Open University

Runningfast

Anyone have any experience of the Open University and their distance learning methods?

I am interested in a postgraduate module they do for CPD purposes not looking to do a degree or masters etc.

I have done various distance learning courses including with UK universities but never been fully convinced by the delivery methods etc. so just need to convince myself that the module is the way to go.

Can anyone recommend the Open University?

Mrs_Ryan

I'm currently in my final year with them and I know it sounds cheesy but they've given me a second chance. I have multiple disabilities plus rubbish A-Level grades from when I was young and stupid so A traditional uni wasn't really for me. However I'm doing really well with the OU and have enjoyed the experience.
The materials are usually pretty good too.

WibblyGirly

I did a module and still keep in touch with my tutor from it who tells me a lot of it has changed now. It's all online work, no face to face classes. I enjoyed it when I did it though I'm not sure I would now as I didn't like the online group work as no one ever commented on anything. I chose to go to a brick uni after that module as I enjoyed the face to face interaction much more than sitting doing the work alone.

celyn90

What do you want to study?

zagubov

I'll come clean and own up I worked for them 20 years ago. My students all thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and I felt they were very rigorous and professional with their academic work.

They're more like the older universities in their quality. No-one seems to have got a bad word to say for them. I've never known anyone regard them as second-rate in any way.

Ask around, and don't take my word for this.

adom_thomas

Runningfast wrote: »

Anyone have any experience of the Open University and their distance learning methods?

I am interested in a postgraduate module they do for CPD purposes not looking to do a degree or masters etc.

I have done various distance learning courses including with UK universities but never been fully convinced by the delivery methods etc. so just need to convince myself that the module is the way to go.

Can anyone recommend the Open University?

What are you doing currently? I mean job or self-employed?

Runningfast

in reply to all sorry about the delay in replying been working late recently and don't check the website every day. Thank you for all of the replies so far.

I monitor environmental processes and as a result I spend a lot of my working time dealing with pollution incidents. The Open University do a module relating to environmental monitoring which is what I am doing daily and would just like to provide evidence of structured learning and to keep up to date with current practice.

DomRavioli

zagubov wrote: »

I'll come clean and own up I worked for them 20 years ago. My students all thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and I felt they were very rigorous and professional with their academic work.

They're more like the older universities in their quality. No-one seems to have got a bad word to say for them. I've never known anyone regard them as second-rate in any way.

Ask around, and don't take my word for this.

It has changed massively since then. I have had a tutor be sacked halfway through a module, and another move to another country three months into a 60 credit year long module, leaving all 21 of us without a tutor, no refund, no support. I ended up quitting 90 credits from a BA (Hons), after being told that my tutor was unable to support my disability (managed perfectly fine for the three TMAs but not the exam?!), and I'm not alone. My disability worker through OU has seen multiple people have to leave without finishing because of the same problems.

Their standards have dropped significantly in the 5 years I was studying there. The costs have more than tripled, and for what exactly? Horrible horrible tutors, gobby idiotic peers who think they know better than you even though you have 10 years experience in the field, but because you're disabled you're less than they are, and a student support team about as useful as a chocolate tea pot.

I've wasted the best part of £6k, and have absolutely nothing to show for it.

So yeah, there's plenty of people who abjectly HATE them.

juno

I finished my degree last year, and found their disability support was excellent. The only problem that I had was when they allocated me a seat at the front for one exam, and then at the end everyone went to the front to collect their belongings - which was disruptive as I had extra time. But I told them, and they changed the seating plan for all future exams. They provide all textbooks in alternative forms, and I found their comb binding so much easier to use. They also now provide textbooks in pdf format, so you can read them on a kindle, laptop or tablet if that's easier for you.

killielila

there are still some face to face tutorials or phone one one one .
Imin year 2 with them and love it . hard work but so worth while if you have the self motivation ... for example im supposed to be online watching a video for my course but got distracted and am on here haha im a head so no biggy

You get a study plan that gives you week to week where tyou should be at but of course you work mostly at your own pace . Your TMA - assessments are time framed but apart from that you can work as far ahead or behind as you like . im trying to get a buffer as xmas new year always hectic and i have an assessment due early Jan feel free to pm me if i can help any way x

beluga

I completed an Open University degree earlier this year. I like to work independently and just get on with it as and when suits me, never went to the tutorials etc as too far away and couldn't fit them in. It worked for me, I know it's changed a lot the last few years but it definitely helped me get back into learning (I've since gone on to a brick uni for my MSc).