Open University study – April update

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I can’t believe it’s April already. I’ve kept delaying writing this post, but I really need to get some thoughts down here. I’m thoroughly enjoying ‘T211 – Design and designing’. It probably ranks with ‘U116 – Environment – journeys through a changing world’ as my favourite so far.

Marks for TMA01 came back last week. It’s nice to get off to a really solid start. I’ve pressed on and already completed TMA02. It isn’t due until the 20th April, but I’d like to get about a month ahead to relieve the pressure through the summer months. There is no way I could have achieved this last year on T206. I would never say anything is easy, but it is certainly easier to make progress when you enjoy what you are doing.

I had a pleasant surprise a couple of weeks ago when I learned that the OU existing module, ‘T307 – Innovation for a sustainable future’, has been extended for a year. There are two modules that I want to study to complete my degree. T307 and ‘U316 – The environmental web’. Both were due to finish at the end of next year. Although there should be replacements in the future, with all the changes taking place at the Open University I couldn’t be sure that they would be in the same format. I suspect a lot of modules will have more content online. As much as I like the web, I really like reading books. I don’t know what the changes to modules will be, but I’d like to play safe and stick with the current ones. Now I can. I have already registered for U316 next year and will be able take T307 in 2014.

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T211 – design and designing – an introduction

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The first block of design and designing has thankfully been a gentle introduction to product design. I’ve found that the process of learning to draw again very therapeutic and enjoyable. And making models out of cardboard takes me back a few years. I don’t hold any fears about the practical side of this course. I have quickly been able to get acceptable results with the drawing and model making. The challenge this year will be the theory. Each new subject has its own vocabulary for me to learn. In previous years I have been OK with learning new theories, technical terms and even last years maths equations. But the jargon of product design looks like it could take surprisingly more effort to absorb.

At least I’ve been a bit more organized this year with notes and have already started preparing revision cards. My first assignment has been submitted, and so I should find out soon how I am progressing so far. I’m looking forward to the next assignment, which includes the preparation of a design brief. As usual the OU materials, although now looking a a bit dated, are very good yet again.

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T211 – design and designing – a new year and a new challenge

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My ‘T211 – design and designing’ module materials arrived a few days ago from the OU. Why oh why didn’t I do this years ago? First impressions yet again are that everything is well planned. The books are well written with guides to tell you what to do and when. Each year has been a little different, building on the last. After tackling science and maths in 2011 and essay writing before, it will be enjoyable to do something more creative for a change. Each change takes some adjustment, needing different ways of thinking and each module requires a slightly different approach. At a time of life when work alone can’t provide the stimulus to challenge the mind, the Open University has been there to fill the void.

 

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