- Why do you want to study?
- What do you want to study ?
- How are you going to study ?
- How much time will it take ?
- Are the courses very difficult ?
- My degree plan
- The modules I took
Why ? The first question to answer if you are thinking
about doing some study with the Open University (OU), is why ? If you
want to brush up a particular subject or interest then the OU is a fine
place to gain that knowledge. If, like me, you want a qualification, then
careful planning is needed.
I was first made redundant at the age of 47, but I landed
another job fairly easily. I have been made redundant twice more since.
If I get an interview I tend to land the job, but I soon discovered that,
snowed under with CVs, employers have to apply some kind of filter, and
more commonly that filter is the requirement of a ‘good’ degree – a 2.1
or a First. That was my reason for study.
What? My next question was ‘what to study?’ I trawled the internet
and gathered a lot of data as well as receiving the OU prospectus. From
all this information I decided to ‘build a degree’ of the modules that
interest me. Unfortunately many of my choices were being dropped as courses
and so I had to revise my plans, ending up studying for an Honours degree
in IT and Computing.
How? I would advise anybody thinking about OU study to read
and absorb all the advice you can find. I took a short evening class
that got me ‘back in gear’ for studying. Realising that my maths were
not strong I chose two level 1 courses to polish up my maths. Level 1 courses
do not count towards the final degree but don’t underestimate their value.
I also took a level 1 course that was an introduction to engineering, but
that was because it was an alternative to a required course module. Most
named degrees list a number of modules that must be taken.
Having spent a great deal of time selecting my courses, I set
about pairing a course that looked interesting ( and I thought, easy),
with one I felt would be difficult. In this way I was able to spread 390
points of study over 5 years. Do not make the mistake I made of assuming
that some modules will be a pushover because of personal expertise – it might
well be for you, but it didn’t work out that way for me.
I was amazed at the wide range of skills I acquired during my
studies. My first hard lesson was in complacency – no Grade 1 pass for
me on microprocessors despite the fact I have been designing them for
twenty years ! ( That was my fault, not the OU’s). Learning to learn
is as important as the subject matter itself.
How do you find the time ? Well that’s the big one. I drew
up my study plan and was totally committed to it. For five years my study
hours were generally, 7.30-9 in the morning before work, then 6.30-8.30
in the evening, Monday – Friday. Most Saturdays every Sunday afternoon,
and usually a week cramming in the summer were also given over to study.
Everything else went on hold. Its all about commitment. Some people will
need less, others more, but you must plan for it, and then do it. It really
is down to you.
The OU frequently says “study at your own pace”. Do not take this
too literally. Various assignments that are part of every course must
be completed by specific dates, and if there is an end of course exam
it takes place at a specific time. Another side of this coin is that you
may feel you want to get ahead of the material – your pace might be faster
than the (excellent) provided study guide suggests. In some cases this
is possible and you will get first class support from the course team,
but beware of posting ‘advanced’ questions to the forums that may alarm
others who are not working at the same pace, or worse, imply you ‘know
it all’. Be tactful. On other courses I met strong resistance to any
attempt to work faster than the course plan and this was frustrating.
Because of my chosen workload my strategy was to get as far ahead as I could
in one course and then catch up with another that was running in parallel.
This was not always possible.
I missed a First class degree by one question. Previous knowledge
is not always a good thing and the question I scored NULL points
for, was about an aspect of software that I do on almost every project
I work on – a doddle, but I failed to grasp the formal name given to it
by the OU and therefore did not follow the question. My fault. Golden rule,
READ THE QUESTION! That was my problem area on day one of my study, and
it still is !
Level 1 courses are really designed to help prepare you for
the real thing, and even doing just one such module is invaluable, and
often mandatory. The maths Level 1 courses that I took spanned ‘O’ level
to just beyond ‘A’ level. The help you receive during level 1 courses is
exemplary. Your tutor and own ‘councillor’ are always on hand. This eases
off a little for level 2 courses, and to be honest, I found support in level
3 to be abysmal. In level 1 courses you may study with help from audio tapes,
video tapes, TV programmes, CDs, text books, course modules and on line
help. By level 3 I found this reduced to a book or two, and for my project
course, almost nothing – you’re on your own. Do remember this is how it was
for me, and do ask other students their views. By the way, the on-line conferences
are a brilliant source of help and discussion so do not miss out on them!
The evening and Saturday tutorials are also not to be missed. You benefit
from face to face tuition and you get to meet some of the people on your
course. I strongly advise you find the time for them.
This could too easily become a very long article about my study
experiences with the OU, so I will cut it short. I have gathered the
OU’s introduction notes about each course that I took, some of which
have now been replaced, and commented on how I found the course in comparison
to the OU description. This is my own view so do expect different opinions
from other students.
To sum up then, this is how I went about study with the OU :
- Research – find out how it all works (and costs!)
- Follow the OU’s advice – talk to them
- Decide my path
- Choose my modules
- Plan a timetable
- Prepare the study area
- Leave life as I know it ( for five years)
MY STUDY PLAN
Year
Code
Subject
Level
Points
2001
MU120
Introduction to mathematics
1
30
2001
T173
Engineering principles
1
30
2002
MST121
Further mathematics
1
30
2002
T223
Microprocessors
2
30
2003
M206
Object oriented programming
2
60
2003
MT262
Putting computers to work (C++)
2
30
2004
T209
IT and communications technologies
2
60
2004
T396
Aritifical Intelligence
3
30
2005
M301
Software Systems
3
60
2005
TM426
The AI (T396) Project
3
30
I have taken extracts from the OU website for each module
and made a few brief comments about my experinces. There is a link to the
OU web site for each module, where possible.
MU120
"This course will build your confidence and help you to incorporate
mathematical thinking into your everyday life. It looks mathematically
at matters of general
interest including prices, earnings, health, music, art, maps, motion
and rainbows. Alongside mathematical skills, it will help you develop communication
and learning skills. You will cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric
and numerical concepts and techniques; an introduction to iteration; mathematical
modelling;
and the interpretation of slopes of graphs. However, formal calculus
is not included. Throughout the course you will also learn how to use a graphics
calculator
(you will be told how to obtain the recommended model)."
Yep. On top of the course fee you will pay £70-80 for the
required course calculator. Later in your studies you will find that it
is banned from exams because it has the capability of storing text. But don't
worry! Its an excellent calculator and I use mine every day. The course includes
TV programmes, videos and audio tapes and is really well put together. Even
if you do not like maths, this is as gentle start as possible, and I actually
found it interesting.
T173
"From design concepts to the manufacture of products, this course examines
the range of human activity that is ‘engineering’. It introduces the context
in which engineers operate – including issues such as product safety
and patent law – and looks at current engineering practice and some of the
developments in engineering methods and applications that will shape the
future. It offers a general introduction both for those who simply have an
interest in what engineering is and how it is practised in modern society,
and for those who are considering studying engineering at higher levels."
This course covered a very wide range of subject matter and again,
I found it interesting. My tutor introduced herself with the words "I am
a chemist really, not an engineer ", and got sent to Germany with her hubby
halfway through the course. It was a good overall view of many aspects of
engineering, (now I know how to use a spreadsheet to figure out launch loads
for a satellite - so vital I find). I could have chosen a basic computing
module - and I wish I had.
MST121
"This broad introduction to the nature of mathematics and its uses in
the modern world shows how mathematics can be used to investigate and answer
questions from science, technology and everyday life. You will study a range
of fundamental techniques, in particular recurrence relations; matrices and
vectors; calculus; and statistics. Use of computer software (Mathcad) is
part of the course. The skills of communicating results and defining problems
are also developed. This course and Exploring mathematics (MS221) will together
give you a good foundation for higher-level mathematics and physics courses."
This one really worried me not least because of the introduction
of Calculus. That said, I did find it a bit hard going, but I kept up my
grade 2 pass level all the same. If your maths is okay you won't need this
course in any event, but I did, amd what I l learnt from it was used time
and again in later modules.
T223
"From electronic kitchen scales to complex communication systems, computers
are used in a wide range of applications and continue to change our lives.
This course uses examples such as these to explore the diversity of
computer applications and describe the fundamental components of computer
systems.
You’ll learn the characteristics of the hardware components that make
up computer systems, and explore the basic instructions that are used to
make microprocessors perform tasks. Finally, you’ll look at PCs, covering
topics such as operating systems, processors, and networking, so that you
can identify trends and explain underlying technologies."
I should have walked this one in my sleep - but I didn't. Lesson
learned. Its all very well having prior knowledge but that knowledge has
to be applied correctly and in an accademic sense, in the manner that the
OU requires. I barely touched the course units for this one and still managed
a Grade 2, but i expected a Grade 1, no problem at all. This course
was really intersting - a bit if C, some basic knowledge about assembler
and how micros work will help a lot if you take the rpelacement for this course.
M206 ( no link for this one )
M206 will has been replaced by two 30 point courses M255 Object-oriented
programming with Java
and M256 Software development with Java.
"... it teaches programming skills using the object-oriented language
Smalltalk, and analytical techniques that equip you to identifyor design
software components needed for computer-based solutions to real problems.The
course is equally suitable for those who want only one course in computing,
those who want to take computing further. You will learn how to reason about
computing systems, how to understand and design solutions to computing problems,
and how to work in groups using electronic conferencing. You will develop
an understanding of the principles of humancomputer interaction, and the
importance of network computing.
The course...teaches programming skills for constructing software,
though it is not in itself a programming course. It also emphasises
analytical skills that enable you to look at a problem and determine what
software components would be required to produce a new, computer-based solution.
It explores some of the choices that have to be made in software development
including those influenced by ethical and social issues.
Learning to work with people is an essential skill for computing projects,
so a sizeable part of the course is about working in groups.The course
takes an object-oriented view of software development, which means that
all software is considered as a collection of objects that interact by
sending messages to one another and reacting to the answers to the messages.
The language Smalltalk has been chosen for programming, and a programming
and learning environment has been developed especially for the course. Smalltalk
is a pure object-oriented language that reinforces fundamental object-oriented
principles You will be using e-mail, conferencing and the World Wide Web
for communication with the University, your tutor and other students, for
receiving course news, and for group working."
Frogs. We learned how to make Frogs dance. Seriously, the Frog
object was a good idea and and we used it to learn many ideas. Luckily, M206
is no more. The software on my PC was very crashy and I found that it could
(and did) corrupt my boot sector - it was awful but the OU showed no interest.
Learning Works who wrote the code were very helpful. As a primer for OO
is was, nevertheless, excellent. You really need to know a bit before you
take this on, and MT262 would be a could module to take first - it you have
NO proramming experience. This course will not teach you to code. That said,
it was a stretch again, but I got my Grade 2.
MT262
"The course tackles the problem of how to get a computer to do something
useful. It sets out to analyse problems and design solutions so that a
computer program
can be written to implement the solution. The course develops skills
in analysis and design. There is also a lot of practical programming in
the widely used C++ language, using both non-object and object-oriented approaches.
It includes elementary work with Windows programming. You should be confident
of your ability to use a Windows-based PC. Experience of writing small programs
or writing formulas for spreadsheets would be very useful, but is not essential."
Really, this course is 'How to use Borland Builder'. Support on-line
was unbeleivable! Yes, I loved it which is probably why I got my only Grade
1 pass here. I still mess around with some of the code that I wrote on the
course, and I used C++ again in my final project. If you want to write
programmes, do this one.
T209
"The convergence of information and communication technologies (ICT) –
rapid processing and global transmission of information, and
mobile communication systems – has brought radical changes in the
way society, organisations and individuals function. This course provides
a broad overview of the concepts behind these new systems and services,
and a repertoire of ideas and tools for analysing ICT. It provides
an introduction to the design and deployment of these technologies
in the debates that will shape our future. There is emphasis on improving
your general skills in studying, communicating ideas, and problem solving.
Group activities are a prominent feature of the course."
My tutor for this one said the only way to score high marks was
to 'get inside his head'. My best mark was 96% - so I was right in there
and it was scary. But really, this was another interesting course and in a
way lit the fuse that ended up with this web-site. You will learn a tiny bit
of HTML, which in my case made me think a lot. Primarily this course is about
research and report writing, but both are valuable skills. There is inter-action
within the tutor group, and that was also interesting to participate in.
I got my only two ever 100% marks here for CMAs ( papers marked by computer.
In effect a multiple choice paper. There were three on the course and I dropped
1 point on the third - Doh. Remember, you and I may talk about 1k all the
time, but it is really 1024 bytes....READ THE QUESTION ).
T396
"Artificial intelligence – making computers behave more like human beings
– has produced useful software techniques for solving technological problems.
Knowledge-based systems introduces the concepts and applications
of rules, handling uncertainty (including Bayesian updating, certainty
theory and fuzzy logic), object-oriented systems and intelligent agents.
Computational intelligence explains the functioning of genetic algorithms
and covers four types of neural network: single and multi-layer perceptions,
Hopfield, Kohonen and radial basis function networks.
The software supplied illustrates the uses of the techniques introduced.
A computer-based project and report draw together the themes of the
course, with the project report replacing the conventional examination
."
Ok. Well I still managed a Grade 2. I found this course ABYSSMAL.
The course team all but refused to answer anything that was not the current
study calendar. When they did answer it was generally useless, and if you
think you will learn about 'thinking machines', forget it. This course may
whet your appetite, but the material is sparse and awfull. Its a tough 30
points ( sorry, it was tough for me).
M301
"The course investigates how large items of software are produced, from
analysis through design to implementation. It builds on M206 Computing:
an object-oriented approach, examining state-of-the-art topics such
as Java programming; using the Unified Modelling Language
(UML) for the analysis and design of applications; frameworks and patterns;
and studying the principles underlying concurrent systems. The course
is based on two set books, and includes a significant amount of practical
work using the Java integrated development
environment and UML modelling tool provided with the course."
For me this was 'the biggie'. I felt that all my OU work was building
to this course. Tacticly I had figured out that I only needed a Grade 3 pass
in the project course (T426) because with my marks so far a grade 2 or 1
in this one would set my degree level as a 2.1 or a First. I put a lot of
effort into this course, and it needed it. The Java was a doddly having done
T262 already. In the end, prior knowledge again uposet my plan because I
completley messed up one exam question that would have given me a First. Have
I alread said this, READ THE QUESTION.
TM426
"This course is part of the IT and Computing Project suite and will give
you skills and experience in completing an individual project.You will develop
the project topic, carry it out, and then write it up. A tutor will advise
and guide you, but you will be expected to produce your work independently,
without close supervision. You must also keep a project log and use it for
an assessed critical review of your work. The emphasis is on you being a
reflective practitioner, developing not only the technical aspects of your
project but also reviewing and thinking about what you have learnt from doing
the work to further improve your skills. Tutor-marked assignments provide
milestones and feedback to help you monitor your progress. There are guidance
notes and a resources CD-ROM, but no teaching material associated with the
course.
You must have completed T396 before starting this course."
As I said in M301, I had planned to 'dump' this one, and
just as well I did. For your money (lots of money) you get almost nothing,.
A CD is about it - you even have to buy the course book yourself. No tutorials,
and I got a tutor whose best advice was to write on a TMA "I would have done
this that and something else". Quite hopeless. The feedback I got back from
the exam ( which was quite good to be honest) does not seem to match the
grade 3 pass I got, but it was my plan, and my plan worked. Did I say this
course was a stinker ? Well it is.
MY STUDY PLAN
| Year | Code | Subject |
Level |
Points |
| 2001 |
MU120
|
Introduction to mathematics |
1 |
30 |
| 2001 |
T173
|
Engineering principles |
1 |
30 |
| 2002 |
MST121 | Further mathematics |
1 |
30 |
| 2002 |
T223
|
Microprocessors |
2 |
30 |
| 2003 |
M206
|
Object oriented programming |
2 |
60 |
| 2003 |
MT262
|
Putting computers to work (C++) |
2 |
30 |
| 2004 |
T209
|
IT and communications technologies |
2 |
60 |
| 2004 |
T396
|
Aritifical Intelligence |
3 |
30 |
| 2005 |
M301 | Software Systems |
3 |
60 |
| 2005 |
TM426
|
The AI (T396) Project |
3 |
30 |
MU120
"This course will build your confidence and help you to incorporate mathematical thinking into your everyday life. It looks mathematically at matters of general
interest including prices, earnings, health, music, art, maps, motion and rainbows. Alongside mathematical skills, it will help you develop communication and learning skills. You will cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques; an introduction to iteration; mathematical modelling;
and the interpretation of slopes of graphs. However, formal calculus is not included. Throughout the course you will also learn how to use a graphics calculator
(you will be told how to obtain the recommended model)."
Yep. On top of the course fee you will pay £70-80 for the required course calculator. Later in your studies you will find that it is banned from exams because it has the capability of storing text. But don't worry! Its an excellent calculator and I use mine every day. The course includes TV programmes, videos and audio tapes and is really well put together. Even if you do not like maths, this is as gentle start as possible, and I actually found it interesting.
T173
"From design concepts to the manufacture of products, this course examines the range of human activity that is ‘engineering’. It introduces the context in which engineers operate – including issues such as product safety and patent law – and looks at current engineering practice and some of the developments in engineering methods and applications that will shape the future. It offers a general introduction both for those who simply have an interest in what engineering is and how it is practised in modern society, and for those who are considering studying engineering at higher levels."
This course covered a very wide range of subject matter and again, I found it interesting. My tutor introduced herself with the words "I am a chemist really, not an engineer ", and got sent to Germany with her hubby halfway through the course. It was a good overall view of many aspects of engineering, (now I know how to use a spreadsheet to figure out launch loads for a satellite - so vital I find). I could have chosen a basic computing module - and I wish I had.
MST121
"This broad introduction to the nature of mathematics and its uses in the modern world shows how mathematics can be used to investigate and answer questions from science, technology and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental techniques, in particular recurrence relations; matrices and vectors; calculus; and statistics. Use of computer software (Mathcad) is part of the course. The skills of communicating results and defining problems are also developed. This course and Exploring mathematics (MS221) will together give you a good foundation for higher-level mathematics and physics courses."
This one really worried me not least because of the introduction of Calculus. That said, I did find it a bit hard going, but I kept up my grade 2 pass level all the same. If your maths is okay you won't need this course in any event, but I did, amd what I l learnt from it was used time and again in later modules.
T223
"From electronic kitchen scales to complex communication systems, computers are used in a wide range of applications and continue to change our lives.
This course uses examples such as these to explore the diversity of computer applications and describe the fundamental components of computer systems.
You’ll learn the characteristics of the hardware components that make up computer systems, and explore the basic instructions that are used to make microprocessors perform tasks. Finally, you’ll look at PCs, covering topics such as operating systems, processors, and networking, so that you can identify trends and explain underlying technologies."
I should have walked this one in my sleep - but I didn't. Lesson learned. Its all very well having prior knowledge but that knowledge has to be applied correctly and in an accademic sense, in the manner that the OU requires. I barely touched the course units for this one and still managed a Grade 2, but i expected a Grade 1, no problem at all. This course was really intersting - a bit if C, some basic knowledge about assembler and how micros work will help a lot if you take the rpelacement for this course.
M206 ( no link for this one )
M206 will has been replaced by two 30 point courses M255 Object-oriented programming with Java
and M256 Software development with Java.
"... it teaches programming skills using the object-oriented language Smalltalk, and analytical techniques that equip you to identifyor design software components needed for computer-based solutions to real problems.The course is equally suitable for those who want only one course in computing, those who want to take computing further. You will learn how to reason about computing systems, how to understand and design solutions to computing problems, and how to work in groups using electronic conferencing. You will develop an understanding of the principles of humancomputer interaction, and the importance of network computing.
The course...teaches programming skills for constructing software, though it is not in itself a programming course. It also emphasises analytical skills that enable you to look at a problem and determine what software components would be required to produce a new, computer-based solution. It explores some of the choices that have to be made in software development including those influenced by ethical and social issues.
Learning to work with people is an essential skill for computing projects, so a sizeable part of the course is about working in groups.The course takes an object-oriented view of software development, which means that all software is considered as a collection of objects that interact by sending messages to one another and reacting to the answers to the messages. The language Smalltalk has been chosen for programming, and a programming and learning environment has been developed especially for the course. Smalltalk is a pure object-oriented language that reinforces fundamental object-oriented principles You will be using e-mail, conferencing and the World Wide Web for communication with the University, your tutor and other students, for receiving course news, and for group working."
Frogs. We learned how to make Frogs dance. Seriously, the Frog object was a good idea and and we used it to learn many ideas. Luckily, M206 is no more. The software on my PC was very crashy and I found that it could (and did) corrupt my boot sector - it was awful but the OU showed no interest. Learning Works who wrote the code were very helpful. As a primer for OO is was, nevertheless, excellent. You really need to know a bit before you take this on, and MT262 would be a could module to take first - it you have NO proramming experience. This course will not teach you to code. That said, it was a stretch again, but I got my Grade 2.
MT262
"The course tackles the problem of how to get a computer to do something useful. It sets out to analyse problems and design solutions so that a computer program
can be written to implement the solution. The course develops skills in analysis and design. There is also a lot of practical programming in the widely used C++ language, using both non-object and object-oriented approaches. It includes elementary work with Windows programming. You should be confident of your ability to use a Windows-based PC. Experience of writing small programs or writing formulas for spreadsheets would be very useful, but is not essential."
Really, this course is 'How to use Borland Builder'. Support on-line was unbeleivable! Yes, I loved it which is probably why I got my only Grade 1 pass here. I still mess around with some of the code that I wrote on the course, and I used C++ again in my final project. If you want to write programmes, do this one.
T209
"The convergence of information and communication technologies (ICT) – rapid processing and global transmission of information, and
mobile communication systems – has brought radical changes in the way society, organisations and individuals function. This course provides a broad overview of the concepts behind these new systems and services, and a repertoire of ideas and tools for analysing ICT. It provides an introduction to the design and deployment of these technologies in the debates that will shape our future. There is emphasis on improving your general skills in studying, communicating ideas, and problem solving. Group activities are a prominent feature of the course."
My tutor for this one said the only way to score high marks was to 'get inside his head'. My best mark was 96% - so I was right in there and it was scary. But really, this was another interesting course and in a way lit the fuse that ended up with this web-site. You will learn a tiny bit of HTML, which in my case made me think a lot. Primarily this course is about research and report writing, but both are valuable skills. There is inter-action within the tutor group, and that was also interesting to participate in. I got my only two ever 100% marks here for CMAs ( papers marked by computer. In effect a multiple choice paper. There were three on the course and I dropped 1 point on the third - Doh. Remember, you and I may talk about 1k all the time, but it is really 1024 bytes....READ THE QUESTION ).
T396
"Artificial intelligence – making computers behave more like human beings – has produced useful software techniques for solving technological problems. Knowledge-based systems introduces the concepts and applications of rules, handling uncertainty (including Bayesian updating, certainty theory and fuzzy logic), object-oriented systems and intelligent agents. Computational intelligence explains the functioning of genetic algorithms and covers four types of neural network: single and multi-layer perceptions, Hopfield, Kohonen and radial basis function networks.
The software supplied illustrates the uses of the techniques introduced. A computer-based project and report draw together the themes of the course, with the project report replacing the conventional examination ."
Ok. Well I still managed a Grade 2. I found this course ABYSSMAL. The course team all but refused to answer anything that was not the current study calendar. When they did answer it was generally useless, and if you think you will learn about 'thinking machines', forget it. This course may whet your appetite, but the material is sparse and awfull. Its a tough 30 points ( sorry, it was tough for me).
M301
"The course investigates how large items of software are produced, from analysis through design to implementation. It builds on M206 Computing: an object-oriented approach, examining state-of-the-art topics such as Java programming; using the Unified Modelling Language
(UML) for the analysis and design of applications; frameworks and patterns; and studying the principles underlying concurrent systems. The course is based on two set books, and includes a significant amount of practical work using the Java integrated development
environment and UML modelling tool provided with the course."
For me this was 'the biggie'. I felt that all my OU work was building to this course. Tacticly I had figured out that I only needed a Grade 3 pass in the project course (T426) because with my marks so far a grade 2 or 1 in this one would set my degree level as a 2.1 or a First. I put a lot of effort into this course, and it needed it. The Java was a doddly having done T262 already. In the end, prior knowledge again uposet my plan because I completley messed up one exam question that would have given me a First. Have I alread said this, READ THE QUESTION.
TM426
"This course is part of the IT and Computing Project suite and will give you skills and experience in completing an individual project.You will develop the project topic, carry it out, and then write it up. A tutor will advise and guide you, but you will be expected to produce your work independently, without close supervision. You must also keep a project log and use it for an assessed critical review of your work. The emphasis is on you being a reflective practitioner, developing not only the technical aspects of your project but also reviewing and thinking about what you have learnt from doing the work to further improve your skills. Tutor-marked assignments provide milestones and feedback to help you monitor your progress. There are guidance notes and a resources CD-ROM, but no teaching material associated with the course.
You must have completed T396 before starting this course."
As I said in M301, I had planned to 'dump' this one, and just as well I did. For your money (lots of money) you get almost nothing,. A CD is about it - you even have to buy the course book yourself. No tutorials, and I got a tutor whose best advice was to write on a TMA "I would have done this that and something else". Quite hopeless. The feedback I got back from the exam ( which was quite good to be honest) does not seem to match the grade 3 pass I got, but it was my plan, and my plan worked. Did I say this course was a stinker ? Well it is.
