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.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
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?
Alea iacta est
The dice are cast.
My M362 TMA02 has been already marked two days ago but I will need to wait exactly a month (26th June) to know my resultant grade on that. In this case every TMA will decide if I can continue to dream with a Distinction at level 3 or not and therefore if I can keep dreaming on a First degree or not. So the dice will need to be cast again just if this time I was a winner.
In a certain way it would be a relief if the distinction option disappears for M362 as it would mean I just need to focus on having a 2:1 degree and that is almost already done. In fact, if I achieve a distinction in M263 this June - I have now that option as yesterday my results were published and I achieved a 91% in the TMA04 - I mathematically will have a 2:1 degree just passing M362 and TM470 (just a Grade 4 is needed in such a case). On the other hand it would be a great disappointment to have done so many efforts and renounce to so many things and finally end up with something I could have reached doing half the effort. "Pathetic" would be a great term to define that situation.
My M362 TMA02 has been already marked two days ago but I will need to wait exactly a month (26th June) to know my resultant grade on that. In this case every TMA will decide if I can continue to dream with a Distinction at level 3 or not and therefore if I can keep dreaming on a First degree or not. So the dice will need to be cast again just if this time I was a winner.
In a certain way it would be a relief if the distinction option disappears for M362 as it would mean I just need to focus on having a 2:1 degree and that is almost already done. In fact, if I achieve a distinction in M263 this June - I have now that option as yesterday my results were published and I achieved a 91% in the TMA04 - I mathematically will have a 2:1 degree just passing M362 and TM470 (just a Grade 4 is needed in such a case). On the other hand it would be a great disappointment to have done so many efforts and renounce to so many things and finally end up with something I could have reached doing half the effort. "Pathetic" would be a great term to define that situation.
Friday, May 3, 2013
TMAing during holidays
I'm almost finishing M362 TMA02, only some theory question counting for 10% of the TMA remains and I'm now again on track with my study plans... this is a good point.
To do this I have been working very hard to end M263 TMA04 exactly the day before (21st April) I took my holidays to come to Gran Canaria to visit my family.
I'm here since 22nd April, coming back tomorrow and during my stay here what have I done?
Did I go to the lovely beaches? Did I visit 100 friends and partied all day?
Nop, I highligthed the first Unit of this TMA in the airplane while coming and have been working very hard on my M362 TMA02 since then, so I can now study for my M263 exam in my return, 39 days free of interruptions to dedicate to M263 exam preparation!!.
Wow!! It does sound fantastic, doesn't it? I hope you can feel the irony in my writen words. Welcome to my OU life :-)
Even better, I have just enough time now to end the remaining bits before fliying tomorrow, I will arrive at UK at 4:05am on Sunday morning and start studying for the exam from 5th or 6th May onwards. Coming back to work on 7th.
For sure you just hate me for how fortunate I am (and feel right now) after such great lovely holidays in a paradise that one can see through the window of the "office".
I know all of you are green of envy reading this, LOL!
At least I have enjoyed time with my family while they were around and just one TMA remains for this year. These are also good points.
"Let's see the bottle half filled" and carry on... or I will cut my veins :-).
To do this I have been working very hard to end M263 TMA04 exactly the day before (21st April) I took my holidays to come to Gran Canaria to visit my family.
I'm here since 22nd April, coming back tomorrow and during my stay here what have I done?
Did I go to the lovely beaches? Did I visit 100 friends and partied all day?
Nop, I highligthed the first Unit of this TMA in the airplane while coming and have been working very hard on my M362 TMA02 since then, so I can now study for my M263 exam in my return, 39 days free of interruptions to dedicate to M263 exam preparation!!.
Wow!! It does sound fantastic, doesn't it? I hope you can feel the irony in my writen words. Welcome to my OU life :-)
Even better, I have just enough time now to end the remaining bits before fliying tomorrow, I will arrive at UK at 4:05am on Sunday morning and start studying for the exam from 5th or 6th May onwards. Coming back to work on 7th.
For sure you just hate me for how fortunate I am (and feel right now) after such great lovely holidays in a paradise that one can see through the window of the "office".
I know all of you are green of envy reading this, LOL!
At least I have enjoyed time with my family while they were around and just one TMA remains for this year. These are also good points.
"Let's see the bottle half filled" and carry on... or I will cut my veins :-).
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Déjà Vu
My result for M362 TMA01 was published today and I had an 88%. This is the same grade I had in the M263 TMA01 and also in the first TMA of M363 last year.
A real Déjà Vu!
Not the paradise but good to know I still keep over the 85%. I cannot say I'm jumping for joy with a mark like this but considering how busy I am at the moment with my job responsibilities, that I only dedicated 15 days to it and all that I will consider it a good one.
I just hope my marks in M362 this year are a bit better than the ones I had in M363 last year were I ended up achieving just a 85% in OCAS (88 | 87 | 80) and a 81% in the OES.
Let's see if I have the elusive Distinction at level 3 this time. :-)
A real Déjà Vu!
Not the paradise but good to know I still keep over the 85%. I cannot say I'm jumping for joy with a mark like this but considering how busy I am at the moment with my job responsibilities, that I only dedicated 15 days to it and all that I will consider it a good one.
I just hope my marks in M362 this year are a bit better than the ones I had in M363 last year were I ended up achieving just a 85% in OCAS (88 | 87 | 80) and a 81% in the OES.
Let's see if I have the elusive Distinction at level 3 this time. :-)
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Question marks
I have just received my M263 TMA03 results two days ago and I had a 90%, this means that I only need now a 53% in TMA04 to keep the Distinction option for the exam. I have never had such a low mark in any TMA during the 4 years I have been studying with The OU so I assume it's very doable to sit the exam with the Distinction option in place.
A completely different thing will be to have more than 85% in the exam in June. If that would happen my classification table would be reduced to its first column and I officially would be in route towards what is called in UK a good degree (a First or a 2:1 Honours degree classification).
Today I'm already highlighting Unit 15 (out of 16) of M263, the last one I will need for TMA04 (due on 16 May) as Unit 16 is assessed at the exam only. So, I calculate I will be uploading the last TMA soon with more or less one month in advance. That will allow me to concentrate on preparing the exam and doing the TMA02 for M362.
Now that I mention M362, I uploaded M362 TMA01 on 1st April (15 days in advance), my tutor marked it straightaway (2nd April) and it's now waiting to be released (probably on 17th April).
So, some question marks are still to be unveiled in the next months but for now is good to dream a bit about it. That is to say, the other columns of my classification table are still there but small-dreaming like this provides motivation :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)