Open University study?
Discussion
Andy_GSA said:
That's good to hear, I'm just about to start marking my group's TMA5, then need to do some preparatory tutorials for TMA6 and the EMA.
Hi Andy,the one thing I am yet to get my head around is the learning outcomes document. I am not sure I see the benefit of it.
I draft a new one at the end of each session, then struggle to complete it?
fin racer said:
just to update-
currently slap-bang in the middle of week 5 of study. One TMA done and dusted, with a reasonable score. Could have been better though, threw away a few marks here and there.
Time commitment really starting to bite now, with TMA No 2 due next Thursday. Currently working through basic programming fundamentals.Really enjoying it so far.
Glad to hear you're enjoying it currently slap-bang in the middle of week 5 of study. One TMA done and dusted, with a reasonable score. Could have been better though, threw away a few marks here and there.
Time commitment really starting to bite now, with TMA No 2 due next Thursday. Currently working through basic programming fundamentals.Really enjoying it so far.
I have my graduation ceremony in a couple of weeks so looking forward to dressing up in a fancy gown for a few hours!
fin racer said:
Hi Andy,
the one thing I am yet to get my head around is the learning outcomes document. I am not sure I see the benefit of it.
I draft a new one at the end of each session, then struggle to complete it?
The idea is you look at the outcomes you should have achieved and see how far you think you've got. There's a lot of educational theory psychobabble about reflection and evaluation of your own learning that I could spout but is of practical value to nobody, but the idea generally is to get you thinking about what you've learned, for example did you really understand it?, what skills did you gain?, how have you changed the way you do something? the one thing I am yet to get my head around is the learning outcomes document. I am not sure I see the benefit of it.
I draft a new one at the end of each session, then struggle to complete it?
In my opinion that sort of exercise is really just trying to make you more self-critical and able to evaluate your position before moving on, so you can make a more informed decision about where you move on to! Generally I think it's a good idea to have a go at it, but perhaps not as frequently as the book suggests once you've got a bit of the way in as in my experience people tend to get better at doing the task in their heads as they go along.
Andy_GSA said:
The idea is you look at the outcomes you should have achieved and see how far you think you've got. There's a lot of educational theory psychobabble about reflection and evaluation of your own learning that I could spout but is of practical value to nobody, but the idea generally is to get you thinking about what you've learned, for example did you really understand it?, what skills did you gain?, how have you changed the way you do something?
In my opinion that sort of exercise is really just trying to make you more self-critical and able to evaluate your position before moving on, so you can make a more informed decision about where you move on to! Generally I think it's a good idea to have a go at it, but perhaps not as frequently as the book suggests once you've got a bit of the way in as in my experience people tend to get better at doing the task in their heads as they go along.
probably a better explanation than my tutor or the course material could manage! Thanks AndyIn my opinion that sort of exercise is really just trying to make you more self-critical and able to evaluate your position before moving on, so you can make a more informed decision about where you move on to! Generally I think it's a good idea to have a go at it, but perhaps not as frequently as the book suggests once you've got a bit of the way in as in my experience people tend to get better at doing the task in their heads as they go along.
Andy_GSA said:
In my opinion that sort of exercise is really just trying to make you more self-critical and able to evaluate your position before moving on, so you can make a more informed decision about where you move on to! Generally I think it's a good idea to have a go at it, but perhaps not as frequently as the book suggests once you've got a bit of the way in as in my experience people tend to get better at doing the task in their heads as they go along.
I'm starting to find this in my courses. Repeating things seems to be a Open uni trait. I don't know if regular universities do this because I never attended one. Currently working on EMA for first module and TMA02 for second module. As soon as they're done I'm starting my last module. The end is not quite in sight for me, but I'm working on it.
Congrats to those who have finished. All those years working on a degree at the open uni is not easy and quite a marathon. I'm glad I've transferred so much credit that I can finish my degree in a year.
I completed an Open Uni degree in 2008 after 5 years study (did 120 points in one year-never again!) and graduated in 2009 in Cardiff. It was a fantastic feeling and well worth the long hours of studying constantly. I even ended up being interviewed on BBC Radio Wales and appeared on the OU website as a case study due to being in the Armed Forces and studying whilst being deployed.
I'm currently doing another distance learning 'top-up' specialised BSc(Hons) degree with Staffordshire University. Compared to the Open Uni, it is shockingly bad in terms of course support and organisation. With hindsight, I wish I hadn't enrolled in it but from start to finish, it will only take me 17 months and I can then use it to springboard onto an MSc which I will probably end up doing full-time. It's either that or a full-time MBA.
Learning. It's addictive...
I'm currently doing another distance learning 'top-up' specialised BSc(Hons) degree with Staffordshire University. Compared to the Open Uni, it is shockingly bad in terms of course support and organisation. With hindsight, I wish I hadn't enrolled in it but from start to finish, it will only take me 17 months and I can then use it to springboard onto an MSc which I will probably end up doing full-time. It's either that or a full-time MBA.
Learning. It's addictive...
IntegraTypeR said:
I had my graduation ceremony on saturday at the barbican in london. Was absolutely fantastic and really a great way to bring 7 years of study to an end
nice one.I have received decent grades for the first 2 TMAs.
Did a couple of the Elluminate sessions with my tutor last night, all good stuff.
fin racer said:
folks,
brushing up my CV currently as I have spotted a couple of roles I might as well apply for.
Should I mention I am currently working towards a degree with the OU ( Bearing in mind I have at least another 4 years to go)?
Yes, you should.brushing up my CV currently as I have spotted a couple of roles I might as well apply for.
Should I mention I am currently working towards a degree with the OU ( Bearing in mind I have at least another 4 years to go)?
It's something to be proud of, it shows you have some get up and go about you, it may open up some discussions about life-long learning, the interviewer may be an OU alumni ... there are lots of reasons to include it, not sure I can think of any reasons not to, really.
quite a while since I updated this thread, so i thought I would add a few words.
Like most people, barely one month starts but it runs into another seemingly right away.
Just been a constant cycle of 15-16 hours of study, week in week out. But hey ho.
Last 4 weeks of the module, completed all my icma's bar one, submitted the last TMA and about to start work on the End of Module assignment.
Struggled quite badly with the programming element of the course, which I expected I would.
Looking for to TM128 (basically an MCSA).
Like most people, barely one month starts but it runs into another seemingly right away.
Just been a constant cycle of 15-16 hours of study, week in week out. But hey ho.
Last 4 weeks of the module, completed all my icma's bar one, submitted the last TMA and about to start work on the End of Module assignment.
Struggled quite badly with the programming element of the course, which I expected I would.
Looking for to TM128 (basically an MCSA).
I'm starting to come to the end of my studies now. One more TMA and 2 EMAs and then I'm done (I'm topping up from foundation degree so aiming for 120 credits in a year). It's getting quite boring now. I enjoyed it to start with.
Don't think I'll go onto a masters for now, but maybe in 5 years time I'll consider it and do it slower.
Don't think I'll go onto a masters for now, but maybe in 5 years time I'll consider it and do it slower.
I know that the opening module (TU100) was meant to be an opening introduction to higher education, but frankly it's nearly put me off going any further.
Not to mention even though I should be paying the transitional fees the farse over letting us register our interest later than other students, and still hiking the fees isn't on. Doubling the price just to examine and verify a certification I already hold takes the biscuit.
The I.T/digital life content felt like a sideline, instead painstakingly covering over and over again basic GCSE level skills, how to reference, and all about plagiarism. Seriously the content learned could have been anything. Very disappointed tbh.
I'll carry it on as I'd really like a degree out of this. I'm hoping that as I go up I'm actually technically challenged a little more. Most of the other modules look fairly decent.
Not to mention even though I should be paying the transitional fees the farse over letting us register our interest later than other students, and still hiking the fees isn't on. Doubling the price just to examine and verify a certification I already hold takes the biscuit.
The I.T/digital life content felt like a sideline, instead painstakingly covering over and over again basic GCSE level skills, how to reference, and all about plagiarism. Seriously the content learned could have been anything. Very disappointed tbh.
I'll carry it on as I'd really like a degree out of this. I'm hoping that as I go up I'm actually technically challenged a little more. Most of the other modules look fairly decent.
Edited by GuyWMD on Thursday 23 August 16:50
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