PhillipDade.com

Over the last 9 months, I have undertaken a considerable amount of career development training. During this period, I have completed the following courses, in addition to the other management skills I have acquired ‘hands-on’:

• Open Text Live Link Web Content Management Presentation Server - Webmaster Basic
• Learning Tree, Programming with .NET: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Learning Tree, C# Programming: Hands-On
• ITIL Version 3 Foundation

It’s now been three years, although it feels much longer, since I last studied for any formal academic qualifications. During this period, my career has changed beyond all recognition, as can be seen from my LinkedIn profile. Prior to commencing my HND, I had spent around three years working in the sports and leisure industry. Whilst studying I was also working on web based services at my local High School and evening shifts in the local convenience store.

I’ve now, once again, been bitten by the learning bug. I have always had a part of me that thrives on knowledge and development and now my career has changed, I feel it’s the right time to get back into learning.

Earlier this year, around September, I have been researching academic qualfications that are appropriate for my current role and future career progression. After numerous conversations about The Open University with colleagues, I decided to enrol upon their BSc (Honours) Degree in Information and Communication Technologies.

Initially, understanding the structure of the individual courses within the overall qualification, took a little while. But, I’ve now completed Block One of my first course entitled “Networked Living: exploring information and communications technologies“. In fact, I’m actually awaiting the return of my first tutor marked assignment (TMA).

I’m now starting work on Block Two and can already see how my development is progressing. This block is all about communication and identity; focusing upon networks and connected society - a personal favourite topic. As you start each block, you are provided with a course guide that includes the questions used for the assessment; allowing you to see how each activity and study session fit together in the bigger picture.

From the experience I have had to date, the courses are extremely well organised, constructed and executed. The distance from fellow colleagues and my tutor poses no impact upon my learning and the educational materials provided are superb. Whilst on the subject of education materials, there is a nice balance between theory and activities and also a nice split between paper based, online study sessions and group activities. As with most academic training, this course does offer regular tutorials throughout each course. These are usually split down between face-to-face and online. The face-to-face tutorials seem to take place just prior to commencing the first TMA, usually with one month of starting the course and also just prior to starting the End of Course Assessment (ECA). The tutorial are usually held locally, mine are at the City of Norwich School. The online tutorial’s appear to be arranged as the course requires, however I haven’t yet experienced one of these - the first is scheduled for the end of November.

I’m planning to study around 60 credits per year, therefore taking 6 years to achieve the full qualification. This isn’t a problem to me. As I am employed full-time and have family commitments at home, the structure of the programme is ideal, enabling me to juggle learning and family life as required.

The Open University courses come highly recommended, but you do need alot of self discipline to progress, otherwise you can quickly fall behind. Especially if you are studying more than one course at any one time.