sesame

The Open University Reaching the OU community worldwide Autumn 2007 Issue 235

Student ambassadors + Win OU course gift vouchers 0CA7<3AA=>>=@BC<7BG comment CONTENTS

News round-up Pages 4 - 7

Letters Pages 8 - 9

8]W\O Every ‘second’ counts Pages 10 - 11 The OU’s activities on Second Life sesame investigates Pages 12 - 13 Perseverance In this issue, we focus on travel discounts for U`]eW\U OU students Degrees of deceit Page 14 pays off We look at fake degrees being sold online

My Orphean underworld Pages 16 - 17 Actress Sophie Ward writes for sesame

W\Rcab`g Exam spotlight Pages 18 - 20 Frequently asked questions and tips

Give something back Pages 22 - 23 7aWbbW[Sb]`SbVW\Yg]c`Tcbc`S- The OU’s student ambassador scheme

When the mind is willing Pages 24 - 25 2]g]ceO\bb]VOdSO`SeO`RW\U How the OU helps retired sportspeople QO`SS`OaeSZZOabVS^]bS\bWOZb] Don’t miss out Page 27 SO`\O\SfQSZZS\bW\Q][S- An overview of financial support Courses Pages 28 - 29 The latest OU course developments /`Sg]cZ]]YW\UT]`O\SeO\R Careers Page 30 - 32 SfQWbW\UQVOZZS\USbVObUWdSa Law and crime focus plus news and company profile

g]cOPSbbS`_cOZWbg]TZWTS- Win! Page 35 We have £1,000 worth of OU course vouchers to HE internet has opened up many positive possibilities for give away BVS\Z]]Y\]Tc`bVS` students. But there is also a negative side too. In this With this issue – OU Student Page 37 Tissue of sesame, we look at the good – the OU’s projects The latest from the Open University Students Association on virtual reality world Second Life – and the bad in the form of fake degree certificates being sold on the net. 0SQ][SO:WUVbS`:WTS1]c\aSZZ]` The internet also provides fantastic social networking opportunities for students, allowing you to discuss and study :WUVbS`:WTS]^S`ObSaOeSWUVbZ]aa^`]U`O[[Sa^SQWTWQOZZgRSaWU\SRT]`^S]^ZS together in online environments such as Facebook and MySpace. Have you joined The Open University network on eWbVbV`SSab]\S]`[]`Sb]Z]aS2WRg]cY\]ebVObbVS`SO`SSabW[ObSRb]PS Facebook yet? And what do you think about a sesame community ![WZZW]\]PSaS^S]^ZSW\bVSC9Pg  SOQVeWbVbVSW`]e\`SOa]\T]`PSW\U on Facebook? Email your thoughts to [email protected] ]dS`eSWUVbG]cQ]cZRVSZ^bVS[c\RS`abO\ReVgO\ROQVWSdSOVSOZbVWS`eSWUVb As you all know, one of the most important qualities needed to finish an OU course is perseverance. In this issue of sesame, we Editor: Tracy Buchanan email: [email protected] look at how perseverance has paid dividends for many of you – ESO`SSf^O\RW\U]c`C9\Sbe]`Y]T1]c\aSZZ]`aO\RO`SZ]]YW\UT]`[]bWdObSR Creative Director: Maxine France email: [email protected] from TV actress Sophie Ward who completed her degree while treading the boards, to two inspirational sportsmen who juggled aSZTabO`bS`ab]`c\bVSW`]e\PcaW\Saac\RS`bVSaSQc`Wbg]T]c`\ObW]\OZP`O\R Head of Publications: Debbie Dixon email: [email protected] their OU studies with their careers in football and rugby. ES]TTS`Q][^`SVS\aWdSOQQ`SRWbSRb`OW\W\UeWbVO\&RSdSZ]^[S\bZ]O\ Published by: The Open University. We also offer advice on how to persevere with the job at hand, OdOWZOPZSPcaW\Saaac^^]`bO\RbVS]^^]`bc\Wbgb]SO`\O\W\Q][S]T"Y The editorial content of this magazine was correct at the time of going to even during the most stressful of times – the dreaded exam period! eVS\SabOPZWaVSR press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the Finally, we report back on how sesame’s own perseverance prior permission of the publishers. may result in an important change of rules that could lead to Views expressed in articles are those of the contributors and not more rail discounts for students. This is thanks to our necessarily of or The Open University. Publication of an sesame investigative feature which looks at how British transport advertisement or loose insert in sesame does not imply Open University 7Tg]cVOdSO`SOZRSaW`Sb]]^S`ObSg]c`]e\PcaW\SaaO\Rb] recognition or approval of the goods or services advertised. companies are letting students down, especially OU students, when it comes to concessions. VSZ^^S]^ZSQVO\USbVSW`ZWdSabVS\QOZZ/[g]`9ObWS The Open University General Enquiries: +44 (0)1908 274066 ]\ %'$!$'&&T]`[]`SW\T]`[ObW]\]`S[OWZ( So, perseverance really does work wonders – for those of you sesame: The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA studying for exams right now or getting ready to hand a TMA in, \Se5ZWUVbS`ZWTSQ][ email: [email protected] website: www.open.ac.uk/sesame don’t give up, it’s worth it in the end! Printed by: Pindar Plc. Tracy Buchanan, Editor eeeZWUVbS`ZWTSQ][ Advertising: Square7 Media PS. No, sesame hasn’t got a new editor – I recently got married, Square7 Media, Tulip House, 70 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XF so have a new name! email: [email protected] telephone: +44 (0)20 7864 9995 2 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 3 news More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame news IN BRIEF

Interdependence Day INTERDEPENDENCE Day is taking OUSA gets top place on 20 October. The event is a OU in Scotland opens up collaboration between The Open University and the New Economics Foundation and will explore the idea deal for students of ‘interdependence’ – the ways in learning opportunities which we are connected both to other people and the ecological systems on HE OU Students Association (OUSA) ensures that Open University students has brokered a brand new NUS card are entitled to even more added-value which we all depend. For more HE Open University in Scotland has priority areas of maths, computing, science for those in the very lowest income bands, deal. benefits. information visit www.open.net/ T taken strides in recent months to and technology, giving people up to £300 research confirms that finance is a The new agreement means that all OU Lisa Carson, the newly appointed interdependenceday/index.html Tmake higher education even more towards the cost of studying part-time with significant barrier for people at all income students can get access to the NUS Extra president of OUSA, said of the deal: “I think accessible for all in Scotland. the OU, including help with course fees in all levels. card, which gives even more discounts than this is a great deal for OU students – two Albert McPhee A groundbreaking new project, managed OU subject areas. “That’s why the OU is making this ever before. cards for the price of one and access to a ALBERT McPhee, who served OUSA by the OU in Scotland in collaboration with The Open University’s Scottish director, additional support available from our own great range of discounts. The inclusion of and the Association of OU Graduates Scotland's four Wider Access Regional Peter Syme said: “The Open University’s resources, with extra help for maths, Excellent savings the International Student Identity Card over many years, has died. Albert, Forums, is helping thousands of new and research shows clearly there is no shortage computing, science and technology courses For just £10 a year, students who have the means this is a benefit for all our students.” who had successful careers in the prospective migrants access higher of motivated people in Scotland keen to which are of particular economic new card are entitled to discounts at a For further information go to Royal Navy and in the electricity education and improve their career improve their skills and their prospects by importance.There has never been a better range of high street names and online www.open.ac.uk/ousa industry, studied with the OU from prospects in Scotland. getting back to learning. Yet many of them time to study part-time and we hope that as shops, from Amazon to Matalan. The 1977 to 2004 in arts and science. He And a landmark partnership agreement are prevented from achieving their many people as possible will take card also incorporates the was a keen member of the OU History by the Scottish Trades Union Congress potential by the cost involved. While the advantage of it.” International Student Identity Card Society in Scotland and became its (STUC) and the OU in Scotland could open government’s fee waiver and Individual For further information go to (ISIC) which is particularly appealing president. Ian Wood, associate up learning opportunities for approximately Learning Account schemes are a real help www.open.ac.uk/scotland for students because it offers lecturer in the OU in Scotland, led the 630,000 trade unionists in Scotland. excellent savings on international The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the OU and STUC took place at the Rolls-Royce plant in tributes at Albert McPhee’s funeral at For migrants, the Diverse Routes into Inchinnan. Representatives from the OU, STUC and Rolls-Royce staff are pictured here flights, and overseas tourist Seafield Crematorium, Edinburgh: Higher Education Project draws together a attractions and excursions. “Albert was a man of great good comprehensive array of information on Previously, OU students could humour and an accomplished issues such as access to financial support, apply for a basic NUS-OUSA raconteur, especially about his days courses to improve English language skills, Associate Card which offered in the navy. His generous and and recognition for previous study in other limited discounts. This new deal gregarious spirit will be greatly countries. missed by all who knew him.” Significant Former mayor commended The agreement between STUC and the OU in Scotland will allow both institutions to FORMER King’s Lynn mayor Frank New tools for OpenLearn widen access to higher education while Cork received a prize for being the developing skills in the workplace. A key oldest OU graduate in the country at a NEW developments at OpenLearn, the website launched last year with the intention of element of the agreement will be to offer a graduation ceremony at Ely Cathedral making educational resources freely available to everyone, mean that its users will soon be 10 per cent discount on a wide range of in Cambridgeshire in June. Mr Cork, able to link up in a number of ways across the globe. courses to union members who are new to who graduated with a social science Three tools have been developed in the LearningSpace by the OU’s Knowledge Media studying with the OU. degree at the age of 89, studied Institute. The new tools will allow users to stage video conference events, locate A new financial support initiative from the for his degree despite experiencing and communicate with fellow learners worldwide and create their own multimedia OU in Scotland is also set to give a memory problems as a result of a workspaces. significant boost to skills development in the stroke. MSG, a form of enhanced instant messaging service, allows learners to identify when others studying the same material are online so that they can use text chat to VC chairs ACU communicate with each other. They can also identify the geographical location of other THE OU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor learners through Google Map technology. Brenda Gourley, is the new chair of Compendium allows users to create a knowledge map to map concepts, debates and New advertising campaign the Council of the Association of meetings simply by dragging and dropping web resources. Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Flashmeeting makes online videoconferencing possible via a THE Open University launched a nationwide television advertising of the population who basically don’t understand what the OU does. The ACU was founded in 1913 and web-browser. Have campaign to increase awareness and explain the benefits of We are developing campaigns focusing on key selling points that is the world’s oldest inter- These new communications tools complement the recent you used studying at the OU in August. The new campaign – called ‘Open explain how the OU can help achieve their goals. university network with approximately site additions of myLearningSpace and myLabSpace, a way of OpenLearn? If so, Doors’ – was rolled out on terrestrial TV channels in Scotland and “The advertising is not generic, but specific to different segments 500 universities across the personalising the OpenLearn experience for learners and what do you think? How digital TV nationally, with print and online support. of the population – people who are at work are different from Commonwealth as members. Go to educators. They provide users with a list of courses they’re does it help? Email The new TV adverts featured doors opening into inspirational people who are at home; people who work in healthcare are www.acu.ac.uk for more information. enrolled on, along with information about recent changes [email protected] images relating to the OU – from tutorials taking place to students different from people who work in education.” within those courses. with your working from their home desktops. The OU’s director, Marketing & Have you seen these ads? What do you think? Email The website can be found at: www.open.ac.uk/openlearn views. Sales, David Andrew said: “There is a greater focus on the section [email protected]

4 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 5 news More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame news IN BRIEF

Part-time insights NEW research carried out by The Open University and Birkbeck, Feedback time! Kaplinsky University of London, has revealed new insights into how part-time study changes the lives of mature students. HE OU is very keen to receive feedback from all its students on Open University The preliminary report can be found courses and programmes of study to help improve the courses, services and support offered. calls for at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/benefits and T there will be a three-year follow-up You can do this via the end of courses surveys, which are managed by The Open study to see whether these benefits University’s Centre for Institutional Research (located in the Institute of Educational increase, decrease or change. Technology). Currently, samples of students from a selection of courses are invited to participate in end of courses surveys. There are standard, work-based learning and radical residential course versions of the survey available. Receive multiple copies of sesame? Until recently, the end of courses surveys have been postal but there is an increasing THE team is re-looking at sesame move to online surveys. The facility for students to respond by post will still be retained but its distribution to ensure people do online surveys do allow the University to increase the sample size without increasing not receive multiple copies, ensuring rethink costs. a more environmentally-friendly approach. This means that only one Pilot project HE OU’s Professor of International Development, Raphael copy of will be sent to each sesame In October 2007, a pilot project will take place – in addition to the normal process of Kaplinsky, gave a rousing inaugural lecture in July. In the household. If you receive two copies inviting a sample of students on selected courses to provide feedback, the questionnaire Tlecture, professor Kaplinsky stated that China and India’s of to two different addresses sesame will be made available online so that any student can provide feedback. The University is manufacturing boom may force the need for a radical rethink of (eg. this might be because you’re keen to move to a position where all students will automatically be surveyed on all development strategy in Africa and other parts of the world where both a student and an associate courses and this pilot project will inform this strategy. The end of courses surveys will go poverty levels are rising. lecturer), then please email live on 20 October 2007 after the autumn examination period has closed. All students are He highlighted that with 20 per cent of the world’s population, [email protected] with your PI being encouraged to visit http://elsa.open.ac.uk/courses.survey from this date to complete China is now the world’s number. But do not email if sesame the survey online. second largest economy and “We don’t need an you receive two copies to one In addition, feedback on your experiences with your tutor is also invited from students at largest emitter of greenhouse open global economy household as this is being dealt with. different times through the DALS (Developing Associate Lecturers through Student gases, yet China only started for Africa” Professor Raphael Kaplinsky alongside his wife Catherine (centre) and his daughter, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky (right) Feedback) surveys for selected groups of tutors and students. Collectively, your feedback exporting to the rest of the world Virgin Balloon flight winner gives the University a good idea of the student experience which in turn allows the OU to just over 20 years ago. India has also grown very rapidly and is on world, and the poorer producers of the world,” said Professor CLAIRE Harris of London won the build and support the development of its curriculum and tutors. Course teams, faculties target to have the world’s largest population by 2030. Kaplinsky, who has researched and advised governments, firms Virgin Balloon Flight competition that and student services receive the full results in order to consider and respond to any issues “We don’t need an open global economy for Africa. To succeed and trade unions in more than 30 countries. ran in the last issue of sesame. that are raised. we need a very, very skewed global economy which, at the external For further information on Professor Kaplinsky and the Student feedback forms part of the University’s quality assurance systems and level, doesn’t treat all developing countries the same, and gives Development Policy and Practice Department visit: OU receives Race Equality Award is also used to inform wider policy debates such as the Student Support Review. very, very significant privileges to Africa and the poorer parts of the http://dpp.open.ac.uk THE OU has been awarded a Race Your feedback can also support other students in their course choice. More information Equality Award for its race equality at www.open.ac.uk/student-surveys A summary of key results for each course and race relations work. Professor surveyed has recently been published on the courses and qualifications website Brenda Gourley, the Vice-Chancellor, www.open.ac.uk/courses was presented with the award by If you would like to provide any feedback about OU surveys in general please email Try out teaching Milton Keynes Racial Equality Council [email protected] Director, Navrita Atwal. IF you’re interested in exploring teaching PGCE course providers. They also receive technology, ICT, religious education, music, as a career, the Open University a bursary of £600 on completion of the modern foreign languages (German, French Autism conference Student Associates Scheme could offer scheme. and Spanish) or geography. THE world’s leading experts on Nature of Britain explored you the unique opportunity to explore Adrienne Gristwood took part in the Applications are being accepted now and autism gathered at the OU recently secondary school teaching in England as a scheme and said: “It was a fantastic and students can undertake their placements at ALAN Titchmarsh will be exploring programme said: “The Open University is for a major conference on the career. really enjoyable experience which I feel any time in the school year (with the the unique ecology of different landscapes committed to encouraging a can-do attitude condition. Doctors and psychologists Funded by the Training and Development privileged to have been given. It has agreement of their host school). It is and eco-systems in a new BBC/OU to science and learning and The Nature of from institutions across Europe Agency for Schools, which aims to recruit convinced me I want to pursue a career in recommended that people apply as soon as co-production, The Nature of Britain. Britain is very much about what you can attended the event to discuss the teachers in subjects where they are most teaching.” possible because the application can take a Following on from The British Isles: A see and do yourself. main theme – ‘From diagnosis to required, the scheme gives current students To take part in the scheme, you must be while to process as it includes a CRB check. Natural History, The Nature of Britain will “Wildlife around the world is often intervention’. The programme was led the chance to experience working in a studying at undergraduate or postgraduate Please check our website for full details start at 9pm on Wednesday 10 October on marvellous on TV but our local natural by OU senior psychology lecturer Dr secondary school. level now; be within travelling distance of a about eligibility criteria. BBC ONE. The eight-part series will feature world is fascinating too. You don’t have to Ilona Roth and lecturer in human Students benefit from distance learning secondary school in England; not already If you’re interested in applying to the eight different landscapes – Islands; be a zoologist to experience this and the physiology and biology Dr Payam materials; receive the help of a have qualified teacher status (QTS) and be scheme, visit www.openuniversity.co.uk/ Farmland; Urban; Freshwater; Coastal; series shows some of the special things Rezaie. For more details on the school based mentor; and, on completing studying towards, or already hold, higher sa-scheme to download an application Woodland; Wilderness and Secret Britain. right on our doorsteps.” presentations visit www.open.ac.uk/ the scheme, they can add their experiences education qualifications or an A-level in form. For more information call +44 (0)1908 Dr David Robinson, The Open Visit www.open2.net for more ARUK2007 on to their CV to potential employers or physics, chemistry, maths, design and 858685. University’s head academic on the information.

6 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 7 letters letters

Charles Handy belong. In my case the years. So who are these people Discontinued We would love to do more, but I spend as much time preparing did he make tutorials his own! waiting for me to take it for a aspiration to achieve my who peel off at 40? we are doing our utmost with the TMAs and revising for exams He was always so full of energy walk. My study is mine, just for feature personal development goal (eg. I think what Mr Handy misses history MA resources available. but there aren’t many hours left and enthusiasm that you me and I can lose myself in it sesame featured an article on achieving my MBA) and my is that people like myself are I’M coming to the end of six in the week! My OU studies are couldn’t help but enjoy the and resurface with the feeling Charles Handy, the management need to achieve a work life shareholders, customers, marvellous years of a very important to me, not I’m course. that I have been elsewhere for guru, in the last edition. Here’s balance with my work, family employers and employees. humanities degree, majoring in OU admin praised sure for the same reasons as Since then I have had an a breath of fresh air. just a selection of the letters we and study while contributing BUT more importantly we are history. I’ve been very sorry to Mr Farrugia, but I don’t want to interesting array of tutors and I Sarah Annie Witts received in response to that I EMBARKED on my OU towards the success of the parents, siblings and see, as I have progressed be ‘written’ off as just ‘retired’. think having Rob as my first Welwyn Garden City article. ‘career’ back in 1999 and in organisation. neighbours. When we talk through it, how the choices of Maureen Harrison proved just how enjoyable June 2007, I finally received the I find it incredible that leaders about organisations being history courses have Newcastle upon Tyne home study could be. I HAVE just read your article result I required to complete my can be so narrow minded, hubs, I begin to worry – I want diminished over the years. As A big thanks to all the tutors ‘The Future of Work’ featuring degree. Reaching this TV experience outdated, self possessed, a community and environment my studies went on, I became at The Open University, I didn’t Charles Handy. He hit the nail milestone after several years of blinkered and un-inspirational in for my children and more and more enthusiastic I READ with some interest the think that I would be able to IN 2001, I took my first Open right on the head. As an OU study has given me a great such modern times. My MBA grandchildren to grow up into – about tackling a masters at the letter from Pete Farrugia study for a degree while University course. I was attracted student studying for an MBA I sense of pride and has taught me one thing above I want sustainability. right time. Now I am very relative to typing examination working and looking after two to the University because it had have to say my studies have achievement and naturally all else. The ability to recognise Sustainability does not mean disappointed to discover that papers. For a number of children but I am four years in provided facilities for disabled cost me dearly! cause for celebration. Once the quality leadership and the traits hubs it means organisations, the OU has discontinued its reasons, mainly related to a and still loving it! students for many years ahead I have self-funded my studies initial euphoria (and hangover) that they exhibit. communities, teams and history masters, and that no somewhat disrupted childhood, Angela Green of other teaching institutions. I with the OU throughout my had subsided, I spent a little Needless to say I no longer individual responsibility. replacement will be offered until I was never taught to write. Essex suffer from aphasia so I need student days and approached time reflecting on my overall work for the organisation! Structures are actually at least 2010. Now in my sunset years, for the notes for any audio or visual the organisation [I worked for] OU experience. I think that one Nigel Clifford important for the way we run I have loved my studies with first time I am engaged in a teaching material. to assist with the fees as they area that is often overlooked or Shropshire our lives, do business, but the OU – they have opened a basic undergraduate course at Keeping me sane It was 25 years ago that I professed to be committed to taken for granted by students is essentially they are a part of whole new world to me – and the OU. became aware of the OU when the development of staff the OU’s extremely efficient, I HAVE been studying with the our community. These now I have been brought up Should I wish to pursue I received a letter from its through training and claimed to professional and flexible OU since 2003 and hope to I THINK many people read the structures/families may short. What is the OU’s position matters further, this will require Faculty of Education and have a ‘university scholarship’ administration system. complete my BA Hons in Charles Handy feature in the regrettably be too hierarchical on history? Is it no longer sitting a series of written Language Studies asking me if scheme. I asked if I could apply As a member of HM Forces, I Childhood and Youth Studies last edition of sesame because at times but they have a social considered to be an important examinations. Clearly here, I I would like to take part in a for assistance with my MBA have had to move several by December. The experience they want a career rather than function. They are our locality. subject? am at something of a television programme being studies. The answer I received times during my studies, have has kept me sane while my life something different or better. They mean stability and Fiona Stow disadvantage. Yes, I can made about the education of shocked me somewhat: no I exams deferred, often at late has been in chaos all around My guess is that most students societal cohesion. It is my view London produce crudely printed words handicapped children. They couldn’t apply. My MBA study are just struggling to get that it is this that ‘glues’ notice, due to overseas which are for the most part me. I am the sole, full-time wanted the views of someone at the OU had absolutely deployments, register with carer to my disabled husband through, pay their mortgage/ communities together and in BERNARD WAITES, HEAD OF unintelligible. I am also left who was once a pupil of a nothing to do with them and different regions and postpone and we have three children. I rent, eat in a restaurant rather our multi-cultural society this is HISTORY, REPLIES: handed, and dyslexic, neither residential school, and I was they would prefer it if I would than a takeaway, afford a pair courses. All of these of which help! also work part-time in special happy to agree. Being filmed more vital than ever. I AM so glad that Fiona has cease studying and work longer occurrences were dealt with educational needs. Over the of children’s shoes and save for What will our working world found her six years majoring Accordingly, it would seem was both an exciting and hours! It transpired that there efficiently and courteously by their pensions. look like? Well I hope that it in history a ‘marvellous’ that my tertiary education is to years my husband has been emotional experience for me. were no employees on the OU staff in various regions and So I am interested to know looks like a networked ‘world’ of experience. Like her, I believe it be terminated by the system. seriously ill; however, I have The resulting programme was departments. university scholarship scheme why Mr Handy thinks that little shopkeepers serving is one of the core subjects in the Now if the OU were to have a managed to steer our ship used in the course E241 at all. people ‘don’t feel the local needs – rather than world of learning. So, to all the staff in all the few suitably modified laptops through some very turbulent Special needs in education Charles Handy is spot on; the tremendous pressure… to multi-national ‘hubs’ serving the The Arts Faculty reluctantly departments that have ever had for those that qualify, wouldn't waters and I put most of it which was first taught in 1981. essential task for leadership is stay in a job’. They are! Very needs of a small number of decided to phase out the current to deal with me, thank you all that be nice. Realistically, It's down to OU study. It was quite a shock to hear to combine the aspirations and few people reading the article profiteers. MA in History because it is a very much. not going to happen. I know The courses I have taken myself talk! three-year programme of study needs of the individual with the will have the luxury of starting Anita Kuhl Ian Watkins that others would be bleating over the years, apart from My relationship with the OU purpose of the larger and we have compelling Northampton work at 9am and many will Leipzig, Germany about an unfair advantage. In being well written and extremely has therefore been in both evidence that the great majority community to which they have been juggling jobs for other fields there is ‘positive interesting, have always been directions. I wonder whether of part-time students would there, consistent and steady, prefer a two-year programme. discrimination’, why not here? other people who were the There were severe practical Handwritten exams Am I being discriminated waiting for me to return to them subject of its television STAR LETTER obstacles – in terms of teaching against? What do others when each crisis or drama has programmes have also become MR Farrugia (Why handwritten and examining students – to think? played itself out. I liken my its students. exams? letters in the last my best, I can feel the mental muscles running a three-year and two- Name and address study to a rather nice pet who Shirley M Addy Plagiarism Feature edition of sesame) seems to developing, and logical thought becoming year programme concurrently withheld sits patiently Blackburn and we decided to allow for a have the idea that retired I READ with interest and sadness your article second nature. Please send your letters to: clear ‘gap’ between the two to people have the luxury of being Future employers will not be buying just Letters to the Editor, sesame, The Open University, on plagiarism. Interest because being careful allow for re-sits and able to sit around practising demonstrated expertise in a particular subject, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. Fax: +44 (0)1908 652247 not to plagiarise is a guiding principle in re-submissions on the ‘old’ MA their handwriting. I am sure Rob Sibthorpe but someone who can apply themselves Email: [email protected] Include your address and assignment writing, and sadness, because before presenting the ‘new’. there are many others like me I HAVE to confess that just daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. to a task, complete it, and who can think. We have endeavoured to who spend most of their those who do so deliberately are denying seeing Rob Sibthorpe’s face in Please also note that letters will be permanently available to read Plagiarists have not demonstrated this ability. sustain an undergraduate history themselves half the value of higher education. weekdays caring for your summer issue of online in the sesame archive at www.open.ac.uk/sesame Now I must get on with my assignment! programme which reflects the sesame grandchildren and also manage The writer of the Star Letter receives a These courses are not easy for me but Gillian C. Gold popularity of the subject, within (page 22 of issue 234) brought to fit in some paid work to £20 book token. as I move through the years, always doing Swansea the resource constraints a smile to my face. Rob was supplement their state pension. imposed on all arts disciplines. my first tutor at the OU and boy

8 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 9 fifth column focus

“I’m having a lot of fun doing this – you get to meet new people and become a new person. I’ve learned so much that I didn’t know before, Every ‘second’ it’s amazing what a really close community can do,” reported one SParker, as the students call themselves. The results of the first phase of this scheme have been discussed at international counts conferences and in government departments. The website forum received fewer than 5,000 hits in September 2006. In June 2007 traffic SNEAK A PEEK The Open University is currently taking part in some exciting soared to 230,000 hits. projects related to the 3-D virtual reality world, Second Life. You can find out more about the Schome Park Project, and download a copy of the BEING an English expatriate, when I sesame finds out more schome-NAGTY Teen Second Life Pilot Final read English material in a public Report from the schome community website: place, I often find a few people OU may have already read or heard the hype surrounding Second Life. But if not, www.schome.ac.uk sneaking a peek at whatever I have here it is in a nutshell – launched in 2003, Second Life is an internet-based world in my hands. which allows people to become virtual residents through creating their own ‘avatar’. Second Life tutorials That was fine when I did S103 Y Through this avatar, they can purchase land, homes and businesses with real money. A range of pilot activities are also under way Discovering science, as the Avatars have also been known to fall in love, to broker important real world business which include trials in which associate well-illustrated pages gleamed with deals and even build their own virtual Las Vegas! lecturers are using Second Life as an alluring revelations on subjects as It is now one of the most talked-about and popular presences on the net, attracting over alternative to traditional face to face tutorials or interesting as geology and as eight million inhabitants. The media hype that has surrounded Second Life over the past text based discussion forums. OU tutor enthralling as quantum physics. few months has also led to companies such as IBM and Coca-Cola buying virtual offices Jacquie Bennett has been running Second Life However, now that I’m doing DSE212 on the site. tutorials for T175 and M364 this year with Exploring psychology, things have But there’s more to having a presence on Second Life than falling in love and clever plans to offer even more Second Life tutorials taken quite a turn. branding – there is also a real belief that it could play a key role in revolutionising on some other courses next year. They look up from their initial mainstream education and engaging isolated youngsters. She said: “I’d been blown away by glance at the book title, a note of educational possibilities in Second Life for disdain hovering over their features Schome Park ages and a keen member of the educational and I wonder why there should be One of the ways in which The Open University is doing this is through the creation of an community. So once COLMSCT (the OU’s this uncomfortable moment between island – Schome Park – in the teen version of Second Life (adults wanting to enter Teen Centre for Open Learning of Mathematics, us. At one point, I was reading about Second Life are subject to a police check and can access the island only if they are Science, Computing and Technology) agreed Freud’s theory of female envy for the working on the OU project). to give a fellowship I had the chance to work male nether regions and I couldn’t The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, which funded the pilot project on this and start to introduce Second Life help but shift a little in my comfort alongside The Innovation Unit, provided 149 students aged 13 to 17. The first pilot of this activities to courses.” zone. Call me old fashioned, but project ran between January and April this year with the second phase starting in June. Jacquie has noticed lots of advantages to there is a limit to what I wish to share On the island, students can create their own buildings, meeting spaces and even presenting tutorials in Second Life. Learners with my fellow over-the-shoulder- government departments. They can take part in learning activities related to archaeology, are much more proactive and open thanks to reading expatriates. Was that a physics, ethics and philosophy; make films; and organise their own events including a the security offered by avatar communications. Students are also choked chuckle I heard, stifled from regatta, a wedding, governance meetings, a murder mystery evening and chess matches. much more vocal if they don’t understand something. OU presence, Cetlment Island. Here students can enjoy a virtual beyond the glazed standing zone Researchers have discovered that many of the students who were on the island Jacquie has also noticed an increase in peer support where central plaza which offers social space, a resources library and an behind me? appeared to pick up a range of skills and developed greater confidence in dealing with students volunteer to help each other and, as she says, “scaffold orientation station so that new users can go straight to Cetlment to Next time, I think I’ll take sesame social situations. each other's learning activity”. She adds: “We can be much more be taught about the environment there rather than having to create with me. It might ignite in them a OU head of education Dr Peter Twining said: “When students come in, the only thing varied while still operating within the student’s zone of proximal an account and complete orientation on their own. spark of interest for the OU, a stirring anyone else knows about them is their avatar name and what they’ve chosen to present development – for example we want to be able to build a Greek Jacquie adds: “We are going to see an explosion in the use of of the obsession with learning that themselves as. There’s no baggage about age, gender, physical appearance or social amphitheatre or a model of a heart for students to physically these worlds for teaching and learning – the issue is to do with springs from it and you never know status. You can radically change the way you present yourself. explore to enable them to learn about the chambers and valves. ‘which’ world. Currently Second Life is the market leader and is where that might lead... “We started playing with the idea of Second Life because it encourages you to break We can build experiments to explore gravity, create a solar system also the most sophisticated and flexible so the educational Tina-Marie Greenman has free of constraints and do things you can’t do in the real world. It allows us to bring and use a range of activities and tasks to explore mathematical community is there. The creators of Second Life, Linden Labs, are completed the Certificate in Natural teenagers to the island and work with them on alternative models of how you might concepts.” now suggesting that they will be releasing the source code so that Sciences and is currently working learn. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are already a range institutions can host SL on their own servers and that will be the toward the BSc Psychology (Hons). “We’re very encouraged by data from the pilot project. Students have told us that things of other educational places which demonstrate fascinating final killer app to ensure the longevity of SL for teaching and they’d never dreamed of doing in the real world, such as leading meetings, they now feel possibilities such as a replica of 1900 Paris where avatars not only learning in my opinion.” Do you have a gripe or something confident enough to do in the real world.” converse in French (ideal for those studying modern languages) The OU is considering even greater involvement in Second interesting to share? Send us an Its educational benefits are also impressive. For example, when the group studied Life and would be really interested to hear from students article of no more than 200 words to but they can also explore the architecture of the city at the time [email protected] or to the address at Hadrian’s Wall, instead of looking at an illustration of how it may have looked in a (useful for those studying history and architecture). The list goes who either are using Second Life or would like to tell the the front of sesame including your textbook, they could make their research come alive by creating a model which their on. University what sort of thing they’d like the OU to provide on contact details. avatars could walk across and experience as if it existed. Jacquie was also involved in the creation of another Second Life there. Email [email protected] with your thoughts.

10 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 11 report report

refer Debbie to the TfL website for further information), whereas at East Finchley, they did refer her to the TfL website. sesame We got in touch with Transport for London to highlight this. A spokesperson told us: “It depends really on what the student asked investigates Transport the staff. She may have been given the correct advice but without knowing her circumstances and what she asked it is difficult to ascertain. The best number for students to call is the Oyster helpline on 0845 3309876 if they are unsure as to their eligibility.” sesame places the spotlight on UK public transport providers According to the National Union of Students (NUS), the cost of in this issue to find out what discounts are available to OU bus travel is also an area of concern for all students, not just OU students – or not in some cases students. The majority of local authorities around the country simply do not offer concessionary travel to students in higher education. This is particularly concerning as the cost of bus and coach fares rose by 168 per cent between 1987 and 2006. RAVEL is often an essential part of an OU student’s studies. regardless of whether you’re on a full- or part-time course, you will Getting to and from tutorials, libraries, exam locations and not be eligible for the Young Persons Railcard as an OU student Parliament Tresidential schools can often be a hard slog, especially if over the age of 26. This is despite the Young Persons Railcard As a result of its findings, the NUS launched its ‘Busted’ campaign you don’t drive. But rocketing travel prices mean that getting website stating: ‘You can get a Young Persons Railcard if you’re this year, which calls for a commitment to ensure concessionary bus around by public transport is becoming a very costly experience. aged between 16-25 or a mature student, over the age of 26 and travel for all young people and students. One of the main activities Therefore, student discount schemes can really ease the burden in full-time education.’ Does this mean The Open University isn’t of the NUS campaign was to amend the Concessionary Bus Travel of these costs. However, following the launch of our new ‘recognised’ by the Association of Train Operating Companies Bill, which was presented to Parliament in June, to include student investigative series two issues ago, we received a number of (ATOC), which operates the Young Persons Railcard? It does discounts. At the moment, the Bill calls for free off-peak bus travel emails and phone calls from OU students complaining that they appear some OU students have been able to get cards but others anywhere in the country for disabled bus passengers and those don’t get treated the same as other students in terms of discounts can’t. aged over 60. This is naturally welcome news but what about on travel, even if they are studying full-time. One particular culprit sesame got in touch with ATOC, showing them a copy of the students? Despite ardent campaigning on the part of the NUS, the was the Young Persons Railcard. leaflet and asking them to clarify. Our query was directed to the bill was not amended to allow for its demands for students. The In the light of recent hikes in rail fares from some train lines (eg. upper tiers of the institution with the National Railcards marketing Union is now waiting on the Road Transport Bill to have its first Arriva Trains Wales and South West Trains manager, Andrew Robertson, getting straight reading in the autumn. have recently been criticised in the press for “We are now reviewing our position on the phone to sesame. He explained that However, don’t be too despondent. Though a lot of local hiking up their fares, in some cases by 34 with regards to OU students and he understood our concerns and that this authorities do not offer discounts, you might find that yours does, per cent), any discounts on rail fares are a will be looking to change our rules” was a long-standing area that ATOC is now especially if buses are run by a large bus operator such as welcome relief for OU students. So in steps looking to review, prompted by sesame’s Stagecoach or Arriva. For example, Stagecoach offers a discounted the Young Persons Railcard, which offers what it describes as ‘epic investigations. He said: “The eligibility rules for applying for the Unirider ticket for students in many areas around the country which savings’ on rail travel as well as a range of offers to people aged Young Persons Railcard are based on an old way of thinking about you can buy online at www.buymyunirider.com Arriva offers its between 16 and 25 and – great news for most OU students – OU study. We are now reviewing our position with regards to OU Student Tickets in selected areas too, which you can purchase at mature students. students and will be looking to change our rules for full-time OU www.arrivabus.co.uk/students. In both cases, a valid NUS card must students based on our findings.” be presented whenever you use the discount ticket. If you do not Disgruntled When asked whether the leaflet in question will be withdrawn have an NUS card already, But that’s where the good news ends. After reading that the Young due to the way it seems to suggest OU students as a whole are you can apply for one by “Despite ardent campaigning Persons Railcard was available to mature students, OU student less worthy of a railcard than those students attending brick calling 0870 4235001. on the part of the NUS, the Paul Atkinson visited his local station to get one. But, unfortunately, universities, Andrew replied that “once the rules are changed, the When it comes to overseas bill was not amended” he was told that he was not eligible as a part-time student – it was leaflet will be changed”. We will keep on ATOC’s case and report travel, OU students can get available only to those who are in full-time education or are under back once a decision on the rules has been made. many discounts too with the recent news that OU students can now 25 years of age. He was despondent but part-time students often Another area of concern which was highlighted by students get access to the NUS Extra card. This card incorporates the ISIC don’t get discounts, so he accepted it and took away a Young getting in touch with sesame was Transport for London (TfL). This card (see page 4 of this issue) which offers a range of discounts on Persons Railcard leaflet. But, after flicking through this leaflet, he was not in terms of the discounts it offers – following overseas travel and tours. Coach travel is also an area that gets was surprised to read that ‘Open University, distance learning, and representations from the OU a few years ago, TfL’s 18+ Student good marks, with discounts available on coach travel in the form of part-time courses do not qualify’ for the card. Oyster Discount card (which gives students 30 per cent discounts the National Express NX2 Card. As a spokesperson for National “I was rather taken aback by this comment,” says Paul. on London travel) is available to OU research students and those Express told sesame: “This offer is available to Open University “Needless to say I was disappointed at not being able to get a card of you who have London as your regional office (see the Transport students and, like all other students, they must provide official as a part-time student if those are the rules. But what really for London website at www.tfl.gov.uk for further details on whether confirmation of their full-time student status. We would also like to irritated me was, upon reading the leaflet I had been given, I found or not you are eligible). start discussions with The Open University to determine if we can that not only had we actually been named in the leaflet as not No, according to some students who got in touch with us, the provide discounts to all Open University students regardless of their being eligible to start with, it was also saying that we still weren’t problem is that TfL frontline staff simply aren’t aware of this. One studying hours”. eligible even if we fulfilled the ‘full-time’ rule. The notion of the OU of the sesame team, OU student and London resident Debbie In the next issue of sesame, our investigative feature will focus being specifically named, and then the card still being denied to Dixon, decided to visit her local tube stations to see what she on council tax discounts and Government benefits. Email full-time OU students, left me rather frustrated and disgruntled.” would be told and got two different stories from the frontline desks. [email protected] or contact us using the usual details with Paul has every right to be disgruntled. By stating that ‘Open Camden said that they don’t do discounts for OU students (no your experieces. If you want us to investigate any other issues, University courses’ do not qualify, the leaflet suggests that, mention of OU in London or the Research School nor did they also let us know. Picture: Getty Images 12 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 focus Degrees of deceit SUPERSIZE Fake OU certificates are being sold online. sesame finds out more

HE internet provides some wonderful psychiatry and a doctor of philosophy. The Education Reform Act 1988 provides YOUR iPOD FOR ONLY £19.99 opportunities for students and More recently, Gene Morrison of Hyde some protection but only if a business Tgraduates. But alongside the good, was jailed for using fake certificates he’d claims to be offering a genuine you sometimes get the bad. purchased off the internet to get paid work qualification. However, there was a sesame recently discovered that as a forensic psychologist. He told police successful case – Universities UK won ‘authentic-looking’ fake degree certificates he started an Open University degree but it proceedings against Peter Leon Quinn, are being sold online – including fake OU was revealed in court that ‘started’ who had been producing and selling fake certificates. consisted of phoning for a brochure and degree certificates via Fakedegrees.co.uk. Several examples of this can be found recording OU programmes! He worked on A High Court Injunction was taken against on ebay.co.uk where one seller says of the around 700 cases over 26 years, being him producing and supplying fake degree 4x more music certificates they sell: ‘we cannot condone paid at least £250,000 in taxpayers’ money certificates. But he ignored this, carried on them being used for any illegal purposes, for giving ‘expert’ advice. selling the certificates and was found to be but one guy claims to have got a job at in Contempt of Court, leading him to be NASA!!!!!!’ “There are companies out sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, sesame arranged for one of these there who get fooled by these conditionally suspended for two years. certificates to be ordered (see picture fake certificates” below right) and it certainly has an Tightening up authentic feel to it. The likelihood that there And recently in India, up to 50 students The Open University is currently looking are people out there with fake OU are facing prosecution after using fake into the selling of fake certificates. sesame certificates like this one is quite high – or certificates to get places at the University itself is also tightening up it’s advertising any distance learning university for that of Mumbai. The certificates were sold by a guidelines to ensure no such companies matter – as it is more plausible that gang which had been selling fake slip through the net. But in the meantime, someone who has not taken three years certificates since 1998. The Indian keep your eyes and ears open. We want out to study suddenly has a degree. Government take this issue very seriously, to hear of any other cases you have seeing scams like this as robbing the seen or heard of – do you know anywhere Court cases nation of its intellectual reputation and else that is selling fake OU certificates? But Tony Barker, head of awards and heritage. If so, let sesame know by emailing ceremonies, wishes to reassure OU So in the UK, how do these Ebay sellers [email protected] students and graduates. He said: “We use get away with this, surely it’s illegal? a specially produced, watermarked paper; Wording, that’s how. These sellers never we have the crest litho printed onto this in claim to be selling ‘real’ certificates and four colours; we have four data items carry disclaimers saying buyers must only appearing on it that together provide a use these certificates for novelty and not unique combination that can be checked fraudulent purposes. And Ebay allows on the corporate database – the title of the people to sell fake certificates via their site award, the name of the student, the date of as long as they do not reproduce nor sell qualification and a certificate number. any Government IDs and Licences such as Finally, we have the seal which is birth certificates, drivers licences or Get 4x more music on your MP3 player hand-embossed on the certificate.” These passports. sesame did approach Ebay for a are all markers which make OU certificates statement on this but as we go to press we unique, and employers are always have not received a response. www.shrinkmytunes.com welcome to liaise with the OU’s Awards The Minister for Higher Education, Bill and Ceremonies office to confirm the Rammell told sesame: “For those behind authenticity of any certificates. the sale of ‘fake degrees’ to be However, there are companies out successfully prosecuted in court, hard there who get fooled by these fake evidence is required to prove that they certificates with a number of court cases were deliberately complicit with their highlighting this. For example, in 2005, customers who, in turn, also have to be Barian Baluchi was sentenced for fraud proven to have purchased fake degrees after using fake qualifications to set up for financial advantage. As this the Kimia Clinic in Hammersmith, constitutes fraud, it falls to the Police to London, claiming he was a professor of take action”.

14 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 15 people people My Orphean underworld

Sophie Ward is former model, actress… and OU graduate. Between treading the boards in a variety of critically acclaimed plays and starring in TV dramas such as Heartbeat, Sophie studied for a BA in Literature and Philosophy. She writes about her experiences here

Y early education had been haphazard at best. A desire were new to me, but it was the position of being a student again, for a completely different type of schooling than my of caring about grades and feeling the possibility of failure that Mparents had experienced led them to send me to a was the most difficult. When my first results came back I found Montessori school until I was 11. It was an ambitious environment myself worrying that I would never improve my marks as the work with a high percentage of children with different abilities and an became harder. I reasoned that if I wasn’t getting fantastic grades age range of 14 years all learning in one main classroom. The at the beginning then I would never be able to. But of course, result was chaotic but stimulating and by the time I went to writing essays is a learned skill and with all the feedback from the secondary school I had little formal education but a wealth of tutors, my marks did gradually improve. stories and ideas. I struggled to find my place in a more Some subjects were easier for me than others. The language conventional system but just got through to A-levels before used in analysing books and plays was familiar from my work and jumping into the world of work full-time. through the evening classes I had taken. But after the foundation year, I found I was drawn to philosophy, a completely new Tortuous step discipline for me. I desperately wanted to continue studying it but I had been working as an actor since I was 10 and was feared getting a poor degree, so I made myself a pact; if I could fortunate enough to be given parts in films and television plays get good passes in the literature modules then I would reward when I left school. Given the challenging logistics of working and myself with philosophy the following year. It worked well as an going to school through my teen years, my enthusiasm for incentive. Friends tease me that I am continually training myself in university was muted. new ways not to earn a living, so perhaps in the back of my mind I At first, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to concentrate on work was aware of the possibility that I might one day have to use the Call now for your For a on all without fitting it in between terms. Then I had degree to get a ‘proper’ job. But most of all, I 20% discount children and the familiar routine of balancing “Without a car, in the depths suspect, it was vanity. FOR Pearson Education books... work with other commitments was resumed. I of winter and filming an Throughout my studies I worked on various 3FREE was lucky, my job meant that my children could episode of Heartbeat” projects. For the first year I was in the West business Visit www.pearson-books.com/student and Get 3 free to travel with me and I often had time off, even End doing a Noel Coward play. I travelled information factsheets enter your Open University discount code when I was employed. It wasn’t until the children needed to home every night and learnt how to write essays on trains. The help your business bloom... ZP037J to claim your discounts, special offers, free p&p and lots more! concentrate on their own studies that I contemplated going back to second year I was in Hungary filming a television series about Don’t forget to use your code school myself. talking dinosaurs for Disney. I had to Fed Ex my essays from to claim your discounts every I had taken a couple of smaller courses at my local college Budapest. I worked in Glasgow, Chichester, Leeds and Los time you shop. and with a grand total of 20 points, I was bold enough to sign up Angeles and got very used to having a memory stick wrapped for the A103 An introduction to humanities. Little did I know that around my neck and a case of books attached to my shoulder. My it would be five years before I surfaced from the Orphean family got used to being patient. The only time I had to ask for an underworld, otherwise known as The Open University, and dared extension on my essay was from the North Yorkshire moors. to look my Eurydice in the face: a BA in Literature and Philosophy Without a car, in the depths of winter and filming an episode of and worth every tortuous step. Heartbeat, the ink ran out on my portable printer. There was no Readers of sesame will understand the challenges that face mobile phone reception let alone an internet connection and I To buy online take 3 simple steps every student. I found a lot of comfort in its pages when I was finally gave up and rang my tutor to try and explain. The studying, especially in the early stages when the task seemed weariness of her acceptance still haunts me. Thinking bigger about business? 1) Log on to www.pearson-books.com/student insurmountable and some of the routes labyrinthine. Tales of and click on ‘voucher code’ inspiration from other students, news of battles fought and (mostly) Confidence We’ll help your business idea bloom 2) ‘Register’ and ‘log in’ using your discount code ZP037J won, advice from tutors and stories from graduates were both I went to the Barbican for the award ceremony and was • If you have a great business idea we can support and guide you 3) Browse for the title/s you want to purchase and click invaluable and entertaining. Even the complaints were illuminating completely thrilled with the whole event. My partner and parents • We offer practical, independent and expert business advice ‘buy’ when ready to add it to your shopping basket along with the realisation that you were not alone. My own came with me and I was proud and happy to be part of that day. and training struggles often paled in comparison with the obstacles overcome But most of all I was impressed with the dedication, organisation Visit our site today and win fantastic prizes including • Call now to find out about an awareness session near you iPods, books and ‘activities’ by others, while some students seemed to sail through their and quality of the OU courses and staff. • Receive 3 information factsheets absolutely free Terms and conditions apply. See website for details. degrees with ease. I owe a huge debt to the OU and two years later I sing its The foundation year itself was a very steep learning curve. The praises to anyone who is interested in going back to study Call: 0845 113 1234 formality of writing essays on time and understanding all the themselves. It has given me the confidence to go on to the Email enquiries at: @ various criteria involved was a shock to the system. The work was University of Central England in Birmingham, and work on a info businesslinkwm.co.uk challenging because it was wide ranging and most of the subjects graduate diploma. I can’t thank the OU enough. Visit: www.businesslinkwm.co.uk

16 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 17 support Student Software Savings

Student Starter Pack SAVE & 70% Pack Price: £99.99 This Pack has everything you need to start your studies. Examinations Office Professional Plus includes Word, Excel, Power RRP £460.95 Q inc VAT and delivery Point, Outlook, Publisher & more. AVG Internet Security provides the ultimate protection for your computer, Pack includes: + a boasting Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, Anti-spam and •Microsoft Office 2007 includes a built in Firewall. Choose your Professional Plus Student Starter Pack Today & get off to a great start! The Examinations and Assessment team answers some of the most commonly asked questions •AVG Internet Security on examinations Latest Adobe Offers SAVE How do I know when my examination is Examination and Assessment Board. yes, you are eligible to register for the resit 90% and what rules do I need to abide by? Remember to keep proof of posting. or resubmission. The Student Registration Two months before the examination, you’ll and Enquiry Service issues registration Photoshop Extended Design Premium CS3 Master Collection CS3 What if I have a disability or special receive your examination allocation letter packs to eligible students about six weeks CS3 Student Student Student requirement? along with an Examination Arrangements after course results are released. If your Our Price: £151.52 Our Price: £257.27 Our Price: 421.77 If your personal circumstances (such as a booklet that explains how the examination course result was ‘Fail’, then you cannot R.R.P £750.98 R.R.P £1,500.00 R.R.P £2,0312.99 medical condition) prevent you from taking will be conducted, tells you what materials retake the examination or resubmit the Comprehensive image Powerful cross-media All of the latest, greatest the examination in ordinary conditions, the analysis and unrivaled creative tools from you’ll need and what you’ll be allowed to examinable component: you would need to workflow for print, web University may be able to adapt aspects of editing power. and mobile. Adobe. take into the examination room. If you’re retake the entire course. If you pass then it to suit your needs. The Learner Support expecting to sit an examination in October, you may not retake the course to improve Adobe products also available in CS3 collection include: Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Web Premium and Production Premium. Team at your regional centre can give you and you haven’t yet had these details, you your result. a Meeting your Examination Needs booklet should contact the Learner Support Team and a facility request form (FRF3) to What if I want to appeal against my SAVE at your regional centre. WACOM Graphics Tablets complete and return. However, it is course result? 10% What if I’m ill on the day of my probably now too late to make any special The chances of your course result being Intuos3 Range Discover the new...Bamboo examination? arrangements for an October examination, wrong are extremely small. The University ●Perfect combination with Adobe for ●Works with Microsoft Vista, handwriting If you are too ill to attend an exam, or a so you should contact your regional centre takes great care to ensure that the course professional photographers recognition and even sign your emails serious matter occurs to stop you from urgently to discuss your options. result reported to you is based on your full ●1024 levels of pressure sensitivity for and word documents Intuos3 A5 Tablet attending, you may be able to defer to the assessment record and that all of your precision picture retouching ●Features paper-like work surface and What if I’ve booked a holiday during the Pen + Mouse next examination period – in most cases examination or end-of-course assessment ●ExpressKeys for quick access to shortcuts battery-free pen Bamboo Tablet Pen exam period? ●Innovative Touch Strip allows for quick Our Price: £185.05 ●High resolution and report rate provide this will be six months later. In order to do has been marked to the standard required Our Price: £62.86 It isn’t usually possible to arrange a zooming & scrolling. R.R.P £224.99 outstanding accuracy while working R.R.P £69.99 this, you must contact your regional centre by the Examination and Assessment Board. deferred examination because of holiday WACOM products also available in the Intuos Range: A3 Wide , A4 Oversize and A6 Tablets available with Pens, Mice or Lens Cursor. no later than seven days after the exam. However, if you feel you have a good case commitments, but if you’re holidaying in the Deferred examinations can be approved to appeal, you should write to the University UK you can ask to change your only in exceptional circumstances. at the address given on the course result Microsoft Office Suites QuarkXPress 7 examination centre to one in the area letter as soon as you can (and no later than What if I do take my examination but where you’re on holiday. If you’re Office Enterprise 2007 QuarkXPress Passport 7 28 days after the date on your course result Our Price: £90.99 feel a serious personal matter has holidaying in Europe, it may be possible to Office Pro Plus 2007 Our Price: £105.99 SAVE letter) saying that you wish to query it and R.R.P £567 90% affected my performance? transfer to an established centre there Our Price: £80.99 R.R.P £1034.00 why, providing any evidence that you have to If you have to deal with a matter that is of a (depending on the size of the examination R.R.P £429 Office Standard 2007 With this full version support your query. You should put this in serious nature close to the examination centre). You need to contact your regional Our Price: £70.99 including writing and send it by post, fax or email date, such as a bereavement in your centre urgently if you need to change your R.R.P £329 Quark Interactive Designer you rather than call the University as it can then immediate family, you should complete and examination centre. The examination Office Mac Professional 2004 will be producing professional be more accurately recorded. submit form E39, which is included in the period for your course is published before Our Price: £80.99 digital documents for web Examination Arrangements booklet. It must the course start – you will be notified of Can I get any feedback on my R.R.P £449.95 and print with ease. arrive no later than seven days after your the exact date and time for your course examinable component performance? examination. If you cannot send the form examination around two to three months In general, detailed individual feedback is Enter Our Student Competition! WIN within seven days (for example, if you are before the examination period. Therefore, not available. However, students on most For a chance to WIN a Goodie Bag worth over £100! Prizes Visit www.citnexus.co.uk/studentcomp in hospital immediately after the you should not make a firm holiday courses that have an examination will be examination) at the University’s discretion, booking without ensuring that there is not a able to see some basic information on their you can send the form seven weeks after clash. performance via the ‘your course records’ for these and many other great student prices on software go to: the last session in the examination period page on StudentHome when their course Can I retake the examination to get a as long as you provide evidence of the result is released. www.citnexus.co.uk/ou better grade? reasons for the delay (such as a medical citnexus [email protected] | 0845 338 5 339 If your course result was ‘Fail – Entitled to Log on to www.open.ac.uk/assessment/ certificate). Information received later than Competition Ends 31/10/2007. No purchase necessary. All prices include VAT & Delivery to U.K. addresses. E&OE Resit’, or ‘Fail – Entitled to Resubmit’, then index.php for more information. that will not be presented to the

18 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 19 support support That sinking feeling

Study skills counsellor and author of The Student’s Guide to Exam Success, Eileen Tracy, gives some advice to those of you who have exams on the horizon

RE you getting that sinking feeling yet? And is the phrase an hour’s writing per question. Why? Well, deduct ten minutes ‘October exam’ giving you that sinking feeling right now? from your three hours to read the paper and make your question AYou’re in good company: the mere mention of exams selection; deduct another 15 minutes to check all your answers; upsets most students, irrespective of how many exams they have deduct five minutes spent losing concentration and going blank already passed. And at university, many students imagine exams (normal in exam conditions, by the way, and remedied by focusing to be harder than ever. on your breathing). That leaves 150 minutes. Subtract at least 30 Students often depend on a grant or family support, and may minutes’ planning time (I’m allowing a minimum of ten minutes’ feel a real or imagined pressure to repay their benefactors with a planning per question – bear with me, I know you’re protesting). fantastic result. Mature students may be pinning their hopes for a Total writing time left: 120 minutes, in other words 40 minutes per life change on their studies, yet fear academic question. Max. muscle-wasting after a long absence from “Targets and deadlines That’s enough time to make basic points, study. Students resitting or with a history of are your friends, with a few refinements thrown in but nothing failure usually feel jinxed. Students with not your enemies” too elaborate. Students often protest, “If I high-achieving siblings, likewise. skipped planning, I could write more!” Indeed, These are the most common stresses that make students panic but why bother? Examiners don’t want pages of your stream of and freeze or, equally uselessly, panic and swot. However, the consciousness. They work with a score-sheet: even your most good news is that simply identifying these commonplace brilliant asides won’t count. And if you believe you can write pressures can substantially diminish them, as you start to separate spontaneously without straying, think back to those unplanned fact from fiction and assess your situation from a rational rather essays in your past, marked down for answering a rather different than an emotional perspective. question, for being too general and low on analysis, digressing, containing contradictions, over-developing unimportant points, Useful action under-developing relevant points, failing to give examples and Then, any remaining anxiety can be relieved by useful action. By references and other assorted blah blah blah. How long you useful, I mean throwing away your excuse for not doing real work, should spend planning depends on time considerations and the a.k.a. your highlighter. Bite the bullet and make your revision as difficulty of the question – but you should plan until you know what active as possible. This means reproducing, in a variety of you’re going to write. summarised forms, what you’ve learned, rather than just passively Another reason for exam practice is to familiarise yourself with re-reading or copying out your notes. Revision becomes the law of diminishing returns. Let’s make each question on your memorable once it is reduced to key words and bullet points. You paper worth 100 points. Scoring the first 60 points on each question can also write out index cards, sketch ideas out into mindmaps, is relatively quick and easy. Getting the next 20 points takes spider graphs, flow charts or other types of diagram that suit your considerably more skill, knowledge and effort. The last ten points fancy, using colours and sketches to draw out main points. And are virtually unattainable. So wrap up if you start running out of above all, try practising a few exam papers. You may hate them, time. Infuriating though it may be not to finish properly, you’ll score but exam papers give you a sense of what subjects to revise, to more by moving on to the next question. You’ll develop a hardened what depth and how urgently. Targets and deadlines are your attitude once you see the pay-off. And you can always mention in friends, not your enemies. a rapid conclusion what you would have liked to develop further. Resist the urge to do more revision first, you’ve probably already Indeed, I myself have had to omit much that I’d like to tell you, ASSESSMENT INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS accumulated enough knowledge. University topics never end: the such as the benefits of taking breaks after 40 minutes’ revision, more you know, the more you realise you don’t know. Revising ad the relationship between sleep deprivation, coffee-drinking and AT this time of the year, many students are how your course result will be determined the ‘study support’ section of StudentHome. nauseam isn’t always helpful and can even tempt you to digress – exam underperformance… and how, if you’d really like to approaching their examination or end-of- and what to do if you’ve had to deal with Also on the ‘study support’ section is a examiners’ top complaint is that students don’t answer the remember your revision, you should recap what you’ve learned course assessment and may be looking for special circumstances during your studies. link to the 'skills for OU study' web pages question. To score points, you need to practise being relevant, after a night’s sleep, then go over it again one week after that, answers to queries about assessment. Even if you’ve not yet started or are in where you can find helpful advice on clear and succinct, and analysing wherever possible. No need to then again after a month after that, then finally after a term. Answers to many of these questions can the early stages of your course, it is revision and on preparing and writing write out answers in full (though you should practise that a bit too): But my word count forbids me. This puts us in the same boat. I be found in your Assessment Handbook. recommended that you have a look assignments – including a section about essay plans will do nicely, keyworded and crammed with too suffer from constraints and limitations. Our subjects are When you log on to your StudentHome through your Assessment Handbook now managing stress which suggests some information (avoid vague scribblings like ‘say why’, ‘etc.’ or ‘show infinite, we can’t say it all. The most we can do is to develop a web portal at www.open.ac.uk/students so that you know what information is there. techniques you can use and some how’: planning means thinking your ideas through with precision). healthy perspective on our tasks, prioritise and plan, practise and you’ll find a link to your Assessment You’ll find a wide range of general relaxation exercises you can download. With a watch ticking, you’ll notice how little opportunity you have then pray. Handbook which contains a wealth of information and guidance about If you have any problems accessing your to show off the erudition you hoped to acquire through more Eileen Tracy (www.eileentracy.co.uk) is author of The Student’s information – including a section about assessment methods (plus links to more Assessment Handbook, or if you want to elaborate revision. For the sake of argument, you have a three Guide to Exam Success and runs a private practice offering study examinable work and a section about formal policy documents) on the ‘Guide to discuss any related issues, please contact hour essay paper with three questions. That’s only just over half counselling for students. course results. You’ll find information about assessment’ which can be accessed from Learner Support in your regional centre. 20 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 21 focus focus Give something back

The OU has launched a student ambassador scheme for its widening participation projects. Peter Taylor-Whiffen finds out more

HO better to explain the reality outreach events in FE colleges and at working for big corporate clients as a of doing an OU course than community venues and at the regional senior information security architect, he’s at Wstudents themselves? centre during advice sessions for Adult the top of his game professionally and still That’s the thinking behind the Learners Week,” she added. “They are so loves studying, which got him interested in University’s student ambassador scheme, good that we are also now employing them The Open University. He’s working towards which invites existing learners to share at our regional marketing events, for a French certificate with the OU and took their first-hand experience with those example, at a range of museums.” part in a summer school in Caen last year. thinking about signing up. He said: “It is nice to be able to give the The project was created as part of the “No one can explain the message to young people that with the OU’s ongoing widening participation (WP) right determination, information and demands and rewards of project with the ambassadors travelling direction you can do what you want to do.” with WP project officers to meetings, fairs an Open University course The programme isn’t about signing up as and other events to give their take on what better than someone who has many students as possible – rather it is to it’s really like to be an OU student. actually done one” paint a realistic portrait that encourages “It makes such a positive difference to people to do an OU course if they feel it is have ‘real-life’ OU students to talk about The long-term plan is for the right for them. their experiences,” said London region ambassadors to continue to help people “Some of our ambassadors have felt assistant director Denise Bates. “They once they have begun studying, but in the isolated or lacked motivation to study, and really are the best advocates we could short term it is about increasing the it is important that potential students get an have.” The region has employed 22 numbers of students from the widening honest picture,” said Cheryl. “But they also ambassadors to pilot the project in the participation project’s ‘target’ profiles – love the flexibility of OU study, which a lot boroughs of Newham and Haringey. black and ethnic minorities, and those from of people aren’t aware of, and their positive lower socio-economic groups. experiences are really valuable.” Valuable work One ambassador, Clyde Johnson, was “We’re not asking them to sell The Open invited by the OU to become an Success University,” said WP project support officer ambassador promoting further education to “It’s about explaining to people what Open Cheryl Lim. “Rather, we’re asking them to ethnic minorities. It was a cause he could University study is about, but that doesn’t to talk to people, we want to hear from you’. So I applied and went talk realistically about their experience. We relate to. As one of the highest achievers mean we’re looking for lots of professional CASE STUDY – AYESHA DANA to an interview, where I learned they wanted me to talk to other have student advisers who can explain at school, he visited his school careers public speakers,” she added. “No one is “I WANT to help others to reach their potential, just like I’m trying people like me, who had been forced out of education – teenage how to get involved, what course would advisor for information about studying asked to talk to more than four or five to,” says Ayesha Dana. “The OU gave me the opportunity to do mums, people on benefits, people who think ‘I’ve got two kids and suit a certain person best and to give other information technology at university, but he people at a time and those who don’t want something I’d always wanted but never thought I could. I want a rubbish job to make ends meet, how am I supposed to go to information, and these advisers do was advised instead to leave at 16 and get to do that can be extremely valuable other people to have that feeling.” university?’” extremely valuable work. But no one can an apprenticeship. He wonders if the explaining some of the points of OU study Ayesha is embracing her own second chance of education after Ayesha, who lives in Hackney, is now regularly using the benefit explain the demands and rewards of an reason was his colour. on a one-to-one basis.” rebelling against the strict rules and high expectations of her of her experience to encourage would-be students. Open University course better than “I wouldn’t say the man was an out and And if the first intake is any guide, the private schooling. After a bad experience at school, she lost her “It’s great to help people in similar situations,” she says. “A someone who has actually done one – and out racist, but at that point in time I don’t project is already a success. “At the first motivation to study and didn’t achieve the grades that the school woman I spoke to recently wanted to get into nursing and didn’t that’s where the ambassadors come in.” think a lot of black kids went off and did training event I was struck by the wonderful expected of all its pupils. know how she would be able to combine her study with her job. I The ambassadors were chosen after 46 higher education and professional type jobs. diversity of backgrounds and qualities But Ayesha refused to be put off. Four years on, she’s 20 and is was able to tell her how I’d done it, which really encouraged her. students responded to a blanket email sent “When I told him I’d like to do a degree which the ambassadors bring,” said now halfway through the first year of her Open University law “I don’t pretend to people that OU study is not hard work,” she from the regional office to OU learners in and asked him for some options about Denise. “They are from a wide range of degree, which she describes as “fantastic” – and jumped at the says. “On my first assignment there were so many words I didn’t the two boroughs. Thirty went on to attend where I could study he just asked me why I black and minority ethnic backgrounds, a chance to be an ambassador and share her experience with know that when I looked them up in the dictionary and found the a training day where, through a number of would want to do that. I told him I wanted a good age and gender mix, and are others who previously had problems with their own education. definition, I had to look up the definition! But it’s about wanting to activities including role play, they learned good job but he said it wouldn’t guarantee studying a range of different undergraduate “This is just brilliant,” she says. “There really are no barriers at do it and people who are thinking of coming to the OU want to what the OU wanted them to do. me getting a good job.” courses. all to Open University education. I just love the freedom, the learn. And I want to help them. “From this, 27 ambassadors were The bad advice he received at school “Typically, they talked about ‘wanting to flexibility of it and I’m really, really enjoying my course. I’ve never “I would never have achieved what I am doing without The recruited,” said Denise. “We have designed means he has spent years getting back on give something back’ and spreading the had any doubts that this is the best, most rewarding way for me to Open University,” she says. “This is a brilliant way for me to a three hour training session and 21 of the track, pursuing his dream career via a message about the excellent, flexible study study.” express my gratitude, to give something back. It’s completely ambassadors have so far either attended series of traineeships, working for free, and model the OU offers.” She became an ambassador after responding to the email from changed my life, and for that reason I am delighted if I can prompt or booked a place on this.” educating himself in his spare time. Now For more information on the scheme the London regional office. “It was a very brief email,” she others to change their lives too.” “They work at our widening participation aged 38, living in north London, and email Cheryl at [email protected] remembers. “It pretty much just said ‘if you are friendly and happy 22 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 23 people people When the mind is willing

The prospects for retired sportspeople can be bleak unless they can gain a qualification. But the OU has helped many sportspeople on the way to a successful career after retiring from sports. Yvonne Cook speaks to two of them

ETIRED footballers have ended up doing everything criticisms that it has neglected young players’ educations, schools and families to make sure boys do make academic from being TV pundits to running pubs and fish and setting up approved training routes for football apprentices. progress. Academy apprentices aged 16 to 18 spend a Rchip shops. But faced with retirement in their But when youngsters are now being singled out for potential day-and-a-half a week at the local Milton Keynes College, mid-30s, the prospects for professional sportspeople can be sports stardom at an early age, it can be hard to interest studying a variety of courses which will give them bleak unless they have managed to achieve some kind of them in academic achievement. One person who knows this recognised qualifications such as BTech, NVQ and Key qualifications during their sporting careers. is Simon Dwight, head of education and welfare for Milton Skills, which they can fall back on if they don’t make the The OU has long been one route open to sports Keynes Dons FC Academy. grade as professional footballers. professionals who don’t have the option of attending MK Dons is currently the only League Two club to have its Simon is a big fan of the OU – two of his apprentices have conventional university – past students include England own academy, which takes promising players as young as gone on to OU study and he hopes to encourage more to join cricketer Vikram Solanki and former Scotland football team nine to train for a possible professional career. them. “It makes no difference where you are – you might start manager Craig Brown. Their numbers are likely to increase “Once a professional club picks them up they’ve got the at MK Dons, be sold to Liverpool, then to Manchester City, DEREK STILLIE with the launch of the OU’s first sports-related courses, Y164 club tracksuit and kitbag with the club badge on it, and they who sell you to Wrexham – you could even go to America, as IF anyone wanted to debunk the stereotypical opposition of ‘brain versus brawn’ they Exploring sport online and E112 Introduction to sport, fitness think ‘I’ve made it’ or ‘I’m on the way to making it’,” says Beckham just has, and you can still take your study with you. could do no better than cite Derek Stillie. The 33-year-old former Dundee United and management (see page 27 of sesame 234 for more Simon. “And getting the message through to them, that it is “That to me is why the OU being involved with sport and goalkeeper has just completed the OU’s qualifying law degree and is about to start a new details), as many retiring sportsmen and sportswomen are only one step in a long journey, is difficult.” training sportspeople is a more favourable option than life as a solicitor. The softly spoken Scotsman says his study has been the fulfilment of a naturally attracted to a sports-related career. MK Dons prides itself on a progressive attitude towards players being attached to a local university where you have pact he made with one of his teachers, more than 16 years ago. The football industry, in particular, is responding to education, and Simon, a former teacher, works with boys’ to visit for tutorials and be involved in classroom lectures.” “I left school at 16 and went straight into football at Aberdeen. I had a languages teacher who said ‘you must say on and complete your Highers’, and I said ‘no, I’ve got MARK MAYHOFLER this chance now and I want to go and try and take it’. And I sort of made a pact with her, my parents and with myself, that I would return to study, to make sure I had something to NEW Zealander Mark Mayhofler started a physical education degree because fall back on when football finished.” he enjoyed rugby. But it wasn’t long before the rugby took over. Mark’s studies Derek went on to a successful professional career, spending nine years at Aberdeen, got squeezed out after he turned professional in 1996. Since then his rugby then moving to Wigan Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic and finally Dundee United, where he career has included a stint with the world-famous All Blacks New Zealand retired in May. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Law was always something that really rugby team. interested me, but there wasn’t the facility to do it and encompass my football career at In 2002 he moved from New Zealand to the UK to play for the Newcastle that time. So I took a social sciences course with the OU.” He completed the social Falcons. Aged 30, he realised he had to think about life beyond the rugby sciences foundation course D103 (the precursor to DD100) and took a year off following pitch. “I could see a time when the professional career was coming to an end, the birth of his son. In that time, the OU launched its first law course, W200, much to and I really needed to get some qualifications so that the transition into life Derek’s excitement. after rugby would be a bit smoother,” he says. With training every day, finding time to fit in his study was a problem. “The biggest He initially enquired about studying through his club, which has its own difficulty was, invariably, tutorials would be on a Saturday morning. Football matches start education advisor and encourages players to study and gain qualifications. at 3pm but a player is there long before 3pm. When I was playing for Wigan I did “Unfortunately I couldn’t get my points from my New Zealand study credited manage to take tutorials in Liverpool and get back across to Wigan in time for the across, so I would have had to start a new degree. Then I looked at The Open matches. But if the tutorial was on a day when the match was away from home, it was University and that was perfect because it was correspondence and I could fit impossible. But my clubs would be as accommodating as they possibly could. There was it around rugby.” never any question, for instance, that I would have to miss an exam.” Mark already developed an interest in computing while in New Zealand, so Derek became a learning representative at Dunfermline and Dundee, as part of a studied OU computing courses M206 Object oriented programming, M358 the Professional Footballers’ Association drive to encourage more footballers into further relational database development project and M359 Relational databases: education. Whenever he could, he recommended the OU, he says. “When I started, theory and practice. The OU gave him credit from his two years’ study in New people who did study were very few and far between. But attitudes are changing. People Zealand, which was enough for him to achieve an open degree and, at the age are becoming aware of how precarious a career it is in football, and how you need to of 34, Mark is now poised to leave the game. “I am getting too old,” he says. prepare for life after.” “The mind is willing, but the body has had enough.” He will play his last Derek’s OU study has changed his life in more ways than one. Having qualified in professional match in November, then he plans to return to New Zealand with English law, he has to practise in England, so he and his wife and three children have his family to start a new life. just moved from Broughty Ferry near Dundee to Cambourne near Cambridge. He starts a He has been preparing himself for his new career by doing work experience year’s legal practice course at the Inns of Court School of Law in September and when with Sage Global in Newcastle. He says: “I have learned a lot. Being a rugby that finishes next summer, he has a place as a trainee solicitor with London law firm player is a great lifestyle, but it can be demanding on the family at times, [as] LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene and MacRae. He doesn’t plan to hang up his boots entirely you are away most weekends. I am looking forward to leading a normal life.” though and has just signed up to play for Gillingham FC.

24 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 25 support Don’t miss out

Did you know that higher earners are now eligible for financial support? Below is an overview

FURTHER increase in funding has been secured meaning Scotland that now you could qualify for support even if you are Aworking and have a household income as high as £30,000 Household Financial support available, based on single student with no (more if you have dependants). The level of support depends on Income dependants studying an undergraduate 60 credit point course where you live, and your own financial circumstances. Full course fees paid, plus student loan of £500 a year if your Even if you have registered and paid for courses starting in Under household income is less than £15,376 and hardship award for £15,700 2007 to 2008, it’s not too late to apply for financial support. In students who get into financial difficulty addition to fee and course grants, there’s a whole range of help available, from meeting childcare and internet costs to purchasing £15,700- Partial course fees paid and hardship award for students who get £30,000 into financial difficulty a new computer. To make things a little simpler, a quick guide to financial support Under for OU students is below. The figures supplied are based on a £18,000 £200 Individual Learning Account (ILA) Scotland to use towards (personal course fees single student with no dependants studying an undergraduate income) 60-point course; additional allowances are made for students with Bursary for undergraduate 30- or 60- point maths, science or dependants. If your own circumstances differ from these, you can Unlimited technology courses get an indication of whether you will be eligible for financial support by using the ‘ready reckoner’ at www.open.ac.uk/ financialsupport Disabled Students’ Allowances Students on a course of 30 points or more (60 points or more in Scotland) could qualify for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) England and Northern Ireland regardless of their income if they have a disability, mental health condition or a specific learning condition such as dyslexia. Household Financial support available, based on single student with no Income dependants studying an undergraduate 60 credit point course Open University Student Budget Account If you are not eligible for a full fee grant you can benefit from the Under Full course fees paid, full course grant and help with additional £15,700 study costs Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA)*. Whether you are paying the full course fee yourself, or the outstanding amount £15,700 - Partial course fees paid, full course grant and help with study which your fee grant does not cover, OUSBA allows you to £23,680 costs register now and pay later. OUSBA will pay the OU on your behalf £23,681 - Partial course fees paid, partial course grant and help with and gives you the choice to repay your fees in a single sum before £26,180 additional study costs the course starts, without incurring any interest, or by convenient monthly instalments spread throughout the course. £26,181 - Partial course fees paid £30,000 With so many variations of financial support available, it can seem very confusing, but don’t be put off. Check out your eligibility Wales online at www.open.ac.uk/financialsupport or complete the coupon in the ‘you may be surprised’ leaflet enclosed in this issue of Household Financial support available, based on single student with no sesame. Income dependants studying an undergraduate 60 credit point course Contacts Under Full course fees paid, full course grant and help with additional £15,715 study costs Student Registration and Enquiry Service (England, Wales and N.Ireland): call 0845 366 6051 or email general-enquiries@ £15,715 - Partial course fees paid, partial course grant and help with open.ac.uk £26,265 additional study costs

£26,266 - The Open University in Scotland (including DSAs): call 0131 226 Partial course fees paid £30,000 2851 or email [email protected]

Disabled Students’ Allowances (England, Wales and N. Ireland): Call 01908 654136 (textphone: 01908 659955), fax 01908 659956 or email [email protected]

* OUSBA agreements are credit agreements regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. 26 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 27 courses More courses online at www.open.ac.uk/courses More courses online at www.open.ac.uk/courses courses IN BRIEF

Advance notice: new courses in 2008 NEW courses are being added to the Earlier course Do you teach music? OU curriculum starting in January and February 2008. KYJ113 Foundations for social work practice, KE312 Working together for children, K225 registration 501 Key Stage 2 Music continuing Diverse perspectives on mental professional development, which health and B201 Business Ehas been developed collaboratively ONTINUING students will have to materials or tutor allocation on time, and organisations and their environments by the OU and Trinity Guildhall, aims to register for their next course a little were therefore beginning their studies are just a few examples of the equip music practitioners with the skills, earlier in future. late. exciting areas being added to the C knowledge and understanding necessary Starting this October, the University is “This decision has not been taken lightly OU syllabus. Please see to teach whole class instrumental and bringing forward the final course and is largely based on student feedback. www.open.ac.uk/courses for the full vocal music effectively at this level. registration deadline in response to The OU hopes that this change will bring course listings and registration close Through reflection on their own practice, student feedback and to research which real benefits to all students.” dates. and by engagement with tasks and suggests that those who register very late The new registration dates will be activities, practitioners will grow and are more likely to drop out. displayed at www.open.ac.uk/courses and Looking at company law develop in the teaching team in which “For many years, continuing students a reminder will appear on StudentHome. they operate. IF you’re quick, you might be able to have been able to register for their next This will also affect students living in register for W223 Company law and course right up until the last minute,” a England, Wales and Northern Ireland who practice. Looking at the legal Collaborative teaching Student Services spokesperson told need to apply for financial support or are E501 is funded by the Department for regulation of business organisations, sesame. “This was to provide students with being sponsored for their course. Call the it considers the impact of The Education and Skills (DfES), and is free to maximum flexibility, but many OU on 0845 300 6090 for more practitioners. It is for anyone involved in Companies Act 2006. students were not receiving their information. Registration closes: 5 October 2007 the collaborative teaching of whole class Course starts: November 2007 instrumental and vocal music at KS2, including music service instrumental New science courses teachers, class teachers, teaching assistants and community musicians. THREE new science courses are Delivery is through a number of online starting this autumn: S154 Science units and face-to-face workshop units. The starts here for beginners to the online content can be worked through at a subject, SDK125 Introducing health rate appropriate to each participant. E501 sciences: a case study approach (see also has a flexible start and finish date, to the Spring edition of sesame page suit each individual. 28 for more details) and SK121 Applications and enquiries are through Understanding cardiovascular diseases. www.ks2music.org.uk only, not the OU (please note that the course carries no Career training OU credit). Applications – which are THE OU now has a comprehensive limited by regional quotas and the sort of selection of courses and qualifications work people do – will be accepted until covering postgraduate skills and 30 November 2007. disciplines. These are ideal for those looking to get up the career ladder in their field, especially computing, information systems and technology management. For more details visit www.openuniversity.co.uk/future1 New youth justice course Discovering science replaced Learn a language S103 Discovering science is to be replaced by S104 Exploring the internet is essential. A NEW Foundation Degree in Youth Justice is to be offered by the OU from October this DID you know that the OU offers a science. A variety of topics are explored on the course including the year. variety of language courses for Though much of the material used in the replacement course is origin of life, genetics, evolution and biodiversity. Also looked at Developed in partnership with the Youth Justice Board (the public body that oversees beginners, from beginners’ Italian to taken from S103, it has been completely updated and improved to are sources of energy and global warming, earthquakes, the youth justice system in England and Wales), it is open to all. But students will need French, German and Spanish? Not aid accessibility and workload management. volcanoes, food and drugs, the structure of the atom, the solar some experience in a work-based setting. only do the courses encourage you to As with S103 some teaching is delivered via computer-based system and the origin of the Universe. The course is made up of four 60-point courses with an emphasis on evidence-based improve your language skills, they’ll multimedia packages, and video sequences (both being As with S103, successful completion of S104 will earn a practice, taking a look at what participants have done and using that to improve practice. also develop your understanding of delivered on DVD). The course will use its own website as a Certificate in Natural Sciences. Wendy Stainton-Rogers, Professor of Health Psychology in the OU’s Faculty of Health the countries’ different cultures and focus for communication, distribution of assessment material, Registration closes: 14 December 2007 and Social Care, says: “We have taken the best of theory, the best of research, the best traditions. some computer-based activities, and contact with a tutor via Course starts: October 2008 of distilled wisdom to produce a broad blueprint of what effective practice is.” an online tutor group forum. Therefore, access to a computer and

28 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 29 careers careers

FOCUS ON: CASE STUDY – HYWEL GRIFFITHS THE OU’s law and criminology courses can also help professionals Law careers currently working in the field to get their foot even farther up the ladder. Competition for jobs in law and criminology are fierce, so your application needs to stand out. Here are PC Hywel Griffiths did just that. In some tips for those of you who are looking at a career in law 1998 at 32 years of age, Hywel was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease while working as an operational dog N England and Wales (the OU law miss out. Some law firms advertise errors will result in rejection. Take time with handler. Following his diagnosis he degree only covers these areas) there positions two years in advance, especially each application – good preparation is vital. was posted to work in the Divisional Iare around 5,500 training contracts for large, city or medium firms, the The types of questions asked include Intelligence Unit (DIU). solicitors, and 400 tenancies for barristers Government Legal Service and large competency based questions. These are Here he decided to study for a each year. in-house departments. Smaller firms, local the desired skills the firm wants, and you Bachelor of Science Degree and Therefore, think carefully about the type authorities, magistrates courts and the need to show you can demonstrate them – D56 Social policy and criminology. of employer you want to work for: private Crown Prosecution Service usually be specific and give examples from your The force part-funded Hywel’s course practice (large or small), in-house legal advertise a year in advance, with small legal and non legal experience or and since working in the DIU and department, local authority or Government firms, publicly funded practices, local academic history. Motivational questions while studying his course, he has Legal Service, the not-for-profit sector or authorities and the not-for-profit sector are also asked, in particular why you are been involved with a number of the Crown Prosecution Service/courts. advertising months or weeks in advance. applying to that firm, and why law as a significant developments within the One size definitely doesn’t fit all, so Most law firms use application forms, career. These questions test whether you force, receiving a Chief Constable’s make sure you have a realistic reason for and many are online. Don’t just cut and have done your research into that firm or Commendation for his work and being approaching every employer. paste answers from other forms, and make sector. And, of course, legal and business a founder member of the Gwent Timing is all important for law sure you proofread it after you have filled it questions are asked to test the depth of Police Disability Network. applications. Get it wrong and you could in – spelling mistakes and grammatical your knowledge and experience of legal PC Griffiths said: “It’s been a lot of hard work, studying in my own time, but I’m extremely pleased to have students, and I was pleased to discover that my perception successfully finished my degree. It CASE STUDY – was entirely wrong.” was like a bolt from the blue when I JANE HEYBROEK Jane was called to the bar in 2003, but wasn’t starting her was initially diagnosed with pupillage until September 2004. She therefore returned to her Parkinson’s but it’s surprising how DESPITE not completing her A-levels, Jane Heybroek is now a former company on a consultancy basis before getting a adaptable the human race can be. barrister after gaining a law degree from the OU. part-time job at a Pro Bono Legal Advice Centre at the College issues, with questions such as, ‘Which one law would you change and why?’ What may initially be seen to be a “I had wanted to become a barrister as a teenager but I of Law and was still able to continue doing pro bono cases But don’t just rely on written applications. Go to law fairs and speak to devastating condition can actually was a very unruly teenager,” she says. “So I ended up not herself. Jane’s areas of practice are crime (prosecution and representatives from law firms; take opportunities to network; go to firms’ open days; open up new avenues with new finishing my A-levels because I wanted to leave home and get a defence), family law and immigration. “Every day is different. undertake short work experience placements – in your own time if necessary. All of opportunities. job.” And every day I wake up looking forward to going to work – these things will enhance your applications and give you an opportunity to create a “The next challenge I have set After working in advertising sales and customer services, then which is more than most people can say about their work. I positive impression. Good luck! myself is to learn Welsh. I have a falling pregnant with her son in 1995, she decided to improve often joke that even if I won the lottery I would still work as a For more information on legal careers and vacancies go to www.lawcareers.net, limited knowledge of the language her qualifications but was unsure in what field. “I started with barrister (although perhaps I would be a bit fussier about the www.chambersandpartners.com or www.lawgazette.co.uk already, but want to develop this the Foundation in Social Sciences,” she said. “But then during my kind of briefs I accepted!).” further to eventually become first year of study, the OU announced they were commencing What advice can Jane offer to current OU students about fluent.” courses which would result in a qualifying law degree.” getting into law? “A career at the bar requires dedication. If you Manager of the Parkinson’s Disease She really enjoyed the first two years of her degree: “It was want to go into this profession for the money, you will be sadly Law Careers Day Society in Wales, Simon Hatch, said: encouraging to be achieving high results – I got a distinction in disappointed for the first few years because, like any ON Saturday 16 June, the Law Department at the OU held its annual Law Careers Day “We are all really proud of Hywel's international development – but once I began on the law profession, qualification is only the first step on a long ladder. in Milton Keynes for Level 2 and 3 law students. The day involved a range of achievements. There was never any programme I found the work a great deal harder. But there was You need to be accepted for pupillage, then once you have seminars and talks from lecturers, representatives from the College of Law, careers doubt in my mind that Hywel would also a tremendous feeling of being a pioneer – I was among completed your pupillage, you need to find a chambers that is advisers and legal employers. Sessions included ‘Applying for a training contract’, ‘The graduate successfully – he's a credit only 105 people who qualified in the first graduation, and the prepared to take you on as a tenant. From there, you have to lawyer in local government’ and ‘The advantages of being a mature student’. to the Gwent Force. feeling of achievement I attained from that was immense.” build up your reputation with solicitors and accept the fact that Former OU law students, Raewyn Gwynne and Jane Haybroek were a big hit with “Hywel has faced the challenges of Once Jane qualified, she was accepted on the College of you will get all the little bits of work that no one else in their inspiring talks on how they overcame the obstacles to succeed in their careers as being diagnosed at a younger age Law Bar Vocational Course. “I really enjoyed my year there, chambers wants until you gradually start getting bigger and a solicitor and barrister. bravely and much credit goes to and I passed with a ‘Very High Competent’ grade, coming out better briefs. It is a long slog, but a very rewarding one. For three weeks following the careers day a ‘Law careers’ forum was held on Gwent Police for supporting him so 16th overall in my year, which was a delightful shock to me on “And many of the major banks offer specialised Professional FirstClass. Moderators were from the OU Careers Advisory Service and the College of well – they are a model for other the day the results were published. I had somehow thought Development Loans uniquely tailored for barristers young in the Law. This was the first time it was held, and over 250 browsers went into the forum, employers across Wales.” that I could not hope to measure up to my Oxbridge fellow profession.” and nearly 60 postings were made. Both the forum and careers day were well received by students, and will be held again next year. 30 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 31 careers OU Careers Advisory Service at www.open.ac.uk/careers Committed to providing AHST activities that support your studies IN BRIEF :JV[[PZO/PZ[VY`I`+PZ[HUJL3LHYUPUN 4LKPL]HSHUK,HYS`4VKLYU:JV[SHUK! Flying start for female 4VKLYU:JV[[PZO/PZ[VY`![V[OL7YLZLU[ entrepreneurs ;OL+\UKLL6WLU

To be in with a chance of winning one of these prizes, email [email protected] (with the subject line ‘Vouchers’) or send a postcard to: Voucher Competition, sesame, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. Please include your name, address, PI number and a contact email and/or telephone number. The closing date is 22 October. Winners will be drawn at random after the closing date and will be contacted by email or telephone. The names of the winners and the towns in which they live will be published in the next issue of sesame. To see a list of courses that you could spend this prize on, visit www.open.ac.uk/courses

MORE ABOUT OU GIFT VOUCHERS… If you’re thinking about giving someone an experience that will last well after the turkey leftovers this Christmas, something that can help them to develop an interest, ).$)6)$5!, ). /52 4().+).' how about a place on an OU course? Offering gift vouchers is a new venture for the OU and is proving popular with a ',/"!, ). /52 /54,//+ whole range of people – from family to friends and work colleagues, for birthdays and anniversaries, and for retirement gifts. Most of the people studying short courses with OU gift vouchers are new to the OU – a great way of getting someone into 'LOBAL GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANKING studying. (T189 Digital photography: creating and sharing better images is currently the favourite course to buy with a voucher.) And vouchers are also being redeemed /URGRADUATEDEVELOPMENTPROGRAMMEOFFERSOPPORTUNITIESACROSS%UROPE .ORTH!MERICAAND!SIA0ACIlC by people who are already studying with us – what better way for family and friends 7HEREVERYOUJOINUSYOULLENJOYTHESCOPETOTHINKINNOVATIVELY TAKEEARLYRESPONSIBILITYANDTACKLEAVARIETY to show their support for their loved one? OFCOMPLEXCHALLENGES!NDACULTURETHATVALUESYOURWORKLIFEBALANCEASMUCHASYOURSKILLS So, if you’re looking for creative ideas, how about giving the gift of learning this &ORTHEANSWERTOTHEBRAINTEASERANDDETAILSOFOURGLOBALGRADUATEDEVELOPMENTPROGRAMME GOTO Christmas? OU gift vouchers are for £10, £20, £50 and £100 and are available by WWWGRADUATEABNAMROCOM calling +44 (0)1908 858793 or from www.open.ac.uk/gift-vouchers

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competitions are open to all readers except employees of The Open University. Prizes must be taken as offered and are not transferable or exchangeable for a cash equivalent. Winners will be the first three entries with all required details that is drawn after the closing date and will be notified within 28 days by email, post or telephone. Entries are taken as acceptance of these terms and conditions. The name and town of the winner will be published in a future edition of sesame magazine. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 34 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 35 www.onspeed.com 10x faster Internet Edited by for just £24.99 a YEAR OU Student Lisa Carson Why suffer with a slow Internet connection? The official publication of the Open University Students Association You need ONSPEED. www.onspeed.com Letter from the editor...

NIVERSITY students rely on the Internet Broadband, you can use ONSPEED to get a long process which could have a and enable us to explore how to move Life in the significant impact on how students will be forward. There are many aspects to more than ever these days. A painfully significant speed boast, up to 5 times the U supported throughout their journey with OUSA from representing the student slow connection can hold back your speed of your current connection. fast lane? the OU in the future. views to providing and negotiating research and mean you spend more time The question is often services such as the N a recent flight on route to "Once you’ve used ONSPEED you won’t asked “what does new NUS Extra card, waiting for web pages and emails to load Walton Hall I was reading the “There are many OUSA do for me?” and which you can read than you do actually writing assignments. want to surf the Net without it" in-flight magazine. One of the aspects to OUSA” O having a student about in sesame, or Internet & Broadband Advisor articles debated the issue of retirement ONSPEED is a simple, inexpensive and involved in discussion of the Student the management of a social environment age and related issues. I came away with reliable solution to a slow Internet connection Support Review at every opportunity is on FirstClass. the impression of two potential journeys and thousands of cash strapped students are At just £24.99 a year, ONSPEED won’t break part of what OUSA does for you. The This brings me to my personal journey. I through life. The first journey being the review is being discussed in every region started studying with the OU in 2002 with already feeling the benefits of ONSPEED. the bank, and if you compare it to around fast lane from school via work to and throughout the University committee the ambition of working towards attaining £200 a year for a Broadband contract, it’s retirement maybe with the occasional structure. OUSA is involved by ensuring my degree, a fairly straight forward parallel life event but a straightforward "An amazing piece of software" an essential purchase for Dial-up users. You the student view is listened to. We have journey. I’ve taken advantage of the journey with a plan. The alternative or PC Answers won’t be tied into a contract and there is no student representatives on as many flexibility of an OU degree to take short second journey was considerably more committees as possible to make certain courses and study topics that were never set-up charge because ONSPEED doesn’t flexible with the aim of going somewhere that the student point of view is heard on intended and through getting involved in ONSPEED is a quick and easy software require any extra hardware and you can set but without being too sure of the every possible occasion. We have a short OUSA I have acquired skills and destination which allows for “moving in download that significantly increases the it up yourself without any expert computer report from one of the students who confidence that I never expected to. My and out of careers, with periods of rest speed of your existing Internet connection – knowledge. Just in case, you can call the attended a recent workshop in this issue. journey has taken me on quite a detour and retraining”. It is possible that all the Dial-up increased by 10 times and Broadband ONSPEED technical support centre on a How do they represent all students? Each and I intend to enjoy and learn from the travelling was affecting my thinking! year at the annual Conference the experience as I put these skills to good by 5 times. There’s no need to upgrade standard rate number for assistance 7 days However, I could relate this to the history motions are debated and voted on and use leading the Association on its journey your hardware or do anything to your phone a week. of The Open University, being an Open the resulting policies are published in the into the future. University student and my personal line, and no need to change your existing ‘Register of Decisions’, which can be journey. Internet Provider. CCCCC downloaded from the OUSA website, When The Open University came into LISA CARSON www.ousa.org.uk (Find out more about ONSPEED is available to purchase existence it was innovative in that it was OUSA being a Central Representative in The ONSPEED service uses superior securely and download from: open to all without entry requirements and Education Matters.) PRESIDENT compression technology developed by the gave the opportunity to www.onspeed.com So the journey retrain and change US military and NASA to help data travel “The OU cannot options open to us as It takes just two minutes to install career. At this time the faster – so your web pages and emails come students are brick universities were stand still” from start to finish and is covered expanding and the through in a fraction of the time. In a test expecting their students by a 14-day money back guarantee. student population is becoming more by Internet Advisor magazine, ONSPEED straight from school in a natural So join over 500,000 happy ONSPEED diverse. If you stop to think about it the progression. Society has changed and the increased a standard Dial-up connection customers today. task is becoming more of a challenge. So ‘traditional’ universities are expanding into from 30kb per second to around the 300kb how does OUSA truly represent this distance and part-time learning while at per second level – well into Broadband membership which is constantly the same time the demographic of the OU changing? This is a question that I intend territory for a fraction of the cost and is changing with young students wishing to explore with the Executive Committee none of the hassle. If you already have to study with The Open University for their of OUSA around the time this issue of OU first degree. The OU cannot stand still and Student will be arriving through your * Internet connection required - standard fees apply. Works with AOL when using an alternative Internet browser. a major initiative which is in progress is Speeds up Broadband connections up to 2Mb. Speeds up web browsing and sending/receiving of emails only. letterbox. I believe we have an opportunity the Student Support Review. This is a to examine what is keeping us tethered 36 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 37 IN BRIEF Good news Introducing our new Officers Zarnecki talk LAURA MURPHY, DEPUTY PRESIDENT RITA WILLIAMS PROFESSOR John Zarnecki spoke at the LAURA began studying with the OU in 1998. She recently VICE-PRESIDENT, OUSA Conference to enthralled students for disabled completed a BSc, which she is aiming to upgrade to a BSc about some of the results achieved by the COMMUNICATIONS (Hons). European Space Agency’s Huygens probe in She has served as treasurer and secretary of her local Dublin RITA began studying with the OU in 2004 and became active which he was a principal investigator. The branch and two terms as Executive Committee Member (ECM) within OUSA in 2006. She is Chair of her local London branch picture that he donated to OUSA for students for Republic of Ireland. During her time on the Executive and Regional Forum. She says that “it is obvious to many people fundraising, which was a colour image of the Committee, OUSA in the Republic of Ireland has gone from a that communications within OUSA leave a lot to be desired and, rocky surface of Titan, was enthusiastically dormant entity to one where over half the branches are active after Conference fired my passion, I feel I am ready to take on received and highly sought after and now EW rules for Disabled students with a disability, mental and the interests of students are represented to both the Open the challenge”. proudly hangs on a student’s wall. Professor Students’ Allowances (DSAs) health condition or specific learning University in Ireland, and further centrally. “The role of VP Communications is a huge one, and never Zarnecki has generously donated a second Nnow mean that more students difficulty (for example dyslexia) to She says: “The Deputy President’s been attempted before. I believe that effective communication is picture, which will be used to raise more will be eligible to receive support. meet the extra study costs which are position is primarily to support the the job of every member of the EC, money for the student charity. Vice-President, Until now, students had to be a direct result of their condition. They President, and I feel that this is and to this end I hope to be able to Student Support welcomes any interesting studying at least 60 credit points in are awarded in addition to any other something I am well placed to do, demonstrate that open, honest fundraising ideas that OUSA members might an academic year to qualify. But due financial support that students might having worked alongside the current communications can lead to a new like to propose. Contact her in the usual way to a change in regulations the points be eligible for, including fee grant and President for almost three years, on era of success for OUSA, and that by with your thoughts. threshold has been reduced to just course grant. both OUSA and OU Committees conference next year, more people 30 for new students, opening up (regionally and centrally), and I will will know who we are and what Student Support Review funding opportunities for many more Needs assessment provide all the support and assistance we do,” adds Rita. students with disabilities or specific Students who disclose their THE Open University is currently conducting a required during the year ahead, learning difficulties. disability to The Open University are major review of student support. The review working with her as she brings OUSA Helen Maxwell, manager, DSA automatically invited to apply for a st encompasses the whole learning experience. forward into the 21 century.” Office says: “We are committed to DSA. If they meet the required The University wants to be able to provide a making higher eligibility criteria, flexible response to students’ support needs education as the OU arranges from their first course. accessible as “DSA’s are not a needs EDUCATION MATTERS In the first phase, evidence was collated possible, so it’s very means-tested” assessment, from students, academic lecturers, academic important to us that which is carried and non-academic staff. This phase offered students get all the support they are out by an independent, fully qualified OUSA the opportunity to contribute with our entitled to. By lowering the points assessor. They will meet the student education and student support policy. Once Central Representation for OUSA threshold students will have more and take into account how their the first report was presented for the OU flexibility in how they plan the timing condition will affect their ability to Senate, Will Swann (Director, Students) and HE University 2006-7 committee attention of those who might be prepared facilities can be made available. of their study. DSAs are not study the course they have Pro Vice-Chancellor Brigid Heywood (Staff and year has ended and the new to help in this way and so far nearly 40 What is needed of a representative is means-tested, so if you have a chosen. Based on what they find, Research) took their ‘Roadshow’ around the committee year commenced on 1 students have offered their help. They will reliability, an ability to understand what disability or learning difficulty and are the assessor will submit T regions. All students were invited to attend and September. offer the consensus student viewpoint to the consensus student view is (a a new student studying 30 points or recommendations for the DSA feed their views into the next stage of the The Association is very fortunate in the University, contribute in a positive representative is not there to present more from October, we encourage awards officers to approve. This may review. being invited by the University to provide manner to policy development of the his/her own view) and an ability to you to get in touch.” include allowances for specialist We are currently in Phase 2 which is looking representation on all of the University’s University and bring information back to produce promptly a brief report about equipment (such as radio aids, low at the options available to bring the aims of the major governance committees – a rather OUSA. what was discussed at the meeting. Twice the time vision aids, scanners and special Review to fruition. A number of workshops are greater degree of representation than is While most of the student seats have Obviously, for anything involving a Students still need to show they are keyboards), non-medical helpers, an taking place for associate lecturers and staff in offered to students at most contemporary been filled, there are still some vacancies. specific faculty, some previous experience aiming to complete their course in annual general allowance, and extra faculties and regions to map out the processes universities. This is possibly related to the In addition, other vacancies do occur in that faculty is essential but this does twice the time of a full-time travel costs related to study. from inception of a course to the student fact that OU students come from a far during the year as there are often not mean that a successful representative equivalent. So if you do only study 30 receiving their degree. A number of students broader range of backgrounds than those short-term working groups, programme needs a vast number of points from that points one year you will need to plan Qualify have also attended the workshops (see report at most other universities and the workshops and sub-committees set up. faculty, and for programme workshops, in how you will catch up in the future. The new 30-point threshold applies to on the Modelling Workshops). University values having views from as Applications are welcomed throughout the particular, a measure of ‘freshness’ to the For example, students will usually courses beginning in or after October Your chance to contribute to this stage of the many perspectives as possible. year. subject could be an advantage. study 60 points a year over six years 2007. If you think you could qualify Review is via the SSR Exchange available Along with the benefits, however, there Many representatives remark how such Any students who would like to help to obtain a bachelors degree, so if for a Disabled Students’ Allowance, from OU Students Association>OUSA Live is one big snag. The University is at activities give an extra dimension to their their fellow students in the Association, the you drop to 30 points one year you and you haven’t already heard from from your FirstClass Desktop and information Milton Keynes and the students are widely studies and help them to understand the University, and themselves by acting as a will need to make up the additional the DSA Office, you can contact them is also available from the review website: dispersed - accordingly attendance at ‘why’ as well as the ‘wherefore’ – so it’s representative should get in touch with the 30 points over what is left of your at: The DSA Office, The Open www.open.ac.uk/student-support-review/ meetings during a normal working week not a matter of all ‘give’ by the volunteers. OUSA Office and a form will be sent to you. period of eligibility. The DSA Office University, Hammerwood Gate, Kents index.shtml There is a copy of the second places a considerable onus on those who Although there is no payment for It’s over to you – we need the will take into account how you have Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6BR. Voice report presented to Senate in June which offer to act as central representatives in participation, expenses (travel and information that you can bring and you studied in the past, and as long as telephone: 01908 654136, includes a number of propositions to comment this way. subsistence) are reimbursed by the can be assured in return of an interesting you satisfy the set criteria you will still textphone: 01908 659955, fax 01908 on. Go and have your say! This year, we advertised widely on University for all official representation session which we hope will be relevant to qualify for your allowance. 65995, email DSA-Queries@open. forums that we believed would attract the and, where necessary, appropriate special your journey through The Open University. DSAs are designed to help ac.uk

38 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 39 month, 8pm, Rosie O’Grady’s, Park End Street, Oxford. West Cumbria Branch Last Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, Details Tracey: [email protected] The Howgate Inn (on the A595 between Whitehaven and Dates for your diary Web: www.ousa-oxford.org.uk Workington). Details Tony: [email protected] Plymouth Branch Third Tuesday of every month. Winifred Wirral Branch Details Laura: [email protected] Baker Court, Addison Rd, North Hill, Plymouth. Details Pat: York Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7 - 9pm, St [email protected] If you would like to see your event advertised here, please Number 3 Public House, Devonshire Square. Details Andrew: Johns College, Lord Mayors Walk, York. Details Elizabeth: Portsdown Branch First Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm, contact the OUSA Office. Deadline for the next issue of 01253 891121. [email protected] Toby Carvery, Copnor Rd, Hilsea. Details Val: vam44@ OU Student is 15 October. Gloucester Branch First Thursday of every month, 8.00pm, The student.open.ac.uk Affiliated Societies Central Events Fountain Inn, Westgate Street, Gloucester. Details Andrew: Open University Psychological Society (OUPS) Rochdale Branch Last Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, 01453 757445. Details for all events on the website: www.oups.org.uk South Regional Forum The announced date of the AGM for Millers, Hollingworth Lake, Littlebrough. Details Gill: OUPS Conference, Saturday 10 November, “Images of South Regional Forum of 15 September has had to be Guildford Branch Thursday 27 September, 7.45pm, Spectrum gill@[email protected] Childhood”, London SW1. Details Lynda: lyndarochester changed due to extenuating circumstances. The AGM for the (Ice Skating/Bowling evening). Details of forthcoming events: Sheffield Branch Last Tuesday of every month, 7pm, region will therefore now be held on Saturday 10 November [email protected] or via the website: @hotmail.com Ruskins, Tudor Square, Sheffield. Details Lucy: lc2935@ 2007 at Queen Mary College, Basingstoke commencing at www.guildfordousa.org OUPS Conference, Saturday 17 November, “Careers in 10.30am. All branches in South Region are asked to note and student.open.ac.uk Psychology”, University of Reading. Details Dominic: Gwent Branch Details Celia: [email protected] or act on this change of date. Southend Branch First Thursday of every month, 7.45pm, [email protected] 01633 483423. OUPS Reading, pub meeting, first Thursday of every month, Local Events Alexander House, opp Southend Victoria Railway Station, Haverfordwest Branch First Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, Southend-on-Sea. Details Albert: albert.beaven@ 8pm, Reading RG4. Details Dominic: [email protected] Altrincham & Sale Branch Second Tuesday of every month, Haverfordwest Cricket Club, Dale Road, Haverfordwest, blueyonder.co.uk OUPS Ringwood, pub meeting, second Thursday of every 8.30pm, Famous Old Porterhouse, Stamford New Road, Pembs. Details Mair Kromrei: [email protected] or month, 8pm, Ringwood BH24. Details Sally: Altrincham. Details Edna: [email protected] [email protected] or 07880 767266. Stockport Branch Second Thursday every month, 8pm, [email protected] The Unity pub, Wellington Rd, Stockport. Details Jane: OUPS Maidenhead, pub meeting, third Thursday of every Bath Branch Second Wednesday of every month, 8pm, Crystal Huddersfield Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7pm, [email protected] Web: http://aips.mine.nu/ousa month, 8pm Holyport SL6. Details Phil: Palace Tavern, 10 - 11 Abbey Green, Bath. Details Nina: Huddersfield University, Howard Wilson Building, Room [email protected] [email protected] HWG03. Details Helen: [email protected] Weald Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7pm, The Humphrey Bean Pub, Tonbridge High Street. Details OUPS London, pub meeting, last Thursday of every month, Belgium Branch First Monday of every month, Brussels. Details Ipswich and Bury St. Edmunds Branch Norman: [email protected] or 07967 245939 8:30pm, East Sheen SW14. Details Denise: Mike: [email protected] Details: www.ousasuffolk.org.uk Web: www.wealdousa.org.uk/ [email protected] Bournemouth & Poole Branch First Thursday of every month, Kendal Branch First Monday of every month, 7.30pm, Brewery 8.30pm, Grasshopper Pub, Poole Rd, Lower Parkstone, Poole. Arts Centre, Kendal. Details Brian Wright: 01539 621567. Details Neil Walkling: [email protected] Lancaster Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm, Brighton, Hove & Lewes Branch First Monday of every month, Bar of Gregson Institute, Moor Lane, Lancaster. Details Sybil: 7.30pm, Cricketers Pub, Black Lion Street, Brighton. Details [email protected] Stimulating interest Colin: [email protected] Liverpool Branch Last Wednesday of every month, 8pm, Bristol Branch First Wednesday of every month, 8.30pm, Horts Wetherspoons (The Richard John Blacker), Great Charlotte HE Guildford and Woking OUSA City Tavern, Broad Street, Bristol. Details Kate: 0117 955 1992. Street, Liverpool. Details Kath: 07968 576491 or branch has been active for four Web: www.ousabristol.org.uk [email protected] Tyears. We meet each month in a Cambridge Branch First Wednesday of each month, 8pm, London Region Sunday 23 September, visit to Fulham Palace, different venue/activity across our area to Panton Arms, Coronation Street, Cambridge. Details Peter: meet at East Putney station, 10.45am. try and facilitate access and stimulate [email protected] Saturday 3 November, Pub lunch at The George, Borough interest for as many students as possible. Recent events have included: ten pin Cheltenham Branch Second Wednesday of every month, 8pm, High Street London Bridge, 12 noon. Details: www.ousalondon.org.uk bowling, meals out, pub quizzes, games Norwood Arms, Leckhampton Rd, Cheltenham. Details Chris: night, laser quest and our favourite annual [email protected] Manchester Branch Second Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm. event; the spooky Ghost Walk of Guildford Chippenham Branch Second Thursday of every month, Lass O’Gowire, Charles St, Manchester. Details Gavin: (pictured left) which is acted out 7.30pm, Pheasant Public House, Chippenham, [email protected] especially for us by a former OU student. (corner of A4 & Hungerdown Lane). Newbury Branch First Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm. There are usually 10-20 students at our Details Pauline Lock: [email protected] Details Russell: [email protected] events and some strong friendships have Web: http://imprimis.madasafish.com/OUSAChippingham Web: www.ousa-newbury.rsmithers.net been formed over the years. In the words of student Emma Pressnell who attended Doncaster Branch First Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm, Newcastle Branch Last Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm, Toby one of our events for the first time in Salutation Inn, South Parade, Doncaster. Details Andrew: Carvery, Kingston Park, Newcastle. Details Edythe: 0191 March: “…the group were so friendly and [email protected] 2421142. put me at ease. I was soon having a Dorset Branch Relaxed day and evening meetings. Northampton Branch Second Wednesday of every month, fantastic time and forgot that I had just Details Natasha: [email protected] 8.30pm, The Fish, Fish Street, Northampton. Details Cristina: met them. They made me feel extremely 07796471908 or [email protected] welcome and told me they were extremely Exeter Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm, pleased to see me there.” contribute to the running of the branch about events and we would welcome Mill-on-the-Exe, Exeter. Details Alison: 07971 954392, or Northwich Branch Second Wednesday of every month. Details We also welcome students to our online and in future plans. Our website contact with students in our branch area [email protected] or FirstClass branch conference. Kath: [email protected] OUSA branch FirstClass conference and www.guildfordousa.org is kept up to date or neighbouring areas. Flyde Branch First Wednesday of every month, 8 - 10pm, Oxford, Abingdon & Witney Branch Fourth Thursday of every we ensure that all students are able to with photos, newsletters and information Justine Cornforth, Chair, Guildford branch

40 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 41 Student Support Review workshop Learning a new language ? MONDAY in June found me team leaders, we divided into groups, findings. These posters will be the basis Spanish Summer Courses for sitting with two other students in a based on either faculties or regions, and of each group’s continuing work over the Alarge hall in Milton Keynes set to work on the theme assigned to summer. L(ZX)194, L(ZX)140, L314 surrounded by well over a hundred each group. I was in the Nation Regions It was a remarkable experience; a members of the Phase 2 Student Support group and our task was to decide which meeting of all factions of our University, One-week intensive residential Review Modeling Teams. It was the aspects of student support were specific working together, to try to ensure that the courses in Alicante, Spain. Practise + UK Next Day Carriage £10 or beginning of a two-day workshop on the to any one of the Nation Regions. Every support the university offers to students and revise in small groups in friendly £99 UK Standard Installation £99. Student Support Review and we were couple of hours we regrouped in the main meets the needs of all concerned. environment. Exclusively available to there to put the students’ viewpoint and to hall to report our progress, receive Will it work? I don’t know the answer to OU students. ask all the awkward questions we could information and above all to ask questions. that yet, but one thing is certain; if it Call SDS on 01271 325777 or visit www.ousat.co.uk think of. Group work continued on day two doesn’t, it won’t be for want of trying. Price includes accommodation in After brief presentations by Will Swann, culminating in each group presenting, for Marianne Cantieri, Executive Committee single rooms in modern university the OU Director, Students and the project discussion, a poster setting out their Member for Southern Europe SDS, Unit 5, Brannam Crescent, Barnstaple, Devon. EX31 3TD hall, meals, excursions, 25 hours’ tuition, optional sessions, course OU Student, the publication of the Open University Students Association, is edited by the OUSA President. Most of the materials, access to swimming pool. articles are written by students of the University. It is produced on OUSA’s behalf by the Communications department of HOW TO BOOK YOUR The Open University. Editorial enquiries and contributions should be addressed to: Als Ryan, Open University Students www.spanishintensives.com Association, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6BE. Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 652026 Fax: +44 (0)1908 654326 Email: CLASSIFIED ADVERT [email protected] OUSA website: www.ousa.org.uk It's never been easier to place your Sesame classified advert, IF YOU WANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUSA PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM Smart matching for the discerning dater simply go to our new online booking system. Psychometric profiling – matches Now never miss an issue, prebook, supply your copy and people to people. FREE join and profile! prepay all online.Your booking will be acknowledged NUS EXTRA CARD SUPPORT LINKS Est. in 2000 – the site attracts an The NUS Extra Card is available now for all current OU students. Still only Tick the box for further details about becoming a Student Support Link, interesting crowd of genuine people together with receipt of payment. £10 for a year subscription, but with access to more discounts, and a Disabled Student Link or Student Academic Link (circle area of interest). looking for love, romance, friendship and social contacts. www.square7media.co.uk/advertising broader range than ever before. The Card also incorporates the It doesn’t take millions to find ‘the one’... International Student Identity Card (ISIC) currently worth £7 yearly, giving REPRESENTATIVES AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS access to more discounts in the UK and around the world plus excellent If you are interested in being a rep at residential schools in the future, savings on travel including international flights. The NUS Extra Card please tick the box for a recruitment pack and application form. will be accepted as valid student identification on your travels and at your DISABLED STUDENTS GROUP OU exams. You can also enter competitions, apply for special offers and This group is open to all those disabled students interested in helping receive discount updates all online. For more details of the amazing range OUSA to achieve its equality policy. Please tick the box if you are interested m of discounts on offer and to apply for your card go to www.nusextra.co.uk in receiving details of how to register with the Disabled Students Group. Important to note: This card lasts from September to the following August. Applications are only available on line. All you need is a photo to upload GRADUATION CEREMONIES and your credit or debit card to hand. Make sure you know your OU Student Tick the box for details of how you can represent OUSA at an OU HIIHKMNGBMR personal identity (PI) number for current student verification. Graduation ceremony. FZd^ma^kb`amfho^ OUSET DONATION OU STUDENT MEMBERSHIP CARD OUSET, The Open University Students Educational Trust, is a registered Whilst all students are automatically members of OUSA, we do provide a free membership card. This may secure discounts from some retailers charity, administered by OUSA, and is designed to help Open University B_rhn]^lbk^Zmknerln\\^ll_ne%]bo^kl^Zg]bgm^k^lmbg` students in financial need. Its funds are almost entirely generated by donations and service providers, and counts as identification for OU Exams. Please Phne]rhnebd^mhbgÌn^g\^ma^phke]Ãlfhlm and fundraising activities of fellow students. Any donation is welcome. send in one passport sized photograph, proof of student identity/ \Zk^^kbg[nlbg^llma^gma^

ORDER FORM >fiehr^kl\hglb]^kma^

OUSA information is recorded on computer. OUSA is registered under the Data Protection Act. FZgZ`^f^gm:\\hngmZgmlIkh_^llbhgZeJnZebË\Zmbhg Name Student Number Region Catchment Area Number mh[^ma^fhlmk^e^oZgmËgZg\bZejnZebË\Zmbhg Address _hkbgm^kgZmbhgZe[nlbg^llmh]Zr'

Date

I include a donation to OUSET. ?hkfhk^bg_hkfZmbhgoblbm3 Please send completed form and enclosures to: OUSA Office, (OUS22), PO Box 397, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6BE Fax: +44 (0)1908 654326. ppp'\bfZ`eh[Ze'\hf(hn,u>' l^lZf^9\bfZ`eh[Ze'\hfuM')+)11-2+,00

42 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 43 Online Short Courses ITALIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL Enrol on one of our accredited Would you like to attend an Italian Residential school for 10 days in the online courses and enjoy the countryside near to Rome to learn or improve your Italian? convenience of studying from Smart matching for the discerning dater anywhere over the Internet. Courses (for small groups) are very carefully tailored to meet students' Psychometric profiling – matches requirements. The courses will include airport transfers, people to people. FREE join and profile! We currently offer courses in the accommodation, three meals a day, 4 to 6 hours tuition per day, Italian Est. in 2000 – the site attracts an following subject areas: cooking lessons and guided excursions to Rome and surrounding areas. interesting crowd of genuine people Archaeology If you are interested please contact the teacher Francesca Valentini on looking for love, romance, friendship ArtHistory tel/fax: 0039 069 625752 for more information or send an email to: and social contacts. Economics [email protected] It doesn’t take millions to find ‘the one’... EnglishLiterature Philosophy SPECIAL INTEREST BREAKS FOR L120, L192, L211, L310 FRENCH LANGUAGE STUDENTS For full details visit Practise and improve your spoken and written French in a totally French www.conted.ox.ac.uk/on16 environment! This is our Twelfth year and many students return. Why not OXFORD UNIVERSITY London Region Arts Club 6-Day Intensive Serving Students of the Open University CONTINUING EDUCATION French Courses in a be a picturesque Loire Writer? village COURSE FEATURES As a freelance writer, you can earn very good ** Special Exam money in your spare time, writing the stories, • The London Region Arts Club organizes events G 30 FACT-PACKED MODULES HOW TO BOOK YOUR Revision Weeks ** articles, books, scripts etc that editors and designed to supplement OU studies including course G 3 SPECIALIST HANDBOOKS publishers want. Millions of pounds are paid introductions at the start of the academic year and G 20 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS CLASSIFIED ADVERT Small group annually in fees and royalties. Earning your share Revision day schools at the end. G ADVISORY SERVICE lessons with can be fun, profitable and creatively most • Residential study weekends are offered for many of experienced University G TUTORIAL SUPPORT fulfilling. the popular courses that have no summer school. It's never been easier to place your Sesame classified Lecturers in French G FLEXIBLE STUDY • Museum and gallery visits and lectures and readings advert, simply go to our new online booking system. PROGRAMME To help you become a successful writer we offer for those studying level three literature courses are G HOW TO PRESENT YOUR you a first-class, home-study course from also organized. Now never miss an issue, prebook, supply your copy WORK professional writers – with individual guidance from and prepay all online. G HOW TO SELL YOUR expert tutors and flexible tuition tailored to your INDIVIDUAL ACCOMMODATION WITH FRENCH FAMILIES WRITING own requirements. You are shown how to make the Full details of our activities and membership Your booking will be acknowledged together with IMMERSION FRANCE G 15 DAY TRIAL PERIOD most of your abilities, where to find ideas, how to 30, Copley Park, G NO TIME LIMIT application forms can be found on our website: receipt of payment. Send for our brochure: Jane McAdoo, turn them into publishable writing and how to sell London SW16 3DD G FULL REFUND GUARANTEE them. In short, we show you exactly how to become Tel: 020 8764 8356 email: [email protected] Fiction & Non Fiction · Articles a published writer. If you want writing success – lrac.co.uk www.square7media.co.uk/advertising website: www.immersionfrance.co.uk · Short Stories · Novels · TV · this is the way to start! Radio · Drama Whatever your writing ambitions, we can help you All covered in detail to achieve them. For we give you an effective, Scan Write Oxford University stimulating and most enjoyable creative writing ‘My first course… appreciated by students and acclaimed by SPANISH Text & with Digital Continuing Education three novels experts. were all best It’s ideal for beginners. No previous experience or sellers!“ The Writers special background is required. You write and study LANGUAGE Colour Pics Pen & Paper Bureau helped make this Oxford University possible for me. Within six at your own pace – you do not have to rush – there Anywhere! Anywhere! months of enrolling on my are no time limits whatsoever on you. Many others HOUSE PARTIES Summer School course I was having work have been successful this way. If they can do it – commissioned by editors. why can’t you? When you are studying, Now, I've had sixteen novels at a delightful Pyrenean farmhouse Docupen researching or at work 5 July - 2 August 2008 published and work regularly We are so confident that we can help you become a use a mobile or pen for magazines.’ published writer that we give you a full refund scanner to capture and Ask for our prospectus Christina Jones. guarantee. If you have not earned your course fees edit important text in a from published writing by the time you finish the of one-week courses course, we will refund them in full. • Intensive conversation and Slide DocuPen Mobile Scanner book or magazine. ‘I was paid a down A4 page: Scan & store Anywhere! £25,000 advance If you want to be a writer start now by requesting a integration with native speakers Literature, Creative Writing for my novel ‘Red’. I COLOUR diagrams, pictures, text. copy of our prospectus ‘Write and be Published’. • Courses for total beginners – History, Politics, Art, Music, Film have now also sold Please visit our website or call our freephone number Later download to PC. Write with Nokia or the film rights and will be co- for free details NOW. very advanced Logitech Digital Pen & Archaeology, Philosophy writing the script. The success scan direct to of ‘Red’ is thanks in no small cursor point Paper or personlised • Average age: 35 – 70 Astronomy, Social & Local History part to The Writers Bureau www.writersbureau.com forms - transfer your who helped and encouraged Quote ref: • Small groups, farmhouse l: and offered very valuable FREE CALL text to PC or mobile Te 01865 270396 24 ¤ HRS 0800 856 2008 BL79 bedrooms, full board, NO single supplements phone. Anywhere! email: [email protected] advice.’ Jon Eagle. email: [email protected] • EU approved training courses for Spanish teachers Run C-Pen, Wizcom or www.conted.ox.ac.uk/oussa Please include your name and address IRIS Pen Scanners, line PEN SCANNERS Please send me details on how to become a published writer: by line, over text in a book. C-Pen: 20 £100, 600c £250, 800c £300 ‘The course gave me a most valuable Wizcom: Pen Elite £130, SuperPen Pro £140 NAME Transfer text directly to a insight into the Informal, professional and personal Spanish language holidays document for immediate for dyslexics Reading Pen £180, Plus £250 ADVERTISEMENTS workings of the ADDRESS in an idyllic mountain hamlet of the Pyrenees. Leisurely walks editing. Or store 1500 A4 IRIS Pen: Express £100, Executive £130 magazine industry. Now I have Compare All: http://tinyurl.com/qtdzw a monthly column in four to explore the local culture. Dynamic atmosphere with pages then later transfer the Publication of any advertisement or loose insert in Sesame should not interesting and diverse people. MOBILE SCANNERS magazines and I write text to a PC or Mac. DocuPen: R700 £130, RC800 £200 be taken to imply University approval or recognition of the goods or occasionally for other health Plustek: OpticSlim £60, OpticBook £160 services offered. In particular courses advertised by other institutions magazines, in addition to www.pyreneanexperience.com Megapixels Ltd, 1a Kingsburys Lane, Ringwood, contributing to web sites. Also, Hants, BH24 1EL Prices incl. VAT. E&OE. DIGITAL PEN & PAPER POST

relating to Open University courses are not in any sense part of those I have had two books ¢ Nokia £110, Easybook £220, Logitech £130 CODE courses: nor, in the University’s opinion, is attendance at any privately published.’ Tel: 0121 711 3428 web: www.datamind.co.uk arranged course necessary for the successful completion of Chris Fenn. The Writers Bureau email: [email protected] Open University studies. We are accredited by” Freepost BL79, Manchester, M1 9HZ THE ODL QUALITY COUNCIL tel: 0870 770 0848 skype: cstreet1956

44 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 45 OPEN UNIVERSITY OU Law Society DSE212 ED209 Open University FOR SALE Walk leader Shakespeare Society PERSON TO PERSON MOUNTAINEERING For all students with an interest in D307 DD303 AA820 set books + "Her Own Life" key text. opportunities SOCIETY Excellent condition £50 +p&p. 01664 MAGAZINE law. Annual membership includes Revision Packs For anyone with an interest quarterly magazine with 567776 For genuine friends and partners, Mountaineering, Rock Prepared by experienced OU in the works of ALL new set texts for AA810 module academic articles, legal news, Climbing and Hill Walking tutors Shakespeare. Our journal available to buy. Phone Ishrat 0117 965 all age groups nationwide course & career info & info on is published quarterly and 6826 or 077925 40956 Contact Membership OULS events including court visits DSE212 pack (incl. summary or overseas. Est. 1984 Secretary cards): £10 contains reviews, articles, COMPLETE set unused course material for & mooting. Also: ED209, D307 and DD303 A103 "Introduction to the humanities" £125 • Walk Leaders required in the UK and the rest of Europe No membership fees. Free details: Sally Toll Prices include p&p within UK ‘A’ Grade essays, etc.. For • Leadership & Navigation Training courses available 1, Little Clayhams ono. call Rowland 07949 777384 Person to Person (Dept OS) To join send CHQ/PO for £10 (UK) more details see our COMPLETE COURSE MATERIAL MST209 • Assessment centres in the Lake District, Brecon Beacons & the Cotswolds High Street DSE212, ED209 and DD303: • Two & Four day assessments available, including weekends £12 (O’seas) payable to OULS, c/o [email protected]; website at www.ouss.org.uk MA290 MT365 MST121 MS221 A215 P.O. Box 40, Minehead TA24 5YS Ticehurst Call today for an information pack Quote Ref: SEA8 S.Sales, 6 Low Ash Grove, Wrose, D307: or send SAE to Contact [email protected] East Sussex Shipley, BD18 1JL. [email protected] 01768-214 528 TN5 7BE Brian Foster, 3 Sedgley DD303 Full course materials and set books www.walkleaders.co.uk Tel: 01643 709 509 Tel: 07786 018772 Full details and samples for all Close, Middleton, in excellent condition. £70 incl p&p. www.oums.co.uk For more information visit courses: www.erikacox.co.uk 07739901197 DORDOGNE: Delightful 18th Century PAPHOS - luxury 2 bed apartment walking http://ouls.org Manchester M24 2SP FULL course materials & set books for farmhouse with self contained annex. distance Tomb of the Kings archeological www.universitybooksearch.co.uk U210; E300; L193; L130; L203. Good Sleeps up to 10, private pool, gated garden, site. Fantastic views. Sleeps 6 –Dble, twin Recycling OU course material condition. £40 each, plus p&p. Apply via comfortable, all mod cons, situated in and sofa bed . From £240. for the benefit of students all Do you write poetry? OU Travel and email to: [email protected] National Park. Perfect for walking, cycling, [email protected] 01403 over the world Then join ADVERTISEMENTS L310, excellent condition and complete, sightseeing, leisure lakes and relaxing. For 258228. To BUY or SELL go to the web-site Study Society availability, special deals and prices Tel: SALOBRENA -Granada province of Spain. We believe in £80 including UK postage. Also DD100 or contact Jo Hunt: OU Poets Alix Mackay, 64 Buckingham Rd, Publication of any advertisement or (incomplete) £30. 01963 359418 or 07747 101795 or visit www.dordogne- Villa with private pool and amazing views. e-mail: [email protected] Your poems will be sent to all Brighton BN1 3RQ God the eternal father and [email protected] holiday-cottage.co.uk From £250 to £550 per week inclusive loose insert in Sesame should not be Eve Tel: 01273 775077 Tel: 01395-442174 other members, for comment and His Son, Jesus Christ and in MST121, MS221, M203, MST207, or email enquiries@dordogne-holiday- for four people. Visit helpful advice. taken to imply University approval or the Holy Spirit. recognition of the goods or services MS324, MS336, MS337, MT365, M373 cottage.co.uk www.andaluciagetaway.com We believe that through the and M381 full course materials for sale to DORDOGNE, Cottage sleeps 5 + infant. SWITZERLAND. Studio in beautiful hotel. Members receive five magazines, offered. In particular courses STUDY TOURS MS221, M208, each with over 70 pages of poetry Post exam redeeming work of Christ, best offer. Prefer not to split. Call Keith Fully equipped, pool, peaceful countryside. Sleeps four. Indoor pool, fitness, tennis, BBP and comments, plus an annual advertised by other institutions by his death on the cross, 01902 845314 Activities, restaurants nearby. From 350 minigolf. 1 1/2 hour train from Geneva. MST209, MT262 anthology of members’ work. relating to Open University courses BARCELONA 20-26 October God offers salvation to all. Y156 Full Course Details - In original box, Euro pw inclusive. Brochure 0033 £100 pw. daniel.bosmans@salford- are not in any sense part of those never opened. £60.00 ono inc postage. 553520497 [email protected] col.ac.uk Further details from: Exam Solution Booklets containing courses: nor, in the University’s OU Christian Fellowship Email: [email protected] EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND. Superb TORQUAY. Attractive holiday bungalow. fully worked solutions to past real Adrian Green Florence 15-19 November For further details contact opinion, is attendance at any privately holiday cottage in Aberlady. See Private parking. Sleeps up to four. Activities, and/or mock examination papers: Flat 3, I Clifton Terrace, Ms Joy Clark HOLIDAYS www.twentyfourbacklane.co.uk shops, beaches nearby. Ideal Each course booklet £10.00 plus Southend-on-Sea SS1 1DT arranged course necessary for the LIMITED PLACES REMAIN! 40 Pickwick Avenue £2.00 p&p (plus £2.00 overseas successful completion of Open Autumn/Winter breaks.£20 per night. 01702 435263 Chelmsford Essex CM1 4UN Information sheet available. postage). [email protected] University studies. Send SAE asap for full details or email her at [email protected] [email protected] 01803 327429 Please send cheque, payable to TUSCANY, villa sleeps 8, detached village BLACK BADGE PRESS to: location, views, easy access Florence etc, Black Badge Press, PO Box 1220, OU Computer, Sci-Tech & pool. From £350 pw inclusive. 01908 Norwich NR10 4WX Space Society (OUCSTSS) 8282240/0783 6316509 Tel: 020 8457 2605 HOW TO BOOK YOUR VENICE, ITALY. Beautiful new holiday Affiliated to OUSA since 1989. apartments to rent in the award-winning CLASSIFIED ADVERT Present your work and Members‚ interests have residential area of Judeca Nova. See WANTED TMA’s professionally expanded over the years from www.giudeccca-homes.com It's never been easier to place your Sesame classified advert, simply go to computing, via engineering, to S207 THE PHYSICAL WORLD course books our new online booking system. • Efficient and professional space science. MARKETPLACE required, unmarked if possible. Please email Now never miss an issue, prebook, supply your copy and prepay all online. typing service The ‘Open File’ journal is issued [email protected] • Confidentiality assured at all three times a year. S357 SPACE TIME and cosmology course Your booking will be acknowledged together with receipt of payment. times INTERESTED IN POETRY? Join OU POETS • Scanning / binding / To join, send £5 pa subscription to: Visit Our Site www.oupoets.org.uk books required, unmarked if possible. Please presentation service Membership Secretary & Treasurer LEARN SPANISH IN SPAIN whilst living with email [email protected] www.square7media.co.uk/advertising • Internet research OUCSTSS, 61 Orkney Drive, your tutor.www.learnspanishinspain.com. • Discount for students Sunderland SR2 0TB Tel 01273 207054 To save precious time and to discuss http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/oucstss PROFESSIONAL PROOF READING service The OU First Class forum is open to students, & lecturers To advertise in this your requirements, please contact; available. Rates from £0.01 per word for a OU Cool Fusion Kate Whitmore three day turnaround. Email section call Mark Geological Discovered! t: 01625 585090 [email protected] Society 07970 380572 Join FUSION – The m: Private on 0207 864 9995 e: [email protected] “SELF-HYPNOSIS IN Supports all Earth Science OU Physics Society .cheshirepa.co.uk THE MANAGEMENT OF Courses www Publisher Field trips, lectures & revision days Stay cool with the Fusion STRESS & ANXIETY” publishes for academic societies, ACCOMMODATION/LANGUAGE BREAKS LA GOMERA, the unspoilt Canary Island. run from 18 branches throughout Newsletter and attend events institutes, clubs and individual authors or holidays. Comillas. North Spain. Spanish One bedroom seaside apartment, terraces, the UK & Europe across the UK. Open to all. Care should be taken when replying to (ISBN: 1-902528-18-2)(S Karim) Computer Software Also, regular newsletters Annual membership just £7 (or £18 small ads. Readers should be aware that www.jeremymillspublishing.co.uk or German www.greenspainholidayhome.co.uk. pool, close beaches. Info 0208 677 6212 Annual Symposium and Journal including Institute of Physics). no vetting or screening is carried out on [email protected] Tel: 01865 395558 [email protected] A practical guide to self- Students and others to whom the the persons who place these ads. T: 01484 421674 F: 01484 421696 Subscription £18p.a. details from CORNWALL: LELANT, ST. IVES. Traditional LUXURIOUS 5* accomodation in Spain, awareness & personal control. University distributes computer software [email protected] 01273 505550 cottage, sleeps 7 comfortably, secluded Tenerife, Portugal, Scotland and Cornwall. as part of their course materials are or phone 01244 682356 [email protected] garden close to unspoilt sandy beach, golf, Sleeps up to 6 persons for £150 (not per Order from Amazon.co.uk or reminded that the University only confers Society & Event details: www.ougs.org www.oufusion.org.uk A walking, RSPB Hayle Estuary. Tel: 01694 person!). Interested? Phone 0800 0280 from the author's informative O U web page: upon the original recipient of the ΩG 720003 052, Quoting Ref: 1074231. computer software a NON- In my end is my beginning CORNWALL Waterside cottages around MADRID ROOMS: Furnished rooms in flats ASSOCIATION OF www.alphacodex.com TRANSFERABLE licence to use it in Fowey and Polruan. Sleep 2 to 12. Superb with shared kitchens, washing machines & e: [email protected] views. Dinghies available. Web available. bathrooms starting at £10 a night. conjunction with the University’s Have you ever wondered how OPEN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES Web: www. cornquay.com Tel: 01579 www.madridrooms.co.uk materials. The licence specifically states evolution really works? Run by OU Graduates, for OU Graduates. 344667 NORTHERN CYPRUS. Beautiful villa, private PUBLISH YOUR that the original recipient of the computer We have with the OU. COTE D’AZUR - Our comfortable holiday pool, close sea, mountains, walking, golf. software MUST NOT in any way transfer In his new book, OU Maths student, Derek Hough uses STUDIED home; sleeps 2 (+2), duplex apartment in Sleeps 6-8 01694 722130 BOOK the computer software package(s) or the residential area, access to pool. Short drive NEED A BREAK - Stay in a beautiful reasoned argument and simple arithmetic to attack both We have GRADUATED with the OU. use thereof to any other person or body to central Cannes, 30 minutes Nice Airport, Watermill in S.W France. Delightful large 1 Please contact us for further details neo-Darwinian orthodoxy and Creationist dogma to argue by means of sale, loan, sub-licence, Why not join us and be part of the modern, ideal for sightseeing French Riviera and double bed fully fitted self-contained gite. that there is in fact a ‘third way’ to explain the existence S E R E N D I P I T Y lease or any other method. Any independent organisation especially for OU Graduates? countryside. Tel: 020 8977 2442, email: Relax find peace to do those TMA's (or not). unauthorised use, copying, distribution or of complex life, such as the human species. Contact the AOUG office for details. [email protected] Five acres of Riverside grounds, large Dept SM, First Floor, CYPRUS Private two-bed apartments, swimming pool, boules, games room, 37/39 Victoria Road, adaptation of computer software Evolution: from copying errors to evolvability AOUG, 1st Floor, South West Temporary Building, Walton Hall, Limassol/Larnaca, near beach/town £200- bicycles and fishing. Lovely villages, Darlington, DL5 1SF package(s) issued by the University is an (ISBN 978 1 84624 113 0) is now available from Amazon. Milton Keynes. MK7 6AA Tel: 01908 653316 300 pw Tel. 02085056855 email farmers market and restaurants. Call Tel & Fax: 0845 130 2434 infringement of intellectual property rights E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.aoug.org.uk [email protected] Paulette for a Chat 0845-8686352. visit [email protected] and is illegal. WWW.salazarhoildays.com 46 SESAME 235 Autumn 2007 Autumn 2007 SESAME 235 47 Ever wondered what your coursework could look like in an industry leading page layout design tool?

FREE getting-started guides and product demos available

With QuarkXPress 7 you can now afford to try! Rent QuarkXPress 7 for any 16 week period!

• £34.95 including VAT – Less than the average price of a textbook

• Includes Quark Interactive Designer and Xpert tools

• Option to purchase full education license at an exclusive discounted price

• Includes free step by step guides to using texts, graphics and creating projects and presentations in QuarkXPress 7.

Offer Exclusive to Open University Students! Visit: www.citnexus.co.uk/rentquark

citnexus www.citnexus.co.uk delivering software solutions [email protected] | 0845 338 5 339