Open University - Who's doing it?

Conanius · 9 Nov 2011 at 19:11

Potentially an attempt at an official 'OU' thread.

I've just started (read tonight opened the books!) my first OU modules. I'm studying towards a BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management (yes, every single book contains the word synergy).

I'm currently doing BU130 (Working and Learning - Developing Effective Performance at Work) and B121 (Managing in the Workplace)

Just curious if anyone else out there is doing/done an OU Course/Degree, how you've found it. Even better if you've done this Degree or these modules !

So far it seems to be quite sensible, bar the fact the OU have got me down for a tutorial on Saturday in Bristol for one of the modules, and down for a tutorial in Cardiff on the same day at the same time for the other ! I've picked the Tutorial that has the first eTMA to be submitted (scarily only 11 days away!) but it other than that there just seems to be a lot to get through.

I'm spending a lot of time in hotels over the next few months, so I'm planning on trying to get through as much as I can during this time, however, the layout for both of the modules doesn't seem to like the idea of that. Do tutors have major issues with people doing that?

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 19:56

I'm Jelly mate will be February till I start. the suspense is killing me!

If I may can I ask you, if you have a routine setup and how many hours will you be studying and then practising what you have learnt?

What's your plan of action?

JHeaton · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:06

Cool, I hope you enjoy it.

I start in February. I haven't decided what degree I will be working towards, but to kick things off I'm doing MU123 Discovering Mathematics to ease me back in to formal studying. I imagine it will mostly be a recap of things I know with some new stuff thrown in there, but I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll soon be able to decide what exactly I want to do (considering BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics or Natural Sciences - tough choices!).

sharkkk · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:13

Been doing it for a couple of years now and simply love it. The only thing I hate is some level 1 courses treating you like a kid doing GCSEs (mostly because they're aimed at people who might have not been in education for quite a few years), which was a bit annoying as I started after college. But pushing through, it got good! I'm learning without being over-worked & stressed but also without being bored - it really lets you set your own pace and get the most out of it.

You can get through a lot of work like you intend to, but some modules will only put assignments up at set times so you will have to allow for that.

sharkkk · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:18

JHeaton said:
Cool, I hope you enjoy it.

I start in February. I haven't decided what degree I will be working towards, but to kick things off I'm doing MU123 Discovering Mathematics to ease me back in to formal studying. I imagine it will mostly be a recap of things I know with some new stuff thrown in there, but I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll soon be able to decide what exactly I want to do (considering BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics or Natural Sciences - tough choices!).

Currently doing MU123 counting towards a certificate in mathematics and a degree in computing - it's probably a good one if you want to break yourself back into study and find out if the learning style suits you. Starts off quite lightly!

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:34

Yeah MU123 is what I'll be doing as my second module, I think

How is the software Dev module going sharkkk?

I think you said you were doing Software development with Java (M256)?

Masterdog · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:38

I finished a degree in Information Technology and Computing with the OU earlier this year. OU was totally the best way to do it for me - despite the fact it took seven years, the part-time thing made it more manageable. My tutors never minded what approach I took to doing the TMAs as long as they were in on time - some times I'd submit them weeks early, sometimes it was ten minutes before they were due. Some of the groupwork you won't have any other choice than to wait for, though.

sharkkk · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:39

UncleRuckus said:
Yeah MU123 is what I'll be doing as my second module, I think

How is the software Dev module going sharkkk?

I think you said you were doing Software development with Java (M256)?

Waaaaaah I had to drop the fun programming ones I was doing for the time being - I've been a bit long-term-unwell and it's made it hard to study hence me being back on the level 1 to lighten the workload. A bit gutting 'cause I was enjoying those!

Monkeh · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:40

Attempting a BSc (Hons) Mathematics through the OU right now, passed MU123 and M150 in June this year and started MST121 and MS221 last month. I've enjoyed what I've done so far - though I originally planned to study for BSc (Hons) Computing, wasn't enjoying it as much as I thought I would but really like doing the maths, most of the time.

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:41

Masterdog said:
I finished a degree in Information Technology and Computing with the OU earlier this year. OU was totally the best way to do it for me - despite the fact it took seven years, the part-time thing made it more manageable. My tutors never minded what approach I took to doing the TMAs as long as they were in on time - some times I'd submit them weeks early, sometimes it was ten minutes before they were due. Some of the groupwork you won't have any other choice than to wait for, though.

Hey congrats man!

Same degree I will be working towards. What do you plan on doing with it?

SoundsGood · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:42

I've done:

TA212 - The technology of music
T216 - Cisco networking (CCNA)
M255 - Object-oriented programming with Java

And now I'm having a break until the MCSA course starts. Kind of wish I'd done the follow-on Java course though as it turns out to be quite useful.

PermaBanned · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:43

I'm thinking about doing MST121 in lieu of me dropping AS Maths but doing three sciences...

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:44

sharkkk said:
Waaaaaah I had to drop the fun programming ones I was doing for the time being - I've been a bit long-term-unwell and it's made it hard to study hence me being back on the level 1 to lighten the workload. A bit gutting 'cause I was enjoying those!

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that chap

I'm sure everything will come right in the end though

Masterdog · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:46

UncleRuckus said:
Same degree I will be working towards. What do you plan on doing with it?

I started it mainly to improve my job prospects, but in the middle of the degree I got a job I really enjoy (computer forensics) so it became less important - but having done half of it I thought I might as well finish. It's good to have it now though just in case anything happens to the job I've got at the mo.
Have to say though if I'd been planning to go into 'proper' commercial programming I'm not sure the degree would have set me up too well for it. You have to choose whether you want a specific Computing degree or a more general one like I've got about two thirds of the way through - possibly if I'd gone down the former route I'd feel more prepared. Still, I've never really fancied that as a career so it doesn't bother me much.
Good luck with yours - where are you with it?

Richdog · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:47

I'll be doing a distance-learning course at London University soon, BsC Business Administration http://www.londoninternational.ac.u...rgraduate/holloway/business_admin/index.shtml

Prospectus here http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/prospectus/bsc_busadmin_pros.pdf

Can take 3-8 years part-time (i'll be working too) but i'll be pushed to do it in 4 I think, though it may take me 5 depending on workload.

All I know for sure is that if I could turn back the clock and go back to do my education again then I would do the most mickey mouse easy peasy degree there was and do it as well as I could, it would have saved me a LOT of heartache in the long run. The prospect of studying again at 31 is not a pleasing one.

JHeaton · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:52

sharkkk said:
Currently doing MU123 counting towards a certificate in mathematics and a degree in computing - it's probably a good one if you want to break yourself back into study and find out if the learning style suits you. Starts off quite lightly!

Nice, this is just what I was hoping for. It's not that I've ever had a hard time studying, but after almost seven years out of it, it's probably best that I take things slowly to begin with. I think the hardest part is going to be deciding what to do next, as there are just so many modules I want to do!

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:52

Masterdog said:
I started it mainly to improve my job prospects, but in the middle of the degree I got a job I really enjoy (computer forensics) so it became less important - but having done half of it I thought I might as well finish. It's good to have it now though just in case anything happens to the job I've got at the mo.
Have to say though if I'd been planning to go into 'proper' commercial programming I'm not sure the degree would have set me up too well for it. You have to choose whether you want a specific Computing degree or a more general one like I've got about two thirds of the way through - possibly if I'd gone down the former route I'd feel more prepared. Still, I've never really fancied that as a career so it doesn't bother me much.
Good luck with yours - where are you with it?

I'll be starting in the new year. I feel like a guinea pig as I'll be in the second group to do TU100 My Digital life

I plan on going down the Software development specialisation route, though Solutions Development specialist does sound good too as I got started in web scripting.

UncleRuckus · 9 Nov 2011 at 21:05

Masterdog said:
I started it mainly to improve my job prospects, but in the middle of the degree I got a job I really enjoy (computer forensics) so it became less important - but having done half of it I thought I might as well finish. It's good to have it now though just in case anything happens to the job I've got at the mo.
Have to say though if I'd been planning to go into 'proper' commercial programming I'm not sure the degree would have set me up too well for it. You have to choose whether you want a specific Computing degree or a more general one like I've got about two thirds of the way through - possibly if I'd gone down the former route I'd feel more prepared. Still, I've never really fancied that as a career so it doesn't bother me much.
Good luck with yours - where are you with it?

Which route did you choose? Sorry I forgot to ask

May I ask if you are working for the MET or the state as your location is in Exeter?

FeFiDoh · 9 Nov 2011 at 21:30

I did that OU openings thing the "starting with maths" beginning of the year.
Had confirmation of my application for 'My digital life' last week so start that in Febuary now as well looking forward to get cracking, in a way.
Going on hol for a month before hand so coming back and getting on with that will be hard for a week or 4

stoofa · 9 Nov 2011 at 21:35

I'm current working towards a BA (Hons) Business Studies
I've completed and passed 3 level 1 modules.
My fourth and final level 1 started at the beginning of this month (B120).
I start my first level 2 in February.

So far so good, I'm certainly finding the time to study and as my studies are funded by my place of work I can spend part of the working day working on things.