I am looking forward to submitting this assignment tomorrow as I'm sick of looking at it. God bless this dictation device as I think he's going to make my life lot easier. The only drawback is a must sound like a crazy person to my family who can only hear me talking away to myself whilst enunciating everything.
Work is continuing to go well, only for more cars left to sell to the end of the month and as you are aware it is only the 12th which is mega. I am looking for to This month being over. It has been hard going with a heavy workload and two assignments to complete. On top of all of this I'm trying to maintain a social life that no 33 year old should be trying.
Well on the basis that at completed half a bottle of wine and this dictation is starting to come up with some weird options I'm going to leave it there.
Today's advice: for those of you that have Windows Vista or windows 2007. Purchase a microphone and get using this.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Great literature
After discovering a wonderful website Gutenberg.org I have opened my mind to literature from the olden days. Downtime at work has generally consisted of Open University reading which is great but sometimes you just need to do something a little different. Generally I would not read books that were written so far back, usually sticking with Harry Potter and Patricia Cornwell etc…. However after finding this website I decided to expand my reading tastes.
George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four – This is a truly fantastic book with a great story. I am aware that there are underlying themes about repression however to just take this book on face value it is wonderful read. I was however expecting a Hollywood style ending and was left a little ‘depressed’ as although it was a fantastic ending, it doesn’t lead to my idea of happiness.
George Orwell – Animal Farm – This is a short book and only took two days to finish. It’s a great story line all about animals, once again I know it has underlying themes but it was an interesting view on life without the Hollywood ending.
I am going to start the Great Gatsby next although my stepfather suggested Grapes of Wrath which is about the great depression however I was unable to find this so the Great Gatsby it shall be.
Back to OU:
I am currently reading the first chapter in the Research Methods book on thematic analysis which is making it all seem a little less daunting. I believe that if I keep this systematic then I should be okay. I have already watch the Chloe interview through once and printed off the transcription so the next job is to watch it again and create a coding system. Little steps will freak me out a little less.
DSE212 TMA04 is due Wednesday. I will be staying in on Monday night and will play with it on my day off on Tuesday ready for submission. I am going to dictate it all using Windows Speech Recognition so fingers crossed it works pretty well. I plan to spend a fair bit of the weekend training the software which I know will be mind numbingly dull but rather vital. I am really excited by the whole prospect of WSR.
SD226 TMA05 is still a few weeks off so I want DSE212 TMA04 out of the way before I get going.
I plan to create a step by step guide to thematic analysis on here once I’ve got my head around it which I will be able to reuse throughout my OU studies and beyond.
George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four – This is a truly fantastic book with a great story. I am aware that there are underlying themes about repression however to just take this book on face value it is wonderful read. I was however expecting a Hollywood style ending and was left a little ‘depressed’ as although it was a fantastic ending, it doesn’t lead to my idea of happiness.
George Orwell – Animal Farm – This is a short book and only took two days to finish. It’s a great story line all about animals, once again I know it has underlying themes but it was an interesting view on life without the Hollywood ending.
I am going to start the Great Gatsby next although my stepfather suggested Grapes of Wrath which is about the great depression however I was unable to find this so the Great Gatsby it shall be.
Back to OU:
I am currently reading the first chapter in the Research Methods book on thematic analysis which is making it all seem a little less daunting. I believe that if I keep this systematic then I should be okay. I have already watch the Chloe interview through once and printed off the transcription so the next job is to watch it again and create a coding system. Little steps will freak me out a little less.
DSE212 TMA04 is due Wednesday. I will be staying in on Monday night and will play with it on my day off on Tuesday ready for submission. I am going to dictate it all using Windows Speech Recognition so fingers crossed it works pretty well. I plan to spend a fair bit of the weekend training the software which I know will be mind numbingly dull but rather vital. I am really excited by the whole prospect of WSR.
SD226 TMA05 is still a few weeks off so I want DSE212 TMA04 out of the way before I get going.
I plan to create a step by step guide to thematic analysis on here once I’ve got my head around it which I will be able to reuse throughout my OU studies and beyond.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Dictation software for FWEEEEEE
It’s been an interesting time of late.
In terms of OU study, I am seeing the deadline for DSE212 TMA04 draw closer and I have no more on paper than I had but not feeling too pressured as I pretty much know what I want to write about. After my first Elluminate tutorial it has been suggested that the tutors want to read a story rather than a repeat of what is in the material so a story is what they will get from me. Comparing and contrasting in this essay is a challenge because very little research has been undertaken from an insider point of view but on the plus side it makes it easier as to which side I shall stand.
Elluminate is mildly amusing. Everyone appears to fight to get their voice heard and forget to switch microphones off which cause interference. Was a very good tutorial on how to attack assignments critically although I wish this had happened in DD101 as I am on my 3rd module which seems a little late in the day.
I have decided that March 12th is the night that I will stay in with wine to blitz DSE212 TMA04, as mentioned many times already, I already have a backbone to work from so it shouldn’t take forever.
SD226 TMA01 will be undertaken just after DSE212 TMA01, I have some ideas with this so I will play then a few days before it’s due I will blitz it in a few nights.
I am already dreading DSE212 TMA05 and I haven’t even started it, I struggle with thematic analysis but think I really just need to get my head around it.
Work has been pretty cool, I hit target in February and this month is looking rather prosperous again.
In reference to the title: I have been tempted towards purchasing dictation software as my fingers have started to go a little funny after a major session. I really didn’t want to spend out in excess of £90 so have been looking for a cheaper way of doing it. Today I have been pointed to the fact that Windows 7 has an inbuilt dictation package!!! If this works well then I am on to a winner. Have ordered microphone headset from Amazon for under £10. To access this tool, go to the start button on windows and go to help and support then type ‘speech recognition’. Bingo. Happy chatting.
In terms of OU study, I am seeing the deadline for DSE212 TMA04 draw closer and I have no more on paper than I had but not feeling too pressured as I pretty much know what I want to write about. After my first Elluminate tutorial it has been suggested that the tutors want to read a story rather than a repeat of what is in the material so a story is what they will get from me. Comparing and contrasting in this essay is a challenge because very little research has been undertaken from an insider point of view but on the plus side it makes it easier as to which side I shall stand.
Elluminate is mildly amusing. Everyone appears to fight to get their voice heard and forget to switch microphones off which cause interference. Was a very good tutorial on how to attack assignments critically although I wish this had happened in DD101 as I am on my 3rd module which seems a little late in the day.
I have decided that March 12th is the night that I will stay in with wine to blitz DSE212 TMA04, as mentioned many times already, I already have a backbone to work from so it shouldn’t take forever.
SD226 TMA01 will be undertaken just after DSE212 TMA01, I have some ideas with this so I will play then a few days before it’s due I will blitz it in a few nights.
I am already dreading DSE212 TMA05 and I haven’t even started it, I struggle with thematic analysis but think I really just need to get my head around it.
Work has been pretty cool, I hit target in February and this month is looking rather prosperous again.
In reference to the title: I have been tempted towards purchasing dictation software as my fingers have started to go a little funny after a major session. I really didn’t want to spend out in excess of £90 so have been looking for a cheaper way of doing it. Today I have been pointed to the fact that Windows 7 has an inbuilt dictation package!!! If this works well then I am on to a winner. Have ordered microphone headset from Amazon for under £10. To access this tool, go to the start button on windows and go to help and support then type ‘speech recognition’. Bingo. Happy chatting.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Progression on SD226
Still a little deflated after DSE212 TMA03 result so really need to pick myself up and get going again. Roughly 2 weeks till TMA04 is due but with a decent backbone to work from, I am not feeling too rushed.
A very quiet day at work yesterday lead to me reading and highlighting up to Chapter 3 in Book 4 for SD226. Although the disorders are interesting, a lot of the info is flying straight over my head. I am hoping that by reading and highlighting, I am encoding something in to my memory which allows a base in which to build up on. SD226 does not have an exam so I don’t have anything to revise for but I would really like to finish this course with a good understanding of the material.
SD226 TMA01 is due at the end of March and I am constantly thinking about subcortical structures and pathways, I think I know how I want to argue this and have thought of a wonderful conclusion (well, I think that it is) so now I just need to really get to grips with it.
DSE212 TMA05 is already filling me with dread but really need to sit down in peace and quiet and make notes on the instructions.
On a final note I have discovered a site called Gutenberg.org which has ebooks which are no longer copyrighted. No more boredom at work. I am currently reading 1984 which seems pretty good. Engrossed already after less than a chapter.
A very quiet day at work yesterday lead to me reading and highlighting up to Chapter 3 in Book 4 for SD226. Although the disorders are interesting, a lot of the info is flying straight over my head. I am hoping that by reading and highlighting, I am encoding something in to my memory which allows a base in which to build up on. SD226 does not have an exam so I don’t have anything to revise for but I would really like to finish this course with a good understanding of the material.
SD226 TMA01 is due at the end of March and I am constantly thinking about subcortical structures and pathways, I think I know how I want to argue this and have thought of a wonderful conclusion (well, I think that it is) so now I just need to really get to grips with it.
DSE212 TMA05 is already filling me with dread but really need to sit down in peace and quiet and make notes on the instructions.
On a final note I have discovered a site called Gutenberg.org which has ebooks which are no longer copyrighted. No more boredom at work. I am currently reading 1984 which seems pretty good. Engrossed already after less than a chapter.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
The sun is starting to shine again
SD226 and DSE212 are on the back burner until March 1st. This is in part due to work and partly due to needing a mental break.
Results back from DSE212 TMA03 were nowhere near what I wanted but it was due to something completely stupid on my part therefore I knew the material but went off on a major tangent. Going to have to do some major catch up on order get the overall grade that I want.
SD226 is blowing my brain a little but I appear to understand the over all picture which surprises me somewhat.
In fact whilst it’s quiet here at work this afternoon, I may just go grab my SD226 book 4 (or 5, I’ve lost count) and get on with a little reading and highlighting until a customer appears.
On another completely different note, it appears that Mattell are releasing the ‘Hoverboard’ from the Back to the Future series. Before any anti-gravity nerds start disbelieving this, apparently it looks identical but won’t actually work!!! I don’t care, I just want one. MUM!!!!!!
Results back from DSE212 TMA03 were nowhere near what I wanted but it was due to something completely stupid on my part therefore I knew the material but went off on a major tangent. Going to have to do some major catch up on order get the overall grade that I want.
SD226 is blowing my brain a little but I appear to understand the over all picture which surprises me somewhat.
In fact whilst it’s quiet here at work this afternoon, I may just go grab my SD226 book 4 (or 5, I’ve lost count) and get on with a little reading and highlighting until a customer appears.
On another completely different note, it appears that Mattell are releasing the ‘Hoverboard’ from the Back to the Future series. Before any anti-gravity nerds start disbelieving this, apparently it looks identical but won’t actually work!!! I don’t care, I just want one. MUM!!!!!!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
DSE212 & SD226 – Progress so far
SD226 is now starting to come together in my mind, I think they are rather cruel with hitting you with the contents of Book 1 to start with as it looks harsh but actually the way in which the other books are written actually give some great examples which really help with getting your head round this stuff.
My progress so far:
SD226:
Book 1 – Read and Highlighted – heavy going and biggest book
Book 2 – Bypassed at this point, mainly because I am pretty good with research methods after having it rammed down my throat in both ED209 and currently in DSE212 (especially as TMA03 is an experimental project)
Book 3 – Chapter 1 & 2 read and highlighted, on to chapter 3 tonight to get it finished.
Book 4 & 5 – Coming to Rome with me for the flights each way, I think I should be able to get at least 1 book complete maybe both (they are getting thinner and at 8.50 Euro a pint in the hotel, I doubt I’ll be drinking too much)
I know this sounds like I am running away with myself on SD226 but it really isn’t the case. I find that by getting all the reading and highlighting out of the way early I can encode enough of it to make it far easier when I read it through again for each TMA and any revision (obviously not SD226 as no exam)
TMA01 – I now have reasonable drafts for Questions 1 & 2. Question 3 perplexed me for a while but consolidation is a wonderful thing and I’ve got my head round the basic. Automatic processing (attention, just done in DSE212), cortex of brain (the wrinkly thing that everyone knows as the brain, sub cortical structures is the bit inside the wrinkly thing. Pretty much like a cell with cell membrane on the outside with smaller bits inside that control it. Bypassing cortex in automatic processing is what the assignment is about so now time to go over the chapter again and break down where the cortex is used in automatic processing and where it isn’t Simplez.
DSE212
TMA03 – Complete and submitted
TMA04 – 902 words written this morning whilst work was quiet, this sounds like quite a feat however I have be mulling it over for days now and it was just a case of putting pen to paper (or in this case, fingers to keyboard) and having a 30 minute ramble which acts like free-association writing to me, I don’t bother with an introduction (this can always be one of the last things written), I just start with something that is salient in my mind and ramble, as I go alaong other things come to mind so I just keep writing. I will leave this alone for a few days then come back to it and re-organise after I have re-read the text associated. I will then create the bottle neck essay, add an intro, conclusion, reference and cite then I will realise that I have gone over the word count and curse myself!!! Welcome to my world of essay writing.
My progress so far:
SD226:
Book 1 – Read and Highlighted – heavy going and biggest book
Book 2 – Bypassed at this point, mainly because I am pretty good with research methods after having it rammed down my throat in both ED209 and currently in DSE212 (especially as TMA03 is an experimental project)
Book 3 – Chapter 1 & 2 read and highlighted, on to chapter 3 tonight to get it finished.
Book 4 & 5 – Coming to Rome with me for the flights each way, I think I should be able to get at least 1 book complete maybe both (they are getting thinner and at 8.50 Euro a pint in the hotel, I doubt I’ll be drinking too much)
I know this sounds like I am running away with myself on SD226 but it really isn’t the case. I find that by getting all the reading and highlighting out of the way early I can encode enough of it to make it far easier when I read it through again for each TMA and any revision (obviously not SD226 as no exam)
TMA01 – I now have reasonable drafts for Questions 1 & 2. Question 3 perplexed me for a while but consolidation is a wonderful thing and I’ve got my head round the basic. Automatic processing (attention, just done in DSE212), cortex of brain (the wrinkly thing that everyone knows as the brain, sub cortical structures is the bit inside the wrinkly thing. Pretty much like a cell with cell membrane on the outside with smaller bits inside that control it. Bypassing cortex in automatic processing is what the assignment is about so now time to go over the chapter again and break down where the cortex is used in automatic processing and where it isn’t Simplez.
DSE212
TMA03 – Complete and submitted
TMA04 – 902 words written this morning whilst work was quiet, this sounds like quite a feat however I have be mulling it over for days now and it was just a case of putting pen to paper (or in this case, fingers to keyboard) and having a 30 minute ramble which acts like free-association writing to me, I don’t bother with an introduction (this can always be one of the last things written), I just start with something that is salient in my mind and ramble, as I go alaong other things come to mind so I just keep writing. I will leave this alone for a few days then come back to it and re-organise after I have re-read the text associated. I will then create the bottle neck essay, add an intro, conclusion, reference and cite then I will realise that I have gone over the word count and curse myself!!! Welcome to my world of essay writing.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
DSE212 TMA04 – Notes
This post is going to be a bit of a ramble in case you hadn’t already realised, so time to sit down with a cup of tea.
Once again, it’s been another quiet day at work which has given me time to start taking notes on Chapter 8 – memory in preparation for TMA04. The question appears to be pretty straight forward but I need to make sure that I am being critical enough whilst still answering the question which is not my strongest point. My notes take the format of the area of study, relevant research, Type of study, Insider/Outsider point of view, criticism, support. So far there are a fair few pages but hopefully it will help me construct what I actually want to put in my essay. I really need to get this one done pretty quickly so that I can really get to grips with SD226 TMA01 which is due pretty soon afterwards.
DSE212 TMA05 is already looking like it is going to be tough going but after a few times of reading the relevant material in Research Methods book, it does appear to be rather helpful. After watch both parts of the DVD on each character, I do think that we’ve been given the easier one to analyse as she is quite open and she does talk a lot about attachments in her life. I think I am just going to use the coding that the Research Methods book uses as an example as it seems to work pretty well.
Day off tomorrow which means I can press on with the notes for TMA05 then print them off and decide what I want to include which will answer the question, there is a fair bit of stuff that seems interesting but the guide suggests certain sections. The study guide for week 18 seems pretty invaluable for this TMA so will read that over a few times.
A friend of mine (12 years younger) has decided that she wants to do a BSc (Hon) Nursing (Mental Health) as she already works as support staff in a local youth metal health hospital. She never did GCSEs and A-Levels so requires an Access course for HE in nursing before she can start. The access course is about £1,000 but the Nursing degree is free. The only down side is that she has been used to earning pretty decent money and although her work will support her and offer her a job at the end, she is going to have to cut back quite a bit. I only really mention this because I am starting to realise how many people are going in to further education later in life.
I have really started to investigate my MSc options as it isn’t something to be taken lightly. Firstly, although there is some funding out there on some courses, it isn’t going to cover any living expenses and I’m starting to wonder if I am better doing it part-time over 2 years, after all, it is only 1 more year in the grand scheme of things and it means my finances won’t be so badly hurt. I don’t have to stay within the car industry once I have the BSc (Hon) Psychology, it will allow me to step out and do something more relevant (hopefully) but to heave myself up any career ladders, I think that the MSc will be rather valuable especially as I am no longer any sort of spring chicken and will be getting close to the big 4 0 by the time this is all done and dusted.
My CV is another bone of contention which I need to start putting together, I still have time to fill in training gaps that I find if I get on with it fairly soon.
Ramble over else I will be going in to the finer points of Dexter and 90210.
Once again, it’s been another quiet day at work which has given me time to start taking notes on Chapter 8 – memory in preparation for TMA04. The question appears to be pretty straight forward but I need to make sure that I am being critical enough whilst still answering the question which is not my strongest point. My notes take the format of the area of study, relevant research, Type of study, Insider/Outsider point of view, criticism, support. So far there are a fair few pages but hopefully it will help me construct what I actually want to put in my essay. I really need to get this one done pretty quickly so that I can really get to grips with SD226 TMA01 which is due pretty soon afterwards.
DSE212 TMA05 is already looking like it is going to be tough going but after a few times of reading the relevant material in Research Methods book, it does appear to be rather helpful. After watch both parts of the DVD on each character, I do think that we’ve been given the easier one to analyse as she is quite open and she does talk a lot about attachments in her life. I think I am just going to use the coding that the Research Methods book uses as an example as it seems to work pretty well.
Day off tomorrow which means I can press on with the notes for TMA05 then print them off and decide what I want to include which will answer the question, there is a fair bit of stuff that seems interesting but the guide suggests certain sections. The study guide for week 18 seems pretty invaluable for this TMA so will read that over a few times.
A friend of mine (12 years younger) has decided that she wants to do a BSc (Hon) Nursing (Mental Health) as she already works as support staff in a local youth metal health hospital. She never did GCSEs and A-Levels so requires an Access course for HE in nursing before she can start. The access course is about £1,000 but the Nursing degree is free. The only down side is that she has been used to earning pretty decent money and although her work will support her and offer her a job at the end, she is going to have to cut back quite a bit. I only really mention this because I am starting to realise how many people are going in to further education later in life.
I have really started to investigate my MSc options as it isn’t something to be taken lightly. Firstly, although there is some funding out there on some courses, it isn’t going to cover any living expenses and I’m starting to wonder if I am better doing it part-time over 2 years, after all, it is only 1 more year in the grand scheme of things and it means my finances won’t be so badly hurt. I don’t have to stay within the car industry once I have the BSc (Hon) Psychology, it will allow me to step out and do something more relevant (hopefully) but to heave myself up any career ladders, I think that the MSc will be rather valuable especially as I am no longer any sort of spring chicken and will be getting close to the big 4 0 by the time this is all done and dusted.
My CV is another bone of contention which I need to start putting together, I still have time to fill in training gaps that I find if I get on with it fairly soon.
Ramble over else I will be going in to the finer points of Dexter and 90210.
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