Dependant on your OpenPlus pathway you will probably study 3 or 4 OU modules.
Course materials
Course materials will be delivered direct to you before the start of the module and may include books, DVDs, CDs. Additional learning materials may also be available for download online or by email. You will be given a study guide and a study calendar which will let you know how your module is structured and when your assignments are due. To access this information you will just need to log in to your Student Home Page using a username and password you will be given.
You can then start working actively with your course materials. By this we mean much more than just reading the materials. You will be asked to give your thoughts on what you have read, try out examples, make notes and so on. Your course materials are working documents and should end up annotated, highlighted and full of post-it notes!
Open University assignments
Details of any assignments due will be available in the study calendar. Assignments come in three forms: tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), computer-marked assignments (CMAs), and end of course assessments (ECAs).
Usually the assignments make up 50% of the marks for a module, while the other 50% is made up by an end-of-module exam or other type of assessment like a project. You will need to check the exact details for your module on the study calendar. When you have completed an assignment, you then send it to your tutor.
Support throughout your studies
You are allocated a personal tutor at the start of the module and will have access to an OpenPlus study adviser. Their support will last until the module is completed. Throughout the module, you will be able to communicate with your tutor or adviser by phone, email and possibly by online conferencing (where messages can be read by the tutor group). The tutor marks the assignments and provides feedback
Podcast - Sue Ball
Sue Ball, An Open University Study Advisor explains what you can expect in terms of support at the Open University when you sign up to OpenPlus.
Podcast - Dr Neil Stokes
Dr Neil Stokes, An Open University Tutor shares his Top Tips for studying with the Open University.
Working with other students
You will be studying your module alongside other Open University students with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences and may have the opportunity to meet them face-to-face in tutorials. Alongside tutorials, there are also increasing opportunities to chat to other students in online forums or discussion groups.