So I got the TMA 2 score back- 65%.
So I am averaging 60% so far for DD209.
I won't complain, it is a pass mark so far, considering how hard it is and how challenging fitting it all in is with working full time, I think I am at the limit of my abilities averaging 60%.
So no complaints from me, all is good.
I should say thank you as well to everyone who visits my blog, it is much appreciated.
The view counter is bombing along now, just about to pass 59,000.
So by the end of the year, if not just before it should reach 60,000, which is fantastic, so thank you for everyone for that.
The number of views of my blog has taken on a whole new element for me,
If any of you have teenage daughters, then you might know how erm…….. 'challenging' they can be.
Teenage daughter is very proud of her Instagram account, because she has 5000 followers, any playful suggestion on my part that instagram is vapid or time wasting is met by distain from her. I am only able to maintain my authority over her at the moment by being able to put forward that my blog has 50,000 + views to her 5000.
This minor victory is maintaining my authority to berate her for being on Instagram when she should be doing homework.
#justaboutwinning....
Son #1 has just started University, doing Politics and international relations.
his first module on this course is... Philosophy...
He comes home and moans, it is useless, needless, ridiculous and many other negative impression's of studying Philosophy.
I try to be empathetic, understanding and helpful.
I has motivated me to come and blog this post, having listened to him moan about studying Philosophy,
I can only say sorry to all of you for moaning on here so much about studying Philosophy last year.
I now know you pain for having to listen to me banging on about it, in some form of karmic retribution, I now have to listen to son #1 bang on about it to me.
Thanks Karma... lesson learned.
I have been a bit quiet on the blog lately.
Thats because the workload for DD209 is really steep, and it is hard.
Plus TMA 2 is due in, so i have been busy writing that.
Nearly done now, 300 words to go, it is due in a couple of days, should be okay.
Well the first tutorial was good. Lots of people turned up, the most i have ever seen at a tutorial.
One thing that came out is that everyone is finding DD209 really hard. Hence the big turnout at the tutorial.
Lots of interesting content and helped my understanding a great deal.
Glad i went.
So tomorrow is the first face to face tutorial of the this year.
I always enjoy them. It is in Southampton, so only 20 miles away from home.
And a huge thank you to everyone who visits my blog... the counter passed 50,000. Very proud of that.
Wow, the view counter passed 49,000, by the end of the week it will get to 50,000.
Thank you very much everyone.
Son #2 is an RAF Air Cadet, so this morning we all went down to Horndean village so he could march with his squadron in the remembrance parade.
My grandfather, George Gumbrell, served in the first world war. He was in the Royal Air Corp, which went on to become the RAF. George was a flight mechanic, keeping the engines running.
My grandfather survived the first world war, to old to serve in the second world war, he was in the Voluntary Corp, he drove all over Hampshire and West Sussex, delivering aircraft parts and ammunition for RAF bases, such as Tangmere.
Lest we forget.
Well i got 60% for TMA 1, not a very inspiring start.
This is my last level 2 module, it does make me wonder how on earth i would cope with the final level 3 modules..
Chin up, keep battling on Michael.
I have registered with the week long careers fair, which is running all this week.
When i get home tonight i can log in and see what is going on in there..
Just spent a couple of hours rereading week 4 of DD209. It is really challenging so far. There is alot to take in... including the algebra...
Been a bit lazy with the blog, have not posted for a couple of weeks, been busy writing my TMA01.
Pop back on here to find the view counter has shot up by 6000 !. So now it is up to 46,000 views.
Thank you everyone.
Moved onto block 2 of DD209-economics... Keynes theories of unemployment... it is still really hard to get my head around, lots of reading and rereading required...
Just keep plugging away at it thats all i can do.
Wow. 40,000 views.
Thank you everyone.
The online lecture was good last night.
Had a 1st stage phone interview for a new job today, but they cancelled last minute, so will be doing it tomorrow instead.
Last year A222 revealed that philosophy essays need to be written in a different format to other essays.
Having had a look at the first question for DD209 it would appear that economics essays also require a specific format.
So i booked on to the online tutorial this Tuesday so that i can get informed about what format i need to be using.
And thank you to everyone who visits my blog of things.. the counter just clocked 39,000... which is fantastic.
The counter really bombs along now.
Well the book launch evening was fun.
Lots of interesting people went, being that we all volunteer for an online micro news site, that is the first time we have all been in the same room together.
I was one of the two graphic satirists there, so it was great to meet the other one, Billy, so we were the niche corner, everyone else was a writer, poet or photographer. So Billy and i got to spend some time together and chat about what software and design programs we use to create our work.
Turns out the visual propaganda section from DD 103 might have inspired me more than i realised.
So got home, and Ros and Ella revealed the location of the secret biscuit stash.. it contains choccy diggies and coconut macaroons!!! What a result.
So tomorrow night is the book launch party for the micro news organisation the star and crescent.
I did mention that i had work selected to appear their anthology, while ago... if you remember, being published attracts the perk in our house of gaining access to Ros and Ella's secret stash of biscuits.
I have warned both the ladies of our house that when i get home from the book launch i would like a special ceremony in the kitchen, with acceptance to the published authors secret biscuits club.
Son #1 is coming with me to the launch. He has a Mandarin lesson from 5pm-7pm in one of the other university buildings, so he is coming to the launch party with me... primarily so that he can get a lift home...
Well i have updated my C.V, so now to punt it out there and see what i can get interviews for.
Skipped past 38,000 views as well, that is really fantastic, thank you everyone.
The counter hit 37,000.
Thank you everyone.
Well i will need to set aside plenty of time for re-reading.
There is alot of jargon to take in with DD209.
It might all fall into place, but at the moment i am having to shove it all into some kind of order.
Crikey, week 2 is dense stuff.
Now we have moved onto balances of income ( flows) both credit and deficit of national economies and the current accounts ( stocks ) of those countries and how flows and stocks are balanced across three main national activities, public, private and personal spending.
This is a very intense and demanding module so far... best pay attention and make sure i set aside re-reading time for the materials.
Number 1 son enjoyed his first week of University.
He caught the Fresher's flu, so is taking as much flu plus as he can get crammed in him.
It has also worn him out, he has been asleep by 9.15 pm every night.
He did make me laugh, moaning about his timetable, which is 16 hours a week!
Mon 10am- 4pm
Tues 11am - 5pm
Wednesday- OFF- reading day.
Thursday 12pm-2pm
Friday 1pm- 3pm.
Apparently for son #1 this is a 'harsh' work load!!!!
So i shared with him my workload..
Mon 8.30 am to 5.30pm work.... 7pm to 9.30pm OU study
Tue 8.30 am to 5.30pm work.... 7pm to 9.30pm OU study
Wed 8.30 am to 5.30pm work.... 7pm to 9.30pm OU study
Thursday 8.30 am to 5.30pm work.... 7pm to 9.30pm OU study
Friday 8.30 am to 5.30pm work.... 7pm to 9.30pm OU study
Sat- OFF- reading day and doing the garden, shopping, housework and ferrying 3 ungrateful children around to various activities.
Sun- 2pm- 6pm OU Study.
Apparently it's okay, i 'am older' so i can cope with this workload and complaining about it is just me 'being dramatic'
Son #1 might live to see week 2 of university, only 'might' mind....
so firstly, 36,000 views, that's is really awesome.
Thank you everyone, it is much appreciated. Always.
Secondly, i popped onto the FASS website and the PPE and economics forums.
There i exchanged posts with a nice chap called Barry.
Barry is on a different pathway to me, not Q45 Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
The good thing is that Barry is has just finished DD209- economics and is starting A222- Philosophy.
I have just finished A222 and am starting DD209.
So that sounds like an excellent opportunity to exchange experience's and tips.
So my unofficial study group of me, Simon and Stephen would benefit from Barry's advice and hopefully, Barry from ours.
I do like it when things work out like that, it makes me happy.
It is also a good way to help break down the barriers of remote/online study and stop any feelings of isolation when studying with the O.U.
I do use the LINE messaging app on my phone, all i have to do now is convince another 3 chaps, over 40, that it is the best way to communicate as a study group, instead of long email chains, like we currently do.
I do follow the OU on Facebook.
Today their page is full of graduation ceremony pictures for today
Very inspiring, great to see all the graduates getting their degrees today, how fantastic for them and their families.
Hopefully in Spetember 2021 i will get to take part in graduation too.
Got an email from my tutor, so that is sorted and tutorials are at southampton again this year, same venue as 2 years ago with DD211.
So thats sorted.
Half way done with the working week again.
Need to punt my c.v out there to try and find a job where i spent less time counting the days away..
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