OU Students Past, Present and Future

olly300

Ames wrote: »

Grr. My first TMA of this course was due in today. I emailed my tutor a few days ago about two points. One was to check the date (all my other courses have had friday deadlines) and she said it was midday today. Secondly, to ask if it's ok to use outside sources, not just the course materials. She said that there was no point, as there wouldn't be enough room in the word count to cover the info from the course materials and the outside sources and so I'd miss something important.

I've just found the course forums, and someone on there submitted their essay mid afternoon, and someone else has been told by their tutor that it's important to look at outside sources and not just rely on the course materials!

It's this kind of disorganisation and variation that puts me off the OU.

(I'm doing DD306 BTW).

Each tutor has their own point of view. It happens in normal universities.

As regards to using outside materials the trick is to base your essay around the course material but if you want to highlight a point to show that you understand the theory being discussed then you can reference other material.

The reason for this has been discussed elsewhere but the main point is that the tutor wants to check that you have read and understood the course material.

And yes you can do this in essays of 500 words.

BTW I just had a look at your course if it is DD306 Living political ideas then to show in other TMAs that you understood the material you are going to have to reference outside material. Just don't go mad with external sources.

Ames

It was a 2000 word essay that she said was too short to fit anything else in!

I've just realised that there are TMA's which specify you have to use outside sources later on in the course. I guess I'll just play it by ear.

Metalli

Some tutors can be like that - one of mine hated me using outside sources, but I still did it. You need something to supplement what the course materials show.

Still wondering - has anyone got their PC Grant yet?

giggles_alot

Anyone from DD101 about?

Ames

No, but I'd like to know if it's any good, I'm thinking about doing that at some point in the future.

justpaper

Misty_Blue wrote: »

Can someone please settle an argument re: course grants? I did a 60 point course earlier this year and am about to start a 30 point one. As far as I know, the course grant I got in February is for the whole year, but my work colleague's daughter (also an OU student) is convinced it's per course. That can't be right, surely?

yep like Jun0 said its sept to sept

on a side note to the ~Thread: b203 is a killer, should of done B201 1st,

Capyboppy

Please add me. New to the OU and currently studying Y157-Understanding Society. End of Jan, starting DD101-Introduction to the Social Sciences. With the hopes long term of a degree in Social Sciences with a specialism of Pyschology.

jamesb1239

Hi, Just a quick one about the course grants from the OU, do you get 1 per course or just 1 per year?

Thanks

Capyboppy

If it is for the £260 financial grant to help with items, it is one per year. You can apply for course fees to be paid for (according to income). Openings courses are done separately and don't count. For example:I am doing an Openings course where the application for the course fee was applied for at the same time as filling it on. It was a couple of pages if I remember on the back of the info/application form. I am also doing a 60 point course the end of January for which my fees have been paid. I had a letter saying I had £175 left towards courses for this year. Presumbly, if I wanted to do another course I would have to add the difference myself. One will be quite enough though, January to October!:rotfl:

Rebekah24

Hey guys

This is the first time I have applied for financial support, paid up front, got my course fees back 785 plus grant... is this right?? seems a lot.. have left it in my savings account incase its an error or something

Next course in Feb...waiting on my results atm..fingers crossed!