Here I am at the first leg of my Open University experience as an adult learner, nearly fifty years old taking that leap of faith into distance education.
Having set my eyes on a BSc (Honours) in Computing and IT, I now stand confident that I will pass both the introductory courses M150 Data , Computing and Information, and T175 Networked Living: Exploring information and communication technologies. both were compulsory courses for this chosen degree and will be combined into one course form 2011.
I already have my results for M150 which is a pass and very confident that I will follow this success with a pass in T175. I am already signed up for TM128 Microsoft Servers Technologies and B120 An introduction to Business Studies, and it goes without saying that I am very excited about adding these two courses to my development plan.
Just to make a few observations about OU style of teaching. I have found that the university, especially in T175 goes out of their way to encourage you to adopt a timetable and to make use of your blog space, as an aid for reflection and meditation on your goals. I have found blogging in this way as a very useful tool, in helping me to reaffirm my goals and to continue on my journey.
I must hastily add though, that I am not a big fan of the forums, particularly the module forums. Tooooooooooo much whinging goes on there, as if the persons who make it a point of hanging out their dirty linen in the public, have been forced to avail themselves of the opportunities that OU have to offer. As regards the Elluminate service, I am equally surprised that a the majority of fellow students do not make use of the opportunity and also do not come to the tutorials which re all supposed to be for their own benefit.
For us adults who, have returned to education after, in many cases, decades, one would think that there would be a greater show of appreciation for the chance to at least try to achieve a higher qualification. appears not to be the case. and with the expected rise in university fees next year, new students will find it ever more difficult to find the resources to pay for their education through traditional means.
The future remains to be seen whether university attendance figures grow or fall. There is even the notion being promoted by fatalists that it is a waste of time to pursue a degree. (WHAT!) For one thing knowledge is power, and education provides one with alternative ways of thinking and even analytical skills to work out life problems such as , should I seek to be employed? am I employable? or should create my own job and strike out as a entrepreneur.
In my book, being over prepared for opportunities that may arise in the future, is much better than not even being able to stand a chance, because your skill set is nowhere near what the employers are looking for.
Well this is my humble opinion, at least.
(522 words)
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Dear Albert,
To hear your words, to see your actions, to know your sincerely is truly a priviledge that is rewarding. You represent what some will never understand. Keep up your momentum as your desire will only deepen. Forget about those superficial others including the ones on the module forums and blogs that obviously don't see the end of the tunnel as you do. Mind you there are some that do, we just have to be patient until we meet them.
You as well as I see the Open University as a beautiful opportunity and blessing. We both see that we each have been given a second chance to continue lifelong dreams. You nearly fifty and me a few years ahead. I too read the whinnings and such and wonder how can those that truly invest their time and effort could possible see anything but good and I forget that maybe just maybe those are some of the same individuals, woman and men that I also see here on as on facebook and various other social platforms who speak ill of others including their own spouses, mates, friends or supports.
Maybe just maybe these are those same people who at every opportunity use the first means available to express their unhappiness with their own situations and through means unbecoming of being married or single proceed in their own ways of wanting to not only air their own dirty linen but try and come between those that are happy and trying to do good. Maybe just maybe their attending the Open University is more like an escape rather than a life time dream and their reasons for being their are just very different. Maybe just maybe they appear in the public on these modules as a means of having a personal venue rather than utilizing it to the same purpose as you or even I.
Their aspirations are no where in the areas of wanting to take on challenges of learning at any age. They do not attend tutorials or utilize wonderful and state of the art tools such as the Elluminate or other teaching methods or tools offered by the Open University because they don't see the relevance. Stay clear of people with those actions and attitudes and continue to set your eyes on your prize. You are a beautiful and humble indivual with an honest willinglness to go after all that is good.
Congratulations on passing your M150 and on about to pass your T175 andall of your future courses. You know the importance of a blessing that has been offered to you.
Love always Your Number One Fan and Fellow Open University Student,
Your Wife Tempie