The Open University (OU) is the United Kingdom's only university dedicated to distance learning.
About the OU:
The Open University provides high-quality university education to all.The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).
The Open University was the world's first successful distance teaching university.
Born in the 1960s, the 'White Heat of Technology' era, the Open University was founded on the belief that communications technology could bring high quality degree-level learning to people who had not had the opportunity to attend campus universities.
OU Mission :
The Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas.It promotes educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality university education to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.Through academic research, pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnership it seeks to be a world leader in the design, content and delivery of supported open and distance learning.
How studying works at the OU:
The Open University's style of teaching is called 'supported open learning', also known as 'distance learning'. Open learning means that you will be learning in your own time by reading course material, working on course activities, writing assignments and perhaps working with other students.Supported means support from a tutor and the student services staff at Regional Centres, as well as from centralised areas.Some courses include a residential or day school. These are held at various times and locations.
The Course Materials:
We use a variety of media to help you learn. Your course may use any of the following different media that you will use from home (or wherever you choose to study): - printed course materials,
- set books,
- audio cassettes,
- video cassettes,
- TV programmes,
- cd-rom/software,
- web site,
- home experiment kit.
All the printed materials, and most others, are yours to keep - use them in the way that suits you best. You'll get the most benefit if you study actively, so it is good practice to treat printed course materials as workbooks: write notes on them, highlight sections, underline key points, make notes on the pages, add comments, stick bits in.
The course activities:
As well as using the course materials, courses may include:
- a number of assignments (TMAs),
- an examination.
Assignments:
"TMA" is short for "tutor-marked assignment". Each one covers material from your course and completing them helps you to consolidate and use what you have learned.
Some courses include other types of written assessment such as computer-marked assignments, project work or dissertations.
Examination
If you find the thought of an examination a bit daunting, then please don't let it put you off. Only a very few people actually enjoy examinations but most students find that the process of revising for the examination helps to 'pull together' the material they have learned during the course. There is also a great sense of achievement when you receive your final marks and (in most cases) realize that you have successfully passed a demanding academic course.
Tutorials and day schools:
- tutorials, often held at your local Regional Centre,
- residential or day school, held at a variety of locations.
Tutorials are a good idea as they give you a chance to meet your tutor and some fellow students, but they aren't usually compulsory. Residential or day schools may be a required component to pass the course.
The course schedule:Each course operates to a timetable, which you receive in the "course calendar" or "course plan". This includes:
- the planned activities for each week of the course,
- the "cut-off dates" for your assignments (that's the deadline for getting your assignment to your tutor),
If your course has an exam you will be informed of the date in good time.
What if you're away or miss part of the course?
Most courses last for 6 or 9 months, so you will usually find that you are away, on holiday, or busy with other things for some part of the course. You'll do better if you try to get ahead so that you do some planned activities early, before you go away, rather than trying to catch up when you return. If you fall behind, contact your tutor who will help you decide how best to get back on track.
What if you can't meet the cut-off date for an assignment?
The first thing you should do is contact your tutor before the cut-off date. Your tutor will help you to plan your work and explain what to do.
What if you can't do the examination?
If you are worried about examinations then you should contact your tutor. If you can't get to the examination then you should contact your
Your tutor will support your progress throughout the course. You will receive details of your tutor around the course start date.
Your tutor will be an expert in the subject and appreciates what it is like to study at a distance. Many tutors are, or have been, OU students. Most work part-time for the OU and have other full- or part-time work, often in the subject field. Your tutor will support a small group of students on your course.
You need to be active in asking for help from your tutor - they won't necessarily know just when you need it. Your tutor will support you by:
- Correspondence tuition. Your tutor will mark your course assignments and give you written feedback. Think of this as a way of using your tutor's expertise to further your knowledge and develop your learning skills.
- Tutorial support. For many courses, your tutor will arrange tutorial support for a small group of students. This support may be face to face, online or by phone, depending on the course and the circumstances of the group.
- Individual assistance by phone, in writing or by e-mail. Your tutor will explain when and how to make contact so do get in touch when you need help.
You and other students:
The extent to which you keep in touch with other students is entirely up to you. Some students opt to have very little contact with others. Others make full use of the range of activities available, which may include:
- Attending tutorial support sessions organised by your tutor.
- Organising a self-help study group (online or face to face).
- Joining one of the online conferences through FirstClass (the OU's conferencing facility), either for your course or for special interest groups.
- Contacting your local Open University Students Association (OUSA).
- Attending any general OU events near you.
Regional centres
We have 13 Regional Centres across the UK. The student services team based there can help you with:
- your course choice,
- career planning,
- fee payment, financial awards, student loans or local authority grants,
- reserving a place on a course,
- your study progress, for example how to catch up if you fall behind,
- revision and examinations queries,
- any questions you may have about residential school,
- obtaining special study equipment or arrangements if you have a disability.
Central services
We also have some services organised from Milton Keynes that are available for all students:
For more information about OU you can visit..... www.open.ac.uk
On Tuesday 16 June Manipal University (MU) has given Three Crores Worth Scholarship to its 15 Students and thats because of their Meritorious Performance in Manipla University (MU) National Online Entrance Exam, They Won Scholarships Worth Rs 20 lac each.(Well done boys & gurls)
