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I think it very much depends on your course. I did some maths courses with them a few years ago. They sent a pack of materials, assignment books etc at the beginning and half way through the course and I was assigned a tutor. The tutor groups met every couple of weeks (I didn't attend) and you worked by yourself in the meantime. The assignments had deadlines, you sent them by post (no doubt a lot of courses are online now though) by the deadline and then got them back when they had been marked. There was an exam at the end of the course and if I remember correctly some revision tutorial things beforehand.
The best courses I did had residential elements where we went to Nottingham university for a week but I think these have been made seperate now (and the price has gone up a lot!).
Tutors tended to be available for questions etc (as long as you don't take the p*ss)and there are online forums.
It cost about £340 and lasts nine months. Will earn me 30 points; I need 360 for the degree.
I got an A4-ish sized pack about 10cm thick sent to me with prep books in. Then another similar size about a month later with the first four units in. It contains all the workbooks, text books, DVDs and CDs I need. I had to buy a calculator which cost about another £60 and I have to buy my own paper/stationery but everything else I need is provided.
I have computer-marked assignments (CMAs) and tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). CMAs can be submitted online or sent through the post direct to OU. TMAs sent by post to tutor or handedi n at tutorials.
Tutorials for my course are once a month for 2 hours. No residential summer school.
I thought I had seen a thread that you had already registered, using Tesco vouchers? What happened?
We don't have to attend tutorials but I'm quite happy to do so. Out of 15 or 16 registered with our tutor to do the course, only 6 of us turned up for the first tutorial. Tutor said that was a good turnout and probably the best she will see for this course!
do they run tutorials in different cities or do you have to get to Milton Keynes? See, I could do a day time thing down the road but can't leave the city.
am considering doing a masters with the OU. Just haven't got any money though. Its a pity you can't get student loans for part time or distance courses. Bit unfair on SAHM's and Carers.
I've only ever attended one tutorial and the tutor put me off the course so I switched! I haven't been to any of the others and the tutors normally email the tutorial materials anyway. Plus tutors are available by phone and email.
Which course are you doing Katy? All the info should be in the first parcel you received... the course books, the assignment booklet, the study guide, tutor details etc.
My courses have come with an A3 (hope that's the double of A4) size calendar with what parts should be studied in what week and when TMA's are due. Plan out your work based on that.
TMA = Tutor Marked Assessment/Assignment (can't remember which!) and are usually monthly. They are based on what you've studied in that month.
ECA = End of course assessment, some courses have these instead of formal exams.
Never come across TGF myself, but I'm in the arts area.
It can be very daunting at first and I pretty much muddled through my first course very cluelessly. Tutors are usually very nice and helpful though so don't be afraid to ask.
Katymac, do you have an option of going to a tutorial? If so, it would be helpful if you feel you are drowning.
Our tutor pointed out that there is no need at all to read all the material sent through but to read as necessary.
I have a book of assignments and I can do them whenever I like as long as they arrive to be marked before the deadline, even months before. Each assignment says at the top which books/media it is based on so you could start with the assignment and work 'backwards', referring to the books.
But really, you need to put aside a good couple of hours to read the introductory information rather than asking here as you've just received/we've typed a lot of information you didn't need (even if it has been helpful to others)!
I have been reading my pack - but it is predominantly study skills
Looking through I have a letter promising delivery of further books 'as soon as possible' - So maybe they have the info I need in
The assessment book has some info in it
TBH I am on my sixth book (I have been reading for a few days - I started on Sunday) & I haven't sorted it out yet - knowing my luck it will be the 7th book
Finally found it Sue - I kept following a link to a deadpage
The last book I read was the one with the questions in duh.....
So I have dived straight in
Mind you the forum looks very odd & I haven't quite worked out how to post on it - from the threads (which don't seem to be called threads) a lot of people have done other courses before this one (as this one 'looks' complicated <gulp>)
Have you got firstclass on your computer? It's the CD software that they will have sent you.
With the forums it's done in a very different format to MN but simply click reply and respond to what people have said and click new message to say/ask what you want. These can be very useful and you'll find that there are others who are as stuck as you at the moment, but it won't last long. You'll suddenly get the hang of it all.
It helps you to access the forums in a better format. That way you can "chat" with others who are doing your course. Sometimes the tutors set up online tutor groups and of course there is the cafe where you can just chat with fellow students including those who have done your course before. I find it incredibly helpful and its easy to install.
duh.....
Not v intuitive. It's not likely to lure me away from mumsnet! 
