(re)Freshers Orientation
Live broadcast
Event date : 1st February 2021
Duration : 10h 00m
Recommended level : 123Post Graduate
Programme
10:25
Beginning your Open University studies is an exciting time but can also be nerve-wracking, so if you have mixed feelings you won’t be alone in that! Thinking about your studies in terms of your end goals can help you stay motivated and build up habits that will help you to enjoy the process and find your way to success.
With
10:50
This session will focus on the importance of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for your study. It will cover the main sections of a module website, how to adjust the view and make it work for your needs and how to access key information such as forums, assessments, tutorials, how to track your progress and much more.
With
11:10
Online tutorials at the OU are an important part of your learning. During the Covid-19 crisis and the cancellation of face-to-face events, online rooms have never been more important. Whether you are new to the OU, used to face-to-face and not sure about online tutorials, or need a refresher in how they work, then this session is for you. Zoe can guide you through online tutorials at the OU, from what to expect, to booking your learning events, where to find your online rooms, and much more.
With
11:25
In this session, Learning and Teaching Librarians Hossam and Wendy will be introducing the online OU Library. They will outline where you can find library resources for your studies and tell you more about referencing.
You will learn how you can join library training sessions to acquire and develop digital information skills and where to go for further library help and support, which includes support if you have a disability.
With
11:45
Increasing numbers of students are studying more than one module at a time, with the aim of completing their degree in 3 years. This session looks at the motivations for studying at an accelerated pace and the challenges that might be involved, and shares some tips and techniques for good time management to ensure students wanting to study faster every chance of success.
With
12:20
Senior advisors for the Student Support Team, Carolyn and Louise, chat about the role of the team and how they can support you during your study journey.
With
12:40
Assessment can be daunting. It can also be one of the most useful tools to develop your learning. This session will explore the purpose of assessment, the different ways you may be assessed at The Open University and how you can prepare so that assessment can be approached with confidence and used as a supportive milestone in your study.
With
13:05
Social media and messaging platform use has increased massively over the past two decades. This session will be led by two members of OU staff who have a keen research interest in how social media is used by OU students as part of their studies. They will discuss their experiences with various social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The session will discuss the benefits of using social media as an OU student alongside your studies, and explore some of various platforms that OU students use to communicate with each other and to feel part of a wider student community. It will also look at some of the concerns and pitfalls around social media use and discuss what OU students should consider when they are using these platforms alongside their studies.
With
13:30
In this session we will cover what we have learnt about time management from working with OU students, from data collected from the OU, and from our own experience.
With
13:55
Sarah & Matt will talk about what the Students Association is, what it does and why it is important to be part of the community and the conversation. They will talk about how you become a member; how you can get involved and the support available. They will also talk about the importance of student representation and the community that you can be part of.
With
16:00
This session will focus on how you can take care of your wellbeing and who you can turn to for help and support. We will discuss practical steps you can take to improve your wellbeing, which in turn can improve your studies. We will address how you can take control of your wellbeing, how you can stay connected, ways to manage your time, what to do if you are worried or lack confidence, and, finally, how to look forwards and find motivation for study.
With
16:30
Online distance education is often the choice for students who are unable to go to a traditional university. As a result, it can be a good choice for women who are either starting a family or who already have young children. Indeed, for some students, it is having children that motivates them to go back to education. That doesn’t mean it is easy, though, and sometimes the challenges of learning while parenting can be overwhelming. Drawing on the real-life experiences of student mums who they have interviewed, Sharon Mallon and Sam Murphy discuss some of the common issues that expectant and new mums may face, such as:
In this session we will identify some of the strategies that other students have reported helped them to work through the tough times.
With
16:50
In this session we’ll be looking at all things Social Media. For most of us Social Media is part of our social life and nothing to do with being a student. We’ll be discussing how different social media platforms – Twitter, WhatsApp and FaceBook – can help you be a better, more engaged and more successful student. But we’re not here to sell you social media so we will also look at the dangers, from trolls to procrastination, and how to overcome them. The session will be of interest to any student – whether they are a prolific social media aficionado, or complete novice. We’re not looking at social media use by students in general but how to use social media to enhance your academic profile.
With
17:15
As an OU student you will have an allocated tutor. In this session we’ll explain what this means, who the person might be and how you can make the most of your study journey with their help.
With
Resources
No slides for this event.
