I'm now the owner of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing, Upper Second-class Honours (2.1).
As if this would be a game of the destiny I had a Distinction (87%) on my project module.
It's like if life would like to add an eternal itchy and torture me on the fact that if I would have had just a 4% more in M362 and/or M363 I would have achieved a First but true is that my mind is anywhere else but on my BSc achievement and that I don't have that itchy at all.
I have so different plans for my life and my future now, based on my current Project Management studies that I honestly did not feel anything yesterday apart from the "ok, it's finished and now I can progress on my masters and change my life forever".
I have been programming since I'm 12 y.o. and I honestly want to try something else. I see the completion of my degree as the last bit that closes my past allowing me so to continue with my preparation for my future and that's why the degree in itself is not so important for me anymore.
That's it really.
The kind of reflection that normally everyone writes when they finished I did it long time ago here:
http://bscbefore31dec2014.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-end-of-tunnel.html
That is still valid, if you're interested feel free to read it.
I think I'm also done with the OU as my current plans pass more for the PM side of things than for achieving my Diploma in Leadership and Management with the OU. In fact I have found a University in Scotland that offers a Masters in Leadership and Management (2.5 years part-time) that has very good modules ...and it's even cheaper that doing the two modules of the Dip Leadership and Management with the OU!
I probably will go for it once I finish my Masters in IT Project Management in 4 years from now (yes, it's a double masters and it takes 4 years part time).
So, this is me with (masters) study plans for the next 4 - 6.5 years.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
While I wait for my results
Today I passed my PRINCE2 Foundation certification with a 77% on the exam.
The questions weren't easy but I'm happy with the results considering that only 1 month was dedicated to it.
I have also registered for an accelerated Masters in Project Management PMP in Spain, it will take only Nov 2014 - April 2015, it will be a lot of work as all the knowledge will be concentrated in just 6 months but I think it will be worth it. They only accept 15 pupils per year and I was accepted!
And last but not least I have also changed jobs again and I'm now Lead Developer!
During the days left until my Masters starts I need to study for the PRINCE2 Practitioner now, I have been looking at the way they offer the exams and it seems to be one cannot do it in a Prometric center else needs to do it in one of their venues or through the Internet with a laptop and a camera. I'm not so keen to do it through Internet as weird things could happen (disconnection, someone knocking at the door in the middle of the exam, etc.) and probably that would mean not passing the exam due to unforseen circumstances so I assume I will go to one of their centres in London or Milton Keynes.
Looking at their available dates I would say around December I could have some holidays that could match one of the exam dates. I wanted to have it before starting my Masters but I have also my holidays around that day and it's being difficult to see how can I do it possible that way, probably December is best option. The advantage is that I will dedicate more time to study for it but the disadvantage of it is that it will overlap with my Masters studies for some weeks.
Let's see what happens. Stay tuned!
The questions weren't easy but I'm happy with the results considering that only 1 month was dedicated to it.
I have also registered for an accelerated Masters in Project Management PMP in Spain, it will take only Nov 2014 - April 2015, it will be a lot of work as all the knowledge will be concentrated in just 6 months but I think it will be worth it. They only accept 15 pupils per year and I was accepted!
And last but not least I have also changed jobs again and I'm now Lead Developer!
During the days left until my Masters starts I need to study for the PRINCE2 Practitioner now, I have been looking at the way they offer the exams and it seems to be one cannot do it in a Prometric center else needs to do it in one of their venues or through the Internet with a laptop and a camera. I'm not so keen to do it through Internet as weird things could happen (disconnection, someone knocking at the door in the middle of the exam, etc.) and probably that would mean not passing the exam due to unforseen circumstances so I assume I will go to one of their centres in London or Milton Keynes.
Looking at their available dates I would say around December I could have some holidays that could match one of the exam dates. I wanted to have it before starting my Masters but I have also my holidays around that day and it's being difficult to see how can I do it possible that way, probably December is best option. The advantage is that I will dedicate more time to study for it but the disadvantage of it is that it will overlap with my Masters studies for some weeks.
Let's see what happens. Stay tuned!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Awaiting my results
That was it.
I have uploaded my EMA some hours ago and my mind is not with The OU stuff now.
I will start a Masters in Project Management after my results are out and another one in IT Project Management next August.
Now I'm starting to prepare (again) my PRINCE2 certification exam that I will be sitting next 18th October. I had to stop my preparation due to the high demand of dedication requested by TM470 so now that is over I wanted to take profit of my free time before my Masters starts at the end of November to achieve the PRINCE2 certification.
Stay tuned.
I have uploaded my EMA some hours ago and my mind is not with The OU stuff now.
I will start a Masters in Project Management after my results are out and another one in IT Project Management next August.
Now I'm starting to prepare (again) my PRINCE2 certification exam that I will be sitting next 18th October. I had to stop my preparation due to the high demand of dedication requested by TM470 so now that is over I wanted to take profit of my free time before my Masters starts at the end of November to achieve the PRINCE2 certification.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Just a month
...and it will be over. ;-)
Working a lot of hours per week on this module (again) as finally I have to re-structure my document into the EMA anyway. The idea progressing a document at all times during the module instead of doing separated TMAs was to avoid this step but finally I had so much information in my last TMA that I need to do a lot of work at this stage as well.
Under pressure at the moment but looking at the light at the end of the tunnel that is now starting to get shape as a way of relieving part of that pressure and find strength to get forwards. Hopefully the tunnel will not crash on December just before I go out :-).
I'm now thinking about not progressing my Foundation degree in Leadership and Management next year else studying seriously for the PRINCE2 certifications that I needed to stop last year to dedicate myself entirely to the project this year and then I will be starting my MSc in August 2015 (if the Uni accepts me) as I cannot start sooner.
Keep calm and carry on.
Working a lot of hours per week on this module (again) as finally I have to re-structure my document into the EMA anyway. The idea progressing a document at all times during the module instead of doing separated TMAs was to avoid this step but finally I had so much information in my last TMA that I need to do a lot of work at this stage as well.
Under pressure at the moment but looking at the light at the end of the tunnel that is now starting to get shape as a way of relieving part of that pressure and find strength to get forwards. Hopefully the tunnel will not crash on December just before I go out :-).
I'm now thinking about not progressing my Foundation degree in Leadership and Management next year else studying seriously for the PRINCE2 certifications that I needed to stop last year to dedicate myself entirely to the project this year and then I will be starting my MSc in August 2015 (if the Uni accepts me) as I cannot start sooner.
Keep calm and carry on.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Now only the EMA is left
I have received my final TMA03 grade and I achieved a 87%. That's not a bad grade and I understand why I lost the other 13%.
I had problems to put everything together as my TMA03 is 185 pages long now and it's becoming difficult for me to put everything under the proper headings and structure with such a long submission.
I asked for feedback on this and my tutor has offered me help with structuring the info and giving advice on how to reduce it and I accepted it. I have been thinking about how different it's when you find someone that is keen to help than when it happens otherwise.
At the beginning of the module I had a not-so-good experience in the preparation forum, it looked like every idea I had was just crap but then I found one that the moderator liked and things started to change from the point I was assigned a tutor onwards.
This module is a lot of work, a lot. I cannot imagine how people having two or more modules on the same year have coped with everything. Having said that, it's also very reflective and you will learn something new for sure. I find it hard but also rewarding if things go as expected but it can be very frustrating for people that having had consistently good grades across the years suddenly cannot fit into the module structure required.
My perception is that there is currently a great difference on how different tutors perceive the structure required for the TMAs (length, etc.) and the main concern I see in the forums has been all the time the length of the TMA and how that differs from the documentation provided and the worry about the second marker having a different approach and cutting down the final grade as he/she was expecting shorter documents.
Let's see what happens, just one EMA left now and if everything goes well for me and I achieve more than a 40% in my EMA I will be a graduate this December.
After 5 years studying I cannot believe I'm almost there.
Fingers crossed.
I had problems to put everything together as my TMA03 is 185 pages long now and it's becoming difficult for me to put everything under the proper headings and structure with such a long submission.
I asked for feedback on this and my tutor has offered me help with structuring the info and giving advice on how to reduce it and I accepted it. I have been thinking about how different it's when you find someone that is keen to help than when it happens otherwise.
At the beginning of the module I had a not-so-good experience in the preparation forum, it looked like every idea I had was just crap but then I found one that the moderator liked and things started to change from the point I was assigned a tutor onwards.
This module is a lot of work, a lot. I cannot imagine how people having two or more modules on the same year have coped with everything. Having said that, it's also very reflective and you will learn something new for sure. I find it hard but also rewarding if things go as expected but it can be very frustrating for people that having had consistently good grades across the years suddenly cannot fit into the module structure required.
My perception is that there is currently a great difference on how different tutors perceive the structure required for the TMAs (length, etc.) and the main concern I see in the forums has been all the time the length of the TMA and how that differs from the documentation provided and the worry about the second marker having a different approach and cutting down the final grade as he/she was expecting shorter documents.
Let's see what happens, just one EMA left now and if everything goes well for me and I achieve more than a 40% in my EMA I will be a graduate this December.
After 5 years studying I cannot believe I'm almost there.
Fingers crossed.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Two months and TM470 is over!
Today I came from some short holidays I had booked since long time ago as some friends had invited me to their wedding in France since 2 years ago and I had accepted. After two years saying I would be there it was my obligation (and desire) to be there.
Exactly 2 months for the project to finish... a post was mandatory :-).
I'm still waiting for my TMA03 result and I will be starting in a new job next Monday. So, a lot of things going on and everything still to be defined somehow.
Exactly 2 months for the project to finish... a post was mandatory :-).
I'm still waiting for my TMA03 result and I will be starting in a new job next Monday. So, a lot of things going on and everything still to be defined somehow.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
It's working for me but unfortunately not for everyone
All the efforts done during TMA02 served to keep the level achieved during TMA01. Today I received my results and I was very happy to see I achieved a 91% this time.
I have now taken 2 weeks off to dedicate myself entirely to the programming part, (hopefully) being so able to manage all the demands on this TMA03 without needing to do the same prolonged effort I did for TMA02 where every day was a challenge trying to find as much time as possible to dedicate to the project.
I have already the 10% needed from TMAs to pass the module in case EMA result would be a clean 40% (40 x 75% = 30%), in fact I have already achieved a 13.7% of the total grade so now my TMA03 result will serve to put my gradings up assuming my EMA will be a 40% or more.
It's being a lot of work but I'm really enjoying this programming part as I'm learning CodeIgniter as part of the process and the feedback from my tutor is being extremely valuable for me to see my own mistakes and (hopefully) fix them.
It would be a sort of an irony if I finally have my only level 3 Distinction with this module but I would also be glad if that's the case as it will be a recognition to all my efforts on this module up to today. I will also be glad with a 40% if that's the case as the important bit for me is to achieve my BSc this December (almost only 4.5 months now for this to finish!!)
Based strictly on my own experience I would not recommend to anyone doing TM470 beside other modules at the same time as I think it's really hard to keep a good level on TM470 in such cases due to the extreme demand that this module is meaning (at least this year and at least for me) and also could affect your final results of the other modules.
At the same time I'm happy for my results I'm also sad to see the amount of people that have demonstrated that are very hardworking individuals during years and are now suffering a lot with this module according to the forum posts.
Some people is now considering to leave the module and re-take it next year, even when I know this happens every year as I know some of those pupils for having coincided with them in previous modules it makes me feel sad that knowing how hard they have worked to reach this point they are now feeling they don't have enough strength, time, etc. to cope with this module demands.
My support and encouragement to all of them in a situation like this. I honestly wish things go better for them in next TMA if they decide to stay.
I have now taken 2 weeks off to dedicate myself entirely to the programming part, (hopefully) being so able to manage all the demands on this TMA03 without needing to do the same prolonged effort I did for TMA02 where every day was a challenge trying to find as much time as possible to dedicate to the project.
I have already the 10% needed from TMAs to pass the module in case EMA result would be a clean 40% (40 x 75% = 30%), in fact I have already achieved a 13.7% of the total grade so now my TMA03 result will serve to put my gradings up assuming my EMA will be a 40% or more.
It's being a lot of work but I'm really enjoying this programming part as I'm learning CodeIgniter as part of the process and the feedback from my tutor is being extremely valuable for me to see my own mistakes and (hopefully) fix them.
It would be a sort of an irony if I finally have my only level 3 Distinction with this module but I would also be glad if that's the case as it will be a recognition to all my efforts on this module up to today. I will also be glad with a 40% if that's the case as the important bit for me is to achieve my BSc this December (almost only 4.5 months now for this to finish!!)
Based strictly on my own experience I would not recommend to anyone doing TM470 beside other modules at the same time as I think it's really hard to keep a good level on TM470 in such cases due to the extreme demand that this module is meaning (at least this year and at least for me) and also could affect your final results of the other modules.
At the same time I'm happy for my results I'm also sad to see the amount of people that have demonstrated that are very hardworking individuals during years and are now suffering a lot with this module according to the forum posts.
Some people is now considering to leave the module and re-take it next year, even when I know this happens every year as I know some of those pupils for having coincided with them in previous modules it makes me feel sad that knowing how hard they have worked to reach this point they are now feeling they don't have enough strength, time, etc. to cope with this module demands.
My support and encouragement to all of them in a situation like this. I honestly wish things go better for them in next TMA if they decide to stay.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Just 5 months now...and counting
In 5 months my route towards my BSc will have finished, hopefully everything will end up positively for me and I will be in the disposition to apply for my Masters some months later (after receiving my final grades).
TM470 is meaning a lot of work for me, a lot; everyday working on it up to 00:00 or 01:00 in the morning and the weekends being mainly "project weekends". When I uploaded the TMA02 three days ago, my body reacted like when someone reaches the goal in athleticism, I felt relief and suddenly I was exhausted. All the cumulative effort made itself so notorious that I needed to go to sleep.
My second TMA was 96 pages in total. Following advice from my tutor I'm heading through the EMA on every TMA. Hopefully the transition between TMA03 and EMA will be easier this way.
TM470 is meaning a lot of work for me, a lot; everyday working on it up to 00:00 or 01:00 in the morning and the weekends being mainly "project weekends". When I uploaded the TMA02 three days ago, my body reacted like when someone reaches the goal in athleticism, I felt relief and suddenly I was exhausted. All the cumulative effort made itself so notorious that I needed to go to sleep.
My second TMA was 96 pages in total. Following advice from my tutor I'm heading through the EMA on every TMA. Hopefully the transition between TMA03 and EMA will be easier this way.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
In case you want to tell me something
Please, in case you want to tell me something be aware that this is a blog that has the comments hidden for a reason. I decided to hide the comments and apply comments revision after a bad experience some months ago.
I will publish all those comments that are respectful and do not contain what I consider sensitive information in it.
I do not provide TMAs, module PDFs or old exams to anyone, do not add advertisements of any kind to my blog and will not accept any type of insult, threat, etc. as part of the comments towards myself or others.
In principle, unless it is very well justified I will not contact anyone that leaves their email as part of a comment even if they ask for it and I will not publish those comments either (in fact I delete them).
So, unless I know you personally based on my real life or by prolonged contact in this blog please do not assume I will contact you just because you left your email inside a comment, I won't.
If you want to tell me something, please feel free to do it as part of a comment. You can add a request for the message to be deleted and/or not published and unless I need it as a proof of something I will delete it after reading it in those cases.
I'm glad that this blog is a way of sharing and encouraging each other, I'm always open to people that wants to share their thoughts freely and respectfully. I hope you all understand and this will not stop you to comment and share here.
I will publish all those comments that are respectful and do not contain what I consider sensitive information in it.
I do not provide TMAs, module PDFs or old exams to anyone, do not add advertisements of any kind to my blog and will not accept any type of insult, threat, etc. as part of the comments towards myself or others.
In principle, unless it is very well justified I will not contact anyone that leaves their email as part of a comment even if they ask for it and I will not publish those comments either (in fact I delete them).
So, unless I know you personally based on my real life or by prolonged contact in this blog please do not assume I will contact you just because you left your email inside a comment, I won't.
If you want to tell me something, please feel free to do it as part of a comment. You can add a request for the message to be deleted and/or not published and unless I need it as a proof of something I will delete it after reading it in those cases.
I'm glad that this blog is a way of sharing and encouraging each other, I'm always open to people that wants to share their thoughts freely and respectfully. I hope you all understand and this will not stop you to comment and share here.
6 months left
Today I received my results from TMA01 and all the hard work has finally given its fruits: 92%
It's not a bad start at all, having read and highlighted the entire book "Projects in Computing and Information Systems. A Student's Guide" by Christian W. Dawson has helped but it also helps to read carefully what is expected to be present on the TMA.
So far I think this is the module that demands more time, effort and dedication in the entire BSc. Maybe it's because my idea is an original idea and I need to do a lot of work just to have it up and running but maybe not and all of us are exactly in the same situation. I cannot see why my case would be different from others, so I assume all of us are under pressure ;-).
As an advice for all those ones taking this module in a future: It's not easy to fit all the tasks in the allocated time, remember: "it implies hard work", a lot of it.
For some reason this year the forum moderator tended to show as "acceptable" mostly original ideas and not extensions or versions of something already existing. Some of the comments have been quite devastating and I have to recognise I felt relief when my second idea was well received. I would have expected that approach on original ideas to be present in the research module of a PhD but not exactly for a BSc.
After that I relaxed until the beginning of the project on 1st February as a way to avoid engaging into the preparation forum just for ending being told my idea wasn't good enough or similar...and haven't relaxed since the module started ;-).
My tutor is very kind and encouraging, I hope the allocated time it's enough for me to finish the project and learn a lot of new things. It looks that I lost my 8% because I did not reflect on my process at the level I could have done.
I had this same issue in BU130 where I passed from a 69% (OCAS) to a 44% (OES), that have been my lowest grade with The OU (by difference) and believe it or not it happened because I'm a very reflective person (maybe too much) and when I need to talk about something in a module that expects you to make a new reflective process for it, as I do it as normal and it's not new for me at all I cannot find what is the thing that is so different to what I do every day for me to add it to the TMA. On the other hand if I add all the things that I reflect on it would be a book instead of a TMA.
I will need to find the equilibrium on this.
It's being engaging and also interesting, on the other side of things I do not have free time at all, my weekends are "project weekends" and my life can be summarised as "house work - project work - job work".
Only 6 months and it will be over, hopefully with a BSc (Hons) Computing under my belt a few months later.
I contacted the Uni in Sweden and they have just told me that I cannot apply this year because my BSc results are released in December and the Masters degree starts in August, so it will be a 2015 start for me if they accept me next year.
It's not a bad start at all, having read and highlighted the entire book "Projects in Computing and Information Systems. A Student's Guide" by Christian W. Dawson has helped but it also helps to read carefully what is expected to be present on the TMA.
So far I think this is the module that demands more time, effort and dedication in the entire BSc. Maybe it's because my idea is an original idea and I need to do a lot of work just to have it up and running but maybe not and all of us are exactly in the same situation. I cannot see why my case would be different from others, so I assume all of us are under pressure ;-).
As an advice for all those ones taking this module in a future: It's not easy to fit all the tasks in the allocated time, remember: "it implies hard work", a lot of it.
For some reason this year the forum moderator tended to show as "acceptable" mostly original ideas and not extensions or versions of something already existing. Some of the comments have been quite devastating and I have to recognise I felt relief when my second idea was well received. I would have expected that approach on original ideas to be present in the research module of a PhD but not exactly for a BSc.
After that I relaxed until the beginning of the project on 1st February as a way to avoid engaging into the preparation forum just for ending being told my idea wasn't good enough or similar...and haven't relaxed since the module started ;-).
My tutor is very kind and encouraging, I hope the allocated time it's enough for me to finish the project and learn a lot of new things. It looks that I lost my 8% because I did not reflect on my process at the level I could have done.
I had this same issue in BU130 where I passed from a 69% (OCAS) to a 44% (OES), that have been my lowest grade with The OU (by difference) and believe it or not it happened because I'm a very reflective person (maybe too much) and when I need to talk about something in a module that expects you to make a new reflective process for it, as I do it as normal and it's not new for me at all I cannot find what is the thing that is so different to what I do every day for me to add it to the TMA. On the other hand if I add all the things that I reflect on it would be a book instead of a TMA.
I will need to find the equilibrium on this.
It's being engaging and also interesting, on the other side of things I do not have free time at all, my weekends are "project weekends" and my life can be summarised as "house work - project work - job work".
Only 6 months and it will be over, hopefully with a BSc (Hons) Computing under my belt a few months later.
I contacted the Uni in Sweden and they have just told me that I cannot apply this year because my BSc results are released in December and the Masters degree starts in August, so it will be a 2015 start for me if they accept me next year.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The horse is outside
The rubberbandits video, horse outside, comes to my mind at this moment. It's more or less how I feel, I mean, not like anything in the video plot - that is also a bit weird to say the least - else like if I have a horse outside just ready for me to fly away.
I'm just thinking about finishing the TM470 module and end up with the OU, I have even thought now about cancelling my Foundation degree in Leadership and Management if the new Uni accept my application for the Master and going straight away into my IT Master's degree on 2015. Yep, I think that will be what I will do.
The reason for the current mood is that the results were published today and far from having broken the loop - as I thought I have had - I achieved this year again an 81% in the M362 exam, a grade that The OU decided again not to put up a bit so....Grade 2 for me...and bye, bye First degree option.
It's the first time in my life in a module that is programming related that I do not achieve a Distinction but hey!, that was a 100% theory exam (a bit weird for a programming module to be honest).
Who cares! Just achieving a 40% in TM470 will give me now a 2:1 and nothing can give me anything better so if we add to this the fact that the TM470 preparation forum is being a bit of a pain for me I honestly think this is the best that could have happened.
As things are going for me in TM470 up to now I do not want to imagine myself if I would have had a Distinction in M362, just forcing myself to try to have a Distinction in TM470 just because that would have been my last opportunity to have a First degree. That is a reality that now will never happen. For once I think I will be happy with this situation.
I will try to make my life easier this year, so next goal will be "to achieve at least a 40% in TM470" and after that I will fly away, next stop will be Sweden so I need a good horse for that...and it's outside :-)
I'm just thinking about finishing the TM470 module and end up with the OU, I have even thought now about cancelling my Foundation degree in Leadership and Management if the new Uni accept my application for the Master and going straight away into my IT Master's degree on 2015. Yep, I think that will be what I will do.
The reason for the current mood is that the results were published today and far from having broken the loop - as I thought I have had - I achieved this year again an 81% in the M362 exam, a grade that The OU decided again not to put up a bit so....Grade 2 for me...and bye, bye First degree option.
It's the first time in my life in a module that is programming related that I do not achieve a Distinction but hey!, that was a 100% theory exam (a bit weird for a programming module to be honest).
Who cares! Just achieving a 40% in TM470 will give me now a 2:1 and nothing can give me anything better so if we add to this the fact that the TM470 preparation forum is being a bit of a pain for me I honestly think this is the best that could have happened.
As things are going for me in TM470 up to now I do not want to imagine myself if I would have had a Distinction in M362, just forcing myself to try to have a Distinction in TM470 just because that would have been my last opportunity to have a First degree. That is a reality that now will never happen. For once I think I will be happy with this situation.
I will try to make my life easier this year, so next goal will be "to achieve at least a 40% in TM470" and after that I will fly away, next stop will be Sweden so I need a good horse for that...and it's outside :-)
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Initial contact with TM470 and how things are
I have found that in TM470 there are no PDFs to download yet and as I don't like to read everything on the screen in a certain way I'm a bit "behind" my normal schedule as even when the module hasn't officially started yet under other circumstances I would have already read part of the materials, etc.
I published my idea in the forum the first day and I'm trying to progress on that following the advice of the forum moderator. I'm trying to do something that would push me to learn new things because how can I report on my learning if I would do something that I would already know by heart? Anyway, all this "tell me about your idea and I will tell you how wrong you are" is putting me a bit down really because somehow I feel I cannot get it right but I'm not surrendering.
Good news are that this will be the last module for this degree and that I still can enjoy the experience if finally my idea is accepted by my teacher.
On other OU related things, I'm still waiting for my M362 results that now are said to be published around 6th Dec the sooner, the OU sent yesterday an email that indicates that there could even be further delays. M362 is the module I want to base my project on so I need to wait until I have the results (hopefully a Distinction) to be able to fill the form that will help me to have a teacher assigned.
I published my idea in the forum the first day and I'm trying to progress on that following the advice of the forum moderator. I'm trying to do something that would push me to learn new things because how can I report on my learning if I would do something that I would already know by heart? Anyway, all this "tell me about your idea and I will tell you how wrong you are" is putting me a bit down really because somehow I feel I cannot get it right but I'm not surrendering.
Good news are that this will be the last module for this degree and that I still can enjoy the experience if finally my idea is accepted by my teacher.
On other OU related things, I'm still waiting for my M362 results that now are said to be published around 6th Dec the sooner, the OU sent yesterday an email that indicates that there could even be further delays. M362 is the module I want to base my project on so I need to wait until I have the results (hopefully a Distinction) to be able to fill the form that will help me to have a teacher assigned.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
OU printed materials available on demand
The OU has reached an agreement in October this year to start with 10 modules to pilot the process so those ones needing the books or preferring them can still have them for a small charge.
More info here: http://news.kmi.open.ac.uk/82/245
and here: http://news.kmi.open.ac.uk/rostra/news.php?r=82&t=2&id=231
Unfortunately for me B201 does not appear in this initial list but during next year I will contact them before I register on it, hopefully I will have a printed copy available then (or at least a PDF copy).
Only 3 weeks to the official results date and currently reading about the Master during what it is my first holidays without a TMA around.
I'm finishing now with the highlighting (and my second reading) of the book "Projects in Computing and Information Systems. A Student's Guide", Christian W. Dawson.I find it very enlightening regarding the project process.
I'm trying to have all my highlighting done before the project module opens this 19th Nov. (The OU delayed the starting date from 10th Sept to 19th Nov.).
More info here: http://news.kmi.open.ac.uk/82/245
and here: http://news.kmi.open.ac.uk/rostra/news.php?r=82&t=2&id=231
Unfortunately for me B201 does not appear in this initial list but during next year I will contact them before I register on it, hopefully I will have a printed copy available then (or at least a PDF copy).
Only 3 weeks to the official results date and currently reading about the Master during what it is my first holidays without a TMA around.
I'm finishing now with the highlighting (and my second reading) of the book "Projects in Computing and Information Systems. A Student's Guide", Christian W. Dawson.I find it very enlightening regarding the project process.
I'm trying to have all my highlighting done before the project module opens this 19th Nov. (The OU delayed the starting date from 10th Sept to 19th Nov.).
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Crazy as hell
I have been thinking about giving the step forwards professionally and about preparing myself for a Project Manager or a Team Leader role.
It's not that I do not like the Senior Web Developer role I have been into since several years now, in fact I like it but this is about personal and professional development, finding new challenges and learning new interesting things.
Yesterday a colleague told me that some people can go 'stir crazy' for being doing the same thing again and again at work as that will make them feel demotivated. I feel that the best way to avoid it is to put oneself in situations that will bring new learning to your table and keep your enthusiasm alive.
I contacted The OU on 12th Oct. regarding their Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08), mainly asking if I would be considered a continuing student after finishing my degree in 2014, being so able to use my Business modules to do the foundation degree without adapting to the new structure, provided I finish my foundation degree before 2017.
After some confusion - where they thought I was asking for an extension of my transitional arrangements when that wasn't the case at all - everything is clear now and even when I was only asking to be able to decide accordingly in a future they took action and yesterday I received an email indicating they have already linked all my correspondent completed business modules now to the foundation degree (all the first level modules are done now, they even selected the free module for it without asking which would be the module I would like to use but curiously they selected the one I would have selected). It will be more than £2,500 per module as only two 60 credits modules left for me to claim it and I really need to think about it before deciding anyway.
At the same time, and in part because The OU took so much time to reply, I have been looking around for optional studies that could fit better to my professional aspirations and I have found a Masters degree that looks even better than the Foundation degree the OU offers because is IT specific.
I'm now crazy trying to see if I can fit all my studies and make them all :-), if it would be convenient for me not to go for some of them or what. I also have pending the top up degree and I'm still searching for online IT top up degrees with good modules.
What a cooking pot life is, I have all the time 1000 things going around and I'm always saying that I want my life back and have a rest but always engaging in new learning challenges. I have started to accept that this (studying all the time) is really my life and that what have happened before was really the unusual bit.
I have also enrolled in an online Maryland University course that will start on 6th Jan and will help me with my project idea's programming needs. There is also another course from Vancouver University in March that seems to top up the Maryland one so I need to think about it as well.
So many things one can do but we just have one life to do them.
Will all the trade-offs we do during life count as a coin in the other side to buy a ticket to come back and do the things that we left aside? :-)
It's not that I do not like the Senior Web Developer role I have been into since several years now, in fact I like it but this is about personal and professional development, finding new challenges and learning new interesting things.
Yesterday a colleague told me that some people can go 'stir crazy' for being doing the same thing again and again at work as that will make them feel demotivated. I feel that the best way to avoid it is to put oneself in situations that will bring new learning to your table and keep your enthusiasm alive.
I contacted The OU on 12th Oct. regarding their Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08), mainly asking if I would be considered a continuing student after finishing my degree in 2014, being so able to use my Business modules to do the foundation degree without adapting to the new structure, provided I finish my foundation degree before 2017.
After some confusion - where they thought I was asking for an extension of my transitional arrangements when that wasn't the case at all - everything is clear now and even when I was only asking to be able to decide accordingly in a future they took action and yesterday I received an email indicating they have already linked all my correspondent completed business modules now to the foundation degree (all the first level modules are done now, they even selected the free module for it without asking which would be the module I would like to use but curiously they selected the one I would have selected). It will be more than £2,500 per module as only two 60 credits modules left for me to claim it and I really need to think about it before deciding anyway.
At the same time, and in part because The OU took so much time to reply, I have been looking around for optional studies that could fit better to my professional aspirations and I have found a Masters degree that looks even better than the Foundation degree the OU offers because is IT specific.
I'm now crazy trying to see if I can fit all my studies and make them all :-), if it would be convenient for me not to go for some of them or what. I also have pending the top up degree and I'm still searching for online IT top up degrees with good modules.
What a cooking pot life is, I have all the time 1000 things going around and I'm always saying that I want my life back and have a rest but always engaging in new learning challenges. I have started to accept that this (studying all the time) is really my life and that what have happened before was really the unusual bit.
I have also enrolled in an online Maryland University course that will start on 6th Jan and will help me with my project idea's programming needs. There is also another course from Vancouver University in March that seems to top up the Maryland one so I need to think about it as well.
So many things one can do but we just have one life to do them.
Will all the trade-offs we do during life count as a coin in the other side to buy a ticket to come back and do the things that we left aside? :-)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I have broken the loop for good!!
Today I have received my M362 TMA03 result and I have achieved a 90%!!.
M362 This year: TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%, TMA03: 90%
M363 Last year was TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%, TMA03: 80%
I have broken the Déjà vu!!
Three months of hard work just for 3% more than the previous one that was done in 12 days. Explaining theory is not my best skill and I have sweated blood with this TMA, reviewing it over and over again up to the point I knew it by heart. I did 16 different versions of this TMA before I was sure enough I couldn't improve anything else.
I can now tell that once I sit my exam on 7th October I would have sat all my BSc (Hons) Computing exams with the option to have a Distinction in place. Unfortunately the materialisation of that option hasn't been easy at level 3 for me, having sat two exams seriously ill (M359 and M364) and achieving an 81% last year in my M363 exam but... let's see how it goes this time :-).
It's a big true that 88% on OCAS is not the best average I have ever had, it's not even the best average I have had at level 3 either but it's over 85% and that is the only thing that really matters.
For a Distinction I need yet to make it real at the exam hall on 7th October and that is the hard bit of all this.
August it's being a very busy month (as it is every year for me, for some reason) but I'm already studying for the exam.
M362 This year: TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%, TMA03: 90%
M363 Last year was TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%, TMA03: 80%
I have broken the Déjà vu!!
Three months of hard work just for 3% more than the previous one that was done in 12 days. Explaining theory is not my best skill and I have sweated blood with this TMA, reviewing it over and over again up to the point I knew it by heart. I did 16 different versions of this TMA before I was sure enough I couldn't improve anything else.
I can now tell that once I sit my exam on 7th October I would have sat all my BSc (Hons) Computing exams with the option to have a Distinction in place. Unfortunately the materialisation of that option hasn't been easy at level 3 for me, having sat two exams seriously ill (M359 and M364) and achieving an 81% last year in my M363 exam but... let's see how it goes this time :-).
It's a big true that 88% on OCAS is not the best average I have ever had, it's not even the best average I have had at level 3 either but it's over 85% and that is the only thing that really matters.
For a Distinction I need yet to make it real at the exam hall on 7th October and that is the hard bit of all this.
August it's being a very busy month (as it is every year for me, for some reason) but I'm already studying for the exam.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Sweet and sour bittersweet
Sour:
Yesterday the University I have been chasing during two years to top up my degree changed the degree name to exactly the same name The OU uses for its flexible degree. I was trying to escape from that name since 2010 but that name follows me.
I feel I'm jinxed on this, cannot I just have the degrees with the names I want for God sake?
I contacted them trying to see if I can claim the old degree instead of the new one. It's not possible, I have stopped my application process yesterday and I'm back to point zero in my research on finding a University that would offer this degree online (with good modules if possible).
Only one Uni found at the moment and it was the one I discarded in favour of "the mutator one" :-).
This is very sad for me, the Uni had no exams, had a very good approach to the materials, fantastic modules, it's one of the UK Universities with the highest percentage of people going into work straight away after they finish...and it's even cheaper than The OU.
Sweet:
My M263 results have been published. I got a 88% OES, with a 91% OCAS. Providing that I finish all my modules on time I have now mathematically a 2:1 degree. Just having a 40% in the two modules I have ahead that will be the minimum grade I will be having.
Now I have 10% of probability to have a First, 90% to have a 2:1.
The new unofficial table is as follows:
Yesterday the University I have been chasing during two years to top up my degree changed the degree name to exactly the same name The OU uses for its flexible degree. I was trying to escape from that name since 2010 but that name follows me.
I feel I'm jinxed on this, cannot I just have the degrees with the names I want for God sake?
I contacted them trying to see if I can claim the old degree instead of the new one. It's not possible, I have stopped my application process yesterday and I'm back to point zero in my research on finding a University that would offer this degree online (with good modules if possible).
Only one Uni found at the moment and it was the one I discarded in favour of "the mutator one" :-).
This is very sad for me, the Uni had no exams, had a very good approach to the materials, fantastic modules, it's one of the UK Universities with the highest percentage of people going into work straight away after they finish...and it's even cheaper than The OU.
Sweet:
My M263 results have been published. I got a 88% OES, with a 91% OCAS. Providing that I finish all my modules on time I have now mathematically a 2:1 degree. Just having a 40% in the two modules I have ahead that will be the minimum grade I will be having.
Now I have 10% of probability to have a First, 90% to have a 2:1.
The new unofficial table is as follows:
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Repeating myself
M363 Last year was TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%, TMA03: 80%
M362 This year: TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%
In both modules the same tutor was assigned to me as well (I'm very pleased that's the case as my tutor feedback when marking is high level quality).
Can you see the pattern? LOL.
87%, Not bad for exactly 12 days of work - for the Units and TMA all inclusive - but a bit annoyed that I always make the same mistakes (repeating myself again).
My weakest point is not the programming bit, that part is always graded as excellent, it is to explain things in assessments, it's not that I do not know them well, it's that I always assume some parts are so evident that do not really need an explanation and other times I just do not explain part of something because other thing or perspective was asked but as my tutor perfectly explained in his feedback if I mention something I should give enough reasons for backing it up.
Everytime this happens to me I see myself crashing against a wall in TM470 next year ;-).
Let's be positive and see if I break the loop for good with my TMA03 and achieve higher than the 80% I did in M363 TMA03 last year, I'm not renouncing to have an 80%, at the contrary I wish I will have at least an 80% in my TMA03 this year as that will be the minimum to keep the Distinction opportunity for the exam (as it also was last year of course, even with different percentages in the grading distribution, I ended up having the same situation this year again with exactly the same TMA percentages). Déjà Vu to the maximum expression :-).
All in all, considering that only 27 days of study were dedicated for the first two TMAs I cannot be happier with the results, I'm just a bit frustrated for not having more time to dedicate to this module I think. I'm really enjoying it.
If everything goes according to plan I would be uploading the TMA circa 3 months in advance this time. It was a month and 20 days advance for TMA02 but I would like to have those 3 months to dedicate seriously to review everything and prepare the exam very well. I do not want to make a bad TMA though, so I will upload it only when I'm happy with my work on it, even if I need to wait until the cut-off date...priorities are clear, let's hope everything goes fine and I have a good result.
Currently I'm already highlighting the Units for my TMA03, first unit already done, second unit in process. 3 days working on TMA03 for now.
Let's go!
M362 This year: TMA01:88%, TMA02:87%
In both modules the same tutor was assigned to me as well (I'm very pleased that's the case as my tutor feedback when marking is high level quality).
Can you see the pattern? LOL.
87%, Not bad for exactly 12 days of work - for the Units and TMA all inclusive - but a bit annoyed that I always make the same mistakes (repeating myself again).
My weakest point is not the programming bit, that part is always graded as excellent, it is to explain things in assessments, it's not that I do not know them well, it's that I always assume some parts are so evident that do not really need an explanation and other times I just do not explain part of something because other thing or perspective was asked but as my tutor perfectly explained in his feedback if I mention something I should give enough reasons for backing it up.
Everytime this happens to me I see myself crashing against a wall in TM470 next year ;-).
Let's be positive and see if I break the loop for good with my TMA03 and achieve higher than the 80% I did in M363 TMA03 last year, I'm not renouncing to have an 80%, at the contrary I wish I will have at least an 80% in my TMA03 this year as that will be the minimum to keep the Distinction opportunity for the exam (as it also was last year of course, even with different percentages in the grading distribution, I ended up having the same situation this year again with exactly the same TMA percentages). Déjà Vu to the maximum expression :-).
All in all, considering that only 27 days of study were dedicated for the first two TMAs I cannot be happier with the results, I'm just a bit frustrated for not having more time to dedicate to this module I think. I'm really enjoying it.
If everything goes according to plan I would be uploading the TMA circa 3 months in advance this time. It was a month and 20 days advance for TMA02 but I would like to have those 3 months to dedicate seriously to review everything and prepare the exam very well. I do not want to make a bad TMA though, so I will upload it only when I'm happy with my work on it, even if I need to wait until the cut-off date...priorities are clear, let's hope everything goes fine and I have a good result.
Currently I'm already highlighting the Units for my TMA03, first unit already done, second unit in process. 3 days working on TMA03 for now.
Let's go!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Uncertainty but with some good points and a lot of hope
The University I'm going to do the top-up of my Dip HE Comp & IT is now doing changes to their planned modules. The contents will be unveiled near September. I now do not know if they will change the module contents as well or not.
I liked the old modules and their practical approach, they were the reason for me to decide to study with them, now everything is a bit uncertain until they will publish the new structure.
For now I know they are going to increase the number of credits per module from 15 to 20 and thus will be reducing the number of modules in the top-up year from 8 to 6. I also know that they are now asking for an English qualification for foreign students.
Another good point with this degree is that from the 8 modules they had they only had 1 exam (that was equivalent to the 40% of the module grade only!). That was another reason for me to select them as even when I do not fear exams at all I was searching for a practical approach that would allow me to use the knowledge in my day-by-day work at the same time I was learning it.
Good points: I will have less modules meaning I probably will reduce a year of studies.
Hope: I just hope they accept that if I have finished an undergraduate degree already with a good grade that demonstrates I can study another undergraduate level in English and would accept my application without any academic English qualification exam to be sit. Should that's not the case I will probably search for another University that be more open minded on this point as I just do not want to have to waste 6 months - or a year - of my life going to an academy course just to pass a stupid exam I do not need at all.
I also hope the modules I liked the most still remain in the new structure.
I'm happy these changes are happening before I'm going into the degree instead of while I'm inside. I do not want to live the situation of starting a degree that is being created on the fly so I will probably wait to finish my BSc with The OU before starting it, leaving them another year to define their modules and have them all in place.
I liked the old modules and their practical approach, they were the reason for me to decide to study with them, now everything is a bit uncertain until they will publish the new structure.
For now I know they are going to increase the number of credits per module from 15 to 20 and thus will be reducing the number of modules in the top-up year from 8 to 6. I also know that they are now asking for an English qualification for foreign students.
Another good point with this degree is that from the 8 modules they had they only had 1 exam (that was equivalent to the 40% of the module grade only!). That was another reason for me to select them as even when I do not fear exams at all I was searching for a practical approach that would allow me to use the knowledge in my day-by-day work at the same time I was learning it.
Good points: I will have less modules meaning I probably will reduce a year of studies.
Hope: I just hope they accept that if I have finished an undergraduate degree already with a good grade that demonstrates I can study another undergraduate level in English and would accept my application without any academic English qualification exam to be sit. Should that's not the case I will probably search for another University that be more open minded on this point as I just do not want to have to waste 6 months - or a year - of my life going to an academy course just to pass a stupid exam I do not need at all.
I also hope the modules I liked the most still remain in the new structure.
I'm happy these changes are happening before I'm going into the degree instead of while I'm inside. I do not want to live the situation of starting a degree that is being created on the fly so I will probably wait to finish my BSc with The OU before starting it, leaving them another year to define their modules and have them all in place.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Transitional arrangements
I have registered today for TM470.
In fact, I had to do it anyway if I want to keep the transitional arrangements and next year is also the last one for me to claim my degree, so unless I die before 9th January I would have done it sooner or later.
I did it as a way of forcing myself to look forwards instead of feeling that even small situations are perceived as things that repeat themselves in a infinite loop that I would like to break for once and forever (see yesterday post).
Replanning has now (hopefully) finished for me.
From now until I complete M263, M362 and TM470 I just hope The OU doesn't make any changes in their rules that could avoid me to claim my degree in December 2014. I honestly cannot cope with more changes or replanning again.
I just want this to finish well (no issues, no surprises, no more bad news or changes) and then my brain will delete all the not-so-good things as it normally does and I will remember the fantastic academic level The OU provides, the freedom of studying online, the moment when I decided to study with The Open University, I will face what will mean for me as a person to have reached what it was probably my dream since I was 12 y.o., etc.
But overall I will remember all the people that have helped me to be the person I am and that somehow my goal is theirs as well. Those that passed away and those that are still with me, without their love and support I would have never reached the point I'm now nor have the opportunity to culminate my dream.
Just a bit more than a year and a half in front of me for all that to be a reality.
In fact, I had to do it anyway if I want to keep the transitional arrangements and next year is also the last one for me to claim my degree, so unless I die before 9th January I would have done it sooner or later.
I did it as a way of forcing myself to look forwards instead of feeling that even small situations are perceived as things that repeat themselves in a infinite loop that I would like to break for once and forever (see yesterday post).
Replanning has now (hopefully) finished for me.
From now until I complete M263, M362 and TM470 I just hope The OU doesn't make any changes in their rules that could avoid me to claim my degree in December 2014. I honestly cannot cope with more changes or replanning again.
I just want this to finish well (no issues, no surprises, no more bad news or changes) and then my brain will delete all the not-so-good things as it normally does and I will remember the fantastic academic level The OU provides, the freedom of studying online, the moment when I decided to study with The Open University, I will face what will mean for me as a person to have reached what it was probably my dream since I was 12 y.o., etc.
But overall I will remember all the people that have helped me to be the person I am and that somehow my goal is theirs as well. Those that passed away and those that are still with me, without their love and support I would have never reached the point I'm now nor have the opportunity to culminate my dream.
Just a bit more than a year and a half in front of me for all that to be a reality.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Unnecessary automatic substitution?...again?
My results in the M263 TMAs are already released (TMA01: 88%, TMA02:93%, TMA03: 90%, TMA04: 91%). Grading (OCAS) before substitution: 91%. Grading (OCAS) after substitution: 91%.
(drums) Ladies and gentlemen, once again in my life: Unnecessary substitution!
It happens to you when the grading in a module before and after substitution is applied is exactly the same but not all your TMA gradings are the same.
First of all, I think substitution is not a help at all else a way of masking mediocrity. How many times people that is not good at something have appeared as they are just because of substitution? How many of those helped by substitution would have jump in a job queue over others that have had the same grades in a different country where substitution didn't apply? How many of the "helped" ones that didn't need the substitution at all have been harmed by the unnecessary textual "gift" added? If one of your TMAs is at 50% level why should other TMAs compensate your ignorance in that part?
I hope that this time The OU has solved their issue and it doesn't appear the mention "(Substitution applied)" in my module description document.
The OU has "gifted" me with the textual mention already in other 3 modules I have completed 2 years ago, where my grading before and after that "substitution" was the same (M255: 94%, M364: 90%, M256: 88%).
In fact the only real substitution I have had in all my OU studies was in M359 that year also where a 91.25% was converted into a 92% (oh, thank you ever so much indeed for such a huge difference).
Just to start: Did I really need any kind of substitution in those cases? For a Distinction only 85% is needed ...wasn't really clear for the OU that I did not need any "help"? Second, if my grading before and after is the same what substitution has been applied? Third, what kind of help is adding a "substitution applied" text in a case like this? Fourth, why is not allowed to opt out of substitution? IMHO They are harming hardworking individuals through those mentions in their academic statement records, benefiting only the mediocre ones through the substitution practice.
The issue with the mention seems to be due to an OU rule stating that if not all your TMA grades are EXACTLY the same this textual mention will appear because the substitution system will fire (even if the system has really not added any value to you with the substitution!).
Sometimes I wonder if the person that dictates this kind of rules really thought about all the possible scenarios and decided that in a case like this the system would include the textual mention anyway or if it's a bug.
Just a helpful code in case it's a bug:
if (valueBeforeSubstitution != valueAfterSubstitution) then {
//print the "helpful" mention only in this case.
//No worries, the other cases do not need your "help", believe me
}
Coding that was easy, isn't it...well, not if we look at how The OU answered my email two years ago when I contacted them regarding this case. They replied me inviting me to use a form that is in place to claim should you're not happy with your grading.
...and that wasn't exactly the case, was it?
(drums) Ladies and gentlemen, once again in my life: Unnecessary substitution!
It happens to you when the grading in a module before and after substitution is applied is exactly the same but not all your TMA gradings are the same.
First of all, I think substitution is not a help at all else a way of masking mediocrity. How many times people that is not good at something have appeared as they are just because of substitution? How many of those helped by substitution would have jump in a job queue over others that have had the same grades in a different country where substitution didn't apply? How many of the "helped" ones that didn't need the substitution at all have been harmed by the unnecessary textual "gift" added? If one of your TMAs is at 50% level why should other TMAs compensate your ignorance in that part?
I hope that this time The OU has solved their issue and it doesn't appear the mention "(Substitution applied)" in my module description document.
The OU has "gifted" me with the textual mention already in other 3 modules I have completed 2 years ago, where my grading before and after that "substitution" was the same (M255: 94%, M364: 90%, M256: 88%).
In fact the only real substitution I have had in all my OU studies was in M359 that year also where a 91.25% was converted into a 92% (oh, thank you ever so much indeed for such a huge difference).
Just to start: Did I really need any kind of substitution in those cases? For a Distinction only 85% is needed ...wasn't really clear for the OU that I did not need any "help"? Second, if my grading before and after is the same what substitution has been applied? Third, what kind of help is adding a "substitution applied" text in a case like this? Fourth, why is not allowed to opt out of substitution? IMHO They are harming hardworking individuals through those mentions in their academic statement records, benefiting only the mediocre ones through the substitution practice.
The issue with the mention seems to be due to an OU rule stating that if not all your TMA grades are EXACTLY the same this textual mention will appear because the substitution system will fire (even if the system has really not added any value to you with the substitution!).
Sometimes I wonder if the person that dictates this kind of rules really thought about all the possible scenarios and decided that in a case like this the system would include the textual mention anyway or if it's a bug.
Just a helpful code in case it's a bug:
if (valueBeforeSubstitution != valueAfterSubstitution) then {
//print the "helpful" mention only in this case.
//No worries, the other cases do not need your "help", believe me
}
Coding that was easy, isn't it...well, not if we look at how The OU answered my email two years ago when I contacted them regarding this case. They replied me inviting me to use a form that is in place to claim should you're not happy with your grading.
...and that wasn't exactly the case, was it?
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