No student needs to face the journey alone. Here you’ll find helpful articles and tools to support your studies - tips from those who've been there and done it, discussions about revising for exams, how to find support if you have a disability, summer study survival tips plus links to all the other OU portals offering tools to support you in being an OU student.
Join the egg hunt for chance to win £250 in OU module vouchers *NOW CLOSED*
Platform’s inviting you to join an egg hunt with the chance of winning £250 in OU module vouchers.
Please make the subject of your email ‘Egg hunt comp 2012’ and include your answer, full name and address. Correct entries will all be entered into a draw and the winner will receive £250 in OU module vouchers, to spend at their leisure.
All the eggs can be found on Platform, the OU's community website, but to make it a bit easier, as this is such a big site, with each egg there’ll be a clue included to help you find the next one. We’ll also be linking to other Open University websites where relevant, to help flag up useful resources, but all eggs can be found on Platform only.
Here’s the first clue to get you started… if you were thinking about changing jobs or honing your interview skills, you’d probably take a look at this page.
Terms and conditions
This competition opens on 22/03/12 and closes on 27/04/2011. Prizes must be taken as offered and are not transferable or exchangeable for a cash equivalent. Only one entry per person. This competition is open to all except employees of The Open University. Entries must be received by 27 April 2012. The promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are incomplete, illegible, corrupted or fail to reach the promoter by the relevant closing date for any reason. The winners will be drawn and notified within 28 days of the competition closing. The name and home town of the winner will be published on Platform. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Platform’s inviting you to join an egg hunt with the chance of winning £250 in OU module vouchers. There are eight eggs hidden across Platform and each of them boasts a letter. Find the eight eggs, rearrange them to spell a word and then send an email to platform-competitions@open.ac.uk by no later than Friday 27 April 2012. Please make the subject of your ...
W 100 READING LIST
Good evening all,
I am looking to start my studies in October , but am accutely aware of the costs associated with the buying textbooks and other learning materials.
At what point do we, as new students get to know what reading materials we will need for the course?
Many thanks
Rai
Good evening all, I am looking to start my studies in October , but am accutely aware of the costs associated with the buying textbooks and other learning materials. At what point do we, as new students get to know what reading materials we will need for the course? Many thanks Rai
Any interest in a Facebook group for Criminology and Psychological Studies?????
If anyone is interested in a Facebook group I don't mind setting one up. Please leave your names if you would like to join x
If anyone is interested in a Facebook group I don't mind setting one up. Please leave your names if you would like to join x
Grade 4 pass?
Hi there
I am looking at a grade 4 pass after finishing my last level 3 course to make a BA Hons open degree, could you tell me if this would reach a classification or 3rd class or be unclassified? many thanks
Hi there I am looking at a grade 4 pass after finishing my last level 3 course to make a BA Hons open degree, could you tell me if this would reach a classification or 3rd class or be unclassified? many thanks
How did you find the PGCE with Open University as opposed to any other university?
I'm hoping to study the PGCE in Secondary Science Chemistry with The Open University. I know majority of it is distance learning, but we have to do 2 placements in consecutive blocks.
Has anyone completed this program? How did they find it?
Someone told me recently, that if I wish to study for the PGCE, then I should do it via the traditional 9 month route full time, or not do it at all, simply because it is a lot of hard work and requires tremendous focus. They strongly discouraged me from doing a distance learning course through the Open University.
What do you think of this?
I'm hoping to study the PGCE in Secondary Science Chemistry with The Open University. I know majority of it is distance learning, but we have to do 2 placements in consecutive blocks. Has anyone completed this program? How did they find it? Someone told me recently, that if I wish to study for the PGCE, then I should do it via the traditional 9 month route full time, or not do it at all, ...
Please help our dad is missing .
My dad is missing and it is very important we find him . He was in intensive care just over a month ago and has also suffered 3 serious seizers in which he has had to have his head stapled .He really is not him slef and we are desperate for some news . He is missing form poole but could be anywhere . My family dont often ask for help of strangers but we are begging you please if you see him contact the police .
My dad is missing and it is very important we find him . He was in intensive care just over a month ago and has also suffered 3 serious seizers in which he has had to have his head stapled .He really is not him slef and we are desperate for some news . He is missing form poole but could be anywhere . My family dont often ask for help of strangers but we are begging you please if you see him ...
Referencing and Trotsky
My tutor came up to me at the end of a tutorial and asked about my referencing. He was concerned that using references mentioned in an OU textbook should not be entered as direct references. I said it was OK as I had been to the local Uni library and read the actual paper.
“Ah” he said, “that explains why you have written outside the OU text”. “You need to keep your answers tightly scripted to the OU text and not use readings outside this”. “I can’t give you marks for that extraneous work”
“Oh’ I said.
“Yes, you see it’s an equality issue, it’s unfair on those who do not have library facilities.”
I was just wondering is this a local socialist equal opportunity view – working to the lowest denominator; or is this corporate OU speaking?
And why is there a bunch of papers and books at the end of each chapter labeled ‘further reading’.
My tutor came up to me at the end of a tutorial and asked about my referencing. He was concerned that using references mentioned in an OU textbook should not be entered as direct references. I said it was OK as I had been to the local Uni library and read the actual paper. “Ah” he said, “that explains why you have written outside the OU text”. “You need to keep ...
Helpdesk – help when you need it most
Thanks to a co-operative partnership the webchat helpdesk service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so you can chat to a librarian at any time day or night. Simply click on our ‘Chat to a librarian’ link from the Library Helpdesk box on any page of the library website.
To find out about other student services or to join in with your subject area online community just follow the appropriate link.
Posted 20 March 2013
If you’re up late looking for information for your assignment or maybe you’re new to referencing and need some guidance, the library helpdesk team is available seven days a week to support you with your studying wherever or whenever you need it. Thanks to a co-operative partnership the webchat helpdesk service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so you can ...
Starting psychology Y183
I am starting module Y183 in June any advise would be useful can anyone help
I am starting module Y183 in June any advise would be useful can anyone help
Y186 starting with law
I am currently studying Y186 starting with law which i am enjoying alot. I am working on my EMA which is due next week .I am struggling a bit with explaining why our legal rights and responsibilites are regulated at certain points through our lives .. how to link it in each of my mini conclusions so it makes sense .Is there any one out there that is also doing this or done it as would be great to chat to someone. Also i am hoping to go on to do W100 this October so if anyones doing this or has done it would be great to chat with you also ...
Lisa
I am currently studying Y186 starting with law which i am enjoying alot. I am working on my EMA which is due next week .I am struggling a bit with explaining why our legal rights and responsibilites are regulated at certain points through our lives .. how to link it in each of my mini conclusions so it makes sense .Is there any one out there that is also doing this or done it as ...
Have you heard about the OU’s ‘best kept secret’?
Then discover the OU’s ‘best kept secret’ – your online library!
Library Services has been experimenting with some new videos to promote and highlight the wealth of resources available to support your studies.
Collections of ‘world class’ high quality online content covering half a million ebooks, ejournal collections, newspapers, video and audio content have been selected and used in a suite of themed showcases presented via the OU Library’s Explore library resources pages. Listed on the right-hand side of the Explore library resources web page you will find 14 different subject areas including Engineering technology and design, Environment, development and international studies, Health and Social Care, Languages and Law.
“Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the wealth of resources that the OU library can offer to a student.” OU Student
Are you aware of all the different library resources available to you when you study with the OU?
Design, engineering and technology
Find out how the designers and architects prepared for the 2012 Olympics in London or how challenges relating to the sustainability and future use of the building developments were overcome
Environment, Development and International Studies
Find out how the effects of climate change are being felt across the world, or who shapes our world and why
Health and Social Care
Find out what improvements are being made to child protection services or want to discover what professionals say about how we can better protect children
Languages
Want to research somewhere to have a drink on Las Ramblas or order dos cafés por favor in Barcelona? Maybe you want to find out and talk knowledgeably about modern French culture
Law
Want to understand more about the origins and history of human rights in the UK
Would you like to find out more about child protection or how globalisation is affecting us all? Maybe you want to be able to talk more knowledgeably about modern French culture or understand more about the history of human rights in the UK? Or ever wondered how the designers and architects prepared for the 2012 Olympics in London? Then discover the OU’s ‘best ...
Hi, Anyone studying DD208? Im just trying to start TMA 4 and havent managed to attend any tutorials, anyone else the same??
Hi
I have just discovered this forum. I am in my 3rd year of OU and am currently studying DD208. I sadly have not been able to attend any tutorials and i am beginning to feel out of my depth a little. I am a full time carer to my mother, who has dementia so it is not easy to find the time to study peacefull :)
Im sure Im not alone so if you are feeling a little out of your depth you are not alone :o)
Thanks for reading this.
Lisa
Hi I have just discovered this forum. I am in my 3rd year of OU and am currently studying DD208. I sadly have not been able to attend any tutorials and i am beginning to feel out of my depth a little. I am a full time carer to my mother, who has dementia so it is not easy to find the time to study peacefull :) Im sure Im not alone so if you are feeling a little out of your ...
Volunteers needed: become a School governor
School governors are the largest group of volunteers in education. They support and challenge the Head Teacher, set the strategic direction for the school and monitor and evaluate progress. As members of the school’s governing body, governors have the opportunity to significantly develop their skills and competencies.
A report carried out by The City of London showed that 67 per cent of school governor volunteers had improved influencing and negotiation skills compared with 43 per cent of the total sample. 71 per cent of school governors reported a skills gain in team working in comparison to 43 per cent of the total sample. Volunteers also reported that taking on the role of school governor was extremely useful
for developing hard business skills, such as an increased business awareness and financial skills like planning and budgets*.
SGOSS have also launched a new short film this week, “We’re the people…” which follows four volunteers in their workplaces and shows how they use their skills to support children, education and schools.
SGOSS CEO Liz McSheehy says:
“There is a common misconception that school governors are just parents of children at a school. We wanted to showcase that this volunteer opportunity is all-inclusive and a vital part of school improvement. Becoming a school governor allows a broad range of people to enact real change in education as well as enabling people to develop
practical business skills.”
Have you thought about volunteering and using your OU skills to help a school? Education charity ‘SGOSS – Governors for Schools’ has launched a new campaign which highlights the personal benefits of volunteering in a quest to help fill 30,000 school governor vacancies across England. School governors are the largest group of volunteers in education. They ...
Online conference: starting a web-based business
The conference is a two-day event that allows students across the country to be immersed in a connected experience that will inspire them to start new web-based enterprises.
This event is free, but you have to register in advance.
Find out more:
- Virtual Enterprise Conference
- Careers advice and news from the OU
- OU course: B322 Investigating entrepreneurial opportunities
Published: 13 February 2013
Want to make, sell or do business online? Join over 500 students and digital geeks for the 4th annual Virtual Enterprise Conference held virtual and at Birmingham Science Park on 19-20 March. The conference is a two-day event that allows students across the country to be immersed in a connected experience that will inspire them to start new web-based enterprises. This event is ...
Do you want to work in TV?
To kickstart your career, apply to The Network! The Network is a FREE intensive introduction to working in the TV industry, run by the world’s leading TV festival.
The training will take place in Edinburgh 21 – 24 August 2013. NO qualifications are needed! The scheme is open to anyone aged 18+ could be the first step for and is the first step for anyone wanting to kick start a career in TV.
Find out more:
To kickstart your career, apply to The Network! The Network is a FREE intensive introduction to working in the TV industry, run by the world’s leading TV festival. Get one of the 65 places on The Network and you’ll spend 4 days in Edinburgh learning practical TV making skills from top programme makers. You’ll receive insider insights and careers advice as ...
professional certificate in accounting
planning to start this course, anybody done it.how does it compare with the aat/acca.
planning to start this course, anybody done it.how does it compare with the aat/acca.
Which level course to choose?
Hi, I'm currently working towards a History BA (Hons). By the end of the year, I would have completed:
Level 1 course - AA100
Level 2 - A200 and A219
Level 3 - AA312 and started A330.
I'm having a bit if an indecision about where to gain the last 60 credits from. Do I opt for the 2x Level 1 courses A150 and A151 or do I aim for another level 2 or 3 course? I don't know what to do for the best and any advice would be most welcome :)
Emma
Hi, I'm currently working towards a History BA (Hons). By the end of the year, I would have completed: Level 1 course - AA100 Level 2 - A200 and A219 Level 3 - AA312 and started A330. I'm having a bit if an indecision about where to gain the last 60 credits from. Do I opt for the 2x Level 1 courses A150 and A151 or do I aim for another level 2 or 3 course? I don't know what to do for the best ...
Law, Social sciences, Socialization
Hi Every One.
I suggest all law and social sciences student to meet at least once a month.we could book some place for meeting and could have lunch/dinner and could discuss our problems in course.we should contribute for this purpose and have to help each other to make this goal easy for us
Hi Every One. I suggest all law and social sciences student to meet at least once a month.we could book some place for meeting and could have lunch/dinner and could discuss our problems in course.we should contribute for this purpose and have to help each other to make this goal easy for us
Have you heard about the OU’s ‘best kept secret’?
Library Services has been experimenting with some new videos to promote and highlight the wealth of resources available to support your studies. Collections of ‘world class’ high quality online content covering ejournal collections, newspaper and document archives, video and audio content and a growing range of ebooks have been selected and used in a suite of themed showcases presented via the library’s Explore library resources pages. Are you aware of all the different library resources available to you when you study with the OU? Review a video in your chosen subject area and let us know which resources you didn’t know about or what you thought of the videos. Email your comments to library-promotions@open.ac.uk
Listed on the right-hand side of the Explore library resources web page you will find 14 different subject areas including Health & Social Care, Law, Psychology, and Environment, Development and International Studies.
Would you like to find out more about the wage gap between men and women or find out if climate change is such a big deal? Have you ever wondered how globalisation is affecting all of us or would you like to explore human rights in the UK? Then discover the OU’s ‘best kept secret’ – your online library! Library Services has been experimenting with ...
OES and OCAS - How on earth does this work?
Results:
OES: 81
OCAS: 36
I've just had a huge shock to find that I have failed my module overall. My "OCAS" result for my TMA01 and TMA02 was a pathetic 36 average. I was undergoing a lot of stress at the time (estranged from my father, hit by a car, lost my job) and the OU has been made aware of this. I was disappointed in my mark but made an extra effort in my iCMA and EMA to bring up my average, thinking that this would pull up my score and mean that I would pass the module.
I have just discovered this is not so as, although I recieved 81 for the "OES" result, because I only got 36 in the "OCAS" I have failed the module.
I thought all of the assignments added together and your module result was that average? Why is it split into two average as I would have passed with an average of 58.5 if this was not the case?
I am very confused!
Results: OES: 81 OCAS: 36 I've just had a huge shock to find that I have failed my module overall. My "OCAS" result for my TMA01 and TMA02 was a pathetic 36 average. I was undergoing a lot of stress at the time (estranged from my father, hit by a car, lost my job) and the OU has been made aware of this. I was disappointed in my mark but made an extra effort in my iCMA and EMA to ...
