I am in the final stage of intercultural openness and as a teacher, over the years have developed and interacted with many people and students who are culturally different. Living in Spain now for 12 years I have built bridges by learning the language and sharing and learning about the Spanish way of life. My stumbling block.......is "...

  • I'll respond to number 3 first. Most of us live in a multicultural society.....and this is the real world of today. So intercultural openness is a necessity, in order to live side by side with people who have differing views, customs, and beliefs.
    My response to questions 1 and 2......I think we probably are more aware of "difference" and less "open" to it...

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    I would probably be upset, as initially I would have thought that I was making positive contact with someone . I would ask someone at work, what I'd done wrong, or if there were current issues that I didn't know about. When we moved to Spain initially, and I couldn't speak much Spanish, I remember misunderstanding the " booking system" in the village surgery,...

  • I'm Sue, 71 ......I live in Spain, near Murcia, I'm British, moved out here 12 years ago, love the way of life.
    I too am a lifelong learner, did my degree and other courses with Open University, and these courses always make me realise, just how much I don't know!

  • 3/5. This is why I need the course. Learned something already. Great. Just love FutureLearn

  • We live in the " middle of nowhere" so basic first aid skills will be helpful.

  • I would suggest that we have been functioning in many ways except cultural in the EU. We regarded ourselves as Europeans, united by economy, values and politics but having specific traditions and languages within each country. It seemed to work. Now living iin another European country, than that in which I was born and lived for most of my life, I appreciate...

  • Bridget Jone's Diary......deals with modern pressures......needing to be thin, alcohol, sex ( maybe not that modern!), best not mention " grey"!
    I used Kes, To kill a Mockingbird, Diary of Anne Frank, Diary of Adrian Mole, Animal Farm, and other books when I was teaching English in a secondary school in the 70's. Also certain Shakespeare plays. These novels...

  • Most of the religions in Europe are anti modern. Based on ancient beliefs and practices, slow to change, costumes and rules continuing as they always have. Some interlinking with modernity....female clergy, use of technology and very much about identity and identification.

  • Scottish Parliament building, for me.

  • Well it certainly made me think......yes, there was a general pattern, to do with change, trying to keep up with new ideas, but still valueing traditional values.

  • It is the emphasis on " home" and similar " values" .

  • Initially I was thinking land mass, EU, similarities in beliefs and practices, which impacted positively on parts of Europe that behaved differently in the past. I read through the comments to help me clarify my thoughts and felt that Eddie Bostico sums it up.

  • I was living in Spain when we had the financial recession, in 2008 and since then in reality. In my area, Murcia, many young people had no work and also companies had to make workers redundant. Spanish people are very good at " pulling together" and families supported their own, helping one another through the difficult times. We were not affected personally,...

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    Hi there, I'm Sue, British, living in Spain. I'm horrified by the results of " Brexit" , finding it hard to comprehend what the outcomes might be. I've always believed in the benefits of living in a " multi cultural" society and feel very strongly about the need to be European.

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    I received an email from the company Iceland saying that I had got 30 euro vouchers if I'd I spent a certain amount. So I used the voucher in the store. THEN I got a voucher from BOOTSs the chemist and because the Iceland one was genuine, I just clicked on it....WRONG.........it was a scam and infected mine and others' emails. I learned the hard way!

  • Mmmmm felt uneasy even trying this!!! I'm very suspicious about everything now!!! However I did give it a go and came up with 120...... But remembering it????

  • I suppose it depends upon the value I put on the individual account that I need a password for. Banking and shopping, I'm vigilant and change passwords etc regularly, using random letters and symbols which I must admit, I have to write down, and do that in obscure places!!!
    Other things I'm less so, and at the last count had about 20 passwords! I've" gone...

  • Apologies from me. I registered for the course, and have been quite ill with bronchitis. I have not completed any " modules", and so will re register. Sorry. Sue.

  • I wear a Fitbit every day, to measure steps, sleep patterns, obviously not really " life saving" but quite informative, which encourages me to do more if I've had a sedentary day previously. I also have a blood pressure machine, which was probably one of the earlier methods of identifying possible problems.

  • More and more people are getting used to wearing devices that record fitness levels, sleep patterns etc, so the " aging" populations, those in their 60's, early 70's like me are more used to technological advances. I suspect they will find it easier to use the new " life supporting " technologies with ease.

  • Nothing formalised. I used to run Local health clubs, aiming to keep friends and neighbours fit and healthy, by learning about diet. More recently I send any useful info from FutureLearn courses to my friends and family. I'm a firm believer in having pets, especially dogs, as they need walking, which gets a person out, whatever the weather, or how you feel....

  • My brother in law, 78, has dementia, is in a care home and is now ( never was) quite aggressive. He refuses help and consequently wanders or shuffles around the home and garden, and falls regularly. My sister, 72, his wife, now lives on her own and recently fell in the bathroom, and at the time had no means of contacting anyone. Since then we've talked about...

  • I think I'm just a " youngster" on this course.....70 tomorrow......but a firm believer in " prevention" rather than cure, and living in Spain where there is a similar philosophy, and where people are expected to take responsibility for their health, I'm always on the lookout for good practise. I've been lucky with my health, still work part time and play...

  • Having been " hacked" and also irritated by adverts on my Facebook account, I am very aware of the issues around security of social media and e commerce platforms. Unfortunately this is "the future" and in many respects the convenience of the Internet, outweighs the risks. It's easy to live without Facebook.......not as easy to live without internet use.

  • I think it does away with the concept of " browsing". As soon as I consider a different part of the world as a possible holiday venue, looking up up, reading about it online, flight times, costs etc I get Inundated with information about hotels or accommodation. Similarly with clothes and fashion, more of the same. Can be quite off putting. I stopped using...

  • I do both, read a book in the traditional way, and online. It depends where I'm reading. If I'm in Transit, it's online.....if I'm at home it's a " real" book.
    We always read newspapers online, now. Still prefer a traditional magazine.

  • I applaud Amazon for it's quick response to problems, and generally a fairly easy ordering system. As with most things the more you use the site, the easier it becomes, but of course some of the sites we use are just for "one offs. ". I just hate having to " join" a site with email and password.....not another "password" !!!!!!
    I work for a well known...

  • The content has been fantastic, so much information delivered in a very easy to understand way. Thankyou to the team.

  • I got a smoothie maker just before starting to fill in this diary, and I've really had to curb it's use, in case I forget how to chew!!! I'm addicted to the fruit and veg juices and smoothies it creates. So it's not been a normal time for me....and have had to count some calories as I know I'm eating very large amounts of fruit. It's still very hot here...

  • A great course, and quite entertaining at times, thanks to Kevin!

  • Well, it does look yummy!!!! Would be a "treat" for me!!!!

  • One of my first thoughts upon reading the previous section about Open source agreements " was....will this be affected by Brexit!

  • I work for a furniture store, and previous customers receive updates on the items they have bought to maybe add to their range at home. For example a footstool to match the sofa. The data that the store collects, as to the " customer experience" is used by the company to compare store with store performance.

  • Retail.....a massive change in the way we " shop"! Goods from supermarkets are selected and delivered online, books, music, clothes, medicines, makeup etc. are selected and delivered....very convenient and time saving. As an "older" person, it's great to have someone else carry my heavy goods to the 3rd floor apartment, to not have to endure lcrowded public...

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    Occasionally I just feel " wonder" at how all of these processes happen, naturally and in our daily lives.

  • I have learned about the differences in angina, and how and why high cholesterol is considered to be dangerous.

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  • I use " My Fitness Pal" almost daily, to record calories....a great App......and I use Fitbit to record activity, I wear it all the time.
    My Fitness Pal is great for recording amounts and it helps to understand calorie and content and in fact, reduce quantities. I now find I can eat what I want, just smaller portions, starting to do the same for my...

  • No, I'm not surprised. Amongst my peers, those who died before and around 70, seemed to have heart problems or Cancer.

  • Hi, I'm Sue, a semi retired 70 year old, aiming to live a full and active life for as long as possible. Every bit of information and knowledge helps to fulfil this ambition. I'm an avid FutureLearn student.

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    It has taken me a while to finally complete this course as I felt so sad, sorry and depressed by the outcome of Brexit. I find myself ( living in Spain) embarrassed by the outcome and really having to reflect on " what happens next".
    I would like to return to this course, one year on, to see and consider some of the outcomes and changes.....and proposals....

  • Sorry about the delay......Brexit on my mind!
    Night Nurse, according to the box, " The complete Night time remedy for colds and flu" it contains Promethazine, an antihistamine which dries up a runny nose and aids restful sleep, Dextromethorphan, to reduce tickly coughs, associated with colds and flu, and Paracetamol, which relieves aches and pains and brings...

  • I agree with you Julie, I fear for my grandchildren if we leave the EU. We must be stronger as a nation, if we work together within the EU and with our European neighbours. Watching the football earlier last week, I felt the stirrings of past times, the football riots, a small indicator it's true.....but I felt the dissension, no doubt fuelled by alcohol, but...

  • Having seen the Nigel Farage poster, which made me feel really angry and defensive of all those poor displaced people, it confirmed all my beliefs about him and his followers, and quite frankly, hopefully, it has done him no favours. Hurrah!!!!!

  • We use "Night Nurse" it helps to have a good night's sleep, and seems to depress a fever. Probably just for a couple of nights. I try to drink more fluids, and I must admit to squeezing oranges, to make juice, and making chicken soup, though I don't really believe they get rid of colds etc, any faster.

  • I must admit, I have been very cautious about having the " flu jab", because I'm generally very well. ( I'm 70 this year) My husband, who is a diabetic, and has pernicious anaemia does have the flu and pneumonia injections and has not had any side effects. I recently saw a programme on the tv, about getting older, and one of the findings of the team, was that...

  • 150 words very limiting!

  • I live in Spain, and it has been said by the current prime minister, that he and Spain would be unhappy to see the UK leave the EU. He indicated there would be changes to taxes and agreements. As pensioners, we have a reciprocal agreement regarding health care, At the moment, many UK citizens live in Spain, and visit for holidays. Probably many are...

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    The 1957 articles, really made really think. My mum ( separated from my dad) died in June, 1957, aged 32, when I was 11 and my sister was 14. She died of a form of pleurisy, which triggered a thrombosis. She had been ill and off work for quite some time........I wonder if there was a connection. She was quite run down, working full time in a factory and...

  • Susan Airey made a comment

    Thankyou to all...... Well planned and full of facts and figures. A very iinformative course and a great way to keep my brain working, for me....much more interesting than crosswords!!!

  • My food choices have always tended to include more grains, vegetables and salad, beans and eggs, rather than meat proteins, so that hasn't really changed, but I am going to include more turmeric, spinach and bran.

  • A thoroughly enjoyable course. It left me wanting more! Thankyou.

  • Ironically, we now live in Spain, and so are living alongside Spanish people, who have the traditional Mediterranean diet.....in an area ( Murcia) which is primarily agricultural. Much use of olive oil, salads, tomatoes, bread, Ali oli, , ( very few veggies on restaurant meals) paella, pork, chicken, sea food....".. However....... MacDonalds has arrived...

  • Oops, got that wrong, sorry, ....memory not just as sharp, just remember the controversy! I still always feel the need to wash my hands well, after handling raw chicken, so maybe somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind is a connection!!

  • I too have changed our plate sizes, going for a tea plate or side plate size for me, and a small dinner plate for my husband. I now freeze more portions left over, than before, as my cooking dishes are the same size of course. It's great as there is always home cooked food ready to use at a later date.

  • I remember disastrous consequences when there was misinformation about eggs. Businesses went bankrupt as Rowena Curry ( I think it was) slated eggs as a cholesterol nightmare! Of course it was headline news, and almost overnight many people stopped buying and using eggs. Eggs have always been part of my staple diet, so I ignored it, but it was a terrible time...

  • As with many things " you can't believe all you read in the newspapers!" I also think there are "fads" and " trends", and this also has to be taken into account, when following a certain way of thinking about food issues. Fresh food seems to be the sensible way, and all things in moderation.