OT : Paging those with distance learning experience (OU)

THanks - I think what I'm looking at might require a bit more work than
those but it's handy for a general idea.

What I'll probably do is the recommended level 1 course (60 pts) along
with another couple of smaller ones before it starts/depending on how
it goes to get the other 60 pts I need in the 'general' category before
looking at the core (l2 and l3 60pt) ones next year.

 

dwb wrote

I have a view which enconpasses both sides of the fence.

Don't take on a 120 pointer unless you are sure you have room in your
life for it. In you first year, if you are able, take two 60's and be
prepared to drop one if the going gets hard. Worth noting though that
the effort involved for a 60 is not half that of a 120 it is more like
two thirds.

 

Hi. Dunno how I ended up hanging around this group as I don't have a
bike. I'll probably go away and stop annoying you soon, but while I'm
here.

I don't have distance learning experience as a student, I only have
distance learning experience as a lecturer. But I would like to say
that exactly how much time the degree will take up is not a constant
across students, even when learning exactly the same materials. In my
experience (perhaps biased) the time taken for anything, be it reading,
coursework, and the like varies incredibly between different students
of different innate ability, but even more importantly, depending on
their study skills. Including time efficiency. While any degree course
worth taking is always a considerable investment of time, there are an
awaful lot of things that can be done to achieve the same or better
results with a much less investment in otherwise free time.

If you're an IT person, then you'll understand the easiest example to
give. Those who study computer science will learn programming in the
first year, and then coursesworks in later years will often combine
those basic programming skills with more advanced theoretical issues.
Those who actually learnt to program properly in the first year will
typically be able to complete those courseworks in a fraction of the
amount of time of those who haven't learnt to program properly.

The same concept applies in a lot of areas. And then there's making
best use of study time. Studying too little means you have to catch up
too much later when coursework needs to be done (or in some situations
when exams need to be sat). Studying too much results in you just going
through the motions. It's often a good idea to separate out things that
can be revised in a few seconds (e.g. put mathematical formulae on
flash cards) from that which needs to be done as a larger lblock
(writing essays). For the former, pretty well anyone can identify times
in their day which are basically wasted (standing watching the
toaster), and using even those tiny bits of time for study can help you
avoid having to use up your more precious bits of spare time.

I would say that if you're thinking of taking on the degree, then you
should go get some books on study skills for university students out of
your public library now, read them, and listen very carefully to what
they say. Many of these books have a fair amount of common sense in
them which could help people learn much more efficiently than they do.

Cheers,

Ross-c

 

Some distance learning courses make collaborative work done over the
web (e.g. discussion boards, Wikis, etc.) not just possible, but
compulsory. In some cases part of a students' coursework mark is based
on their contribution to those forums, e.g. their posting of problems,
and their participation in the solving of other students' problems. I
think this is a good idea.

Cheers,

Ross-c

 

It's really down to the pressure of your job, your time management
skills and how much effort you want to put into getting a good degree.
Ginge started one but found with his working hours that he didn't have
time to watch the videos and do the course work IIRC.

Most likely yes, but if you really want to do it you will. Best of
luck with it.

 

dwb came into sight through the beans and said

I'm on the second year of a 360 point (hons) degree. With full time work
(in IT as well) and around 2.5 hours a day commute, the best I can
manage is 60 points per year.

You need to be very aware of the level of course that you are
undertaking. The level 1's (easy) are OK and can be managed fairly
easily. Level 2's & 3's are a different story and require a high level
of time management, self motivation and selfishness around home life
IMHO.

Don't knock the people interaction. I find the tutorials a great
motivator. Mind you, I've had some excellent tutors - may just be lucky.

If you do it, do it because you really want too, otherwise, you'll come
a cropper.

 

I took a break from OU a few years ago but will be enrolling again
later this year. I need 90 points to complete my degree.

It's perfectly realistic/possible, thousands manage it each year. The
main thing is to plan your studies and not cram everything in a week
before an assignment is due, I say this from experience

Get yourself a copy of The Good Study Guide.
http://www.goodstudyguide.co.uk/index.htm

When I started OU my first year consisted of a 60 pointer which was
designed to ease you back into studying and to prepare you for any
subsequent modules.

All the tutors I've had advised against doing two 60 pointers per year
due to the workload, especially if you were working.

HTH

 

What level is that course?

Okay - but I'm really not sure I'm as bright as you - judging by some
of your posts, not even close!

 

This is an art that most journos either are born with or acquire - the
ability to write to a set limit in one hit.

 

write a guide text first, and allocate word limits to each section.

It's *much* easier to write 20 x blocks of 100 words[1] than to write
a 2000 word essay.

I used to have the same problem as you when writing magazine articles
- I used to always write too much, and then have to edit stuff out.
Once I started writing guide texts and pre-allocating the amount of
words I was going to write in each section, I cut my time to write a
2000 word article down from about 6-7 hours to around 3. Once you've
been doing it for a while, you get stunningly accurate at being able
to write 50 or 100 word chunks.


[1] or 11 x blocks of 100 + 6 x blocks of 150 etc.

 

once you've been doing it for a while, you'll wonder how you ever
managed otherwise.

 

Wish I'd known that when I was doing my dissertation. Ho hum.

 

Thanks for that. I've been beating my head against a brick wall with
my final 2500 word field report for this year (1). I'm going to have
a go at your suggestion to see if it will help.

(1) A survey of birds using a newly established wetland area which is
part of a sustainable drainage system on a new housing development in
Northampton. It's a landmark development in sustainable housing and
uni is working with the developers to provide baseline and ongoing
ecological monitoring for the site. If we do a decent job with the
reports there's a possibility of an acknowledgement in a research
paper (2).

(2) Probably nothing new or exciting for some of you but it will be a
first for me

--
Elly - a confuzzled Pixie
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Spike - FZ400 - It's dead Jim!
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elly at garagepixies dot co dot uk

 

Isn't précis writing taught these days? It leads to concise paragraphs
and easy communication. For an idea on how to do it, read the Reader's
Digest.

 

Doesn't matter now, I graduated 3 years ago! And as for précis writing,
there was bugger all written work until the final dissertation. CompSci
degree, y'see...

 

First class, with honours.

 

<snort> not if I don't get this wretched report done.

I went over to the site today to see if I could get enthused by it at
all. The development is great, the ponds are great, saw birds,
insects, plants ... all great. Still can't get excited about writing
the report though.

I'm going to have a glass of wine, write up the methods and do some
work on the evaluation. I'll tackle the hated stats analysis tomorrow
night I think.

<sighs>

--
Elly - a confuzzled Pixie
ZX9R-E1 - <Giggles>
Spike - FZ400 - It's dead Jim!
MRO#32 ibW#25 BoTAFOT#46 BoTAFOF #46 GP#1 UKRMRM#00 TWA#3
DFV#15
http://www.garagepixies.co.uk
elly at garagepixies dot co dot uk

 

Then get on with it. Or do I have to come down there and nag you?

Heh. IKWYM, after doing all the investigations for my masters project I
really struggled to do the write up. Eventually I got in to it, and it
all flowed.

A fine plan. Get to it.

Urg. Well, we know someone who can help there, if you struggle.

<rubs shoulders, whispers calming things, pours wine>
And relax>

 

It looks like it


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Thank you! It worked even with me feeling lousy due to a rotten cold.

It's now printing out and will be handed in tomorrow.

--
Elly - a Pixie with no more assignments for a few months.
ZX9R-E1 - <Giggles>
Spike - FZ400 - It's dead Jim!
MRO#32 ibW#25 BoTAFOT#46 BoTAFOF #46 GP#1 UKRMRM#00 TWA#3
DFV#15
http://www.garagepixies.co.uk
elly at garagepixies dot co dot uk