sesame The Open University Reaching the OU community worldwide Summer 2007 Issue 234 Hermione Cockburn on Coast + Win a luxury ballooning holiday! 0CA7<3AA=>>=@BC<7BG comment CONTENTS News round-up Pages 4 - 7 New horizons Page 8 8]W\O An update on the OU’s Virtual Learning Environment Feedback on eTMAs Page 9 Amanda Ryan reports back Hot under Letters Pages 10 - 11 U`]eW\U sesame investigates Pages 12 - 13 In this issue, we focus on plagiarism the collar Course results 2006 Pages 14 - 16 Find out course results from last year Q&A: Getting behind in your studies Page 17 W\Rcab`g All your questions answered Meet the parents Pages 18 - 19 How do OU students juggle studying with children? 7aWbbW[Sb]`SbVW\Yg]c`Tcbc`S- No stopping her! Page 21 We interview Hermione Cockburn 2]g]ceO\bb]VOdSO`SeO`RW\U Playing a pivotal role Pages 22 - 23 QO`SS`OaeSZZOabVS^]bS\bWOZb] All about tutors SO`\O\SfQSZZS\bW\Q][S- Puttnam in the frame Pages 24 - 25 The new OU Chancellor talks to sesame /`Sg]cZ]]YW\UT]`O\SeO\R Courses Pages 27 - 28 The latest OU course developments SfQWbW\UQVOZZS\USbVObUWdSa Win a 10k ballooning holiday Page 29 g]cOPSbbS`_cOZWbg]TZWTS- Plus a free place on new sports course Careers Page 30 BVS\Z]]Y\]Tc`bVS` Company profile on KPMG and news The future of work Page 33 Charles Handy on the future of work Get digging Page 35 HINGS are certainly heating up in the sesame offices and 0SQ][SO:WUVbS`:WTS1]c\aSZZ]` Archaeological attractions for the whole family it’s not just the summer temperatures! It seems the launch of our investigative series in the last issue really hit home. With this issue – OU Student Page 37 T :WUVbS`:WTS]^S`ObSaOeSWUVbZ]aa^`]U`O[[Sa^SQWTWQOZZgRSaWU\SRT]`^S]^ZS The latest from the Open University Students Association Since it was published, many of you have got in touch with not eWbVbV`SSab]\S]`[]`Sb]Z]aS2WRg]cY\]ebVObbVS`SO`SSabW[ObSRb]PS only your own stories about difficulties with high street banks but ![WZZW]\]PSaS^S]^ZSW\bVSC9Pg SOQVeWbVbVSW`]e\`SOa]\T]`PSW\U also a list of other topics we need to investigate. One of these topics is plagiarism and in this issue the sesame ]dS`eSWUVbG]cQ]cZRVSZ^bVS[c\RS`abO\ReVgO\ROQVWSdSOVSOZbVWS`eSWUVb spotlight swings over to the world of academic ‘bootlegging’. Editor: Tracy Archbold email: [email protected] Turn to page 12 to read more. For those parents among you, the summer holidays can be a ESO`SSf^O\RW\U]c`C9\Sbe]`Y]T1]c\aSZZ]`aO\RO`SZ]]YW\UT]`[]bWdObSR Creative Director: Maxine France email: [email protected] hard slog as your attentions are divided between the demands of aSZTabO`bS`ab]`c\bVSW`]e\PcaW\Saac\RS`bVSaSQc`Wbg]T]c`\ObW]\OZP`O\R Head of Publications: Debbie Dixon email: [email protected] your children and the demands of your studies. In this issue of ES]TTS`Q][^`SVS\aWdSOQQ`SRWbSRb`OW\W\UeWbVO\&RSdSZ]^[S\bZ]O\ Published by: The Open University. sesame, we speak to three sets of parents about how they cope – and what advice they would offer to other OU students who OdOWZOPZSPcaW\Saaac^^]`bO\RbVS]^^]`bc\Wbgb]SO`\O\W\Q][S]T"Y The editorial content of this magazine was correct at the time of going to have children at home. press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the eVS\SabOPZWaVSR prior permission of the publishers. We also welcome our new chancellor – Lord Puttnam – with a Views expressed in articles are those of the contributors and not special interview, and talk to inspiring OU tutor and presenter necessarily of sesame or The Open University. Publication of an Hermione Cockburn about her next presenting project on the advertisement or loose insert in sesame does not imply Open University award-winning OU/BBC Coast series. 7Tg]cVOdSO`SOZRSaW`Sb]]^S`ObSg]c`]e\PcaW\SaaO\Rb] recognition or approval of the goods or services advertised. So I hope you enjoy this issue and any activities you have VSZ^^S]^ZSQVO\USbVSW`ZWdSabVS\QOZZ/[g]`9ObWS The Open University General Enquiries: +44 (0)1908 274066 planned for the summer! ]\ %'$!$'&&T]`[]`SW\T]`[ObW]\]`S[OWZ( sesame: The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA Tracy Archbold, Editor \Se5ZWUVbS`ZWTSQ][ email: [email protected] website: www.open.ac.uk/sesame Printed by: Pindar Plc. eeeZWUVbS`ZWTSQ][ Advertising: Square7 Media Square7 Media, Tulip House, 70 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XF email: [email protected] telephone: +44 (0)20 7864 9995 2 SESAME 234 Summer 2007 Summer 2007 SESAME 234 3 pvc’s view More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame More news online at www.open.ac.uk/sesame news Time for celebration! Helping hand He’s THIS is the time of year when the University is deep into degree S the cost of studying holding you used towards your course fees (including ceremonies – with more than 30 back from learning more? You may be resit fees); study expenses; computers or ceremonies being held throughout the Isurprised to hear that from this the cost of broadband; books or course UK and further afield and over 11,000 done it! September, if you study an OU materials; transport to tutorials or childcare graduates gaining degrees. It is a undergraduate course in England and costs. glorious and impressive sequence of Northern Ireland and have a household Even if you are currently studying you ENNY Henry has successfully completed his BA (Hons) celebration, managed by regional income up to £30,000 (more if you have may still be eligible to apply for a degree in English Literature. The comedian and actor took and central teams who bring each dependants) you could qualify for a financial award retrospectively (at this Lpart in an Open University degree ceremony at The Barbican ceremony to life through a combination financial award. year's rates) by contacting the Financial Centre in London, joining 900 other students who collected their of flair and meticulous attention to Financial support is also available to OU Support Team on 01908 653411 or visit awards. detail. We don’t have much ceremony students in Wales with household incomes www.openuniversity.co.uk/surprised for Lenny said: “I am so proud that I have finally reached the at the OU but we certainly know how up to £26,000, and in Scotland for students more information. graduation day for my BA (Hons) in English Literature. After six to do it well! with personal incomes up to £18,000. Hurry though – some of the funds are years of hard work, I can finally watch telly in the evening, go to As a Pro-Vice-Chancellor, I have the In many cases, financial support can be limited, so it pays to act early. the pictures. I can now read a book without having to put Post-it extraordinary privilege of presiding at notes on every other page! some of these ceremonies, meeting the students as they process across Incredibly proud the stage, congratulating them and “Hoorah! I’m also incredibly proud to be in such great company – wishing them well. I also meet the OU student ‘Highly Commended’ when people have worked so hard like this, a ceremony like special guests – local worthies, OU student Andy Ross has social enterprise principles. something you have to set it this is the ideal thing to celebrate their achievement.” honorary graduates – and OU regional won a ‘Highly Commended’ The ultimate objective within your sights and work Lord Puttnam, the new Chancellor of The Open University, staff including the indefatigable award at the SIE Student of his business idea is towards your goal. presided over the ceremony. Lord Puttnam himself was installed at regional directors. Enterprise Summit for his to purchase land which “The people advising us a ceremony at The Barbican Centre on Friday 27 April. business idea. can be turned into a during the business plan Lenny Henry has just completed the first leg of his ‘Where You Crowning event The National Business new nature reserve for process gave us really good From?’ UK tour, with more dates planned for the UK and Australia Two memories always remain long Plan Competition is held by Scotland through the advice and we are able to later this year. after a ceremony is over. First: how the Scottish Institute for income generated by the keep in contact with them. It He also hosted a BBC/Open University co-production for BBC special OU students are, with their Enterprise each year to organisation. was this access to expert ONE called Lenny’s Britain which was aired in early June. everyday tales of adversity overcome, foster talent from within Andy, who is studying help that made the For more information log onto www.lennyhenry.com skilled management of multiple roles, Scotland’s higher education towards a BSc (Hons) in difference. It doesn’t really modesty about their achievements. institutions. Environmental Studies, said matter if you win or not. The “How long did it take you?” I ask one of Andy’s idea was of an of the competition: “I’m so whole experience was a them. “Oh, six years, I’m afraid, but I environmental business – glad I’ve done it. It has prize in itself.” did have a baby and change jobs You rate your courses experiences New Caledonian Woodlands given me confidence and For more information go along the way” she replies.