Stupid OU tutorial Question....

alyth

I don't want to put this on the OU forum because it's starting to annoy me already, the one for my course!

My tutor's just emailed me a list of tutorials for my course - AA100, level 1 60 pointer. There are 3 dates in Feb, the tutorials are the next 3 Thursday nights - am I expected to go to all 3 of them? Her email says that there are 3 tutorials to get us started, and from what I could read on the OU forum, people down south have the same amount of tutorials this month when the course starts.

Anyone got any advice on this - her email is fairly stark and to the point and I'm getting the impression that's she's not awfully approachable!

Thanks.

Zziggi

On the level 1 courses (DD100/AA100/S104 etc) there tend to be quite a lot of tutorials. To have 3 in February/March to get you going sounds about right. Usually they are about once a month and you will maybe find this later on in the course.

Tutorials with the OU are NOT compulsory and you will not be penalised in anyway by not attending. However, many students find them really useful in terms of help and support from the tutor and also they benefit from a bit of cameraderie with other students as it can be a lonely studying with the OU for some people.

Why not go to the first tutorial and then you'll be able to suss out the tutor. People often come across far more functional then need be by e-mail, especially if they have been tutors for many years - they have got their e-mail word count down to a minimum:D

Good luck with AA100

welshmoneylover

Hi

I try to go to most tutorials as I find them useful and its nice to meet the tutor and other students f2f and talk about course related issues.

Plus, it's a couple of hours away from the kids and I try and combine it with a bit of shopping! Mine are in Cardiff!

They are not compulsory but they (the OU) have found and reported a high correlation of students passing the course with attending the tutorials.

hth

Sue

Lorian

At foundation level I would certainly try and attend them all. Not just for course work, but for the social interaction with other students. It was quite amazing to me to be able to talk to people in depth about the course work, and them understanding!

Purse_String

Yes, I would second all the above comments. Usually there are handouts at these tutorials and although the tutor can download them to you, its not the same without the class input. It also helped me to keep to the timetable and reinforced my understanding of the topic at a different angle. I was nervous about going at first, but the group and tutor were great and it keeps up your interest. Also you get a feel of what might come up in the exam.-Go for it!

kibs

I have nearly finished my first year with the OU and I have Never been to any of the tutorials.. I passed my first course, and I am well on my way to passing my current course.

alyth

The problem is I work full time, live in North Perthshire and the tutorials are in Dundee, hence I wouldn't get home until maybe 10.30 and am up at 6 for work! There are a few people from Perth from what I could see on the forum and my main reason for going to the first one will be to meet the other students and maybe get contact numbers, etc, as I can't run back and forward to Dundee each week!

Thanks for your input, I appreciate the different opinions, if it was one a month that would be fine, not one a week!!!

welshmoneylover

I go to my tutorials Alyth as they're convenient times & location. However, I should say that if they were miles away or at stupid times, I don't think I'd make them either! I've done previous courses & didnt make any of the tutorials and still passed.