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One of the new level 1 computing modules on the BSc (Honours) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence qualification goes by the catchy title TM113 Computing fundamentals 2: programming, databases, software engineering. It accompanies TM110 Computing fundamentals 1: concepts and Python programming.

As suggested by its title, this new module has three strands. What follows are a set of links and resources that may be useful to anyone who might be potentially interested in tutoring this module. If you have tutored TM112, the Python element will be familiar to you, but the software engineering and databases less familiar (although you may be familiar with databases, if have had any awareness of TM254 Managing IT: the why, the what and the how).

Programming

If you are familiar with software development but not with Python, the following OpenLearn and Cisco resources might be useful:

• OpenLearn: Simple Coding (Level 1: Introductory, 2 hours)
• Cisco: Python Essentials 1 (30 hours, beginner)
• Cisco: Python Essentials 2 (40 hours, intermediate)

Databases

Within OpenLearn, there is the following:

• OpenLearn: Data and processes in computing (Level 2: Intermediate, 14 hours)

Another useful resource that has been mentioned is:

• SQL Zoo

Software engineering

Turning to the theme of software engineering, there are a couple of OpenLearn resources that have been derived from existing OU modules. 

• OpenLearn: Approaches to software development (Level 3: Advanced, 9 hours)
• OpenLearn: Software development for enterprise systems (Level 3: Advanced, 8 hours)

Other resources

If you have never tutored an OU module before, the following module can be very helpful:

• Being an OU Tutor in STEM: Computing and Communications (Level 3: Advanced, 6 hours)

If you are an existing tutor, a really useful thing to do is to take advantage of the university’s fee waiver.

Reflections

The OpenLearn resources can certain be useful, and you can demonstrate awareness of the materials by gathering an informal badge (which can be added to a CV). What has really helped me to become a better tutor has been the fee waiver. This could be applied to computing modules, or modules from other faculties.

Acknowledgments

Thanks are extended to Anthony Johnson who shared some of those resources during a very early module team meeting.