Sesame

A magazine for the Alumni community The Open University Winter 2009 Issue 243

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE What does the future hold... and should we be anxious?

Win OU course

vouchers!(see p14)

recession help course tasterS financial support OU website provides Sample OU courses with Are you entitled to help support during downturn the OpenLearn website with your course fees? GRJ_OE_0601_FP:Layout 1 23/11/2009 17:45 Page 1

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S e s a m e A new year, a new you? That’s the loose Update

A magazine for the Alumni community The Open University Winter 2009 Issue 243 theme of this latest issue of Sesame. All the latest news from the OU 4

a r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i Ge n c e What does the future hold... and should we be anxious? Whether you’re thinking of studying for Interview with the OU’s new Vice-Chancellor 8 leisure reasons, a challenge or maybe to Your letters 10 develop your career options, we’ve got a range BBC/OU co-productions 12 of articles that will inspire and advise you. Win OU course vouchers 14

W in O U And to help a lucky few of you get back to Interview with Theo Paphitis 15 c o u r s e v o u c h e r s ! studying with the OU, we have four £250 prizes recession help course taster s financial support OU website provides Sample OU courses with Are you entitled to help support during downturn the OpenLearn website with your course fees? of OU course vouchers to be won (see p14). Courses Throughout Sesame you’ll find lots of detail on OU courses: The latest new courses selection from the OU 17 ‘Course connection’ boxes accompany most of our features, Graduates discuss their dinosaur business 21 which include former students’ feelings about related courses. Get a free taster of OU courses online at OpenLearn 22 We have a great article on OpenLearn, the OU website which Pay for your course fees with Tesco Clubcard 24 hosts a whole range of courses to sample (some of the most MBA graduate: the Chief Constable of Hertfordhire 27 popular of which you can read about on p22); and our Courses How the OU can help you face the recession 28 section takes a peek at the latest new courses to be produced by The Open University’s academic teams. People We’ve also looked at what financial support is available to Two degrees and a wedding 29 prospective students throughout the UK (see p45) and how OU Honorary graduate: author and food expert Prue Leith 30 fundraising activities assist students who are suffering financial Student case study: supported by fundraising 32 hardship (see p32). Even if you’re not entitled to financial support, Member benefits 33 you could follow Julia Akehurst. The mother of two is studying for Honorary graduate: acclaimed journalist John Pilger 34 an environmental studies degree and paying a large amount of Opinion: falling foul of plagiarism 36 her course fees with her Tesco Clubcard points (see p24). This issue we also speak with not one but two honorary Research graduates, including Prue Leith – renowned cookery expert The latest OU research news 37 and novelist – and acclaimed journalist John Pilger. See pages Inaugural lecture: innovation in business 39 30 and 34 respectively. Research focus: artificial intelligence 40 If you’ve not seen Sesame for some time, then we hope you like its latest look and we’d love to hear your comments and feedback. Support You can contact the team at [email protected] For inclusion Find out about financial support available to students 45 in the Letters pages please mark your subject header ‘Letters’. Career focus: the Civil Service 47

Editor Scott Russon 40 Contributors Jenny Bond, Yvonne Cook, Richard Cooper Head of Publications Jan Henderson Design Glen Darby Design assistance Diana Arnold Published by The Open University The Open University General Enquiries +44 (0)1908 274066 The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Email [email protected] Website www.open.ac.uk/sesame Printed by Artisan Press, distributed by Packpost Advertising Square7Media Email [email protected] 17 21 Telephone +44 (0)203 283 4055

The editorial content of this magazine was correct at the time of going to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior ll.

permission of the publishers. Views expressed in articles are those of the be contributors and not necessarily of Sesame and The Open University.

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Open University’s recognition or approval of the goods or services advertised. di e n e The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). COVER: © B

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 3 Update

All the latest news from The Open University

UK first identified on iSpot website Rare moth iSpotted

New OU nature website identifies exotic moth on UK shores...

windowsill. Very keen to find Course connection out what it is... and why it is so furry?” It was then provisionally identified as being an Euonymus Leaf Notcher moth, a native of Asia, by Martin Harvey, a researcher at the OU’s Biodiversity Observatory. Within 24 hours of it being identified on iSpot, the species was then confirmed by the Neighbourhood Natural History Museum and nature (S159) also an expert in Taiwan. The museum has now taken the “Have you ever seen a bird, moth into its collection. an insect or a plant that you Martin said: “This find didn’t know the name of and demonstrates the power wished you had someone of the internet, and iSpot in there to identify it? Or you particular, in helping everyone know the name but want to learn about wildlife. The moth share the excitement of the is regarded as something of a discovery with others? Well, pest in the US and Asia, but its that’s what iSpot is all about. food plants are restricted to “We have a related ornamental shrubs.” course you can take, too www.iSpot.org.uk is open – Neighbourhood nature The exciting discovery of an Euonymus Leaf Notcher moth in the UK to anyone interested in wildlife (S159) – which is specially and the environment, whether designed for anyone When six-year-old Katie before. Her dad posted a photo you’re a science student, who wants to take their Dobbins (above) spotted a dead of the moth on to iSpot, The a casual observer or an interest in natural history moth on the windowsill of her Open University’s website to experienced wildlife watcher. a step further.” Berkshire home, she didn’t help anyone identify plants and On iSpot, users can upload Jonathan Silvertown, the realise the exotic-looking wildlife, with the following pictures and share OU’s Professor of Ecology creature was a type that had message: “My daughter found observations from their local Registration of S159 never been seen in the UK this strange moth on our areas, and join discussion closes 12 February for groups and forums while a start the same month. “This find demonstrates the power learning from others willing Call 0845 366 6038 or visit to impart their expertise and www.openuniversity.co. of the internet, and iSpot in particular, knowledge on the site. Also uk/2010 for more information. in helping everyone learn about wildlife” see Course connection, right.

4 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Read OU student bloggers at www.open.ac.uk/platform Update News

Welcome pack Just in... New OU design course What would you create with masking tape, a T-shirt and a pencil?

the values behind the course: good design, playfulness and of seeing the unfamiliar in the familiar,” said Course Team Chair Peter Lloyd. “A large element of becoming Aimhigher award a design thinker is encouraging Aimhigher Greater playfulness for creativity. Many Manchester, based at the of U101’s practical activities OU North West regional have a lively but challenging office, has scooped a and satisfying aspect to them. national award for its work in “The course seeks to draw creating new opportunities out people’s natural creativity for apprentices to progress The welcome pack of new creativity course U101 so they can apply it to many to higher education. areas, such as teaching, local The Aimhigher Greater The OU has a long history of novel additions in their government, management, Manchester Work Based of sending out intriguing welcome pack, including domestic life and, of course, Learning (WLB) Strategic course material items, from a roll of masking tape, a paper the creative industries.” Progression Framework faux fossils produced in bag, a pencil, and even a Course connection was recognised at the a garage to pickled sheep T-shirt to customise. But why? Design thinking: creativity for the National Aimhigher Awards brains for biology students. “It’s designed to challenge 21st century (U101) registration in London this month. Students registering for our students and get them to closes 22 January for a There were more than new course Design thinking: think of creative applications for 6 February start. For more info, 200 entries to the scheme creativity for the 21st century objects that will be familiar to call 0845 366 6038 or visit www. this year, which celebrates (U101) will receive a number them. The pack also represents openuniversity.co.uk/2010 the most effective and innovative Aimhigher work Biggest challenge of our time 40th celebration being undertaken across the country, and the New environment book An OU first! achievements of those that benefit from the programme. OU community crafts new key text... Shetland celebrates

demands on the planet, how The OU hosted the first can we meet everyone’s needs degree ceremony of its kind in in a way that is equitable and Shetland to mark 40 years of doesn’t compromise the future? delivering higher education to The book brings together the most distant Scottish isles. many perspectives on the The ceremony in Lerwick on issues from people in different 5 September celebrated the parts of the world and of size and scale of the OU’s different professional mindsets. delivery in Shetland. During the Swine flu advice In doing so it seeks a more past 40 years more than 3,400 The Open University holistic, learning approach to Shetlanders have studied with has launched a new the challenge. the OU, representing a student website which offers advice The book’s 27 short body equivalent to one fifth of for any students who find chapters are authored by Shetland’s adult population. themselves with swine flu. OU academics and a wide variety of people, Peter Syme, Director of the The website, which can OU alumni are exploring the including OU academics, an AL OU in Scotland, said: “The be found at www.open.ac. biggest challenge of our time and seven African alumni of scale on which Shetlanders uk/studentservices/flu with the co-publication of the Development Management have embraced higher offers advice on what to do if Environment, Development, Masters programme. The book education, and the OU, during you fall behind in your studies and Sustainability: Perspectives is designed to be a resource for the past 40 years is remarkable. and what actions to take if and Cases from Around the a number of environment and “There can be few people you can’t hand in a TMA/ World (Gordon Wilson, Pamela development courses, including across Shetland whose lives CMA or attend an exam. Furniss and Richard Kimbowa, Environment: journeys through have not been touched in some eds). As the human population a changing world (U116). way either directly or indirectly continues to place increasing http://bit.ly/11e7lU by Open University study.”

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 5 Update News

HSC Faculty celebrates Just in... Student award win OU student named joint Healthcare Assistant of the Year

Natalie, who has just completed An introduction to health and social care (K101), said: “Winning the Nursing Standard award is an honour. I hope that I may be a good example that Healthcare Support Workers are starting to be embraced as part of the Arab OU expansion nursing family. The Arab Open University “Studying with the OU (AOU) is to open branches sounds very scary, and that’s in Palestine and Yemen. what I thought when I first With these additions, AOU Natalie Rowles, a 2009 Nursing Standard Nurse Awards winner started – but that could not be will total nine branches, further from the truth. Studying as it currently operates in OU student Natalie approach in caring for a young with the OU is an enjoyable Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Rowles has jointly won the girl with cerebral palsy, epilepsy experience and enables you Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman Healthcare Assistant of the Year and learning difficulties. Not to learn while in the comfort and Saudi Arabia. The category in the 2009 Nursing only does Natalie administer of your own home. If I can University plans on opening Standard Nurse Awards. various medical procedures, do it then anyone can! further branches in Sudan Natalie, a Healthcare she also ensures that her client “My plans for the future are and Syria in the future. Assistant in Continuing Care at enjoys a range of social to complete Starting with maths Gwent Healthcare Trust based activities. Natalie also (Y162) and then I’m starting my at County Hospital in Pontypool, instigated the redesign of her nursing training at Glamorgan won the award for her holistic client’s home to aid her care. University in March.”

Tributes to Professor Gourley Vice-Chancellor retires Praise for ‘huge contribution’ to OU

Tributes have been paid to former Open University Vice-Chancellor Professor A History of Scotland Brenda Gourley, who retired BBC/OU co-production on 30 September. A History of Scotland was At a reception at the OU’s nominated for Best Factual headquarters at Walton Hall, Series at Scotland’s Milton Keynes, University BAFTAs. The 10-part series, Secretary Fraser Woodburn presented by Neil Oliver, is said she has made “a huge a co-production between contribution to this institution BBC Scotland and the OU. and left it in fine shape.” Among her achievements, Professor Brenda Gourley at her farewell reception TMA cut-off time he listed commitment to social With effect from justice and diversity, her as OpenLearn, and succeeded larger endeavour, and we are.” 25 December, the cut-off time strategic and open forums that in putting part-time higher She added: “The Open for tutor-marked assignments brought world-class thinkers to education and its funding on University is in a particularly (TMAs) will change to 12 the OU, and her transformation the political agenda. good position in this world. noon. This means that you of the University’s approach Professor Gourley said in her It has both the knowledge no longer have until midnight to strategic planning. farewell speech to staff: “The and the competence to extend to submit your assignment. She has also reinvigorated Open University has been for its reach in a world hungry This brings the policy for the OU’s international role and me a marvellous site of for education. TMAs into line with end-of- re-established it as a world opportunity, a large canvas. “Its credentials are strong course assessments (ECAs). leader in open and distance I think most of us working here and its quality, in my opinion, learning through initiatives such believe ourselves to be part of a is unmatched.”

6 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Share your thoughts on courses in Platform’s forums News Virtual Microscope

Geology A whole new world The development of a Virtual Microscope at The Open University will enable students to view high-quality images of rock samples online at a previously impossible resolution...

students can explore and enjoy is the first of its kind, KMi many different rock types online, Research Fellow Peter Whalley and the Science Faculty is and others created a digital digitally capturing new rocks microscope about 10 years ago for future use. The slides are which was available on a CD of very high quality and the for the Geology (S260) course. student experience is in some Now, said Peter, “my aim is to The student experience is in some ways better than with traditional microscopes ways better than with traditional create a shared microscope so microscopes. Disabled that students can collaborate or students, who may have attend online tutorials, viewing difficulty operating a the same sample at the same microscope’s controls or time wherever they are”. have visual impairments, You can see a version of can also benefit from the the Virtual Microscope at web-based microscope. http://bit.ly/3YZkO0 Simon Kelley, Professor of Isotope Geochemistry, said: “Students are able to explore Course connection the rocks for themselves, just like using a real microscope but tutors can also remotely guide students to locations in the slides, or they can use labels we’ve inserted in the samples. “We are also expecting students to tell us about things Geology (S276) they have discovered about these rocks – it’s a whole new “This course will inspire world of rock exploration.” students by giving a new The Virtual Microscope perspective on the landscape was showcased during the and how it has changed over Charles Darwin Exhibition millions of years. Anyone can at the Sedgwick Museum enjoy geology wherever they How the Virtual Microscope iPhone application may look on an iPod in Cambridge during 2009. go. As well as the Virtual On an earlier visit, OU Project Microscope, for looking at EARTH SCIENTISTS, microscopes are currently Officer Andy Tindle noticed a beautiful slices of rock, working with the Knowledge under development (including box of rocks collected by Darwin there’s also a Home Kit with Media Institute (KMi) and iPod and iPhone versions). on his Beagle voyage to the real rocks and minerals, Learning and Teaching The Virtual Microscope Galapagos Islands and Cape and a Digital Kit with superb Solutions (LTS), have produced allows the user to zoom in Verde. Andy offered to digitise high-resolution images.” a world-leading Virtual and out – using technology the rocks and display them with Peter Sheldon, Course Microscope for the new course similar to Google Earth – the new technology. Working Team Chair of S276 Geology (S276). The new and to learn key features by with lens manufacturer Leica, Registration closes microscope enables students rotating the rock samples under slides of the rocks were created 22 January. For more to explore high-quality images different lighting conditions. and a Virtual Microscope with information call 0845 of rocks in exquisite detail, in In the past, bulky parcels the resulting rock slides is 366 6038 or visit www. a browser window on their containing microscopes were on display at the museum. openuniversity.co.uk/2010 computer. Several other posted to students. Now Although the Virtual Microscope

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 7 Update VC interview

New Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean

8 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start See a video interview with Martin Bean at www.open.ac.uk/platform Update VC interview A new chapter

The Open University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Martin Bean, reflects on his time in the job so far and why he’s passionate about education…

The Open University’s recently North America, where force is to advise on a broader “To me the idea of being new Vice-Chancellor Martin he has been General Manager strategy to help UK universities able to knit together the Bean says he sees close of the Education Products build on their reputations to informal with the formal parallels between his own Group at Microsoft. access and engage future learning will create journeys educational experiences in While he says he had to markets, which are expected for people that the University his native Australia and those make a few adjustments after to be worth around £15 billion. is able to lead during the next of Open University students. moving from the private sector This follows his work in the few years.” One of the most inspirational to a British higher education US actively promoting the figures in his life was an English institution, the transition has advancement of educational MAKING CONNECTIONS teacher at his former school been a smooth one. policy and the reform of Martin also challenges the in Sydney, who encouraged In the eight weeks prior education to meet industry’s image of the OU sending boxes Martin to take up debating to beginning his role as Vice- needs. The appropriate use of course materials to students competitively. He draws a Chancellor on 1 October 2009, of technology in providing who then spend the duration of direct comparison between Martin visited all 13 of the OU’s high-quality education is at the course living like hermits. her encouragement and the regional and national centres the heart of Martin’s mission. “When you talk to our learning experience at the OU. in the UK. He also attended He is particularly enthusiastic students, and believe me, “She gave me a sense of an OU summer school, about the OU’s ‘informal I have spoken to many, and ‘I can do this’,” recalls Martin. taking part in a geological learning’ platforms such as you ask them to say what it “I could achieve in ways that is that makes The Open were different from other “I have come to understand the levels University unique, they will talk people, but in their own right about a personal experience. were pretty special things. of dedication, service, enthusiasm “It’s that relationship with “I think that is what The Open and innovation that is demonstrated their Associate Lecturer that University does for a lot of our is the experience for the vast students. It allows them to get by Open University staff everywhere” majority of our students in back into education and The Open University. it gives them a sense of ‘I can dig, and was the subject of a YouTube, iTunes U, the virtual “The work our Associate do this’. We surround people psychology experiment. world Second Life, and the Lecturers do to provide with our wonderful set of “I can’t tell you how University’s open educational support, to create the goodwill services, whether it is their reaffirming those eight resource website OpenLearn. they do in the roles that tutors, their academic support weeks have been,” he said. Since it was launched in they perform, and to bring teams or the educational “There are many people you October 2006, 7.2 million to life the magic of The Open advisers that look after them. talk to who take a new role or people have accessed University is something we “I believe the OU is unique in a new position and have what OpenLearn (see p22 for more need to guard and cherish. higher education because of I call ‘buyer’s remorse’. They information), 50 per cent of “For some students it is that the notion of feeding forward suddenly find out all the things whom are outside the UK. phone call they get from us just and helping students to be that no one was prepared to iTunes U has had more than 10 at the right time. They were just successful, rather than feeding tell them until they signed on million downloads – more than about to bail out, just about to back and just being critical. So the dotted line. 87 per cent outside of the UK. chuck it in, and they get that I draw a lot of parallels with how “But mine was quite a call which says ‘you know what I was inspired to really get on different experience. Mine BRIDGING THE GAP – hang in there, there is a way and be successful in life, and was an experience where I Martin is interested in bridging you can do it’. For some there I hope our students do as well.” have come to understand the the gap between informal and are the tutorials and for others levels of dedication, service, formal education so people it is communing online in the seeing is believing enthusiasm and innovation around the world can use forums that we create. Martin is the first Vice- that is demonstrated by OU education as and when they “However the connection is Chancellor in the OU’s staff everywhere. And the only need it. He said: “As we look made, I was struck by the close 40-year history to come directly word to sum that up: inspiring.” ahead, I get even more excited attention we pay our students. from a corporate environment. Martin has also been because we can continue to That personal connection is He has spent the past 20 appointed to the government’s embrace the technology of extremely important.” years working in training and new online distance learning the day and open ourselves education, holding senior task force announced by up to even more people in Visit www.openuniversity. executive positions in Asia- Higher Education Minister the UK and populations co.uk/2010 to find out Pacific and Europe, and most David Lammy in June. The task around the world. more about OU courses

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 9 Update Letters We’ve got mail!

If you’d like your letter or email to Sesame to be considered for inclusion in the Letters pages, then please email your correspondence to [email protected] or Sesame, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters and letters may be permanently available to read online at www.open.ac.uk/platform

these courses I cannot even graduation day be informed as to why course Doyle, you made my day! materials have been withdrawn. I was one of the many graduates who received a degree in Therefore perhaps you could April at The Open University degree ceremony in Ireland. shed some light on why this It was a very special and moving day for me. My goal had service has been withdrawn, always been me in my gown at the Helix in Dublin with my mam or at least why The Open and family cheering me on. Unfortunately my mam passed University is so secretive away in January and missed the day. regarding the reason for I cried from the moment I arrived to the moment I saw Roddy ending access to course Doyle waiting for his honorary degree. It was by far one of the materials in public libraries? best days of my life. To see Roddy Doyle there... words cannot why the mystery? Ch r i s t o p h e r Ow e n s , v i a e m a i l express what it meant to me, I am a huge fan and loved his I recently visited my city library speech, as did my sisters. I wished at the time I had a video to view some OU materials Mary Kirby, Office of the camera to capture it. to help in deciding the future Director, Students, responds: Imagine my joy when I opened the recent issue of Sesame direction of my degree. I The University decided to stop and saw it transcribed in its entirety. I am sure as he sat there always preferred this method providing course materials watching all of us ‘ yokes’ he never realised the impact his as opposed to simply reading in the majority of libraries in speech was having on me. I loved it all. the prospectuses, as I found 2008. I am sorry that you were Thank you to The Open University for a fantastic day and them inadequate. Imagine my not provided with an answer thank you to Roddy Doyle for making it extra special for me. surprise to find that all course to your question on why this I will keep the memories of that day in my heart forever. (I wish materials had been withdrawn decision was taken. I had the nerve to shake his hand.) I am so proud to have been and I would now have to visit We have over 500 courses part of the ceremony. Thank you also to everyone involved. my regional centre, which is on offer to students and as too far away, to view them. libraries have limited display Ja c i n t a Di x o n BA (Ho n s ), v i a e m a i l I contacted my regional space, the collections had office to enquire as to why reduced to a small sample of Scott Russon, Editor of Sesame, responds: Congratulations this valuable facility had been material available in the form Jacinta and I’m glad you enjoyed your day. withdrawn, only to be told by of course units. In a few venues And for those that missed it, Roddy Doyle’s speech can the course adviser that she was the service has been retained also be found on www.open.ac.uk/platform along with not prepared to answer that where we have a broader more graduate day stories. question. I am surprised that arrangement with a library when as one who is paying for to hold events to let students

eye spy with my little eye... In the previous issue of Sesame (Autumn 2009) you mentioned a new Open University/BBC series called Eyewitness. However, I cannot find any mention of when it will be shown on the BBC listings. Where can I find information on this programme and details of when it will be screened on TV? Ma r y Ti l l e t t , v i a e m a i l

Polly Frazer, Viewer and Listener Information Officer at the OU, responds: Thank you for contacting us, Mary. The BBC gives us anticipated dates of programmes but their schedulers ck to only confirm up to 15 days before broadcast. ThusSesame ’s

es/is quarterly issues often go to press with features about series we r u t expect to be shown during the relevant period of the magazine. Eyewitness is now planned for early 2010 but do keep an eye on updates at www.open.ac.uk/platform and www.open2.net PHOTO: Rex Fea

10 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Got something to say? Email Sesame at [email protected] with ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the subject header Update Letters

know about the range of student has confidence in their sesame inspires courses and services that work, which is a part of the I am a volunteer custodian at The Open University offers. academic learning process. the museum and by chance Some of our course materials Tutors with the OU are saw the Spring edition of are provided to students online all professionals (either Sesame. I found it very and interaction with fellow academics or practising in interesting. As an old students and tutors is delivered their field) and part of being student of the OU (I am 76) through a virtual learning a professional is objectivity. I recall Sesame was in environment. The printed Having said that, this should newspaper form during the material remains a core part not be trivialised. The tutor time I studied Humanities of our provision for some student relationship depends and obtained a BA in 1980/81. courses but is not completely An appeal about the on a level of trust (in both I found the articles in Sesame representative of the blended issue of appealing directions) and the first inspiring and stimulating. I have learning approach we provide. I take issue with Barry Lees’ response of the student when no computer skills, I’m afraid, The University has created letter in the previous issue they get a mark they did not nevertheless I now might like the OpenLearn website which of Sesame regarding TMA expect should be to consider the idea of studying again. gives free access to Open appeals. In particular his thoroughly why this might be. Je a n e t t e W Ma r t i n , University course materials. phrase: “can anyone imagine Read the tutor’s comments, Al d e r n e y , Ch a n n e l Is l e s This is the LearningSpace, their tutor admitting that their re-read the question, and where you’ll find hundreds original mark was inaccurate?” perhaps telephone the tutor Scott Russon, Editor of of free study units, each The answer is yes, I can to talk it through informally. Sesame, responds: Thank with a discussion forum. indeed imagine that. As both Finally, why not look at the you for your email, Jeanette, http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/ Open University student and procedures for marking on the and your comments about Study at The Open University tutor, I feel rather insulted OU web pages? As a student I Sesame. If you decide to return www.open.ac.uk/study that anyone might not. was oblivious to these for many to study with the OU, there are also holds a great deal of There is a robust set of years, but when I became a number of courses that don’t information about our courses. procedures to try to ensure a tutor I found out just how require computer literacy. Prospectuses are also a equivalence in marking, but rigorous the processes are. good source of information ultimately marking a TMA is This is another way in which the and can be ordered by not an exact science. When OU guarantees the quality of its contacting +44(0)845 300 I mark TMAs I cannot achieve courses in a way that outstrips 6090. The Learner Advisory perfection and if a student many conventional universities. Service staff at our regional and genuinely felt I had, for As an OU graduate you can national centres are available example, missed a key point be proud to hold a qualification to discuss courses with potential they had made, then I would which has to be earned with students and can provide positively encourage them to such a high level of assessment. information about course challenge the mark. This would Pa u l Mo r l e y (t u t o r f o r T211 content and study paths. be a good thing – it shows the De s i g n a n d d e s i g n i n g ), v i a e m a i l

timescales were tight there were a series of 24-hour postal strikes I always enjoy reading Sesame but the recent which commenced throughout the UK during issue arrived at my house late in September. the week of 14 September, which may have After looking at the new courses on pp18-19, resulted in your copy being received late. I visited your website [www.open.ac.uk/ For marketing reasons Sesame also mailed a courses] and found that the registration close month earlier than planned, resulting in the time dates were also late September, which gave me between the mail date and course closures being little time to consider signing up. Why is it that reduced significantly. It was deemed, however, Sesame included courses that gave readers that 12 days was sufficient for the readership to next to no time to register for? consider studying the courses that had close Te r r y Hu g h e s , v i a e m a i l dates at the end of September. Also, current or previous students are usually able to register a Scott Russon, Editor of Sesame, responds: week after the close dates listed on the courses Sorry to hear your Sesame arrived late, Terry. website as less administration time is required. You should have received it between Saturday This is subject to availability, so it is always 12 and Friday 18 September. Unfortunately, advisable to register as early as possible.

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 11 Update Television

History series Blast from the past OU/BBC co-production Seven Ages Of Britain sees David Dimbleby set out to prove that while history may be ‘static’, there are still plenty of things to learn about the past…

documents, but objects are also part of a historian’s remit, she says. “It is something we explore in A200. Texts are one form of source, but there is a range of visual source material. Artefacts may fill in the gaps in the texts, or tell a different story. Anyone watching this series will be learning to think about history in terms of visual sources and what we can read from them – and the skills historians use in interpreting them. “The series is aimed at the type of person who might become an OU student – or is already an OU student. It’s not just ‘here’s this stuff, look at it’. One of the things we’re at pains to stress is that there is a strong narrative running through it. It is not just the artefact but what it tells us that’s important.” Some of the artefacts are singled out for more in-depth examination. David Dimbleby David Dimbleby on the banks of the Thames with a cast of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s head tries his hand at making a stained-glass window in one They say a picture paints chronological focus. Its seven OU/BBC history series Inside episode with the assistance a thousand words. And when it episodes run in order from The Medieval Mind. of an expert in Canterbury. comes to telling the story of our somewhere around 500 BC, “When I saw the proposal In another episode he’s filmed past, objects can speak more through the eras of the Romans for this series I was very with artist Damien Hirst in the eloquently than texts. and the Saxons, the Middle excited,” said Rachel. “I saw process of creating an artwork. This at least is the premise of Ages, the Reformation and so that it mapped quite strongly Among Rachel’s own Seven Ages Of Britain, a major on up to the present day. But on to the material we cover in favourite artefacts are the new history series designed to instead of talking about the past, several OU history courses – medieval pilgrim badges which light up the dark winter nights are barely noted in written with a display of beautiful and “Viewers will learn to think about records. “Medieval pilgrimage fascinating artefacts. badges were sold at shrines. Co-produced by the BBC history in terms of visual sources The fact that so many have and The Open University, and what we can read from them” been found indicates people Seven Ages Of Britain will be wanted to collect them, like presented by David Dimbleby the idea is to let the past speak most particularly Exploring modern tourist souvenirs.” following on from the success for itself, through objects ranging history: medieval to modern History is a popular subject of his earlier BBC series from the Anglo-Saxon Sutton 1400-1900 (A200), which I for TV, but with the number of A Picture Of Britain (2005) and Hoo treasure to the Maxim gun was then chairing in its first programmes being screened, How We Built Britain (2007), – all chosen as a window into the year of presentation. There is there really anything which explored the country age in which they were created. is also a clear overlap with new to be learnt? Rachel is through its art and architecture. Academic adviser for the Empire: 1492-1975 (A326).” adamant there is. “The past Unlike the previous series is Dr Rachel Gibbons, People tend to think of is static, but history isn’t. The programmes, there is a strong a historian who worked on the historical sources in terms of Staffordshire hoard found last

12 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start See more broadcast-related features at www.open.ac.uk/platform Update Television

TV round-up Latest news

OU/BBC TV coming soon...

Digital Revolution: The Money Programme BBC Two The summer demonstrates there worldwide are still new things to discover.” web is 20 And focusing on artefacts years old. can call into question what you This four-part investigation thought you knew, she says. asks what has it done to “Even from a period as well our society, where will it known as the Tudors, by take us in the future, and exploring the way that Henry is it really shifting power VIII and Elizabeth chose to from the few to the many? have themselves portrayed in works of art, what sort of image Olympic Dreams: they chose to project, you can two years on get a different perspective.” BBC One Seven Ages Of Britain The cameras will be shown on BBC return to One early in the new year. see how Check listings for details. the young Sanity takes a look at Nottinghamshire’s mental health services athletes trying for a Course connection place in the 2012 London Mental health Olympics are progressing.

Matters of the mind Theo’s Adventure Capitalists Two new OU/BBC TV productions examine BBC Two mental health services of today and the past… Dragon’s Den star and How do you live with be continued later. There is still entrepreneur mental health problems? And a stigma attached to mental Theo Paphitis Exploring history: how useful are mainstream health issues, which needs (interview on p15) follows medieval to modern support services? These are to be constantly challenged.” the progress of British the key questions posed by MENTAL: A History of the companies trying to break 1400-1900 (A200) a new OU/BBC documentary. Madhouse (BBC Four) is into the expanding markets “I would strongly recommend The production team of a complementary programme of Brazil, India and Vietnam. the course to anyone who Sanity (title TBC) has gained to Sanity looking at the wants an overall grasp of unparalleled access to changing trends in mental Broadcast schedules, European history and what Nottinghamshire’s mental health services over the past where available, are history is about. A key sign health services to track the 50 years. In the past those liable to change. of the interest it inspired is experiences of service users, labelled ‘mentally ill’ could Check TV listings that as soon as it finished, said Mick McCormick, Lecturer be locked away, forcibly given for up-to-date details. I started to read other histories in the OU’s Faculty of Health electric shocks or have bits of related to the course. I and Social Care. As academic their brain surgically removed. now have a much better advisor to the series, his job is “It’s not saying everything understanding of the creation to ensure the programmes in the past was bad, and The OU/BBC website of the Europe we know today.” reflect the OU’s teaching and everything now is good,” says www.open2.net has Student Ian Ross learning on mental health. Mick McCormick. “One of the information about all Registration closes “Mind estimates one in four questions it should be raising OU/BBC series. You can es 22 January for a 6 Februrary people will be affected by is ‘Have we actually arrived at also discuss issues raised r start. Call 0845 366 6038 mental health issues during the New Jerusalem of mental in programmes in the or visit www.openuniversity. their lives,” he says. “The health services? Or is there online forums and follow co.uk/2010 for more programme will bring these something more needed?’” up a topic of interest with information. issues into the open, hopefully See www.open2.net for more in-depth information. s: BBC/Rex Featu

opening up a debate which will up-to-date listings details Photo

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OU gift vouchers Four prizes of £250 in OU study vouchers up for grabs!

To help you on your way to study with the OU, we’re giving away a total of £1,000 in study vouchers (four prizes of £250). To be in with a chance of winning, simply head to www.openuniversity.co.uk/2010 and click on the link to enter the prize draw. Don’t forget to submit your name, address and telephone number in the body of the email before 12 February 2010. Winners will be drawn at random. Vouchers must be used by 31 July 2010. See below for full terms and conditions. OU course vouchers: solve the perennial problem of finding £1000 original presents by giving friends and family OU gift vouchers. Perfect for all occasions, OU gift vouchers can be used to register on any OU course or pay towards existing PRIZE course fees. You can buy gift vouchers for £10, £20, £50 or £100 and can order by phone (+44 (0)1908 858793) or FUND! online at www.openuniversity.co.uk/vouchers

Terms and conditions: This competition closes on 12/02/2010. Prizes must be taken as offered and are not transferable or exchangeable for a cash equivalent. The prize winners will be four entries with all the required details that are drawn at random 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 winners will be published in Sesame, including online. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Only one entry per person per competition is allowed. Competition entries must be made in the manner and by the closing date specified. Vouchers must be used to register for a course by 31 July 2010.

We’ve just brought distance learning even closer…

If you’ve been away from Open The innovation doesn’t stop University study for a while, you might with technology… be surprised to discover just how We’ve recently added new courses – much our study style has improved. everything from counselling to Chinese – and a new flexible study option which Our continuous investment in technology allows you to take a study break and allows you to do even more online, from resume your course where you left off. downloading free course materials and chatting with your tutor, to submitting Making learning more affordable assignments quickly and easily. And We’re doing more to help make learning have you seen our new presence on more affordable too, with free places iTunes U and YouTube? You can now available for those earning less than access free resources whenever and £16,510*. wherever you go! Ready for your next challenge? I love the fact that you can chat online You’ll need to act fast – February course in real time – if I ask a question registration closes on 22nd January about something I’m struggling with, so and you don’t want to miss out. many people will instantly help me. Sarah Witts, Childhood and Achieve more with us… Youth Studies student www.openuniversity.co.uk/2010 0845 366 6038 INSPIRING LEARNING

*If you are a student in England, Wales or Northern Ireland studying a 30 or 60 credit point course. For further information on Scotland call or visit our website today.

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).

17508 Sesame Half Page Advert.indd 1 6/11/09 09:54:56 See Bang Goes The Theory interviews at www.open.ac.uk/platform Interview Television

Theo Paphitis interview In good company High-profile businessman Theo Paphitis departs from his den to witness how British businesses fare as they take their first steps into the markets of India, Brazil and Vietnam...

with this programme. It’s been big dining table and the an incredible education. It just corporates’ crumbs can be goes to show how much you huge for small businesses, can learn by getting your butt off and the crumbs are definitely the chair and getting over there. there to be picked up. I’d be As a result, are you tempted staggered if, from the lessons to develop business links learnt and opportunities from in the featured countries? this recession, we don’t see I have to say I did feel rather a new generation of business guilty learning so much on the people who do things differently back of others, but I don’t to what we’ve always known. apologise for it. It was awesome. OU graduates earn their I liked Brazil, but from a business degrees while juggling work perspective India and Vietnam and family commitments. Do were incredible. It was certainly you think this makes them a learning curve for me and it will more attractive employees? be for the viewer. And it was a There’s a lot going on in their learning curve for the companies lives, and that’s when you know involved, that’s for sure. that they’re going to be able What is the difference between to do a lot for your business. a British entrepreneur looking at domestic opportunities Theo’s Adventure Capitalists, and one looking at foreign BBC Two, early spring. Theo Paphitis opportunities? What makes anyone think they Course connection can go into someone’s backyard THEO PAPHITIS IS one to break into that market and and kick their butts? Is it of Britain’s highest profile see how they progress. And it’s arrogance or confidence? businessmen, the head of a nothing like I expected it to be! That’s the question you ask string of successful companies, India is often referenced as a yourself. You’re either going including Ryman, and a star of land of business opportunity, to do what they do already but the hugely popular TV business but what did you know about better than them, or you’re going show Dragons’ Den. The Vietnam and Brazil? to take something there that Investigating hard-working, straight-talking I had never been to either they can’t do or haven’t thought entrepreneurial 50-year-old will soon be seen in country, nor in fact to India. about doing. So it should be a new BBC/OU co-production opportunities (B322) Theo’s Adventure Capitalists, “I’ve not had an education like the as he scrutinises a number of “Even if I struggled and British entrepreneurs as they one I had doing this programme” managed to get a very tight try to make it big abroad... So I had to do my homework confidence and a huge amount pass, the result is that I am alongside the companies. of research, homework and now earning a living from What can you tell us about So has it been a valuable adaptation. So you’d have my online travel consultancy Theo’s Adventure Capitalists? experience doing the show? thought our companies would – the idea I developed during It’s a three-part series in which When I was approached about have done their homework... the course. I’m pretty sure three countries are visited: doing the programme I thought Can the current recession the course helped me focus Brazil, India and Vietnam. do I really have time to do it? be seen as an opportunity? on what had to be done.” In each episode we follow The time spent in different I think the recession is Student Daniel Alonso three UK companies trying countries; working in different definitely an opportunity. There Registration closes 14 to break into each territory. time zones; all of the stuff are opportunities now that you October to start November. Each programme has a big beforehand. And you know wouldn’t have got a sniff of For more information call

international company and some what? I’m so pleased I agreed before. Big corporations are 0845 366 6038 or visit www. aul rider p smaller companies, and we to do it. I’ve not had an focusing on their main core openuniversity.co.uk/2010 :

follow their adventures in trying education like the one I had businesses. Business is a very Photo

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Counselling Tears and fears

A new counselling course from the OU examines fear and sadness, two of the most common but distressing emotions that we experience, and explores the different ways of coping with them...

Counselling is currently the theory to life. Students get one of the few growth industries NEW to watch a role-play scenario of in the UK and more people seek COURSE a real counselling session with counselling for feelings of a therapist in each of the three depression and anxiety than main approaches (cognitive- anything else. The OU’s new behavioural; psychoanalytic; course Counselling: exploring and person-centred/humanistic) fear and sadness (D240) offers followed by an interview with the a comprehensive insight into therapist analysing the way they how to help people work conducted the session and the through these common issues. rationale behind their approach. It’s a core course in a new New and growing trends such Foundation Degree in as online counselling and even Counselling, developed in computerised counselling forms association with the Counselling are covered, said Dr Vossler. and Psychotherapy Central “On the VLE is an online Awarding Body (CPCAB). counselling chat. It is in real The course is ideal for those time, giving students a taste of aiming at or considering working the rather specific challenges or volunteering as a counsellor, of online counselling – you might said course team academic not get a response from your Dr Andreas Vossler. client for 10 or 20 seconds, “It might also appeal to people for example. The waiting who want to develop their “Potential students need to be periods also gives them a awareness and sensitivity of chance to reflect on what these emotions to help others, or prepared to do some self-reflection” their own responses would be.” even to those who are struggling “We are trying to present a experience them during their The VLE also features with these feelings themselves. picture of how fear and sadness lives – they are natural reactions celebrities Stephen Fry and “Those who sign up for the can be understood, how this to certain events. But if you have Trisha Goddard talking about course need to be prepared to has changed during the past a situation where they become their own experiences of fear do some self-reflection,” he 100 years, and the leading dominant and difficult to handle, and sadness, and the strategies warns, “as well as reflecting on approaches used in and you are unable to cope, they’ve used to overcome other people’s experiences.” counselling. We don’t just cover then this is where counselling them during difficult periods. The course has been created them in a general way; there’s might be very useful.” in collaboration with leading is a lot of illustrative material Examples of different Course connection es

academics, practitioners and giving specific examples so counselling approaches in action Counselling: exploring fear r u expert in the UK, and Dr Vossler students can compare the way are a feature of the course’s and sadness (D240): registration t said it has been a very exciting the different approaches work. online Virtual Learning closes 9 April. For more info, call opportunity to develop the “Fear and sadness are Environment (VLE), which uses 0845 366 6038 or visit www.

course with a new approach. very normal. Everyone will video and audio material to bring openuniversity.co.uk/2010 PHOTO:Rex Fea

To find out more about courses, go to www.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 17 Courses Upcoming New courses Whether you want to develop your career path, retrain or just wish to broaden your horizons, then the OU has more than 570 courses for you to try. Here are some of the newest available...

From composition to performance... (AA302) Back by popular demand Delve deep into music with course encore

Love music? Want to bring it back in this new, study it in a bit more depth? updated version. The good news is that the “You study old music and Level 3 course From new music, music from close to composition to performance: home and music from far away, musicians at work (AA302) music from the concert hall is back by popular demand and music from the jazz club. after a year’s break and a “There’s something to retune of the course content. intrigue, fascinate and surprise Course Chair Bob Samuels everyone within this course.” enthuses: “AA302 is a rich, varied course for students Course connection who have studied music From composition to already, but now want to performance: musicians at work go into it in real depth. (AA302) begins 6 February “After 11 years of with registration closing on presentations, the course was 22 January. For more info, call so popular with students that 0845 366 6038 or visit www. With AA302 you have the option to study a chapter on pop or jazz the Arts Faculty has decided to openuniversity.co.uk/2010

English for academic purposes online (L185) Mind your language English for students and business managers...

There are two new English communication skills courses aimed at enhancing for global managers (LB720) students’ English language is aimed at managers around skills to help them improve the world who wish to enhance their academic performance. their language skills in order “English for academic to study successfully at purposes online (L185) is a MBA level and carry out course which draws on you, their jobs effectively in an the student, as an explorer, international context. who has been tasked with researching and writing Course connection about how English is written English for academic purposes academically in the different online (L185) begins 1 February; subject areas at The Open registration closes 22 January. University,” says co-Chair English communication skills David Donnarumma. for global managers (LB720) “The course is aimed at begins in May; registration both home and international closes 9 April. For more students, and draws on a information on both courses call range of different texts to 0845 366 6038 or visit www. meet these needs.” openuniversity.co.uk/2010 Improve your English language and writing skills with L185 and LB720

18 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start “Did You Know?Read Elessi. about Orem new dit courses aliquam at ad www.open.ac.uk/platform magniamcommy nonulput la feu facin ulpute mincin” Courses Upcoming

Sustainable Scotland (T123) Course updates Scotland’s sustainability Social responsibility Waste, food, transport and energy... The Centre for Professional Learning and Development (CPLD) now has more than 70 CPD courses available for online study. While the majority of these courses are targeted to meet the needs of managers, some have been designed to meet social agendas. They include Social marketing (GB017), Corporate social responsibility in practice (GB070) and Sustainability at work: how A wind turbine leaving Scotland’s Cromarty Firth for an oil field in the North Sea Top up to a degree to go green (GT048). A variety of optional and New short course “It encourages students to compulsory courses that will On the money Sustainable Scotland (T123) explore issues in the context of count towards the new BA Looking to move on to looks into key areas of the their own area or their particular (Hons) Social Work Studies professional qualifications in sustainability agenda, interests. The tensions between (B59) begin in February. bookkeeping or accounting? including how we manage sustainable development and If you are a qualified and Then Introduction to waste, how we produce sustainable economic growth registered social worker, bookkeeping and accounting and use food, our choice are also examined.” the OU’s Social Work Studies (B190) is a 10-pt Level 1 of energy sources, how we degree puts an honours level course that could set you off use IT, and transport issues. Course connection qualification within your grasp in the right direction. It is “The course also considers Registration closes on – and in line with government aimed at people who want a some less well-explored 25 January for a 1 February requirements that all new good grounding in double- aspects including cultural and start. For more info, call social workers have to be entry bookkeeping and the community sustainability,” says 0845 366 6038 or visit www. educated to degree standard. production of basic financial Course Chair Jacky Crook. openuniversity.co.uk/2010 Courses that count statements, as well as anyone towards the degree include who wants to proceed to Communication in health and professional qualifications as Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) social care (K309), Research bookkeepers, accounting with children and young technicians or fully qualified Flexible teacher training people (EK310) and Working accountants. together for children (KE312). The course involves manual Train with full-time school placements and computerised practical New nursing pathways skills and an understanding “If it was not for the The new BSc in Nursing of the essential principles OU Professional Graduate Practice (B53) has a new that underpin the profession. Certificate of Education, award structure with two I would have never become new pathways – leadership a teacher!” So say many Open and public health. These University PGCE students pathways are highly relevant after they graduate. to current the government “It’s ideal for students who agenda, with nurses are looking for a route to increasingly taking on new Qualified Teacher Status but and demanding roles and need flexibility,” says PGCE exercising leadership in Director Michele Deane. The training programme continually changing health “Each student is guided involves the study of multimedia and social care environments. through a needs analysis at materials, alternating with Courses that count towards For more information on all the beginning of the course, full-time school placements the degree include Death of the above courses, including ck through which an individual in OU partnership schools. and dying (K260), Making registration dates and sto training plan is created for a difference to child health applicable fees, please call each student – and students Course connection nursing (K335) and Human 0845 366 6038 or visit www. who have prior experience of For more information call biology (SK277). openuniversity.co.uk/2010 teaching may be exempted 0845 366 6038 or visit www. from parts of the course.” openuniversity.co.uk/2010 PHOTOS: REX FEATURES/i

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We’ve inspired over two million minds in the last 40 years

Explore ambitions or indulge passions – everything you need is just a click away thanks to our unique study method – supported ‘Open Learning’. We use books, CDs, DVDs, podcasts, email and other technology to deliver our inspiring courses, combined with one-to-one tutor support and access to a thriving student community – all in a way that fi ts around life. I’ve achieved so much more than I ever thought I would, both professionally and personally, thanks to my Open University qualifi cation. June Arnold, Open University graduate Did you know? • We are ranked top UK university for overall student satisfaction according to the National Student Survey 2009, The Times and Financial Times • Over 210,000 students learn with us each year • We can help with the cost of study, even if you earn over £30,000† • Everyone’s welcome – many of our 570 courses require no formal qualifi cations • 80% of our graduates are employed within 6 months‡

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†If you are a student in England, Wales or Northern Ireland studying a 30 or 60 credit point course. ‡Association of Graduate Recruiters’ Survey. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).

54751_OU_Sesame_FP.indd 1 05/11/2009 12:29 “Did You Know?Share Elessi. your Orem thoughts dit aliquam on courses ad magniamcommy in Platform’s forums nonulput at www.open.ac.uk/platformla feu facin ulpute mincin” Courses Success story

Graduate interview Jurassic start

How two OU graduates used their MBA experience to set up a dinosaur-themed business

challenge, Mike then went on being a full-time salaried to do the MBA, studying finance employee to running your as the last part of his course own business. which helped in his decision “I call it my Indiana Jones to go full time with the company. leap of faith moment (in one The business evolved quite film he leaps over a chasm but naturally, coming at a time he doesn’t know whether he’s when internet shopping and going to make it or not, but he mail order were booming finds an invisible bridge). You alongside the pressing need to need to have the courage and take science into schools. And belief to run your own business. there is the seemingly insatiable “People say I am less appetite from children and stressed now, but I have adults for everything dinosaur. different stress. I have to “It’s a very simple marketing keep everyone happy, paying model,” said Mike. “We bills and making sure it is specialise in dinosaurs. We successful. In terms of source products from all over personal satisfaction it’s far the world, design some, act as more personally enriching consultants making sure being the master of your own manufacturers have their facts destiny than being an straight, and we are bombarded employee for an organisation.” with people to work on products and stock their merchandise. We also write our own fact Course connection sheets, so they have to be well researched and accurate. OU graduates and co-owners of Everything Dinosaur Mike Walley and Sue Judd “Anyone can be a retailer, but we know a lot about the subject Dinosaurs may have 1999, I had a eureka moment and it gives us a real insight. been extinct for more than in the American Museum of Everyone in the company is 65 million years, but people’s Natural History in New York. able to talk from a real position interest in them is as strong as “A coach-load of children of authority.” Fossils and the ever. And OU graduates Mike came through the door and I More recently, Mike has history of life (S193) Walley and Sue Judd have watched them being blown successfully completed Fossils capitalised on the fascination away by these huge creatures and the history of life (S193) “This was my first course with all things prehistoric that were inside. and Sue has studied S186, with the OU and the first with their company “When I saw their faces and Volcanoes, earthquakes and studying I have done since Everything Dinosaur. having my children. I really Now in its fifth year, the “I call it my Indiana Jones leap of enjoyed it and would Cheshire-based company recommend it to anyone. acts as a consultant to toy faith moment... you need courage The books and materials were manufacturers and supplies and belief to run your own business” easy to work with, I looked more than 700 product lines to forward to studying, and I’ve m customers all over the world. their jaws drop, I had a blinding tsunamis. Both of these courses learned lots about fossils.” o

Mike says that had it not been flash of inspiration to set up have added to their knowledge Student Jacky Pearce saur.c o for studying an MBA with the the business.” of their subjects. Registration closes

OU, he and Sue would not have Initially, Mike felt that he Mike says he has not looked 12 February. For more ingdin th been able to set up the company. would need a formal back since giving up a well-paid information call 0845 “Sue and I had been talking qualification of some kind job in the chemical industry to 366 6038 or visit www. about making our passion for and took up the Professional embark on his own business. openuniversity.co.uk/2010. palaeontology into a business Certificate in Management. “You reach a point when you

for ourselves,” said Mike. “In Eager to take up his next have to make that leap from PHOTOs: www.every

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 21 Courses Online tasters

OpenLearn Get a taste

Sample some of the OU’s most popular courses for free online with OpenLearn...

For many students creative writing,” says Course their first taste of OU study Manager Andrea Mills. “You is when they visit OpenLearn, will learn from the works of the University’s open well known writers as well as educational resource. Visitors listening to the advice they get access to free bite-sized give on starting to write fiction.” units, taken from full-length OU courses, which they can Portales: beginners’ study as and when they want. Spanish (L194) not only helps The material is made students develop their Spanish available under a flexible language skills in everyday Creative Commons copyright contexts – it also gives an licence, which means learners insight into Hispanic culture. can share and even remix it The entry-level course uses to suit their own needs. the theme of a journey, taking Each unit in the site’s students through a range of LearningSpace has learning situations they would encounter outcomes and self- while visiting Spanish-speaking assessment activities, as countries, including shopping, well as suggested learning working and eating. pathways. In addition there “It is a fantastic way to learn are learning support and a language if you can’t commit social networking tools in the to an evening class,” said LabSpace, where users can one former student. “I’d access particular areas of started learning Spanish knowledge and educational from books while on holiday expertise, as well as join and wanted to ‘formalise’ and discussion forums, write deepen my ability.” Essay and report writing Rules, rights and justice: blogs and contribute to wikis. skills (LDT_5) gives invaluable an introduction to law (W100) The website has had 6.25 Managing performance advice in honing a vital study is a Level 1 course offering million visitors since its launch and change (B700) is skill. This 15-hour OpenLearn basic knowledge of the English in 2006 and hosts more than a stage 1 route to the course helps new or potential legal system. Students are 8,000 hours of course material. MBA (Master of Business students overcome any introduced to the nature and Below are some of the most Administration) qualification. apprehension they may have function of rules and law, popular courses viewed on At the end of the course about writing essays or exploring civil and criminal OpenLearn and details of students will gain a assignments, by breaking sanctions; issues raised by what you can expect from Professional Diploma in down the process into human rights legislation; and the full course presentation... Management. The course individual components. The the concepts of rights and helps managers gain the free course uses instructions justice. It also looks at the Start writing fiction(A174) skills to improve their team, and activities to highlight distinctiveness of legal is a popular 10-point online department, organisation exactly what is required from reasoning and the way in which creative writing course, which or project’s performance. academic work and gives law responds to events and aims to fire the imagination and “Students tell me again helpful tips to plan, structure contributes to the development harness students’ creativity. It and again that their studies and write assignments or of different social, business is an enjoyable opportunity for improve their chances of reports. It takes students and economic institutions. students to experience OU promotion and getting a job,” through each stage from Senior Lecturer Carol study without committing says Course Team Chair Alan preparation, planning and Howells said: “By exploring themselves to a full 60-point Davidson. “They also tell me drafting an essay to ‘polishing’ the relationship between course. “You’ll learn about they are more confident of before submission. It introduces law, life and society, W100 plot, narrative strategies and their business knowledge students to principles of good considers how rules, rights ‘genres’, and the course will and this gives them more practice that can be applied and justice help shape the give you a lead into studying respect at work.” to any type of writing. society in which we live.”

22 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start “Did You Know?Discuss Elessi. OU Orem courses dit aliquam at www.open.ac.uk/platform ad magniamcommy nonulput la feu facin ulpute mincin” Courses Online tasters

Issues in the brain and methods and applications that embedded into hardware and think about what you have behaviour (SD805) is an will shape the future. Professor software, and teaches students read and apply it to the world interdisciplinary module Mike Fitzpatrick said: “The how to write simple programs. around you.” which fits into either a Masters course is a key component of One student said: “If you want in Science programme or a the OU’s engineering teaching to do this course to improve Croeso: beginners’ Welsh Masters in Psychology. The programme, but will be of your chances at job hunting, (L196) is a Level 1 course course investigates two topics, interest and value to students saying you can program a which gives students the addiction and neural ageing, studying a range of subjects, computer (and being able to confidence to use the language and the way that different including design, environment, prove it) will go a long way.” in realistic everyday contexts. disciplines can contribute to an and information technology. It covers a range of practical explanation of issues in brain “The course examines the Innovation: designing for situations including socialising, and behaviour. “It is only by breadth of human activity that a sustainable future (T307) shopping and travelling, as well

taking a holistic approach that is described as ‘engineering’ investigates how successful as looking at aspects of Welsh y we can truly engage with the and is richly illustrated with innovations emerge and how society and culture. The main rar cutting-edge debates about case studies.” new ideas, designs and teaching text is a form of South

the fascinating topic of neural inventions are translated into Wales Welsh, although there photo lib e

ageing,” said Senior Lecturer Data, computing and marketable products. Rather will be opportunities to hear nc e ci

Heather McLannahan. information (M150), a than focusing on innovation speakers from other parts s

30-point Level 1 course, for profit, the course looks of the country. ck/ Engineering the future helps students understand the at how it can ensure a sto (T173) examines the idea mysterious world of computer socially, economically and For more information on of ‘engineering’, from design programming. The course environmentally sustainable these courses and others, concepts to the manufacture explains the mechanisms future. One student said: and to sample the content of products. It also looks at used by computers to take on “The course is nicely presented of OpenLearn, visit www. developments in engineering different tasks, how they are and the TMAs force you to openuniversity.co.uk/2010 PHOTOS: REX FEATURES/i

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 23 People Student interview

Interview Every little helps

Since its launch in 2007, the OU’s Tesco Clubcard Partnership has helped thousands of students pay for their study. Here’s how one shopper has funded her degree…

degree or I’d have to do an and I hope to do a teaching extra year.” assistant qualification with The problem was how to The Open University after afford it. “We’re a single- my degree is finished. Harry income family and we have starts school this September a big mortgage, so I couldn’t and hopefully I can get a job really go to my husband and as a teaching assistant – say ‘Can I have £600 for a I don’t want to be too far degree course, please?’” from my children.” “I’ve always saved my Currently, Clubcard Deals Clubcard vouchers, and spent tokens can be used as full them on Clubcard Deals rather or part payment for all OU than in the store. When you undergraduate courses. get your Clubcard points you More information about also get the Deals brochure. current offers can be found at In the past I’ve bought a bed, www.openuniversity.co.uk/ and some jewellery. clubcarddeals “I was looking through and thinking ‘what shall I spend my money on this time?’– and the Course connection OU was there, under the Lifestyle section. And I thought ‘Great! I can finish my degree!’” The icing on the cake was Course connection when she discovered that her Start writing fiction Student Julia Akehurst pays for her OU courses with her Tesco clubcard household income was below (AA100) the government’s threshold for Introduction to Julia Akehurst is “I get about £100 of Clubcard financial assistance and she Make your experi- literally shopping her way vouchers in a year, which if was entitled to £200 towards working with young towards an Open University you spend it on Clubcard her course. “With that and the people (E131) degree. The 36-year-old Deals rather than in the store, Clubcard Deals I ended up environmental studies student translates into £400, which only having to pay £5.” “For those thinking of moving from Ringmer, East Sussex, all goes to the OU.” So far Julia has funded two into youth work, or for those has funded more than half the Julia started her OU degree courses this way: in 2008, who are already in youth costs of her past two courses back in 2000 when she was Understanding systems: work but do not hold any through her Tesco Clubcard. in full-time work and did three making sense of complexity formal qualifications, this “We don’t spend an inordinate years of study before meeting (T214) and The Environmental course is superb. It equips amount on shopping,” says her husband and becoming web (U316) in 2009. For you with a thorough Julia, who is a full-time mother pregnant with their first child, this year she has signed up conceptual understanding of two. “We have a budget of Toby. She took a study break, for Innovation: designing for of youth work and gives a sustainable future (T307), you the confidence and tools Tesco Clubcard Deals tokens can which she also plans to fund to improve your practice. through her shopping. If she I cannot recommend E131 be used as full or part payment passes, she’ll have achieved a highly enough.” for all OU undergraduate courses BSc in Environmental Studies. Student Jonathan Hill “To be able to have a degree Registration closes 9 £350 a month for food and during which time she had a is my objective, but I will also September for an October petrol, which is not huge, second child, Harry. Then after go back to work one day and start. Call 0845 366 6038 or which I stick to. Also when five years away from study, would hope to be able to earn visit www.openuniversity. I make other purchases, even she says, “I realised one of my more than doing something co.uk/2010 for more details. if it’s only pennies, I put them courses was going to expire. I without a degree. I’ve started

PHOTO: Paul Webb on my Clubcard credit card. only had four years to finish my volunteering at my local school

24 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Advertisement EddingtonHook_Advert-Dec_Eddington_OU_Booklists 23/11/2009 15:28 Page 1

Open University Set Books 2010 December 2009

• Substantial discounts on all complete sets • Free UK (Mainland) Postage on all complete sets comprising 2 books or more • All individual Set Books discounted This price list supersedes previous lists and is correct at the time of going to press. Supplying Open University students for over 35 years However, all prices are subject to increases from publishers. A200 Exploring History: Medieval to Modern 1400-1900 A397 Continuing Classical Latin A871 Performances and Repertories � Exploring History 1400-1900: An anthology of primary sources 12.99 � Virgil: Aeneid II 8.49 � Music in Words 11.99 � The Long European Reformation: Religion, Political Conflict � The Pocket Oxford Latin Dictionary (3rd edn) 10.49 and the Search for Conformity 1350-1750 16.99 � Virgil: The Aeneid 7.49 A880 MA Religious Studies � A200 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 29.98 � A397 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 26.47 � Religion and Society in Twentieth-Century Britain 19.99 � The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion (2nd edn) 22.50 A207 From Enlightenment to Romanticism A815 MA English Year 1 � Critical Terms for Religious Studies 13.50 � Faust Parts I & II 4.50 � Specimens of Bushman Folklore 16.74 � A880 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 55.99 � � Travels in Interior of Africa 2.45 Intertextuality 11.45 � � Antigone 7.75 AA100 The Arts Past and Present From Enlightenment to Romanticism Anthology I 12.99 � � � The Complete Poems 13.45 The Burial at Thebes 5.99 From Enlightenment to Romanticism Anthology II 12.99 � Coriolanus (The New Cambridge Shakespeare) 7.75 � Doctor Faustus the A text 5.99 � A207 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 32.93 � Jane Eyre 4.45 � The Faber Book of Beasts 5.99 � Dusklands 5.45 � Bhaji On The Beach 6.49 A210 Approaching Literature: Authors, Readers, Texts � Foe 5.45 � A World of Difference: an anthology of short stories � Pride and Prejudice 4.49 � The Handbook to Literary Research (2nd edn) 16.75 from five continents 7.89 � Top Girls 7.45 � Robinson Crusoe 4.75 � AA100 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 32.35 � Great Expectations 4.49 � A Companion to the History of the Book 22.95 � A Doll's House 0.95 � Sophocles: Antigone 5.25 AA300 Europe: Culture and Identities � Othello 5.95 � The Major Works 9.95 � The Reader 6.50 � Henry V 5.95 � Paradise Lost 6.95 � As You Like it 5.95 � Wide Sargasso Sea 6.95 AA306 Shakespeare � Frankenstein: 1818 text 3.95 � Kim 5.95 � Grigori Kozintsev's King Lear Russia (set DVD) 15.99 � � Fathers and Sons 5.45 � A815 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive £151.99 Norton Shakespeare 32.49 � The Color Purple 6.45 � Macbeth DVD (1971, Roman Polanski) 6.99 � Hamlet DVD (1991, Mel Gibson, Glen Close) 8.99 � A210 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 51.08 A825 MA History Part 1 � Family Fortunes: Men and Women of the � Twelfth Night DVD (1996, Helena Bonham Carter) 6.99 A211 Philosophy and the Human Situation English Middle Class 1780-1850 19.79 � AA306 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive £71.45 � Thinking from A to Z (3rd edn) 8.49 � Local History: A Handbook for Beginners 8.79 � AA307 Conflict, Conversion and Co-existence A825 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive £28.58 � Christianity in the West, 1400-1700 17.99 A214 Understanding Music: Elements, Techniques and Styles *Students are also required to purchase the books relevant to � The Death of Christian Britain 18.49 � Chambers Dictionary of Music 9.99 their chosen theme: � Christianity 10.99 � Symphony No.5, Eulenburg Miniature Score, ETP 402 8.00 � *The English Urban Renaissance: Culture and Society in the � AA307 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 47.47 � Dido and Aeneas 6.99 Provincial Town, 1660-1770 25.99 � Octet, Eulenburg Miniature Score, ETP 60 7.50 � AA309 Culture, Identity and Power in the Roman Empire *Crime, Police and Penal Policy: European Experiences 1750-1940 52.99 � � Serenade for Strings, Eulenburg Miniature Score, ETP 857 6.99 � *Crime and Justice 1750-1950 17.79 The Roman World, 44 BC-AD 180 20.49 � � Roman Civilization Vol. II (3rd edn) 27.49 � A214 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 39.47 *Religion and Political Culture in Britain and Ireland: � From the glorious revolution to the decline of empire 22.79 The Roman Empire (2nd edn) 7.99 A216 Art and its Histories � *The Industrial Revolution: Reading History 19.49 � AA309 Discounted SET Price P&P inclusive 55.97 � � Art 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Graduate interview On police business

Frank Whiteley, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire, has managed responses to the Buncefield explosion, mass floodings and a nationwide fuel crisis. So why did he feel the need to study for an MBA?

found himself having more innovation into their business, contact with other functions was also very interesting.” such as HR and finance. Frank, however, believes “I am in a senior management that a qualification doesn’t position and the course had to necessarily mean that someone be highly relevant to my can do a job well. “It is about day-to-day work. There are knowledge, experience and senior police officers with capability. Qualifications are MBAs, although there are more a route to assisting in achieving with postgraduate degrees that. However, I think the more relating to criminal justice. senior you become the more “In addition to the MBA, important it is that you have I have my first degree from a formal, academic input into Cambridge University running a business and having (Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic an understanding of what studies), a Diploma in Applied drives criminal activity. Criminology, also at Cambridge “Gaining the MBA was not University, and other the sole reason for me being professional qualifications. offered the job as Chief “So within the mix you get Constable. However, it’s experience of the operational, part of the whole package. the academic and the “Hopefully it shapes the way managerial aspects of the job.” I do my business and influences Frank says he also chose how people see my work.” the OU because it fitted in around his job and bringing up three young children. Course connection Open University Business School MBA graduate Frank Whiteley “The OU has a good reputation and I found it lives Open University chief executives face very up to its name. The programme Business School MBA graduate similar problems, whether they was time-consuming, taking Frank Whiteley believes his are in the health service, civil up to 10 hours a week, but it role as Chief Constable of service or private sector. was well worth it. Hertfordshire Police is little “In any sector you need an “In any business there are Strategy (B820) different from that of a chief understanding of the theory of things that are generic across executive in any other what makes people and sectors. I run a business with a “Rightly a compulsory organisation. organisations successful and £200-million-plus turnover and component of the MBA This is in spite of playing you need knowledge that is 4,000-plus staff, and it is not programme: challenging a key part in the emergency particular to your sector.” surprising many police leaders and thoroughly rewarding have postgraduate degrees to – helps you to step away “It is about knowledge, experience do this. The MBA informs my from the noise and detail overall thinking. I use it to of day-to-day operations and and capability. Qualifications are a approach all sorts of problems. build up a clearer high-level route to assisting in achieving that” It gives me the background view of an organisation and knowledge. Any number of the context of its operation.” response to the Buncefield oil Frank, who has been a police models can be applied during Student Andrew Flint depot explosion in 2005, and officer for more than 30 years, the course of a year. Registration closes being Operational Commander embarked on the MBA “I found the MBA programme 31 March. For more at the burial of Princess Diana, programme with the OU to very stimulating, particularly information call 0845 and during the 1999 Easter gain a wider view of how around problem solving. 366 6038 or visit www. floods and 2000 fuel crisis. organisations work as a whole. Creative management, openuniversity.co.uk/2010 “There is nothing unique In addition to dealing with the which deals with different about what I do,” he said. “All operational side of policing, he organisations bringing

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 27 Courses Recession Crisis or opportunity? Losing your job is always a shock, but it can be a springboard for positive change. Sesame talks to two people funding Open University degrees with their redundancy money...

choice and dropped out. When redundancy came on the horizon, my first thought was ‘I’m going to go back and get a degree’. “I’d done two OU courses a few years before, and I thought the OU provided much better value for money than conventional universities – I could see myself coming out of a redbrick university with lots of debt. I’m now earning about a quarter of what I did before. “Being made redundant was a shock. My study put some structure back into my day and gave me a purpose. It started out as something for me, it gave me something to focus on, but I also feel I am doing something active towards my career. At my age, when you go for a job interview Studying with the OU may improve your career prospects if you are looking for work or a new challenge you are competing with graduates who’ve just come AFTER 11 YEARS working brother-in-law works in a similar well, and my OU study is out of university and people for Norwich Union (now Aviva), field – he owns an acoustic backing up the theory. who have years of experience. Stuart King, 31, from York, was consultancy firm. So I went to “My redundancy pay funded You’re going to be at a made redundant in 2008. He him with a proposal to expand my courses and is helping to disadvantage if you don’t signed up for Environment the existing business to offer subsidise me while I get this have a degree.” (U216), and it led to a new environmental consultancy new venture off the ground. It Last year Julie completed business venture. services as well.” would have been nice to pack Welfare, crime, and society Stuart said: “I’d done a Stuart completed U216 last everything in and take a few (DD208), and Medicine and couple of Level 1 Open year and is about to start Earth years out to study full time, society in Europe 1500-1930 University courses and hoped in crisis: environmental policy but I have a wife and a (A218), and is now studying to do a degree in my spare in an international context 20-month-old son to support.” Crime and justice (DD301) time, just for interest. But when (DU311). His goal is a Diploma See Stuart and his and Personal lives and social redundancy came up it in Environmental Policy brother-in-law’s new venture at policy (DD305). Her ambition was an opportunity to do and ultimately a degree www.environmentaluk.co.uk is to work in the criminal justice something closer to my heart. in environmental studies. system. She also works as “I was keen to change Meanwhile the new business redundancy money a Station Co-ordinator for a the direction of my career is “ready to hit the ground Juliet Hickling, 34, from local community radio station. and try to do something a little running”, he says. Grantham, Lincs, had worked more positive and socially “I’ve a long way to go with for the same food retailer If you’re worried about your responsible. I’d been out of my degree but it’s helping to for nearly 17 years when employment prospects in redundancy hit. She is the recession, check out the “When redundancy came up, studying for an OU degree OU’s Outsmart the Recession at the rate of 120 points a website. There’s practical it was an opportunity to do year while supporting herself career-planning and skills something closer to my heart” with redundancy money advice, tips on growth areas and a part-time job. and links to free courses – work for a few months and was give me the background I need. Juliet said: “I went to Sheffield as well as information on what looking around. I was studying I’ve also been doing a number Hallam University when I was the OU has to offer. Visit www.

PHOTOS: REX FEATURES the environment, and my of more vocational courses as 18 but made a poor course openuniversity.co.uk/2010

28 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start People

Everything to do with you, from inspirational stories to fascinating interviews

Graduates’ story The road to romance

For two Open University students from the Midlands, embarking on their student journey would lead to more than just graduating together...

they and their fellow students and workload involved in were asked by their tutor to attaining a degree,” said introduce one another. Carolyn. The pair happened to be Married for nearly three sitting next to each other and years, both think they will study soon discovered that they had again, despite finding it difficult friends in common. to find the time. Which poses “From that point on we went the question of how they found to tutorials together and began time for romance? studying together,” explains “Well, we combined the two!” Carolyn, a primary school teaching assistant who gained Course connection a humanities with art history degree. “From there our relationship blossomed.” Added Peter: “Our social lives definitely improved as a result of studying – especially during our first course, when discussions The arts past and would often continue at the present (AA100) pub after tutorials. “During the years we also “This is an excellent Mr and Mrs Gough at the 2009 graduation ceremony in Birmingham both made friends with other introductory course for those For Walsall couple painter and decorator since students as we pursued our seeking advancement in a Peter and Carolyn Gough, leaving school. “I became different courses.” wide range of areas within the studying for an Open more intrigued when I looked The pair studied two of arts. The diversity of subjects University degree would lead at my son’s homework and their six courses together and enables study in areas which to many things: a sense of might not previously have achievement, a self-proclaimed “We went to tutorials together and sparked an interest – I was opening of minds, two BA Hons fascinated by the sections degrees and, last but by no began studying together... and from covering religion, for example. means least, marriage. Thoroughly recommended.” ott

there our relationship blossomed” i

Peter, 54, and Carolyn, 58, Student Victor Gent ll in e

were both divorcees when they he suggested that I take my found that they also enjoyed Registration closes t r

met in 2002 at their first tutorial, interest further. I was single discussing the courses that 22 January. For more ma for the course An introduction with four children, and they were studying separately. information call 0845 to the humanities (A103). I thought, ‘why not?’” “A positive point for couples 366 6038 or visit www. “I’d always had an interest Peter and Carolyn, who also who are both studying is that openuniversity.co.uk/2010

in history,” explains Peter, a has a daughter, first met when each can appreciate the time PHOTOs: ALAMY /

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 29 PHOTO: Rex Features People 30 Prue Leith S esame 243| Interview Winter 2009 T o findout moreaboutcourses, gotowww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Watch video interviews with well known people at www.open.ac.uk/platform People Interview

Interview Recipe for success

Former restaurateur, renowned cookery writer and novelist Prue Leith talks to Scott Russon about being an honorary graduate of The Open University, her love of Jamie Oliver, her spats with Gordon Ramsay and why she doesn’t like Masterchef…

PRUE LEITH BEGAN novel. So one day I said I’m why they want to be chefs, night and she looks after the her career as cookery never writing another recipe. they admire Gordon Ramsay children. If a man is married to correspondent on the Daily because he’s rich, famous and a chef, he does not accept that Mail, Sunday Express and What tempted you to become on telly. I have had many a spat she is out at night and he looks Guardian. She established a involved with The Great with Gordon about his portrayal after the children. catering company, as well as British Menu (TGBM)? of the way kitchens work. He Leith’s School of Food and I did think a lot about it. I was does it entirely for the TV. If he How did it feel to be awarded Wine, and Leith’s restaurant, tempted because I like my behaved like that in his kitchens an OU honorary degree? which won a coveted Michelin fellow judges, Matthew Fort he wouldn’t have loyal workers I have a lot of honorary degrees star. She decided to quit writing and Oliver Peyton. I liked the like Angela Hartnett. In a way but I am particularly proud of about food to concentrate on idea of a programme that was he has been trapped by this that one. The point about the her dream of publishing a about real skill and surprise. persona. There is no question OU is that it wants everyone novel, something she has I liked the fact that it was about that he is a great chef. and it’s not elitist. But that achieved four times over. She excellence rather than about doesn’t mean that the has more recently held the showing off and camping Other than Jamie Oliver, academic standards aren’t position of chair of the School about. So many cookery which chefs would you there. I do think it’s Harold Food Trust and a judge on the programmes are like children’s say are good role models? Wilson’s finest achievement. popular BBC food contest show TV with people bouncing Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall www.prue-leith.com that pits some of the UK’s best around saying “wow, wow, because he is so extreme and chefs against one another, delicious, yum, yum” a lot. I also alternative. Nigel Slater is Course connection The Great British Menu... thought it would be good for the wonderful because he makes School Food Trust because if cooking simple and fast. And I How would you describe I have a higher profile then it’s think James Martin on Saturday yourself? much easier for me to speak to Kitchen is great. What I really I would say I’m broad and people, such as, for example, don’t like is Masterchef. Though shallow (laughs). a group of head teachers. it’s fascinating to watch Professionally, I am mostly a amateurs get so far, it’s that bossy woman. I’m a very good Do you think you’ll continue ridiculous stuff that John organiser. All my life I’ve joined to be part of TGBM? Torode and co have to go Start writing fiction quangos and committees. No, I have to stop. I’m going to through about “cooking’s (A174) I think I’ve started three be 70 in February so I think never been so tough!”. charities, all of them still going it’s time to stop. I’ve said I’ll “This course was my first strong. I suppose I could do one more series. Why do you think so few experience with The Open be called an enthusiast. female chefs make it to University and I enjoyed it There is a glut of cookery the highest industry level? very much. It’s an excellent Why did you decide to stop shows on TV – do you If you look at the catering world, starting point for someone writing about food? think they all have value? all the jobs that are in the who wants to go back to Writers have so much energy to No, some of them are actually daytime are done by women the academic life and also write. I used to take Fridays off damaging. I think we spend far – school cooks, catering excellent for someone who to write cookbooks and too much time in front of the companies, teaching, hospitals, just wants to keep the brain business reports, and check TV watching cooking and not etc. Michelin-starred active. The assignments proofs. That used up my enough time actually cooking. restaurants have to operate at were original and pushed obsession with writing. I woke On one hand these TV chefs, night. The only women who me to be creative.” up to the fact that I had always particularly Jamie Oliver, have work at night are like Angela Student Teresa Rohner wanted to write a novel but got young people wanting to Hartnett, who are not married Registration closes 22 the years were passing by. become cooks. It’s become and don’t have children. The January for a 6 February Everyone wanted me to go on cool to be a cook. What I don’t truth is, and it comes back to start. Call 0845 366 6038 or writing about cookery because it like about the television bashing men I’m afraid, that if a visit www.openuniversity. was so successful, but I thought programmes, though, is that woman is married to a chef she co.uk/2010 for more details. if I did then I would never write a if you ask most young people accepts the fact that he is out at

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 31 People Student story

Financial assistance Time to strike out?

Open University students come from all walks of life and study for numerous reasons. Many are assisted by fundraising activities that provide help to students experiencing financial hardship...

studying while she was based Supporting the ou at home looking after her Many students and alumni of young daughter. The Open University feel that “I’ve always wanted a degree they enjoyed their studies or and at that point my little one achieved so much thanks to was only 18 months old. Some their OU experience that they of the courses were hard, want to give something back particularly during the summer by supporting future students holidays, and time management with their studies. was a nightmare. In the summer By donating to The Open you just want to be outside.” University’s Supporters’ Fund, To help with juggling family you could help students like life and studying, Karen’s Karen achieve their goals. parents provided her with If you’d like to find out childcare and her mum also more about Open University helped by proofreading her fundraising projects or would assignments. Referring to like to donate, please visit her daughter, Karen said: www.open.ac.uk/fundraising “I basically studied while or call Siobhan Finnegan on she was in bed or at school.” +44 (0)1908 655044. Karen is already a fully qualified karate instructor, Course connection but her ambition now is to become a teacher of children up to the age of 11. Alongside the studying she has been busy volunteering to gain some experience to help with her teaching. Karen Train with her daughter When her daughter started Supporting learning at playschool aged three, Tinhe primary Professional schools Graduate Open University student towards the courses as well Karen volunteered at the same Certificate in Education Karen Train is elated. She as receiving a grant. Having school – which helped with (PEGC111)E) in England leading has just achieved something researched the financial childcare as well. Her support to Qualified Teacher Status she had always dreamed of assistance available, she has been so valued that she (Q“I’dTS like); into Walesencourage leading anyone to – earning a BA in Childhood found it easy to apply. has now become a key worker QwhoTS ;is and a volunteer in Northern in a I relandschool and Youth Studies. “I used the funding to update for some of the children. leadingand who to is ‘E thinkingligibility ofto doingTeach’, Before becoming a student, my computer and fund my Karen admits gaining her isthis the course most popularto go for route it. I Karen was a single parent and broadband and I was even able degree has been tough and intostarted a career to volunteer in teaching two and at a full-time mum – attending a to put some money towards a lot of work, but she feels so secondarya half days level.a week The to OUbe much better for doing it. offersable to a takemodular this coursePGCE and “If it wasn’t for the Student Six years of studying has programmeI found it interesting that allows and now given way to planning her flexiblerewarding. patterns The workload of study Assistance Fund I wouldn’t have wedding this year and also overwas verythree manageable.” years. A degree is been able to study with the OU” moving house. But as soon as requiredStudent Russellfor entry Beavon to a PGC E she’s settled she hopes to start course.E111 is theDegree first studiescourse within redbrick university was not an my stationery,” says Karen. her teacher training course. thethe OUnew is Foundation an obvious Degree route. option for her. So, like so many “If it wasn’t for the Student Callin P rimary+44 (0)845 Teaching 300 6090 in her situation, she looked into Assistance Fund I wouldn’t have For more information on what orand visit Learning. www.open.ac.uk/ Registration studying with the OU. been able to study with the OU”. other financial assistance coursescloses 9 Sforeptember. more Call Being in receipt of benefits at In 2003 Karen decided to may be available to aid your information.Quote0845 366 6038 or visitSesame www. the time meant Karen was able take the initiative and make the study with the OU, please openuniversity.co.uk/2010 to apply for financial assistance most of the opportunity to start see pages 45 and 46.

32 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Member Benefits Great discounts for OU alumni and students Visit our website for more information on these offers and for links to all discounts www.open.ac.uk/platform/member-benefits Please note you will need to sign in with your Open University Computer Username (OUCU) and password to view the offers

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* Reference in this publication/website to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by The Open University.

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 33 PHOTO: Rex Features People 34 John Pilger S esame 243| Interview Winter 2009 T o findout moreaboutcourses, gotowww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Watch video interviews with well-known people at www.open.ac.uk/platform People Interview

Interview An agent of the people

World-renowned journalist, author and documentary filmmaker John Pilger talks to Richard Cooper about the pitfalls of modern-day journalism, the changes in the industry and why he thinks President Obama isn’t that different to his predecessors…

Legendary journalist And I read them from cover to economic burden grows, what again, that fiction barely John Pilger began his career cover. It was probably romance we may see is a return to the compares with fact. in his native Australia, before at first sight.A t Sydney High days when newspapers were moving to London in the School I started my own paper, labours of love, not merely What advice would you give 1960s, where he still lives. The Messenger which, I hasten expensive cogs in an empire to anyone thinking about He is an impassioned critic to say, was not the crusader such as [Rupert] Murdoch’s. becoming a journalist? of what he calls “Western the title suggests. I gained People relish newspapers; look I would not be anything else. economic and military something of a reputation at the readership in the days To be allowed into people’s campaigns around the world”, for securing interviews with that followed 9/11, even though lives, to tell the stories of their and came to international famous people regarded then it was all over television. struggles and triumphs is, as prominence while reporting as celebrities (though the word I say, a privilege. In that role, I from the frontline during the had yet to be invented). The You’ve said Barack Obama believe serious journalists have Vietnam War in 1967. Following day I was accepted as a cadet has joined the unbroken never been more necessary. the assassination of Martin journalist on the Sydney Daily Democratic tradition of Luther King, Pilger marched Telegraph was one of the hawkish and expansionist www.johnpilger.com with America’s poor from happiest of my life; and I presidents. Do you think Alabama to Washington; he have never lost that sense there will ever be an was present when Robert of privilege and, dare I say, American president who Course connection Kennedy was assassinated vocation, that serious will break from this tradition? in 1968; and his exclusive journalism bestows – the Not while the system remains dispatches from Cambodia in privilege to be an agent as it is. Merely to become the aftermath of Pol Pot’s reign of people, never of power. a serious candidate in the resulted in $40 million being presidential primaries, you raised for the country’s people. How do you avoid having need to raise a vast fortune The honorary graduate of your work compromised? and to press some nasty flesh. Understanding the OU talks to Sesame about And is it possible today for Waging war on behalf of a media (DA204) his uncompromising approach a journalist working within hugely powerful military to his trade. a large commercial news industry is obligatory. “I chose this course to organisation to keep their complete my BSc in Social What has been your integrity intact? What are you working on Science. I enjoyed all my experience of the OU as It is difficult to maintain the way at the moment? courses but this was head an honorary graduate, and you want to work: yes, to keep I am developing a documentary and shoulders above the what are your thoughts your principles. But too many on war and media, a subject rest. It provides an insight into on it as an institution? journalists give in too quickly, close to my heart. British and how the media is structured I was delighted to have been or they are seduced by the American governments are through national and global honoured by The Open myths of an institution that ‘allowed’ to invade countries networks. It also examines the University, an institution I flatters them by promoting when journalists do not do a influence and information that have long admired along with them within its structures; I am basic job of keeping the record historic and contemporary Britain’s other great people’s thinking of the BBC. It really straight and of challenging media formats have used to institutions, such as the is a matter of will. Nothing is authority instead of amplifying influence audiences. Highly National Health Service and more precious than one’s and echoing its deceptions. So recommended to anybody the National Film Theatre. What professional independence, I shall be looking at that and with a serious interest in has been my experience as however imperfect. perhaps suggesting to young the media.” an honorary graduate? Pride! practitioners that an embedded Student Robert Mark Wileman Do you think the collapse state does not ordain them as Registration closes 22 January Why did you choose to of the newspaper industry journalists. I am also planning for a 30 January start. For become a journalist? will eventually reinvigorate my first work of fiction – a more information call 0845 As a boy growing up in Sydney, journalism? long-delayed ambition. The 366 6038 or visit www. Australia, I sold newspapers on Newspapers will never problem with that is every time openuniversity.co.uk/2010 trams, in pubs, at the races. ‘collapse’. As the current I sit down to write I realise, yet

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 35 People Opinion Trick and cheat... Professor Peter Taylor discusses the issue of plagiarism and reveals how right now you could unintentionally be guilty of theft in your studies

Throughout my Mercury in 1829 refers to: education, which started back “Plagiarists whom we have in the ’50s, I can’t remember denounced as a vile compound anybody ever telling me about of thief and liar, a thief for plagiarism. Even at university, stealing other people’s literary it wasn’t the kind of thing property and a liar for calling discussed in polite company, it his own.” And there are plenty the ultimate academic crime of other examples in the papers – we would never do such of the day, such as this from a thing. Or would we? the Belfast Newsletter a Most universities now decade later: “Mr Williams has from accusations of plagiarism, complexities of good academic communicate to students about been guilty in his Narrative just as people in other fields, practice. After all, it is not only good academic practice. So of Missionary Enterprises in such as authors Dan Brown their reputation at stake but that why the change? Are students the South Sea Islands… 20th and JK Rowling, are today. of the University itself and the now more dishonest, less and 30th chapters… has been Plagiarism also depends value of our students’ degrees. interested in the pursuit of taken almost verbatim, without upon the context: the US knowledge and more keen acknowledgement, from a Declaration of Independence Course connection to get a good degree whatever previous publication of Dr Lang borrowed heavily from the it takes? I don’t think so. I on The Origin and Migration Virginia Declaration of Rights think universities have finally of the Polynesian Nations.” and other sources, reflecting an realised that they need History is full of examples evolution of ideas and clarity. to be clear about the rules of of blatant plagiarism, but then So plagiarism isn’t new, isn’t the academic game in British there are lots of grey areas. a result of the internet age, and higher education. As Isaac Newton said: “If I have isn’t always simple to define. Of In recent years there have seen further, it is by standing course, cutting and pasting is Developing good been a number of high-profile on the shoulders of giants.” so much easier with computers academic practices accusations of plagiarism in All new ideas build upon and it is easy to forget to the media. Psychiatrist Raj the work of others and it is reference appropriately. And This course has been Persaud, former host of Radio important to acknowledge there now exist companies on designed to help students the web which provide essay- develop the good academic “It is now a great deal easier to use writing services. You select the practice needed for their topic, the desired grade and studies and in particular for plagiarism-detection software the timescale – and then you producing assignments and to identify similar pieces of text” get an instant quote. They claim end-of-course assessments. to be unique and undetectable Achieving good academic 4’s All In The Mind, retracted these sources. However, by plagiarism-detection practice is an important articles he had ‘written’. And it is also possible to have software, but, as plagarism- graduate skill and will ensure in 1987 the current US Vice- conversations with others or detection software continually students are not accused

y President Joe Biden famously read something that you later evolves and improves, it is of plagiarism. This course is rr ‘borrowed’ stirring words from forget and ‘rediscover’ in a a game of cat and mouse. free to all registered students. y Be a Neil Kinnock speech made different form. Knowledge However, I don’t believe Just access using the link opp earlier that same year. Even doesn’t develop in a linear many students go out of their below or via StudentHome. es/ P r u university lecturers have been fashion but in parallel, in way to deliberately cheat, but To access the course visit the t dismissed for plagiarism. communities with different there are many who don’t StudentHome Study Support Is this need to ‘out’ plagiarists people coming up with similar understand the rules. Which area or visit http://learn. a new media trend? Well, no. ideas at the same time – is why it is so important that our open.ac.uk/site/DGAP001

PHOTOs: Rex Fea An issue of The Liverpool Newton himself wasn’t immune students are informed of the

36 Sesame 243 | Winter 2009 To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Research A round-up of the latest research news from The Open University

Charging infrastructure for electric cars Plugging the gap

OU assists with electric transport revolution...

The OU is a partner in change action plan for Milton Milton Keynes’ successful Keynes, in which the University application to be part of the will play a significant role. £11m pioneering Joined Cities “This electric vehicle Plan. The initiative aims to infrastructure programme links provide a national network of closely with our transport studies plug-in sites so that people can research. The five-year project use electric vehicles for work also sits in the middle of some of and personal transport needs. the long-term strategic research The Milton Keynes venture themes being supported by will provide a charging the research councils and other infrastructure to support 1,000 major agencies, in particular vehicles. Many of these will be the cross-disciplinary themes hire cars, allowing people to get of energy and sustainability. a taste of what it is like to drive “Our participation in the a modern electric plug-in car. Joined Cities Plan may become Stephen Potter, Professor of a catalyst for researchers across Transport Strategy at the OU, the OU to work together to be said: “We hope that this will be part of major upcoming research an important step in the climate programmes,” he added. An electric smart car being charged on a London street

Other news OU research Global change Music to Tech-savvy on iTunes U research your ears in later life?

The latest release Dr Vincent Gauci has THE OU Acoustics The OU is part of a of OU research albums are now secured urgent funding to Research Group is investigating European team that has been online at iTunes U – the global- extend OU research into carbon the consistency and quality awarded funding to study reach education environment. losses in the tropical peat of musical wind instrument how older people deal with The eight additions feature swamp forests of Borneo. The manufacture. Despite tight new innovations and existing OU academics talking about swamps are an ancient store production tolerances, technology, such as the a variety of OU research of carbon which, due to regional musicians are often able to internet, in their everyday lives. activities. Topics include Black fires, is now being released. discern small differences The aim is to enhance older es

British jazz; the Church’s identity The research will measure between identical instruments. people’s confidence and r u in the face of religious decline; the carbon entering the river The findings should help make opportunities to use so-called t search engines of the future; system, an aspect neglected mass-produced instrument ‘new’ technologies that younger learning difficulties; and more. in carbon release estimates. manufacture more finely honed. people often take for granted.

www.open.ac.uk/itunes http://cepsar.open.ac.uk/ http://acoustics.open.ac.uk/ www.open.ac.uk/hsc PHOTO: Rex Fea

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5839 Counsellor138x194_Sesame_Siobhan.indd 1 26/2/09 16:24:09 “Did You Know?Check Elessi. out Orem the News dit aliquam section ad of magniamcommy Platform for comment nonulput on la breaking feu facin news ulpute mincin” Research Inaugural lecture

Scholar’s address Innovate to stimulate?

Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation at the OU and Director of the OU’s inter- faculty research centre Innovation, Knowledge and Development (IKD), asks do the best firms always win?

financial bubbles such as the industrial and financial markets ‘dotcom’ boom and bust. in rewarding, or sometimes Although the early ‘classical’ penalising, innovation. economists appreciated the role Professor Mazzucato ended of innovation in the evolution by asking if evolutionary of capitalism, modern-day economists have been guilty of economic theory has largely over-emphasising the positive ignored it, though it is now aspects of innovation and down- having something of a revival. playing effects such as job But although this renewal has losses and workforce successfully brought innovation exploitation. She gave the back into the core of economic example of the success of US theory, it has not yet shown that firm Walmart: “It has been very the most innovative firms are innovative in terms of inventory the most successful. Some control, store layout and studies find a positive impact on distribution channels, but would firms’ growth, some find none, it have achieved growth from and some even find innovation just those organisational has a negative impact, possibly innovations, had it not also due to the high costs of paid its workers so little?” research and development. To see Professor Mazzucato’s Research by Professor inaugural lecture, visit http: Apple CEO Steve Jobs during a new product presentation Mazzucato looking at the //stadium.open.ac.uk/berrill pharmaceutical industry has Technological and “Understanding the degree found the relationship between organisational innovation is a to which markets really do growth and innovation to be Course connection way for firms to get ahead of select more innovative firms extremely complex. Most firms their rivals. So in a free market is central to justify national and do not benefit from research capitalist economy we would international policies that are and development, only firms expect the most innovative increasingly concerned with with certain characteristics. firms to be the most successful. winning the innovation game,” The firms that do achieve But we know very little about said Professor Mazzucato. growth are those that patent the link between innovation and Innovation has been a feature persistently and have alliances Creativity, innovation economic performance, said of capitalism for the past 200 in the biotechnology sector. Professor Mariana Mazzucato years and innovations developed Importantly, the research and change (B822) in her inaugural lecture Do the by competitive firms, from the also shows that firms with these “Fantastic course that’s really structural characteristics are well thought out. The There is an assumption that more more likely to have above- requirement to apply the average growth. According to course at work really brings innovation will lead to higher growth, Professor Mazzucato: “It is not the topic to life. It’s hard work, and hence more prosperity for us all that innovation does not lead but fun. Approach everything to growth, but to do so it must with an open mind – what best firms always win? Puzzles motor car to the mobile phone, be combined with these other seems odd at first makes around innovation and selection have transformed our lives. factors. These factors differ in lots of sense in the end.” in economics. Innovation affects investors’ different industries.” She said Student Brian John Barker Despite this lack of evidence, expectations about the future that national and EC economic Registration closes 31 March government policies across growth of firms. Stocks and policies will greatly benefit from for a May start. For more es r the world are based on the shares are more volatile when future research that uncovers information please call u t assumption that more lots of firms compete to capture more firm-specific and sector- 0845 366 6038 or visit www. innovation will lead to higher the market for the latest specific differences in the link openuniversity.co.uk/2010 growth, and hence more innovation, and innovation is between innovation and growth, prosperity for us all. often one of the sources of and the role of selection in PHOTOs: Rex Fea

To find out more about courses, go towww.openuniversity.co.uk/start Winter 2009 | Sesame 243 39 Research Focus “It’s ALIVE!”

Dr Neil Smith of the OU’s Maths, Computing and Technology Faculty discusses artificial intelligence (AI). Does AI already exist? Can AI help mankind? What makes AI different from robotics? And should we be concerned by Terminator-like creations?

the IDEA of artificial tools, and they often have intelligence (AI) fascinated applications outside AI. For people even before the term instance, the whole idea of was coined – think The Wizard object-oriented [computer] of Oz’s Tin Man. Now grounded programming came out of in the realm of science and research on how people make computing, it wasn’t until 1956 commonsense deductions. that American computer and Finally, the more immediate cognitive scientist John problems that AI research is McCarthy defined artificial concerned with are fascinating intelligence as “the science in their own right. Things like and engineering of making getting machines to understand intelligent machines”. speech and text, learn new Through science fiction skills, operate as robots in the books, TV series and classic real world (and on other worlds) films such as The Terminator, are all intriguing questions... Blade Runner and 2001: A Space Odyssey, the idea has When people think of AI most captivated our imagination as people think of sci-fi film well as heightened our anxiety. characters such as in the But what is AI? What are the Terminator, Blade Runner, potential gains and losses and 2001: A Space Odyssey, Human-eradicating AI as presented in the Terminator films from its rapid development? all examples of machine And is AI already here? turning against humankind. targets and making their own card details had been stolen. Dr Neil Smith, Course Chair Should these fictional decisions about whether to They hadn’t, but it’s reassuring of Natural and artificial warnings be taken seriously? attack them. to know that someone (or intelligence (M366), offers It isn’t really in anyone’s something) is checking for his thoughts on the subject... immediate interest to create a What about concerns that fraud. Another example is generally intelligent computer criminals would be able to computer vision systems that Tell us about your interest like HAL (2001: A Space manipulate advancements can spot people behaving in artificial intelligence (AI). Odyssey) or Blade Runner’s in artificial intelligence? suspiciously in crowds. At AI asks the big questions. What replicants [cyborg-like figures]. Criminals will always be able to present, they can spot people does it mean to be human? You get far more bang from exploit technological advances loitering on train platforms What is intelligence? Creativity? the buck by creating a machine for their own ends, and AI is no contemplating suicide, but Empathy? What is an emotion? that has a narrower range of different. But a lot of the time, perhaps they may be able We’ll develop better and better applications, as it tends to criminals can only get away to spot muggers sizing up a answers to these questions as perform much better in that with it if there are no witnesses mark. Whether this constant we create machines that are domain than if you tried to get to see them. If we can develop surveillance is a price worth more and more intelligent. it to do everything. intelligent agents that can paying is a different question. AI has also been described as But there are situations where recognise crimes in progress, the forcing function of computer we should be concerned about they can watch for criminal As well as the worst case science. Most of the big what intelligent machines are up activity and alert someone to scenario examples, there is advances in computer science to. Various advanced militaries check it out. For example, I the idea that machines can have come about as either are using unmanned vehicles got a letter from my credit card aid the future of humanity. products or side-effects of AI on the battlefield and the company a few days ago. Their What are the areas where research. AI problems are hard, trend is to make them more computer system had learnt AI could assist? and very often there aren’t any autonomous. It won’t be long my usual spending habits and Machines are good candidates tools powerful enough to solve before these devices are noticed something unusual. It for replacing humans in jobs them. So we have to create new capable of identifying their own sent the letter to check if my that are dangerous, unpleasant

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for when they’re out of contact with Earth. I can’t see anything that will stop any of these trends in the future, and lots of reasons why they’ll all continue.

What level of AI already exists in contemporary society? AI is everywhere! The trouble is, it’s very rarely labelled as such. A lot of this is to do with the so-called ‘AI Effect’. When we see someone do something we don’t understand, like a magic trick, we marvel at the intelligence required to perform it. But when we learn the knack, it doesn’t seem that clever any more. The same thing is true in AI research. All the time we don’t know how to make a machine do something (such as identify an object in a picture), we assume that it requires intelligence to perform it. But when we do work it out, and create a machine that performs the task, people say it’s “just programming” and don’t think it’s that clever any more. You can buy cameras now that not only identify faces in a picture, they pick out the faces of your loved ones and make sure they’re in focus. That’s a task that seems to require “There is a robot, Cog, with a child- has a more delicate and precise intelligence. Less than £180 touch than any human surgeon. on the high street! like mind that often gets bored or Another military spin-off is Intelligence is everywhere on over-stimulated just like a real child” autonomous cars. The recent the web. Services such as Babel US Department of Defence Fish and Google Translate will or just plain boring. They are wheeled or tracked vehicle Grand Challenge involved translate text in any of a dozen also capable of performing jobs can’t. All of these devices need autonomous cars driving or so languages into any other that humans just can’t, perhaps intelligence to control them. It’s around a town, driving from of those languages. because things simply happen a matter of debate whether this place to place, obeying the You’ll be hard pressed to find too fast for human reactions. will make wars more humane rules of the road, and dealing a washing machine now that Much development comes (because there are fewer with other road users. Similar doesn’t use an AI technique from the military, which wants to people on the front line to get technology is appearing in called fuzzy logic to control how replace soldiers on the front line injured or killed) or less humane civilian cars, which is able to to wash and how much water with machines. Designs for new (because there’s less to restrain anticipate collisions and so to use. Computer games, US Air Force aircraft must now people from launching a new activate the brakes beforehand. particularly shooting games, use come with a justification of why war). Some of this technology Autonomous space probes AI to control opponents. They’re the task can’t be performed by will spin out into the civilian have already been deployed bright enough to use tactics. an unmanned vehicle. Navies world. For instance, something by NASA and other agencies. And the scale of the gaming around the world are in the very much like the exoskeleton The international space station industry is staggering. A lot n o i

same position. The US Army is being developed in Japan to is routinely resupplied by of web stores use machine t

has active projects under way help care workers lift and move robotic spacecraft that dock learning techniques to identify llec o for powered exoskeletons for patients without needing several themselves. There are several patterns of behaviour in their bal c soldiers so they can carry more nurses and hoists. Again in probes on the drawing board customers. For instance, o e k kit. There’s a project to develop the medical world, robots have that are able to plan their own Amazon not only does the h a robo-mule which can carry undertaken several operations actions and spot opportunities “people who bought this also

heavy items in places where a on people, because the robot for interesting science, useful bought” recommendations, it PHOTOs: T

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‘creative’? Is a simulation of an human cognition, and part of it emotion a real emotion? After is creating artificial intelligences. all, people are simply meat One of its ideas is to create machines; we can induce an AI that’s clever enough to emotional states in people by create another machine that’s stimulating electrodes in the even cleverer. That machine brain. Are those real emotions? can create another, even Both creativity and emotion cleverer, and so on until we have a long experience of being end up with a machine that’s investigated by AI researchers. so capable that it can only There are systems that analyse be described as a god. a person’s style (in music Much as this would be composition, say) and produce fascinating to watch and new pieces in that style. Some participate in, I can’t see it systems are learning from happening any time soon. feedback and developing their own style. Is that creativity? Tell us about the OU course Emotions are similar. There are (M366) that touches on AI. robots like Kismet that read, It’s the one course specifically respond to, and exhibit facial concerned with AI. It takes an expressions; and Cog, a robot overview of AI but draws most with a child-like mind that often of its examples from natural gets bored or over-stimulated, examples of intelligence and just like a real child. Are these our attempts to replicate them “One idea is to create an AI that’s clever emotional robots? These through technologies such as questions are problematic artificial neural networks and enough to create another machine because we don’t have genetic algorithms. It’s a very that’s even cleverer. That machine can objective definitions of hand-on experience. You don’t ‘creativity’ or ‘emotion’. We’re just learn about artificial neural create another and so on and so on...” quite happy to ascribe creativity networks, you build them! or emotions to a person, mainly also tries to learn about your intelligence being embodied in because we’re used to doing Course connection tastes to provide individual the world and constantly it. We haven’t had time to recommendations. Netflix, a interacting with it. If this is true, think through the implications US-based online DVD rental we’ll need to follow this of what machines can now company, recently awarded a approach if we ever want to do. But we’re good at $1 million prize in a competition develop a human-like anthropomorphising, so I think to improve its recommendation intelligence. I must admit, I’m we’ll eventually accept that algorithm by 10 per cent. not convinced by this argument. machines can be creative, emotional and intelligent. Natural and artificial What is the difference “I think, therefore I am.” Can intelligence (M366) between robotics and AI? machines ever be creative, Is the ultimate aim for AI Robotics is a subset of AI which or ever feel emotion? practitioners to build “Before I started this includes putting an intelligence The real problem with machines that can match the course I had a few (largely in a body. There are a couple answering this question is level of human intelligence? misinformed) ideas about of things that make robotics how we define ‘creative’ and General human intelligence, artificial intelligence. Now special, though. One is that ‘emotion’, and even ‘think’ and no. The goal of most AI I have a grounding in what many AI practitioners have ‘intelligent’. For example, birds research is to create machines is a fascinating field that rejected the idea of ‘top-down’ and planes both move through that can solve difficult problems, takes in computer science, intelligence in favour of a the air, but they do it in quite and ideally to do it better than biology, philosophy, ‘bottom-up’ approach that is different ways; we say that both people. General intelligence mathematics and various based on ways that organisms birds and planes ‘fly’. Fish and doesn’t help in those cases, other disciplines. M366 is such as insects move and submarines both move through so few people are working on undoubtedly the best course interact with their environment. the water, but in quite different it. I doubt that a generally I have taken with The Open Insects aren’t ‘intelligent’ in the ways; we say that fish ‘swim’, intelligent human-scale AI University since I began everyday sense of the word, but but submarines don’t. Both will come out of any research my BSc in Computing.” n o i t they are good at doing things people and computers process project in the foreseeable future. Student James Trotman

llec that AI researchers have found information, but in quite different There is, though, a movement Registration closes 22 January o difficult, like walking over rough ways. We say that people called transhumanism, which for a 6 February start. Call bal c o ground. Another is that some ‘think’. Do computers think? The is all about using technology 0845 366 6038 or visit www. e k h people propose that we can same applies to creativity and to extend human capabilities. openuniversity.co.uk/2010 never develop full, human-like emotion: is a machine that Some of that is using machines for more information.

PHOTOs: T intelligence without the produces unexpected results to augment humans, particularly

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Rhonda Calder, Adult Directions Head of The Careers Advisory Service website has a Marketing new career planning tool and Diversity, called Adult Directions. The aim is to help OU Civil Service Fast Stream students to identify their work-related interests and Tell us about your job role. skills, and then combine I work in the Cabinet Office them to identify suitable promoting the Fast Stream careers. It will also allow graduate programme. I also students to choose a suitable manage and run the Civil occupational level so that Service Fast Stream summer career suggestions are internship programme for appropriate whatever the ethnic minority and disabled level of study. undergraduates and graduates. Adult Directions can help you to discover the Tell us a few key facts next steps that you need about your organisation. to take in work, training There are around 490,000 civil or education to achieve servants working across the 2010 recruitment campaign image for the Civil Service your career goals. Civil Service, working directly You can access it with the public, ministers Business Fast Stream, your OU degree, it is worth using your OUCU at: and senior civil servants. part of the Government IT looking at other general http://www.open.ac.uk/ Profession; and HR Fast positions in the Civil Service. careers/which-career- How does your graduate Stream. The programme You can then apply for the might-suit-you.php programme work? allocates graduates to a Fast Stream via the In-Service The Civil Service Fast Stream department where they will route after one year’s service. Internships is around a four/five-year be exposed to opportunities to www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs An internship is a accelerated training and develop themselves and learn. temporary position with development graduate What kind of relationship an employer, which allows programme, which seeks What attributes do you look do you have with the OU? you to get to know the people who want to make for in applicants? The figures we have for industry, the job role and a difference and have a visible There’s no such thing as a 2007/08 applications for the the working culture. Graduate impact on society through ‘typical’ Fast Streamer, but we Fast Stream tell us that there internships can provide working for the government. look for a passion for working were 51 OU applicants out of opportunities for graduates for the Civil Service and a total of over 13,500. We to explore their interest in In what areas of the Civil wanting to make a difference. would encourage more people a particular career, make Service does it operate? who have done OU study to useful contacts and develop There are five schemes: Who can apply for the consider the Civil Service. skills to help them gain Graduate Fast Stream, the Fast Stream? The OU Careers Advisory future employment. largest scheme, which is made It’s for people who have a Service advertises Fast Internships have been up of five options (Central degree. We don’t distinguish Stream opportunities and also increasingly promoted Departments, Diplomatic between recent or previous the Civil Service Fast Stream to graduates in these times Service, Houses of Parliament, graduates, and we welcome summer internship offers of recession as a good European Fast Stream and career changers who to students who are disabled way to gain experience. or from ethnic minority The government has since backgrounds. Representatives developed the Graduate “The OU Careers Advisory Service from Fast Stream also took Talent Pool website as a advertises Fast Stream opportunities” part in the Public Sector online way of helping graduates forum in March 2009 (see find internship opportunities. Science and Engineering); completed their degree some www.open.ac.uk/careers/ For more information, go to: Economist Fast Stream, years ago and have some forums). Also, the Government http://graduatetalentpool. working in the Government work experience. The Fast Economic Service has an entry direct.gov.uk Economic Service; Statistician Stream welcomes diversity, on the careers website. Fast Stream, working for the as life and work experience www.open.ac.uk/careers Government Statistical will enrich the Civil Service. If www.civilservice.gov.uk/ Service; Technology in you are still part-way through faststream

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Find these and many other offers at out website www.studentexpressware.co.uk phone : 01453 827899 email : [email protected]

All prices include VAT at 17.5%. Students will be required to create an account with StudentExpressware to confirm eligibility for Student pricing ( Student number required ) Delivery charges may apply on some products. Prices correct at time of going to press. Terms and Conditions apply. E&OE