Previous OU Study Grant vs SLC elligibility?

shegirl

I agree with both posts above (quoting is a pain on my phone lol).Open uni does kinda spoon feed and there isn't the research as there is at normal uni (and they have to be the only uni in existence that gives a criminology degree without having any research and research modules! I actually think they're degree in it is incredibly pointless but hey ho!) but it has it's uses in that for those who can't use uni libraries etc,but I do find it off putting.it can be difficult if someone doesn't understand something but tutors should be helping with that,I've seen some practically write an essay for students and some who just don't help with anything though to be fair,so that can be pot luck really.I wouldn't say it preps you particularly well for normal uni tbh but I think they tailor to their main market though so largely those who haven't studied,or are working and balancing study with family life,unable to go to normal uni for varying reasons and those who do it just for pleasure,so it works but it depends what you want from your course I guess. I don't think anyone should think that it reflects a typical uni.

What I'm loving at the mo is the growth of normal unis providing distance learning degrees in the same way as if you were physically attending,it's how I'm doing it now- online seminars and essays from the discussions,huge reading lists and a full library service,we have required contact hours on many modules all done through the net,conferences and are able to attend lectures if we can go.it's the way forward as far as I'm concerned and if I'd stuck with OU it would've been pointless,especially without all the research lol,but it doesn't seem to be very widely known that unis have started offering this.

bestpud

I agree too.

I found the OU frustrating as wider reading was actively discouraged and there was little room for independent thinking.

Does it stay like that throughout? It was a level one I was doing and I am hoping it gets better...?

Surely they don't expect us to stick rigidly to the books at levels 2 and 3?

GothicStirling

On the other hand, I think the main part of regular Uni that drove me nuts was those who turned up to class having not bothered with the required reading, not going to lectures etc. Of course guess who got stuck with this lot.

I think that does harm the education environment, because it doesn't push you. I used to love OU tutorials, we had some good fist fights. LOL.

shegirl

bestpud wrote: »

I agree too.

I found the OU frustrating as wider reading was actively discouraged and there was little room for independent thinking.

Does it stay like that throughout? It was a level one I was doing and I am hoping it gets better...?

Surely they don't expect us to stick rigidly to the books at levels 2 and 3?

It was pretty much the same in the two level two courses I done unfortunately.I used to get seriously frustrated with tutors stating to just stick to the provided material as you were just expected to show you understood it and to not use any independent thinking,it's part of what made it feel so useless lol you couldn't do that in normal uni and get a first,that's for sure.I know some courses seem to be slightly different through them. What finally nailed it for me is that doing a degree in the same subject through them as I am now I didn't even bother with trying to get credit through approved prior learning and started from the beginning because there was nothing that could really be applied.

lee1985

shegirl wrote: »

I agree with both posts above (quoting is a pain on my phone lol).Open uni does kinda spoon feed and there isn't the research as there is at normal uni (and they have to be the only uni in existence that gives a criminology degree without having any research and research modules! I actually think they're degree in it is incredibly pointless but hey ho!) but it has it's uses in that for those who can't use uni libraries etc,but I do find it off putting.it can be difficult if someone doesn't understand something but tutors should be helping with that,I've seen some practically write an essay for students and some who just don't help with anything though to be fair,so that can be pot luck really.I wouldn't say it preps you particularly well for normal uni tbh but I think they tailor to their main market though so largely those who haven't studied,or are working and balancing study with family life,unable to go to normal uni for varying reasons and those who do it just for pleasure,so it works but it depends what you want from your course I guess. I don't think anyone should think that it reflects a typical uni.

What I'm loving at the mo is the growth of normal unis providing distance learning degrees in the same way as if you were physically attending,it's how I'm doing it now- online seminars and essays from the discussions,huge reading lists and a full library service,we have required contact hours on many modules all done through the net,conferences and are able to attend lectures if we can go.it's the way forward as far as I'm concerned and if I'd stuck with OU it would've been pointless,especially without all the research lol,but it doesn't seem to be very widely known that unis have started offering this.

I thought sense isn't welcome on this thread?

This mustn't be 'sense' then.

Talk sense:rotfl:

lee1985

I think a few people are hitting the point now, as to why I may find 'brick' universities easier.

The OU gives you all the material you need, and the vast majority of the marks are available for explicitly applying the OU course materials to your assignments.

But, sometimes I find internet sources and other reading I undertake more useful and can understand this easier, and I prefer to apply and discuss these. However, the OU does not generally give credit to this (at least at OUBS) since you need to demonstrate and reference the specific course material.

So yes, I do agree indeed, it is pretty much handed to you on the plate, and, I agree that it is not good!

I would have a much larger range of sources to work with at 'brick' universities, hence possibly better quality material, thus my reasoning that I may do better. But of course some people just judge me and jump to conclusions calling me silly and daft... shegirl. When this is clearly a logical and valid reason/argument for my opinion that I may do better at 'brick' universities. (To which you completely agree to, according to your last post). Still think I am daft and silly? Oh wait I can answer! Yep you do!

Hopefully it may make a bit more sense now instead of those jumping to conclusions. I just don't see half the time why I should justify myself when some people clearly just want to be awkward and sarcastic.

GothicStirling

lee1985 wrote: »

I just don't see half the time why I should justify myself when some people clearly just want to be awkward and sarcastic.

If you find people here awkward and sarcastic, you'll need to toughen up before heading to a 'brick' university.

lee1985

GothicStirling wrote: »

If you find people here awkward and sarcastic, you'll need to toughen up before heading to a 'brick' university.

People at university usually like to make friends.

Many people are loners at first as they don't know anyone, and if everyone was like certain people on this thread, there would be few friendships!

Past experiences mean a lot of people are friendly and talk to you.

I would be/am the same whether it be online or face to face.

Some people here seem to love having digs at people and subtle 'bullying'.

It doesn't get to me at all, just annoys the hell outta me why people can't be nice. I'm nice to everyone unless I think they are being awkward with me, which is how everything started, with an early post to Taiko (or whatever his name is) where I took a defensive sarcastic attitude because I thought the same was being received. Since then I've been nice and friendly to everyone, and still taking nothing but sarcastic and intimidating posts from people who obviously can't be nice. It's just annoying

melancholly

sorry, i'm entirely unclear..... who are the bullies?! everyone who posts on here with any opinion? anyone who posts who disagrees? sure, some people on here don't sugar coat things all the time and fall towards the blunt end of the scale, but bullying?! honestly? throwing around words like that is excessive and not exactly the way to try and reach harmony. head over to the thread about student loans to see people really disagreeing but ending up all being civil about it!