DFW Daily Chat 4 Aug Weybiza Hangover Party

sallyx

I'll be honest I found the OU style hard to grasp and the way they want things written in order to meet the grades a bit strange.

I need to find something and sort out what the hell I am going to do...can't stay at the shop for any length of time really

Ames

I could green metropolis, or amazon them. But I've got a lot of craft stuff to go too, and that will only really sell on ebay, so I've got to get my rating up anyway.

So, buying things it is... only things I've already identified I need though, like the duvet. Just bought that for 75% of what it'd be in the shops so it's not too bad.

Ames

Sally, I find that with the OU too, at 'real' uni I was getting 70-80%, with the OU it's a lot lower. It drives me mad that I can't do research into things, it's all got to be done with their books, and the essay criteria just seems strange sometimes. But it's my only option really.

dancingfairy

Thank you everyone. Think I'm going to ruin that NSD now. It's got to be a takeaway I think - might see if OH will treat me though (does that count as a NSD?). Oooops. I think it's my turn to pay - oh well.
I will look back at the thread tomorrow at everyone's suggestions.
Thanks
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becky_rtw

Ames wrote: »

Sally, I find that with the OU too, at 'real' uni I was getting 70-80%, with the OU it's a lot lower. It drives me mad that I can't do research into things, it's all got to be done with their books, and the essay criteria just seems strange sometimes. But it's my only option really.

OMG really :eek::eek:

That terrifies me - Uni should be about exploring concepts - essays and projects are merely ways of expressing the research you have done in the library - not a re-stating of whats in one particular course book!!

You couldnt get a 1st grade (70%+) at my uni if you didnt show original expression of thought (or whatever the term is)

Ames

I know, it's totally different with the OU, on some courses you're actually penalised for reading outside the course materials! The theory is that since a lot of people who do OU courses can't access other stuff (ie if they're on a submarine or abroad or whatever) it's not fair to them.

It does worry me that I'm planning to do a masters, but wont have a clue how to research or write a dissertation, the longest OU essay I've come across so far is 1500 words, and I've just finished the second year. Their footnote system is totally different to when I was at Leeds Uni (where I want to do the masters) too, and there's no guidance on that or bibliographys.

With the OU you're also supposed to show original thought to get 70%+, but when I've done it I've been marked lower for disagreeing with the book.

Some problems I've had I'd also have had at a 'real' uni though - I lost out on a first mark for not stating that the texts I was analysing were different genres, ie poem, prose and painting. I thought that was so obvious it was a waste of word count, but I think it'd have been the same anywhere.

Lenza_Quidditch

Hi All,
I found that the OU was great - a while ago now tho! Maybe it depends on the courses you choose? I started a Psychology degree when my eldest was a baby and it wasn't easy but it was flexible (midnight feeds ).

They do free 'taster' courses as well http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/ which I'm tempted to try. They were also really helpful re funding options and have their own grants to help with costs.

I hope they're not rubbish now cos I'm going to suggest my 2 have a go in a year or so.

BB- that's fantastic well done :T!
Bookie - congrats on the baby - hope your case turns up soon!

sammy115

I have heard that too....good job in accounts no freedom of expression is needed....:rotfl:

Gemmzie

I've been getting much lower grades with the OU too. My course is Level 2 Ames, and I've had 2500-3500 word essays - might depend on the course.

becky_rtw

I had to use Harvard referencing system - jeez it gets tough with plays and websites!!

One good thing now is researching has got a whole lot easier with academic search engines (g schoolar anyone) and electronic resources so at least masters wise it shouldnt be too difficult to get back into the grove of