Objectives of Module 1

• a training level, in which it aims to teach the practical skills of using a computers; and

• a university academic level, which aims to teach learning skills suitable for those beginning serious learning.

 

Module Structure

• Learning in cyberspace - 2 weeks.

• Group learning in cyberspace - 3 weeks.

• Computing with confidence - 2 weeks.

• Web skills - 3 weeks.

NOTE:

This has been copied and pasted from the T171 web site.

Before I started this module, I had already learnt the basic skills needed to be able to use a computer confidently such as e-mail, working with windows, graphics software and word processors. So the first part of the course was not really of benefit to me,  instead I concentrated on other things like the online conferencing, which was new to me. I did some exercises to get to now how to use the first class software that we use for conferencing.

The last time I had done any academic work was when I was at school, some 11 years ago. I needed to learn how to become an effective learner, to organize my study time and how to take notes and write short essays. Therefore, I spent much of my time doing some of the exercises and reading the course material. Previously before the course had started I learnt some Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) and made some web pages.  I found the web skills section useful.

The skills that I learned from this module was to not be afraid of new software, and instead I should just get stuck in and explore and find out what all of the menus and buttons do. And especially how to take notes properly, which I feel is an essential skill to learn and one that I can put to good use for the rest of my studies with the Open University (OU).