Rhiannon Knowles
I'm an Editorial Specialist at FutureLearn and a Linguistics grad.
I love taking our courses too! Especially ones on education, technology, nutrition, wellbeing, and the arts.
Location London
Achievements
Activity
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I'm not currently creating a course but will note these questions for the future :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
This sounds great! Thanks for the introduction :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Hi everyone! I've worked in EdTech for a while now in a variety of roles and am excited to learn more about creating great online courses from this course and everyone commenting!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I found it useful to learn about conversion funnels – it has helped me to think more deeply about copy's purpose of guiding the reader to eventually take action.
The bit that really stood out to me was "Focus on benefits over features", and that customers care more about how you can solve their problem as opposed to a long list of features. Getting straight...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Hi everyone! My name's Rhiannon, I joined this course to learn more about copywriting. I took a course on SEO on FutureLearn a while ago, so I want to freshen my memory but also learn more about what my colleagues do (I work in an Editorial team alongside copywriters).
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think Ali should set up another meeting with her manager and explain that less vocal colleagues like herself - after all, different personalities and skills are what make great teams - would value the opportunity to contribute, but the way the meetings are currently run means that is not possible. She could suggest that the meeting has a Chair who asks...
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I completely agree! I find agendas so useful for feeling prepared.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I knew I was less confident in public speaking so that hasn't changed, but I've regained clarity on what I would do in that situation again to improve how I felt. I think this is an area for growth, but it's also linked to anxiety so it's interesting to consider the extent to which I could be comfortable with this.
I've learned that face-to-face...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Presenting - 2
I've done some public speaking - I feel great when it's over, mostly from the adrenaline, but 250 people is a big audience for me! To get to 5, I'd practise speaking and deep breaths a lot, prepare notes, try to reassure myself, and plan to reward myself afterwards.Video chat - 4
I've gotten very used to video chat thanks to covid! The... -
Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I would likely handle some of the scenarios differently now as I am fully remote. But I do see the advantages of meeting face-to-face for more personal conversations – it depends on timing and ability to travel.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I would choose a formal approach to deliver the message to the tutors, because they are employees, and the message is representing the company and coming from the company head. A formal approach will represent the company well internally, and ideally be clear enough so the employees can learn about the app and understand how it works.
For the...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I like the 'move your torso' tip – I used to be petrified of public speaking (still don't love it) and felt physically frozen
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I've used all of these types of communication. Email is largely formal – to the point where it feels strange when people write emails informally! I'm used to that type of communication now, but I remember when I started my first job where I had to use email regularly it did feel unnatural.
The pandemic has shifted what different people find normal – I think...
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Lilian Ipopo
This is a really good point @LilianIpopo - and this caters for more people as the same information is being given in different ways :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I already knew I preferred one-on-one communication, as I do have anxiety about speaking in front of groups. I can't quite say I would 'like' to develop this (because of the anxiety, haha) but I think it would be useful.
I think I am a good listener but sometimes get distracted so would like to work on that.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I wasn't sure what I'd be - it turns out I am pretty much an even split between a Process oriented person and a People oriented person
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Me too!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
That exercise did help me become more aware of my style of communication.
I prefer to communicate one-on-one. I don't mind being in a group environment, in fact I like being around people, but I prefer communicating with just one person at a time. :)
I do like storytelling, but I think it depends on the context whether I get right to the point or not. If...
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Definitely - deep breaths are really helpful, I often forget to take them!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I feel most conscious when speaking to someone I know, like a close friend, and with no distractions so I can focus on what they're saying. I also feel conscious when I'm speaking to a group of people I don't know in a professional setting, but I'd say part of that feeling is anxiety and self consciousness that doesn't feel good.
I've witnessed people...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think punk's legacy definitely still lives on in the music scene today, albeit arguably hidden behind all the 'popular' music pushed by social media, TV and radio. There are a lot of punk-esque bands out there right now but the ones that have that energy for me are SLAVES (their best known song is probably Where's Your Car Debbie? -...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Loved this video!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Love the image! I was at the Roundhouse recently. So cool that venues like that are still going.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Love the mention of not needing all the lights/perfect sound – I love that about punk. It feels raw and grungy and real.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think, in modern art, installations and performance art can be really powerful politically. Probably due to you really being able to immerse yourself in it in real time! I also think posters can be really effective in getting messages out about causes – although maybe online is a better way to go today – as they grab people's attention well.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I've seen SEX necklaces being brought back by popular figures, influencers, drag queens, etc. Punk lives on!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I love the aesthetic of london's burning but sniffin glue has a lot more to read - it's pretty intense though!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I could've seen Blondie at Glastonbury (2014 I think?) if I hadn't slept in... regretfully. But I was working at the festival so needed every minute of sleep I could get honestly!
I'd love to see The Stranglers live.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I love The Jam and The Clash, but in the big scheme of things I haven't listened to that much punk so I'm doing it now!
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It's so good!
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this sounds amazing!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
To me, the BMI feels like it's used really casually, and I think I've always naively trusted it. I didn't know that it was originally designed for populations (as opposed to individuals) and specifically white men.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I've been through the accounts I follow a few times to get rid of ones that don't make me feel good, so when I looked this time I didn't feel the need to unfollow anyone. That was nice!
I do notice filters though and it's good to remind myself that they're there. I still use them myself sometimes and would like to get out of doing that.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I've just had a look at Megan's instagram and it looks wonderful! Followed :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
When I first heard the fact that companies capitalise on people feeling rubbish about themselves (might've even been on Jameela's podcast!), it blew my mind. My dream is to wear what I feel comfortable in for my own sake, and have fun with exercise, doing it because it makes me feel good mentally.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I studied a Gender Studies module at university so most of this wasn't new to me but the racism part was.
I think social media and particularly 'trends' on there have impacted body ideals, as well as in fashion and popular culture in general.
I'm still fascinated about the whole eyebrow thing – how we went from super thin eyebrows being all the rage in...
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
It's weird you say this because I was going to watch The Devil Wears Prada the other day!
I'm glad I didn't, it actually perpetuates a lot of issues mentioned (despite being a cult movie starring the legend that is Meryl Streep).
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think I have thought about my body in this way, particularly in January when I did yoga every day for a month. The classes I did focused a lot on breathing and it made me really appreciate how powerful it is. Ever since doing that, I have been noticing my breath, strength and posture more. But I'd say this is still around half of the time I spend thinking...
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to June Sedgwick
I hope you love your hair eventually (maybe thanks to this course!). I think grey hair looks gorgeous.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
For me, right now (especially in lockdown!) the biggest external factor is social media.
But in the past – and I've seen quite a few other comments here about this – I've noticed that women in my family and some female family friends would greet me with comments like "Don't you look slim!" or "Have you lost some weight? You look great."
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Camila Lopes Cordeiro
Me too @RakshaPatidar
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think I'd noticed gamification and its power before, but never so explicitly in terms of how it can boost motivation and engagement in a work setting, and its importance now that millennials like myself make up a huge percentage of the workforce. It does have the potential to be really effective, but I'm also interested to see if this will change as the next...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I would expect them both to be motivated, and I'm not sure if I could say who would be more motivated as they're in different contexts. I imagine Sofia would be motivated by the variety in her role, whereas Derek would be motivated by his strong expertise.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I loved the lakes and oceans illustration/infographic, and the extra resources on steps are fascinating! I've explored a few but intend to come back and look through everything. I'd never heard of Marie Tharp before so I want to learn more about her work.
A quote from the linked BBC article says "I'm sad to say that here we are at the beginning of the 21st...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I agree with other comments in that exploring something is more than just mapping – it's getting to know it in detail, and discovering its features.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Across my company, lots of people work flexibly. For example, some work earlier or later in the day, and others do compressed hours in four days instead of five to enable them to spend more time with their families.
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I've just checked the comments and it seems I'm not alone in immediately thinking of how VUCA relates to current times in terms of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Sajida Munir
thank you @SajidaMunir your example helped me understand this question more!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think that's a tricky question to answer off the cuff but I think valuing your employees and listening to them as your organisation grows and changes is really important. Work should be 'productive' but to do that successfully today it needs to have an environment and culture that enables great working relationships and wellbeing, and opportunities to learn...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think my answer to the question has changed slightly in that I'd add that we can spot the signs quicker and easier if we make sure that sufficient training in the workplace is carried out. People spend a lot of time at work in general, so with sufficient training, colleagues/employers can be well-equipped to spot these signs.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I believe so, as although some great companies would be inclined to do it anyway because they care about their employees, I envision that others might not bother if it's not a legal requirement.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I'm grateful that we have an Employee Assistance Programme, but I'll admit I do forget that it exists when I'm at low points, and haven't really explored it yet. Looking at the comments it seems like a lot of companies don't have this - I really should take advantage!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
The most stressful thing about my job is when I have tight deadlines for multiple projects. I cope with this by taking regular breaks from my desk, exercising regularly, eating well, getting enough sleep, and letting people know when/if I need help. I also make sure to treat myself (have a bath with candles/eat some chocolate/a glass of wine/read a good book...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Self-report questionnaires are good because they encourage those taking them to consider their own stressors, maintain awareness of them (encouraging mindfulness) and actively reflect. But the disadvantages are that they rely on people's memory, and people's stress may differ from one day to the next. People might also understate or simplify their stress in...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
The most significant topic for me at this time is technostress. It was useful to learn about this, and I want to take what I've learned forward in terms of trying to address my own technostress with particular software that I need to use as an employee.
It would be great to hear examples of how companies have recognised and combatted technostress...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
This model makes the most sense to me in thinking about managing mental health and stress in the workplace, as I think both demands and resources play a huge part.
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
I agree @StephanieM - it's hard to pinpoint just a few jobs that this applies to!
I would say at the moment though in the UK it definitely applies to NHS workers and those working in caring roles. -
Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I never considered that pupils might dilate and let more light in/improve sight to cope with a stressor - that's fascinating.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think the NHS Trust Hospital example dealt with it well in terms of getting management involved and educating everyone on relevant issues, encouraging more open communication and acceptance.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
This statistic in particular is really disheartening:
> 15% of employees who disclosed mental health issues to their line manager reported being disciplined, dismissed or demoted.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Yes and no, and I think this applies to the self too. I sometimes catch when I'm about to feel really low, and other times I've been so busy/focused on other things that it hits me suddenly.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think this trend will only continue as a result of COVID-19.
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this is a really interesting point @MarietjievanNiekerk. before our 'lockdown' here in the UK, I was considering working from home on a semi-regular basis partly due to needing more alone time.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I generally feel more positive about fully working online (for the moment!) as a result of taking this course :)
I enjoyed learning about the different theories covered and relating them to my own experiences, and considering how I can make changes to improve things. -
Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think 'trust' is an interesting one.
I appreciate that it has been raised at my work that you don't have to make it blatantly obvious you're online all the time, and that it's okay to focus on things and wait to reply to messages until you're ready (maybe also setting your status - eg on Slack - to 'Focusing on X for an hour' so your colleagues know what...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think they're all relevant in some way! I found myself recognising elements of all of them.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
The results of Thoits' 1986 study resonate with me; my self esteem has increased with employment, and that's probably for a number of reasons, but I think having multiple roles/variety in life is a big one.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I chose 'somewhat integrated'.
Due to not having an office at home, I'm unable to physically separate myself from my workspace when I'm not working.
I think it's quite tricky to have segmented interfaces on a psychological level too right now, as discussion of COVID-19 is pervasive in my conversations with colleagues and family/friends.
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to karen jakobsen
That's an interesting point @HannahT ! I actually moved further away from my workplace, which I thought would make it more stressful, but actually having a commute twice as long gives me time to read and relax before and after work.
Working from home now though (due to covid-19), in this unique and strange situation, I haven't figured out yet whether...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I'm not sure if anything like this has happened where I'm from (the UK), but I know that of course some industries and roles are more demanding than others in terms of working hours/overtime.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think it's definitely possible to achieve a healthy work-life balance, but it requires focus and determination to achieve it (somewhat ironically!). My new working-from-home life is new to me, and I'm enjoying adapting to it as much as I can.
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Sarah Jane Sheehy
I agree @SarahJaneSheehy
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Zain Zain
Hi @ZainZain and @SandraMurray !
You'll get a free certificate of achievement once you complete this course, as London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade. :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I almost got the last one, but ended up with 653 somehow!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I don't know many off the top of my head, so I had to go searching.
I quite like this one: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to grace tang
I thought of this human question too
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Aaaaah I get it now! Thank you @KimWaghorn @EF @SaraRassner it took my brain a while
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Me too @SaraRassner - would it be four 3-legged chickens? It feels like there was more than one answer
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I don't know how to describe it, but I've noticed a difference in how I use my brain now on a day-to-day basis compared to when I used to study Maths. I want to get back to/continue this curiosity when it comes to problem solving.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I went to the Escher museum in Amsterdam on school trips - once for Art and once for Maths. I loved both subjects at school. His art is interesting from both perspectives.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I love doing Sudoku on my phone, and have heard the term 'recreational math' before, but wouldn't necessarily have put the two together - but I guess it is!
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to E F
I'm glad you had a supportive teacher - he sounds great - even if it was just for a bit!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Hi everyone! I'm taking this course because I really enjoyed maths at school and want to spark my interest in it again. I did it at A-Level but since finishing that I haven't really ever used maths that much, and I want an excuse! :)
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Mattie W
Wow! I might try this @MattieW
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I'm not a parent or a teacher, but this video was really useful to watch. Even as a reminder to myself that screen time can affect sleeping and face-to-face interaction, which I believe to be true for adults as well as children.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Thanks to the 'see also' exercise, I've quickly identified my values (I have quite a lot!). Looking forward to establishing some related goals.
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thanks @anniegore that list is great! that's wonderful @EILEENDONNELLY
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Really enjoyed reading about Acceptance & Commitment Theory. I'd be interested in doing more reading on this. I'm now taking committed action by considering what inspires me!
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I agree @ElizabethBarrett @SusanneCochary - a mindful ethics/values course would be great. I've definitely improved my ability to make decisions with time/experience, but I used to (and sometimes still do) find even 'small' decisions tricky. Slowing down bringing mindfulness to decision making is something I'm going to try and practise now.
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
This self-reflective exercise was great! The examples of teachers I had and the effects of their criticism/support were vivid for me, as I still remember school like it was yesterday.
From it, I've gaged that self-criticism can reduce performance due to continuous rumination on (and fear of) failure.
And self-compassion can improve performance because...
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On the one hand (to me), it seems like anxiety and depression are more prevalent nowadays. But on the other hand, maybe we are just becoming more open to talking about mental health! And our hardwiring has been there all along.
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I can relate to this a lot @LaurieM
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This exercise helped me to identify that:
a) I am caring, supportive and considerate towards others I care about when they are suffering, but
b) towards myself I am critical, inconsiderate, and am not really listening to myself in times of suffering.a) makes me feel uplifted, lighter, and more energised, while b) makes me feel weighed down and...
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Good luck @MelanieMacoun ! What a cool realisation :)
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
Week 3's topics sound intense but also really valuable. Looking forward to it!
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I think of mindfulness now as something that can help me communicate better at work and with everyone in my life, and also a tool for being positively assertive when I need to be, setting appropriate boundaries and making things as easy for myself as they should be.
I've also learned that compassion is what I need to work towards! My empathy is what I name...
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Rhiannon Knowles made a comment
I really liked the note at the end of the video about how sometimes we might have difficult relationships with ourselves, and through mindfulness we can notice if we get caught up in self-criticism.
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Liz Brnjak
I've watched that talk by Brene Brown before, it's brilliant!
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to ANITA F
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Rhiannon Knowles replied to Melanie Macoun
Wishing you all the best @MelanieMacoun!
