Working with others

Many OU courses have tutorials or group work when students meet up in person, online or over the telephone. These are good opportunities to get together, giving students and their tutor a chance to talk about how they are getting on and to help each other out.

Telephone and online tutorials and group work depend on the student having regular, uninterrupted phone or computer access.

If the course has face-to-face tutorials with the tutor your student will have a list of dates and locations. If these are not convenient then students can attend tutorials in another area.

When there’s a clash of commitments do try to find a work-around. This can sometimes be tricky as tutorials take place in the evenings or at weekends, so you may need to discuss childcare or domestic arrangements.

Student view

I was able to drop my children off at my parent's home on my way to Saturday morning tutorials.

Family view

My partner has tutorials on some Saturday mornings, then we always do something all together as a family afterwards.

Many OU courses have online forums where students can work or chat together. This facility has reduced the ‘distance’ in distance learning, and students can feel part of a supportive community.

Student view

I use the conferencing system quite a lot to keep in touch with other students on my course - it's a great help to be able to contact them while I'm sitting at home, no matter what time of day it is.