Adult Education

[Vidor06]

Anyone else in this fine establishment currently engaged in adult education?
I recently started an OU course in Criminology, just something I have always been interested in. I graduated in 1996 and while I have done some studying since then it hasnt been much or to tertiary level.
Im not finding it difficult to allocate the time to the studying, more the methods of teaching and delivery at the OU are a bit alien and are taking a while to get used to. I had to hand in my first assignment a couple of weeks ago and thought I had done quite well but when I got my mark back I was gutted. Turned out I hadnt referenced in the correct way (according to the OU) and that was an automatic max mark of 60%.
But we live and learn. The first assgnment was only 10% of the total mark so I just need to make sure I dont repeat the mistakes.
Onwards and upwards!

 

[Spinney]

I finished an OU degree a couple of years ago. Would have carried on and started another if the prices hadn't gone up so hideously!

 

[Vidor06]

I live in Belfast and the course I am doing starts with a 60 point module which cost £775, according to the OU website the same module in England would be £2600! My toal cost of study is around £4500, as you say in England that would be £15k. I can see why you stopped.

 

[Inertia]

I live in Belfast and the course I am doing is a 60 point module which cost £775, according to the OU website the same module in England would be £2600! My toal cost of study is around £4500, as you say in England that would be £15k. I can see why you stopped.

Ive just started looking to do something like that but those prices could be a real problem for me Will have to see if a student loan is possible.

 

[Ganymede]

I did some science modules a few years ago, a wonderful experience which changed my view of the world. The basic science course should be mandatory for everyone! - then I did Astronomy and a couple of Geology courses. I gave up when my other activities squeezed my time too much. I loved it and am rather shocked how expensive it has become.

I think Adult Education is a truly wonderful thing - I'm currently learning the piano and doing singing masterclasses at Morley College in London, and really believe in it as an enhancer of life, brain power, mental health and general happiness.

OP - it can be discouraging to start with - I had a weird start to my science courses, as I was new to science but was very good at writing essays so used to get slightly ridiculous high marks to begin with as the subject was discursive. I fell back a bit when the calculations etc kicked in. You will adjust! I found my analytical skills improved immensely and had a distinct positive impact on my artistic career.

 

[Drago]

Did my under and post graduate through the OU. 11 years off and on.

 

[swee'pea99]

I did a few courses of evening classes - not quite the same, but still. I enjoyed them overall, and was very glad to have done them, tho' I have to say the quality varied widely. One of the tutors was really good, another was good but cruising, so not as good, and the third was pretty much useless - jaded, burned out and totally uninterested. But like I say, overall, definitely worth it. And a helluva lot cheaper than a 'proper' course: a hundred-ish for a course of eight 2-hour sessions.

 

[rich p]

I did Italian night class for a few years but the subsidies were removed making it much more expensive.
They also began only providing vocational courses (locally at least), which meant doing a GCSE and I didn't want to study for a written exam.
Like swee'pea the quality of teaching was very variable but I guess it was the same at school.
I keep meaning to check out U3A.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I did an OU degree in technology, mostly computing and electronics. Got a 1st I had an HND in software engineering before. I doubt I would have taken it up if the costs were as high as they are now.

 

[DCLane]

I'm a lecturer at a university - does that count?

Also, I've just started an EdD (Doctor of Education) course.

 

[winjim]

There are plenty of people who would not be where they are now had OU fees been what they are now. The ability to just pick a module in a subject and see how you get on with it has been removed, you now need a clear degree path from the outset. It's a very sad state of affairs. I do, of course, blame the Liberal Democrats

Winjim Cert Math (Open), BSc(Hons) Molec Sci (Open) MRSC

 

[annedonnelly]

I've done a few OU modules - yes it's a shame they're so expensive now. I'm doing some free stuff through FutureLearn at the minute. They're delivered by various universities and tend to be based on their 1st year courses. No pressure to do assignments or anything, just the chance to learn from experts (including some of the other students).

 

[subaqua]

There are plenty of people who would not be where they are now had OU fees been what they are now. The ability to just pick a module in a subject and see how you get on with it has been removed, you now need a clear degree path from the outset. It's a very sad state of affairs. I do, of course, blame the Liberal Democrats

Winjim Cert Math (Open), BSc(Hons) Molec Sci (Open) MRSC

ahhh ladder pulling up

 

[cyberknight]

Union adult learner rep

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I am currently doing some adult learning through my local college. Sadly the funding withdrawal had meant prices have more than doubled and the number of courses halved but on the bright side of things I do now qualify for a NUS card again.

Sadly I had to quit my OU course because there was no way I could complete it in the time scale the OU were terminating it. If I had been able to take 3 modules each year then I would have just managed to complete it before the MSc was terminated, but i could only manage 2 a year financially and with a full time job as well. Now they are simply unaffordable to me. ironically retraining in IT is actually cheaper! Not something often said about IT courses!