The place for a chance to talk, share tips and advice, and connect with other Open University students and alumni who are currently living (or have lived) in the United States).
For OU students in the US
Hi guys,
I'm a 31 year old California girl studying mainly for personal enrichment purposes (although who knows what the future holds). Where are you guys?
I'm finishing up S207 right now. I'm planning on talking more physics courses down the road, and if OU ever offers more math maths (ahem, lol) to those of us in the US, I'll probably take a couple of those modules too. What are you guys studying?
OU is great, isn't it? I know we have online colleges here in the states, but I wish they followed OU's example. I love the variety of courses they offer. I also love getting to know these guys and gals hearing about their adventures at the pub. Their slang is great too, isn't it? Bugger this... Bloke that... Bless their hearts! Despite my love for my new UK friends, it would still be nice to hear some American voices, so please let me know if you want to link up via Facebook. Afterall, we share the very unique experience of being stay-at-home foreign exchange students. How weird is that, lol?
Is it just me or is the British/Scottish educational system vastly superior to what we get here in the US? As an American, I hate to admit it, but based on my experience with OU, our friends across the pond are much better at teaching the material in a more understandable, simpler, and more clear way all while covering more topics in more depth (I don't know how they manage to cover more material in a less painful way, but they seem to do just that!)... I was sort of worried that they'd be stuffy or snobbish before I started, but I can't get over what a wonderful experience I've had with the folks in the UK. All the tutors and most of the students are such wonderful down-to-earth people. When I tried to learn physics here in the US, I had trouble because it was explained in such a pretentious fashion, but the UK treatment of the subject has given me hope that I can actually understand this stuff! What has your experience been like with your UK studies?
Hi guys, I'm a 31 year old California girl studying mainly for personal enrichment purposes (although who knows what the future holds). Where are you guys? I'm finishing up S207 right now. I'm planning on talking more physics courses down the road, and if OU ever offers more math maths (ahem, lol) to those of us in the US, I'll probably take a couple of those ...
The US in the 20th Century....
I know... it's an old course, but there were several of us who were alumni of that course in the Linkedin group ...
As new members join here, is there any interest in a course topic specific chat zone?
Remember all those course themes... I wonder what we think of them now we are actually IN the USA?
I know... it's an old course, but there were several of us who were alumni of that course in the Linkedin group ... As new members join here, is there any interest in a course topic specific chat zone? Remember all those course themes... I wonder what we think of them now we are actually IN the USA?
Education costs US <> UK
I graduated from the OU well over a decade ago so have lost track of what the OU charges now, but as I work at a US public university (worked here for 9 years now), I know our costs! I also know most of the costs of grad school too as my step son is is going to med school here and his fiancee is in a Masters program here.
So....
I was wondering what the OU charges now, so I can get a feel for how things back there have changed?
I graduated from the OU well over a decade ago so have lost track of what the OU charges now, but as I work at a US public university (worked here for 9 years now), I know our costs! I also know most of the costs of grad school too as my step son is is going to med school here and his fiancee is in a Masters program here. So.... I was wondering what the OU charges now, so I can ...
Spirit of the Forum
Dear All,
Sometimes people are not sure where to find guidelines on conferencing etc. Here are a few useful urls which are worth following up:
OU Computing Website
http://www.open.ac.uk/computingguide/start.html.
Tips on how to use forums and get your message across – known as Netiquette.
http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=250995§ion=3
The OU Computing Code of Conduct
http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=250995§ion=1
One of the main purposes of the forums is to help each other. If I feel that this is not occurring and the opposite is, I will take action.
There is a very good OU website, called “Developing Good Academic Practices”. Students are actively encouraged to look at that goes into this in much more detail.
http://learn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4687&m=3
Now that I’ve said that bit, please feel free to create forum topics within the General Discussion that you may feel is relevant to the group.
Happy conferencing!
Melissa Medders
Dear All, Sometimes people are not sure where to find guidelines on conferencing etc. Here are a few useful urls which are worth following up: OU Computing Website http://www.open.ac.uk/computingguide/start.html. Tips on how to use forums and get your message across – known as Netiquette. ...
Coping with isolation
Hi,
My name is Karen! We relocated to the US in July 2010 as I was part way through my Masters course. I took study leave as I could not cope with working full time, looking after my family and packing up the house to sell but now I am back studying and struggling with the isolation.
Of course, I cannot attend any of the day schools and therefore haven't really got to know anyone in my tutor group that I can chat with - especially since there is also the five hour time difference to deal with. At this level, I really feel the need even more to bounce ideas around with but I'm missing out on this.
When I did my undergraduate degree with the OU, I managed the isolation through making sure that I attended as many of the tutorials as I could and keeping in touch with other students online and I thought I was used to managing distance learning this way. However, its not working for me this time, so if anyone has any tips, I would love to know!
Karen
(MA Literature A815)
Hi, My name is Karen! We relocated to the US in July 2010 as I was part way through my Masters course. I took study leave as I could not cope with working full time, looking after my family and packing up the house to sell but now I am back studying and struggling with the isolation. Of course, I cannot attend any of the day schools and therefore haven't really got to know anyone in ...
Welcome!
Welcome alumni and current Open University students!
Let me introduce myself very briefly. I am the moderator of the Students and Alumni in the US forums and group. I have allowed open membership to the group and it will remain so unless this option is abused.
The discussion forums are very much for anyone who wants to connect with past and present Open University students. I intend to moderate with a light touch and am only likely to intervene if I think there if anyone breaks the OU Computing Code of Conduct (which I trust will not happen).
Happy Conferencing,
Melissa Medders
Welcome alumni and current Open University students! Let me introduce myself very briefly. I am the moderator of the Students and Alumni in the US forums and group. I have allowed open membership to the group and it will remain so unless this option is abused. The discussion forums are very much for anyone who wants to connect with past and present Open University students. I ...
