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Nick Cott

A105 - Assignment Advice & Lively APT Task

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TMA 01

I have included your assignment advice for the first TMA as a thread on the forum which you can now access. This vidcast includes information about the presentation of the assignment. A copy of the slides is available on the forum too.

APT 01 - Online workshop

The discussion has started to get lively on the forum about the assignment preparation task. In view of this, I am proposing to extend the tutorial by an extra two days so it can continue through to early Monday morning.

Go there now to correspond with your student colleagues. 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Assignment Advice 01 Advice & Tutorials

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Hello all,

OU LIVE

Thanks to students who were able to come along to our OU Live tutorial last week on Cleopatra. It was a very lively discussion. The first part was learning about OU Live and this saw only a few students present but we soon got more students with us for the main discussion. The recording is available so you can go and have a look at the discussion. Search for Online tutorial on the Resources menu on the the webpage and follow the links. If you weren't there but view the recording I think you'll see that it was a very useful discussion and a good resource for learning. 

Do note that it was suggested that some of you might want to use the OU Live room for informal discussion with each other. It is open all the time so you could use it as a meeting place. If this is good for you, I would suggest setting up some times on the tutor group forum to meet with your fellow students. The OU Live room is open all the time. 

Slides from the tutorial are now available on the Tutor group forum too. 

ONLINE WORKSHOP

I have created an online workshop for the coming week - assignment week - on Faustus which you may find useful. Do look at the text and the questions I have set. they will help you with your work on this imminent assignment. 

ASSIGNMENT ADVICE FOR TMA 01

I have created a video to help you answer the questions and to prepare your assignment. I hope you find it useful. It's almost 40 minutes long - which is more like a sort of tutorial, but it comes in two parts. Normally videos aren't as long as this. At the time of writing the link to the video isn't ready but it will be displayed on the Tutor group forum as soon as it can be made available, which will be within hours. 

Best wishes,

Nick

 

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Nick Cott

A105 - New Posts & Online Workshop

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Hello all,

I've put up the slides from the OU Live tutorial on 14 February so you can have a lot at them. Do also visit the recording of the tutorial, if you weren't able to get to it or haven't been to view it yet. This is available under the Resources menu and then Online tutorial via the module webpage. There was a really interesting discussion and we covered a lot of ground about material culture. Thanks for all your contributions, those of you who made it. 

Much of tutorial sets the context for this coming week in terms of your pre-assignment activities. If you're up to date with the timetable you'll have undertaken the APT exercises online and there is a workshop open from midnight on 28 February until 23:39 on 6 March for you to discuss issues arising on the Tutor group forum. This will be a good place for you to discuss views about objects with other students and will help with your forthcoming assignment. 

Contributing to the workshop is a good idea, not least because it will give you practice for future tasks where you contributions will be assessed. 

Happy working...

Best wishes,

Nick

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Schedule of tutorials now online

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The schedule of online tutorials with OU is now set up. You should see these in your online planner.  

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Nick Cott

A200 - Mistake in the programme of tutorials 14 Feb

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Edited by Nick Cott, Wednesday, 11 Feb 2015, 17:59

There is a mistake in the programme of tutorials. The tutorial for scheduled for 14 February should read 14 March. Please update your records. 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Week 1 - You have started

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Edited by Nick Cott, Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015, 19:45

Well done to all for getting enrolled on AA100. As I've suggested, following the planner online is critical to keep you moving through the material. 

Do keep an eye on the forums. The regional tutorial forum has a weekly topic for discussion which will be great support as you move from week to week. Don't feel compelled to contribute but contributing will be helpful interaction. 

Also, do keep focused on my tutor group forum where I will be providing you with advice. Students can post topics as well and some are doing so. One example is the topic about the dummy assignment - feel free to send your through so you can check whether the assignment system works. It can be any document - it is just a test. 

We have a tutorial coming up on 19 February, so keep an eye out for information about it. This will come in the form of OU Live and a forum discussion. I haven't decided yet but it may have a link into the topic on the tutorial forum. 

Don't forget to view my video introduction. There don't appear to have been many viewers. This will be the way I will send assignment advice so see my 'Welcome' post on the forum.

We have had a few changes to the group already. One student has been added from Italy and one from Spain. We have lost one of the Switzerland students, but you are still 8 strong.  

 

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Nick Cott

A105: Week 1 - Getting organised, OU Live, feedback

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Edited by Nick Cott, Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015, 19:15

It can always be tough adjusting the the first week, so do let me know how you are getting on. You'll see I've sent a revised list of tutorials (now through OU Live), together with the online workshops and tutorials. It has been pointed out that there are a couple of errors in the copy which comes from an OU document, so I'll take these out. 

You should have access to OU Live very soon and I'll send an e-mail about the logging in to OU Live when OU Live is available from your 'Resources' menu. Our first OU session will be this coming Saturday. 

The first OU Live tutorial on Saturday (14 Feb) will be based around the definition of material culture issues which you've been studying. One issue will be to consider object biographies. Note the starting time for this will be 10:00 GMT and not 11:00 as planned for the original face-to-face session, which is chiefly to encourage as much participation as possible from the group. 

We will spend some time in the tutorial practising using OU Live but, where possible, please try to log on before the tutorial to test out the system. Follow all the initial log on instructions and then find the tools menu when you get into the web room. Click and scroll down to the 'Audio set up wizard'. You will require speakers and possibly a microphone. 

Thank you for feeding back to me your perspectives so far about the module and things I need to know about you and your studying. This will help me support you and to get to know you more. 

 

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Nick Cott

A326: Week 17 - Tutorials, marking, assignment advice

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This week, I am working through the marking of your TMA 03s. If you want to check on progress do contact me. 

In addition, I have created some assignment advice for TMA 04 due in on 19 February. This has come around quite soon but it is one of the shorter assignments. I hope that you find it useful. You can access the advice on the forum as a vidcast.

Note that I have note yet displayed tutorial notes for the next assignment. I plan to do this later in the week although you may find it more useful to examine the OU Live recording for the moment as I will be providing more comprehensive notes following the day school in Cumbria on 21 February. You'll see that the material for TMA 04 and TMA 05 is actually linked.

 

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Nick Cott

A200: Week 17 - Forum and tutorial points

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Edited by Nick Cott, Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015, 18:47

This week I've placed the tutorial notes on the Tutor group forum from the tutorial on Block 4 about slavery. There were some queries at the tutorial about which I am chasing up. You'll see that in my forum post I have tried to clarify the nature of Spanish continuing involvement in St Domingue. 

Whilst looking at the forum, one of the students, Matthias, has put up an interesting document about Gold Standard, which is an issues that was mentioned in the forum. 

The recording of the tutorial is also now accessible. 

 

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Nick Cott

Revival of the blog 2015

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Edited by Nick Cott, Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015, 18:28

Hello all,

I am reviving the blog for 2015 after a gap of a few years. If you scroll through previous posts you'll see the type of activity I'm engaged with. 

I hope to keep you up to speed with news related to the modules I am involved with. You may wish to add comments from time to time. 

It is hoped that my students will see this blog as a good way to keep in touch and find out what is going on. 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Goodbye!

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Well, it's very nearly the end of the course and students are finishing up their EMAs. It has all come round very quickly.

I have prepared a short vidcast:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick#p/a/u/0/isIRYjPpx2U

It has been so good being in touch with students this year, my first complete CWE cohort. I've learnt a lot about distance learning working with students on the continent.

There's no more AA100 for me until February and I'll miss it but there's plenty to be doing on other courses with the move to February starts.

Any student doing A200 will come across me again on the Region 09 Forum although my specific students will be based in the Northeast.

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

A200 End of Course & Exam

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This is the last blog commentary for the February 2011 Presentation. I have a vidcast for you to look at to help with you exam and to bring the threads of the course together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCiUrcNfTjM

I hope students have enjoyed the course. It's end seems to have come round very quickly.

I've reallye enjoyed teaching this presentation and I wish all students well in the future.  

 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100: Update 18 September

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Edited by Nick Cott, Sunday, 18 Sep 2011, 12:21

Well, you're almost there but not quite! The EMA is really important and I know you can do well. There's been a lot of progress in your essay writing skills and the questions give you scope to play to your strengths.

I've produced a new Vidcast to give more feedback on assignments 06 and 07. There's also some advice about tackling the EMA but I would also suggest you look at the recording of yesterday's tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNLorJlFu4

With regards to the tutorial, there was only a few who managed to get there but it was a very useful discussion. There were some pertinent questions raised about the assignments. Remember that you can scroll through the tutorial to recap on the bits that are of greatest interest to you.

 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Update on Various Matters 22 August

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It's hard to think that there course is reaching it's climax, isn't it? Some of you will already be thinking about the EMA but there's still Assignment 7 to be getting on with and you should give this some thought. We don't have a specific tutorial on it, but I intend to send you some advice about doing it shortly.

Assignment 6 is in the process of being marked but note that some of the marks will not be posted until sometime next week due to a combination of leave and a large number of deadlines falling together.

With regards to the EMA be aware that my colleagues and I are going to prepare Forum tutorials related to each of the questions. This will be very useful so do look out for these. And whilst I'm on the subject of the Forum do check it now as there are some useful exercises to help you, most recently from Philip and I.

Our next tutorial is scheduled for 10 September but I cannot make this as I have to attend a course briefing for a course I'm presenting in October. I have looked at my diary and the best option would be either to move it back a week, with a later start (possibly 11-12.30) or to move it to 17 September. What would you prefer? I would be grateful for any feedback. In this tutorial, I propose to present something related to the EMA and I have a presentation I have given previously which may be good.

 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Assignment Six Advice

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Hello all

I seem to be having some problems with the synchronisation of voice and picture on the web-cam but I hope you can listen to the feedback about Assignment 5 and 6.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhee

Do take my advice about using the eluminate tutorial to help with the detail and refer to the website I mentioned, if you're doing the short stories option.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

A200 - TMA 05 advice

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Edited by Nick Cott, Thursday, 4 Aug 2011, 21:10

Some advice. Sorry about the quality of the recording.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iehaoCADszw

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Nick Cott

A200 - Block Five

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Edited by Nick Cott, Friday, 29 Jul 2011, 19:07

I'm moderating the Block Five Forum postings right now. Students can use these as a learning tool and i suggest you check the forum regularly. Try to built it into your assignment preparation to, maybe to look at in some detail before plannign your TMA.

There's a couple of links here to vidcasts. One as a tutorial on Unit 19 and another which is to help you with essay preparation.

Unit 19

Essay writing:

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Nick Cott

A200: 16 or 30 July for the next tutorial?

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As you know I'm canvassing opinion about this due to a staff development day which makes the 23 July impossible for the tutorial. So far it's almost even for preferences. I'm inclined towards 30th as slightly more students prefer it. What do you think? I'm going to make a decision early in the week coming.

NB: Also please have a look at the tutor forum. I've posted some questions which will help you get to grips with Unit 17.

 

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Nick Cott

Y180 Update

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How's everyone getting on with the material? The tutorials are only about every months or so and I know we don't always get to discuss all the things you are working on. Let me know if I can help.

The vidcast is also a means to help you.

Click on it to see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgEIXb8aCc

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100: Saturday's tutorial

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Edited by Nick Cott, Thursday, 30 Jun 2011, 13:50

It's another tutorial coming up on Saturday and I'm going to change the format slightly. I have a prepared vidcast to look at which focuses on some issues I put together for a lecture two years ago. We'll have a look at it and think about the implications for studying Benin.

The vidcast will be a way into generating some discussion, I hope, of the course materials and the assignment.

See you online at 9 am British time.

Nick

 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100: Assignment Four advice

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Here's the link to my advice:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhsn

Do have a look at this. It's good that you're following advice about planning. Some of you need to focus more on the conceptual issues and exactly what the question is asking of you in essays.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

A200: TMA 03 Feedback / TMA 04 advice

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Edited by Nick Cott, Thursday, 30 Jun 2011, 13:00

Here are some links to general feedback for TMA 03 and advice for TMA 04.

TMA 03:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhum#p/u/4/p_hrzYEfKNs

TMA 04:

Option 1

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhum#p/u/3/PbgyETRylQE

Option 2

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhum#p/u/2/84kkD5bdtkI

If you can't access the link copy it directly into your browser address details or go to my channel at CottNick on Youtube.

Let me know if you have troubles.

 

Overall, there are some issues students will need to take on board from their previous assignments. Make sure you plan your answers effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

A200: No tutorial this time?

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Edited by Nick Cott, Thursday, 30 Jun 2011, 12:53

Well, there's no tutorial scheduled for Block 4 but I've put together a Vidcast style tutorial for you to look at. I hope it's useful.

 

Your link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/Ln6ua3JgpMA

 

Update: For some reason it's not taking the link here but copy the link or go directly to my channel on Youtube at CottNick.

 

 

 

 

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Vidcasts for Assignment 4

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Please find the relevant material. You may also wish to use these in conjunction with the elluminate tutorial discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGJ0cprp8PM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/user/CottNick?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/57a7TEZfPfY

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Nick Cott

AA100 - Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Edited by Nick Cott, Saturday, 4 Jun 2011, 11:26

Here is the link to the webpage I mentioned in the tutorial and you will see some recent renovations in line with the Pugin architecture.

You may also want to search for images on the web as well as the website doesn't seem to currently have any photographs of the exterior.

I hope this is useful.

http://www.stmaryscathedral.org.uk/

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