Events

Academic Writing – 21st September 2021

Join us from 11am to 12pm

A good academic writing style can demonstrate successful learning in higher education but isn't always thought of as a skill in its own right. We’ll outline the characteristics of good academic writing and explain how to develop your own approach. Get a tutor's take, as well as a student's viewpoint.

All spaces for this workshop have been reserved but you can watch it on catch-up later.

How to access the live event?
If you have already booked your place through Eventbrite, you will have received an email which contains the link to the Adobe Connect room where the session takes place. You may need to scroll down the email to find the link! If you don’t find the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

After the event, you can watch the recording here (click on 'view previous recordings' button). The group work and plenary are not recorded. The slides for the event are available here 24h prior the event.

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Effective academic communication – 14 September 2021

Join us from 11am to 12pm

Communicating in an academic environment takes some getting used to. We identify the unique traits of academic communication and offer tips to help you avoid misunderstandings. There will be a focus on online and distance communication, designed to help maximise your effectiveness when interacting with peers, tutors and others within the University.

All spaces for this workshop have been reserved but you can watch it on catch-up later.

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Managing my time – 07 September 2021

Join us from 11am to 12pm

Time management is the most common challenge for OU students, who are often juggling other responsibilities alongside their studies. In this workshop we’ll teach techniques and frameworks to help you plan your workload more effectively. You’ll also have an opportunity to discuss life and study hacks with fellow students in small groups

To attend this event, book your space here

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Preparing for your final assessment – 24 August 2021

Join us from 7pm to 8pm

End-of-module assessments are important both because of the marks they attract and as a final piece of work that allows you to exhibit your overall comprehension of a completed module. In this interactive workshop we will look at how final assessments differ from TMAs and discuss how to demonstrate your understanding at an appropriate level of detail.

To attend this event, book your space here

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Dealing with other people’s ideas – 17th August 2021

Join us from 7pm to 8pm

Have you ever been asked to write about someone else’s theory in your own words, and felt that you could never express it quite as well as the author themselves? Will a large quotation do…? What does the theory actually mean, and why might it matter? So often we meet a theory or concept and are asked to do something with it; perhaps to write a comparison or to discuss the extent to which it supports another idea. The key challenge in creating arguments based on other people’s ideas is understanding what they mean, followed by identifying which parts relate to the argument and therefore need to be included. All of this requires confidence in understanding and articulating, and in this SHL workshop we discuss how to deconstruct ideas in order to apply them to questions. We will also cover how to represent someone else’s writing in your own words.

To attend this event, book your space here

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STEM Showcase - 07 July 2021

Join us from 11am to 2:30pm

On Wednesday, 7th July join Student Hub Live for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics showcase! Professor Nick Braithwaite, Executive Dean of the STEM Faculty, will kick things off at 11am. The STEM Faculty is releasing lots of new curricula; from Geology and Cybersecurity to Artificial Intelligence and revamped Maths modules, there is a STEM subject for everyone! You will also get to meet STEM PhD students and hear about their ground-breaking research. Finally, you will hear about the support that is available for students; Student Support will show how their team can and will support you throughout your studies, the Careers and Employability team will be on hand to show you how to navigate the Opportunity Hub, and the multitude of support they offer, and finally, hear about the practical laboratory skills you’ll learn when you study STEM with the OU and use the OpenSTEM labs. There is a session (or two!) for everyone!

To attend this event, book your space here.

How to access the live event?
On the day of the event sign in at http://studenthublive.open.ac.uk and click ‘Join us live’ button on the top right-hand side of the SHL site. This button appears 30 min prior to the start of the broadcast.

After the event, you can watch the recording by accessing the event page (via the PROGRAMME button below), and clicking on the playlist icon below the event description, or on our Youtube channel. Recordings are generally available for viewing 10 days after the event.

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(re)Freshers Orientation | Welcome to the OU - 27th September 2021

Join us from 11am to 12pm

So you've signed up to study with the OU? You're likely to be very excited, but like anything new, there's lots to get your head around. The wonderful thing about the OU is that you will meet so many supportive people, not only your associate lecturer and other students, but everyone at the University who wants you to succeed in every way. At this event you’ll meet some of the Vice-Chancellor’s executive team, our Student Support Team, and hear first-hand how life changing OU study can be.

To attend this event, book your space here

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(re)Freshers Orientation - Finding your way around - 27th September 2021

Join us from 2pm to 3pm

This session will introduce you to some of the key systems and sources of support that you have access to as an OU student. We'll give you some tips on navigating our virtual learning environment (VLE), and introduce you to our Computing Helpdesk, the Library Services team, Careers Service, Student Support Team and OU Students Association. Together they can help you achieve your dreams and reach your goals.

To attend this event, book your space here

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Academic Writing – 28th September 2021

Join us from 7pm to 8pm

All spaces for this workshop have been reserved but you can watch it on catch-up later.

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(re)Freshers Orientation | Being a confident learner - 29th September 2021

Join us from 11am to 12pm

Many students reach the end of their first module and say that they have developed confidence, but it is possible to feel confident in your learning from day one! In this session we talk to students, module chairs and associate lecturers about how the learning process is designed to enable you to develop your skills and work with feedback. Feeling confident can come from understanding what you need to develop, where you are succeeding, and realising that you can achieve things you might not have thought possible.

To attend this event, book your space here

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(re)Freshers Orientation | Introduction to academic skills - 30th September 2021

Join us from 11pm to 12pm

Studying at University level involves certain skills, like referencing, and many new OU students haven't studied for a while, so this can feel daunting. But academic skills, like so many other skills, can be learned and in this session, we will help you think a little more critically than you may be used to about some of the material you will meet.

To attend this event, book your space here

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(re)Freshers Orientation | Friday night social - 1st October 2021

Join us from 7pm to 8:30pm

Every good Freshers week has a social, and the OU is no exception - but this is a social with a difference! We'll share some ideas about looking after your mind and body during your studies and learn how movement can help you be a better you. We also hold our infamous ‘Wheel of ologies’ quiz where Team Home challenge our University staff teams (and are very likely to succeed in winning … again!).

To attend this event, book your space here

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