Final post of today............... I promise.
Have managed to work through fOCUSII - Coding which is actually pretty vital for ED209 TMA02. Was going to start fOCUSII - Reliability and Validity but think I will just read and highlight Book 2 as have wine but not 2.5 hours as suggested. TMA03 is about attachment theory and disturbed and disturbing behaviour so pretty happy about that as is very very interesting.
Summary fOCUSII - Coding:
Observer Drift, Observers see things differently, Categories should be mutually exclusive, 2 types - Event Sampling & Time Sampling, Event sampling requires speach, Interaction Process Analysis (IPA), Bales (1999), 2 classes - task related behaviour and socio-emotional behaviour, Positive Responses, Attempted Answers, Questions, Negative Responses, look for patterns before applying stat tests, relies on judgements, Time sampling, 2 types - One-zero sampling and instantaneous sampling, problems as to when to sample as may miss behaviour or find more than 1.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Proper Study Night
Whoop, whoop......... boy toy is watching football with a friend tonight so I have a night of freedom and peace and I will celebrate by buying a bottle of red wine and sitting through the fOCUSII module on coding and reliability. FINALLY.
I really know how to show myself a good time!!!!!!!!!
I really know how to show myself a good time!!!!!!!!!
ED209 TMA01 Results
Logged on to StudentHome to see if I had a result and there it was........ pretty much what I expected and after reading my feedback I suspect it was a fairly kind mark. I am not saying that my tutor has gone soft or anything but I appear to be struggling with introductions so really need to work on this along side referencing and both together would have taken me to the next OU level.
Have managed to work a little on DD101 TMA06 and bit sfor DD101 TMA07 which is either going to be a real struggle or I will end up with so much info that I am going to facilitate a major cull of info.
Really need to get on with ED209 TMA02 which is the first one due. I think I have hit a focus on DD101 because it's nearly complete with the last 2 TMAs to submit then I can kick back and hit ED209 with my full attention.
I am 15% of the way through the degree with regards to TMAs which seems a lot considering I am only 5 months in to the 4 years but hey, it sounds great.
Have managed to work a little on DD101 TMA06 and bit sfor DD101 TMA07 which is either going to be a real struggle or I will end up with so much info that I am going to facilitate a major cull of info.
Really need to get on with ED209 TMA02 which is the first one due. I think I have hit a focus on DD101 because it's nearly complete with the last 2 TMAs to submit then I can kick back and hit ED209 with my full attention.
I am 15% of the way through the degree with regards to TMAs which seems a lot considering I am only 5 months in to the 4 years but hey, it sounds great.
Friday 25 March 2011
ED209 TMA02 Progress
After a little trip to sunny Brighton yesterday buying clothes that I love but have no idea where to wear them to I am at work without a boss and messing about with ED209 TMA02 which is proving to be a bit of a pig.
I have always been told that if a question is offering 10 marks then it requires 10 different points etc....... so I have a word document which is split in to the 9 questions broken down further in to the numbers of points that I need to provide and a word count break down of 20 words per point (I know this is very simplistic but it should get me through this). By doing this I have discovered some huge gaps in which I have no idea what to put but am filling it with the notes that I made on Wednesday.
I am taking a little break (sort of) from DD101 as TMA06 isn't due till May 4th so have plenty of time at the moment. TMA07 is in my mind but only so I can clarify some bits and with the problems in Libya with regards to Legitimate Authority of a territory, I believe that I am understanding some of the material better.
Today is going fairly quickly as been pretty busy (this is a first!!) and I'm off shortly to a customer with a car for them to drive and see if they can fit golf clubs in the back........... I have done this so many times in my 7 years in this game that I know exactly what will happen...... remove the driver and the bag and electric trolley will be comfy.
I am starting to get to grips with the idea of fitting study in whenever possible even if you only have a few mins to spare. It's amazing how much you can actually get done in a very short time and also because it is only for a very short period, you actually tend to remember far more. It really helps that OU stuff is all online and I have a job which gives me total internet access.
I have always been told that if a question is offering 10 marks then it requires 10 different points etc....... so I have a word document which is split in to the 9 questions broken down further in to the numbers of points that I need to provide and a word count break down of 20 words per point (I know this is very simplistic but it should get me through this). By doing this I have discovered some huge gaps in which I have no idea what to put but am filling it with the notes that I made on Wednesday.
I am taking a little break (sort of) from DD101 as TMA06 isn't due till May 4th so have plenty of time at the moment. TMA07 is in my mind but only so I can clarify some bits and with the problems in Libya with regards to Legitimate Authority of a territory, I believe that I am understanding some of the material better.
Today is going fairly quickly as been pretty busy (this is a first!!) and I'm off shortly to a customer with a car for them to drive and see if they can fit golf clubs in the back........... I have done this so many times in my 7 years in this game that I know exactly what will happen...... remove the driver and the bag and electric trolley will be comfy.
I am starting to get to grips with the idea of fitting study in whenever possible even if you only have a few mins to spare. It's amazing how much you can actually get done in a very short time and also because it is only for a very short period, you actually tend to remember far more. It really helps that OU stuff is all online and I have a job which gives me total internet access.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Another Day Another Dollar
Hmmmm, unless you work in sales!!!
Boss has been in meetings today so managed a little OU stuff, actually to be fair it was probably more than I thought. Have got work people involved in my questioning of Sharon's Study for ED209 TMA02 and a lot of questions have arisen which are really good especially with regards to ethics and variables. Still struggling with question 9 about conclusions of the correlation but will get boy toy to help tonight once I can get past his glazed expression by giving him beer.
Have actually been discussing attachment theory and disturbed/disturbing behaviour with work people and poor customers who are willing to spend time with me. It really is very insightful. Was trying to get mum to tell me which type of attachment I had but of course she says that I was a secure baby (she was never going to say anything different!!!).
Was the 2nd person out in Poker last night but not sure my head was in the right place. Tried to watch Inception which was wicked till the eyes got heavy and I stopped it at 1 hour 23 mins so back to that tomorrow.
Taking mum to Brighton (100 miles return) tomorrow to save her getting the bus and as I know that I will be bored stuff I decided it would be a fun roadtrip. On with Coding when I return as it's relevent to TMA02 and I have bypassed it so far!!!
Boss has been in meetings today so managed a little OU stuff, actually to be fair it was probably more than I thought. Have got work people involved in my questioning of Sharon's Study for ED209 TMA02 and a lot of questions have arisen which are really good especially with regards to ethics and variables. Still struggling with question 9 about conclusions of the correlation but will get boy toy to help tonight once I can get past his glazed expression by giving him beer.
Have actually been discussing attachment theory and disturbed/disturbing behaviour with work people and poor customers who are willing to spend time with me. It really is very insightful. Was trying to get mum to tell me which type of attachment I had but of course she says that I was a secure baby (she was never going to say anything different!!!).
Was the 2nd person out in Poker last night but not sure my head was in the right place. Tried to watch Inception which was wicked till the eyes got heavy and I stopped it at 1 hour 23 mins so back to that tomorrow.
Taking mum to Brighton (100 miles return) tomorrow to save her getting the bus and as I know that I will be bored stuff I decided it would be a fun roadtrip. On with Coding when I return as it's relevent to TMA02 and I have bypassed it so far!!!
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Disturbed and Disturbing behaviour
ED209 Book 2: Chapter 2 is truely facinating and I find myself trying to classify myself and my friends in to Type A, B, C and D characteristics to see who is most likely to become a serial killer - Only kidding but still very insightful.
Didn't quite manage to finish Chapter 2 as the eyes started to get heavy but will push on with it tonight.
Plan for this week:
fOCUSII Coding and Reliability - Really need to get this done as I am actually behind and it may be needed for TMA02.
ED209 TMA02 - really need to get a move on with this as only have 5 weeks to go which sounds okay but apparently we are actually expected to get as close to the 2,000 word limit.
Very quiet day at work so got roped in to sewing the guys pockets back together to save them looking scruffy urchins. Have been googling stuff for TMA02 and making notes, it has led me to question a fair few parts of Sharon's Study which I hadn't initially though of.
Poker tonight or not????? Questions, questions!!!
Didn't quite manage to finish Chapter 2 as the eyes started to get heavy but will push on with it tonight.
Plan for this week:
fOCUSII Coding and Reliability - Really need to get this done as I am actually behind and it may be needed for TMA02.
ED209 TMA02 - really need to get a move on with this as only have 5 weeks to go which sounds okay but apparently we are actually expected to get as close to the 2,000 word limit.
Very quiet day at work so got roped in to sewing the guys pockets back together to save them looking scruffy urchins. Have been googling stuff for TMA02 and making notes, it has led me to question a fair few parts of Sharon's Study which I hadn't initially though of.
Poker tonight or not????? Questions, questions!!!
Monday 21 March 2011
Attachment Theory
Have actually managed to get boy toy to understand importance of study and he's gone home to watch a film.
Am currently R & H Book 2, chapter 1 on attachment which is really interesting (to be fair, everything I have read so far has been), will keep going tonight until I finish chapter 2 on disturbing behaviour which is going to be rather important for my future studies (or at least I hope).
Managed to find a website which has a 3 part documentary on Fred West...... I know, you probably think this is 'wrong' but it actually features Prof. David Canter and he is genius. It plays taped interviews with West which are facinating...... he is so matter of fact and cold when he tells his story.
Work is getting to me a little. Don't get me wrong, this place is far better than the place I left after 2 months but it's very quiet and there are a fair few politics that I am staying well out of. To be honest when I'm at work I feel guilty that I should be doing OU stuff and spend all day with my 'studenthome' page open reading forums.
Need to sort my financial support for DSE212 & SD226 which start in October and Febraury respectively as my homepage says!!!! Blimey it does creep up on you!!!
Am currently R & H Book 2, chapter 1 on attachment which is really interesting (to be fair, everything I have read so far has been), will keep going tonight until I finish chapter 2 on disturbing behaviour which is going to be rather important for my future studies (or at least I hope).
Managed to find a website which has a 3 part documentary on Fred West...... I know, you probably think this is 'wrong' but it actually features Prof. David Canter and he is genius. It plays taped interviews with West which are facinating...... he is so matter of fact and cold when he tells his story.
Work is getting to me a little. Don't get me wrong, this place is far better than the place I left after 2 months but it's very quiet and there are a fair few politics that I am staying well out of. To be honest when I'm at work I feel guilty that I should be doing OU stuff and spend all day with my 'studenthome' page open reading forums.
Need to sort my financial support for DSE212 & SD226 which start in October and Febraury respectively as my homepage says!!!! Blimey it does creep up on you!!!
Saturday 19 March 2011
Waiting for Results
I have no idea how long my first ED209 TMA is going to take to mark so I suspect much like DD101 it will be the end of the 2 weeks. Really need to get on with ED209 TMA02 especially as it appears to be rather straight forward also need to start reading and highlighting Book 2.
Boy toy has made me laugh today............ one of his ears is dry and flakey (nice, I know!!), he called me today to tell me that he thinks he knows what has caused it................ the radiation from his mobile phone!!! He is the conspiracy theory king.
Found a new pass time at work. Found a website which I can read 'Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling' by David Canter, it's really interesting and definitely motivating me to press on with my studies.
Thinking about emailing the proffessor of the MSc in Investigative Psychology that I want to do to ask if there is anything I can do to increase my chances of acceptance on the course......... I know this is REALLY early days but at least it would give me time to do something about it. Apparently over 200 people apply for the 20 places which isn't good odds but I hope there are factors that might go in my favour although speculative: 1) A degree from Open University - this has to show that I am able to motivate myself and study off my own back whilst working full-time, 2) If I get accepted then I will hopefully have my voluntary experience with the police which although will probably be no more than answering the phone...... but you never know. I think the personal statement is going to be rather vital so will start working on that as I go along. I am well aware that I am being rather premature based on the fact that I wouldn't actually start till September 2015 but it is an awesome goal to focus on.
Boy toy has made me laugh today............ one of his ears is dry and flakey (nice, I know!!), he called me today to tell me that he thinks he knows what has caused it................ the radiation from his mobile phone!!! He is the conspiracy theory king.
Found a new pass time at work. Found a website which I can read 'Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling' by David Canter, it's really interesting and definitely motivating me to press on with my studies.
Thinking about emailing the proffessor of the MSc in Investigative Psychology that I want to do to ask if there is anything I can do to increase my chances of acceptance on the course......... I know this is REALLY early days but at least it would give me time to do something about it. Apparently over 200 people apply for the 20 places which isn't good odds but I hope there are factors that might go in my favour although speculative: 1) A degree from Open University - this has to show that I am able to motivate myself and study off my own back whilst working full-time, 2) If I get accepted then I will hopefully have my voluntary experience with the police which although will probably be no more than answering the phone...... but you never know. I think the personal statement is going to be rather vital so will start working on that as I go along. I am well aware that I am being rather premature based on the fact that I wouldn't actually start till September 2015 but it is an awesome goal to focus on.
Thursday 17 March 2011
DD101 TMA05 Submitted
AS with most of my days off at the moment I didn't get a lot done yesterday as boy toy was off so we spent day together and got nothing productive done really.
Boss was out at a meeting this morning so it gave me a chance to finish DD101 TMA05 which pretty much involved referencing, layout and contents page. I am a little worried that I havem't used enough sources and I am certain that this will be pointed at in my PT3 when it comes back. Have now submitted TMA05 which is a nice feeling so I'm on to DD101 TMA06 and ED209 TMA02. Both have been started but not all that far in to them.
Work is fun but the level of business in dire, basically working 55 hours a week for minimum wage and it is satrting to depress the weaker ones, I'm just glad that I live at home with very few outgoings although saving for Masters Degree could prove tough although have discovered that I can get a Career Development Loan for up to £10k.
I wonder if a voluntary position with the Police can lead to a possible job??? I know I would earn less but there is a vast difference between 55 hours a week vs 37.5 hours......... All that extra OU work I could do.
Boss was out at a meeting this morning so it gave me a chance to finish DD101 TMA05 which pretty much involved referencing, layout and contents page. I am a little worried that I havem't used enough sources and I am certain that this will be pointed at in my PT3 when it comes back. Have now submitted TMA05 which is a nice feeling so I'm on to DD101 TMA06 and ED209 TMA02. Both have been started but not all that far in to them.
Work is fun but the level of business in dire, basically working 55 hours a week for minimum wage and it is satrting to depress the weaker ones, I'm just glad that I live at home with very few outgoings although saving for Masters Degree could prove tough although have discovered that I can get a Career Development Loan for up to £10k.
I wonder if a voluntary position with the Police can lead to a possible job??? I know I would earn less but there is a vast difference between 55 hours a week vs 37.5 hours......... All that extra OU work I could do.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
11th hour ED209 TMA01
Made a final amendment and have submitted ED209 TMA01 before the morning meeting. Not normal for me to have submitted on the day......... hope this does not become a habit.
Focus now on DD101 TMA05 and although well over word count, I am far happier with the new version to the previous one. (Only 2 more to go after this!!!) Think I need to book a long weekend to blitz TMA06 and TMA07 so that I am free of them.
Focus now on DD101 TMA05 and although well over word count, I am far happier with the new version to the previous one. (Only 2 more to go after this!!!) Think I need to book a long weekend to blitz TMA06 and TMA07 so that I am free of them.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Rewritten DD101 TMA05
Yet again another Sunday clock watching at work, in fact I haven't spoken to a customer at all which actually has an advantage. I have rewritten DD101 TMA05 because I really wasn't happy with my first one mainly due to the fact that it was all a little too close to the text. I am a lot happier with this version however I think the intro is too short and I will be a fair way over the word limit by the time I have added references but I will start 'cutting' once I've done that. The debate on economic growth, wealth, health and happiness is very interesting and I think that will be seen in my marks however my idea of report writting may not.....
Last night's cooking went well and boy toy was still alive this morning so I would say success!!! I have to say based on recent weeks boy toy is starting to grow on me. I am finding that although we are quite different, we do seem to have a lot of interests in common. We've decided to re-live our hedonistic party lives and are going to hit Pacha in London on March 26th for a Hed Kandi night (I see a messy night)
Last night's cooking went well and boy toy was still alive this morning so I would say success!!! I have to say based on recent weeks boy toy is starting to grow on me. I am finding that although we are quite different, we do seem to have a lot of interests in common. We've decided to re-live our hedonistic party lives and are going to hit Pacha in London on March 26th for a Hed Kandi night (I see a messy night)
Saturday 12 March 2011
Volunteering
Have decided that I need to get some relevent voluntary work under my belt for my CV and after looking at all options I have applied to the local police force as a support worker for 4 hours a week (maybe more but need to be aware of time management)....... watch this space.
Have invited boy toy over this evening topoison cook for him. Hope he open minded.
Have invited boy toy over this evening to
TMA Submission
I submitted ED209 TMA01 although will have to make a few amendments before the 15th.
Have brought DD101 TMA05 out to look over and although I really don't want to do anything else to it, I am worried that I am a little too close to the text so will have a mess about with it before 22nd although to be fair I just want to submit it and get it over with.
Started ED209 TMA02 properly the other night and there are a few questions which the Methods and Skills Handbook answers well and a few which I need to think hard about. Someone in a forum has mentioned that we are expected to have a minimum of 1,700 words which looks like it is going to be tough going I think however I suppose it is only 170 words per question so maybe I am just fretting early. It should be pretty straight forward then I need to get on with DD101 TMA06 on migration!!
3 more assignments left for DD101 and will be glad to see it coming to an end. This is not to say that I haven't enjoyed DD101, I have enjoyed the variety but I feel like an assignment writting machine at the moment and will be glad just to be able to focus on ED209 and actually start revision rather than just reading, highlighting and writting the assignments.
I've created a module plan with dates so that I know what to register for a when, it's a little scarey as I will for a few weeks here and there I will be running 3 modules together, will book time off work when it comes to that I think.
Have brought DD101 TMA05 out to look over and although I really don't want to do anything else to it, I am worried that I am a little too close to the text so will have a mess about with it before 22nd although to be fair I just want to submit it and get it over with.
Started ED209 TMA02 properly the other night and there are a few questions which the Methods and Skills Handbook answers well and a few which I need to think hard about. Someone in a forum has mentioned that we are expected to have a minimum of 1,700 words which looks like it is going to be tough going I think however I suppose it is only 170 words per question so maybe I am just fretting early. It should be pretty straight forward then I need to get on with DD101 TMA06 on migration!!
3 more assignments left for DD101 and will be glad to see it coming to an end. This is not to say that I haven't enjoyed DD101, I have enjoyed the variety but I feel like an assignment writting machine at the moment and will be glad just to be able to focus on ED209 and actually start revision rather than just reading, highlighting and writting the assignments.
I've created a module plan with dates so that I know what to register for a when, it's a little scarey as I will for a few weeks here and there I will be running 3 modules together, will book time off work when it comes to that I think.
Thursday 10 March 2011
Go Slow
I have hit a motivational block. This is nothing OU related but I've done nothing in ages apart from pour over the ED209 notes from tenpencepiece's blog whilst at work as part of a 'revision' tool. Gonna attempt TMA02 ED209 tonight as DD101 TMA05 is in major draft and I am not in the mood for it, have till March 22nd to complete so a whole other day off to sort it.
Have asked for application form for the police as a support volunteer so that I have the experience on my CV, just not sure how to fit it in with my job from hell (in terms of hours) but will need to somehow.
Have asked for application form for the police as a support volunteer so that I have the experience on my CV, just not sure how to fit it in with my job from hell (in terms of hours) but will need to somehow.
Monday 7 March 2011
My evil little brother
The boy toy is a little paranoid to say the least and has it in his head that his housemate might flip oneday and kill him!! In short, the guy is a little bit of a loose cannon however I doubt he would push to murder (although did spend time in 'sing-sing' for assult).
My brother finds this all rather amusing and whilst we were on our way back from meeting dad for a birthday drink he decided to concoct an evil plan to push boy toy over the edge (in the nicest way possible of course).......
............. Boy toy came over yesterday whilst my brother was watching The Human Centipede (which is a sick film and apparently has a sequel on route). My brother decides to tell boy toy that the evil man reminds him of boy toy's housemate who 'rumour' has it ate someone once!!!
Boy toy has taken this rather too seriously........ my brother thinks it's the funniest thing in the world and completely excited by the fact that boy toy believes him has managed to get some other people in on this. I can already see where this is going and will end up as long as nobody involves slips up!!!
My brother finds this all rather amusing and whilst we were on our way back from meeting dad for a birthday drink he decided to concoct an evil plan to push boy toy over the edge (in the nicest way possible of course).......
............. Boy toy came over yesterday whilst my brother was watching The Human Centipede (which is a sick film and apparently has a sequel on route). My brother decides to tell boy toy that the evil man reminds him of boy toy's housemate who 'rumour' has it ate someone once!!!
Boy toy has taken this rather too seriously........ my brother thinks it's the funniest thing in the world and completely excited by the fact that boy toy believes him has managed to get some other people in on this. I can already see where this is going and will end up as long as nobody involves slips up!!!
Friday 4 March 2011
ED209 TMA01 Update
All the bosses are away from the business today and as I failed miserably in getting any of TMA01 done yesterday during my day off I have actually managed to pretty much finish it today. I have exactly 2,000 words which is fairly impressive. I think I have done what my tutor suggested in the tutorial the other day and included all the relevent stuff. I think I have used all the key words relating to Piaget and a small section on Vygotsky which I thought would be important to mention especially as his work actually preceeded Piaget but wasn't discovered till years after Piaget. Been watching bits of Dream School and it was interesting to find that half of school children leave education with nothing, I wonder how much of this is down to Piaget's theories not being actually correct.
The xmas party for my old company which was supposed to be on December 18th (Snow Day) then got cancelled is now tonight (yes, I'm aware it is now mid-March!!!). Managed to get a last minute invite so trying to sort that out although not sure about the £22 return cab fare!!
On to sorting out DD101 TMA05 which is due March 22nd.
Will submit ED209 TMA01 early next week once it's been looked over for punctuation, grammar and sense.
The xmas party for my old company which was supposed to be on December 18th (Snow Day) then got cancelled is now tonight (yes, I'm aware it is now mid-March!!!). Managed to get a last minute invite so trying to sort that out although not sure about the £22 return cab fare!!
On to sorting out DD101 TMA05 which is due March 22nd.
Will submit ED209 TMA01 early next week once it's been looked over for punctuation, grammar and sense.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
ED209 1st tutorial
Sooooooooooo glad that I am able to go to ED209 tutorials, I think that I would have been seriously disadvantaged by not being able to attend due mainly to the fact that I need 70% average from now on to be able to get in to Liverpool.
Did a little revision which was a main point from the tutorial 'revise as you go and it will make life a lot easier come exam time' including a few tips on revision.
Turns out that I think my ED209 TMA01 isn't too far off the mark so a little rework and SUBMIT!!! Really need to get on with TMA05 for DD101 so that I get my predicted score (from my ideas anyway).
Couldn't make it in time for Poker League but was allowed to play side game and won!!! Whoop whoop
Did a little revision which was a main point from the tutorial 'revise as you go and it will make life a lot easier come exam time' including a few tips on revision.
Turns out that I think my ED209 TMA01 isn't too far off the mark so a little rework and SUBMIT!!! Really need to get on with TMA05 for DD101 so that I get my predicted score (from my ideas anyway).
Couldn't make it in time for Poker League but was allowed to play side game and won!!! Whoop whoop
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