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Accessibility statement
Qualification dates
StartEnd
11 Apr 2026Sept 2026
In this introductory module, you’ll explore the fundamentals of computing and information technology: programming, networking and the digital world. You’ll gain practical experience using programming to solve problems, build webpages, and learn to test, debug and innovate your programmes like an IT professional. You’ll also explore big questions around ethics and the social challenges certain technologies pose. By the end, you’ll have built a robust toolkit of knowledge and technical skills to take forward to your career and future study.
This module is presented in three blocks:
Block 1: The digital world
You’ll start with your experience of using computing and IT systems, covering various topics. You’ll explore how computers and networks developed, how analogue images and sounds are converted into digital formats, and how databases store and manage data. You’ll also gain practical experience constructing webpages and consider how interfaces help us interact with computers successfully.
Block 2: Creating solutions
You’ll develop programming and problem-solving skills as you work within a graphical programming environment to create programs involving animation, sounds, numbers and text. Since programs don’t always work the first time they are run, or don’t work as expected, you’ll also develop skills in testing and debugging your programs.
Block 3: Connecting people, places and things
You’ll be introduced to communication networks, including the structure and operation of the Internet and wired and wireless systems. You’ll also discover how these technologies are combined with connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). The block ends with a discussion of how people interact with each other online and how computing and IT systems relate to modern society.
Throughout the module, you will develop your study skills, digital and information literacy skills and employability skills.
You’ll need to be able to use a word-processor, save and locate files, follow instructions for basic computing tasks, access websites, and download and install software. No previous programming experience is required, but you'll need to be interested in using a computer for problem solving and have a desire to learn how to create programs.
You should also be able to perform simple calculations, and read, understand and write clearly in English.
Are you ready for TM111?
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes:
We also provide physical:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying TM111 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111) starts twice a year – in October and April.
It will next start in April 2026 and, for the final time, in October 2026.
It will be replaced with Computing fundamentals 1: concepts and Python programming (TM110) from April 2027.
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