PPE: Got my module materials and module website!
Just some of my module materials!
This week is the official start week of my module. Week 1. I have had access to my module website for nearly two weeks. I've done all of the first weeks study at the time of this writing (well apart from one online activity). So far it's all going good. I'm currently at the planning stage for my first essay. Just getting information together and notes.
The image doesn't show everything I received from the open university. It was a large box. Containing 2 DVDs, 3 Learning companions and 2 module books. Including many audio CDs a course map and other bits 
I've been surprised by the module material. All of which is clear, in colour and (mostly) error free. The errors that are present in the material are highlighted in a separate word document! At my last university. No course material was in colour and some tutors gave you material that had glaring errors. Right on the front page in some cases! I keep trying to not compare but I do.
I really like how the learning isn't just about text or even online activities. They throw in audio material too and actually this makes you think more openly about learning.
Anyway, I haven't blogged in a while because I've been busy. Both with my module and The MonkeyPC unfortunately we had a really difficult weekend as business.
I'll save that for another post. Tomorrow maybe? 
PPE: Getting stuck in!
The book I'm reading at the moment!
I've been reading both my purchased book (Social Sciences: the big issues by Kath Woodward) and the preparation material by the open university. My study materials are due to be posted on January 6th. Not long! I feel its so soon so got to press on!
I'm really feeling confident and ready to start. I'm not 100% ready but will be once I get my desk set-up and my PC built. I been working for ages to get enough money, so nearly there. It's likely that I'll not get it built until I start unfortunately but I have access to the home PC.
The next few weeks will just be about preparation really and making sure I'm ready to go. I want to finish all my preparation texts that I didn't read over Christmas and new year.
I also recently bought a book called the good essay guide. I want to skim read this if I can because its been years since I wrote a essay 
Hopefully my course materials are mailed tomorrow and I receive them not long after. I'm going into study mode now!
Education in the UK (Part 1)
This post has been a long time coming. I've wrote so much about how the education system is a failure before in my blog I'm sure. Something I'll have to search through I think! This time I wanna go into depth.
Real change is needed in our education system. I'm not just talking about university fees which I've spoke about before and the Open University tried to make clear in a letter the sent me below
Open University explains tuition Fees!
Eric Schmidt criticised the UK education system back in August and I agree with him (and the pirate party appeared to as well). He said the UK had a strong, proud past of scientist and technological pioneers. As someone who left the school system in 2005, I will try and list what I believe is missing to create future pioneers in this country without being boring
A simple IT lesson today isn't good enough. The children know more and if they don't in many cases they adapt faster to technology then the person teaching them. Teaching a child or teen how to work with Microsoft Excel or fill entries in Microsoft Access will (mostly) set them up for a lifetime of work. In addition to this even in workplaces other software systems are being used and embraced. A wider range of IT knowledge needs to be added on the curriculum. I can't speak for the current curriculum though, but I would hope it's been updated from my recollections. I think in terms of teaching IT in UK schools there should be two separate subject matters one being the traditional information technology and the other being computer science.
Many other subjects particularly at secondary level are stagnant statics. I mean the curriculum doesn't change year after year. How can the best be provided and given when it isn't current or broad enough? This is especially true of subjects like history. The history of the Atlantic slave trade or WW2 are both very important components in their own right these are drawn out and analysed far too deeply. International history should also be on the curriculum.
Lets take a look at the very broad (IB course) approved by the UN. It doesn't just focus on academics. It teaches life skills. It teaches for real life rather then just programming people for work or jobs in a system. Life skills need to be taught that are broad. Enabling students to think about creativity. Not just another robot, so to speak.
A random secondary school
Teachers in UK schools are often focused on meeting targets and achieving grades. To which most are very misleading and confusing. The problem is the curriculum in schools it just doesn't allow students to achieve the best. Often students are put in groups in English, Maths and Science. Where they generally perform to the level of the group they are in. Allowing mixed ability students to work together would work best allowing student matching. The aim being that the weaker student can learn with how the strong student does. If lessons are tailored correctly.
We really need to improve our schools. If we don't, we will need to rely on foreign countries to supply us with brains. We already have problems producing a workforce!
It's like most of our country at the moment we really need to self sustain more and improve what we have.
I personally feel that I've learnt more in the six years out of school, then I ever learnt at school! That cannot be the way no longer. Students need to come out of school ready for the world. I've got more to say in part 2 on this series. I actually meant to post this a few months back but didn't finish it!
It’s my birthday!
I'm gonna be really sad and say happy birthday to me! Just thought I would mark the special occasion here.
I'm 23 today woohoo!
Thanks and peace!
They still don’t understand the cause of the riots…
Kit Malthouse - Deputy Mayor of London
Instead of addressing the cause of the August riots. The deputy mayor is still focusing on what he calls "the large majority of criminals" who took part in the unrest. Can nobody see that unrest just doesn't happen? It's a issue with society.
The fact it took our own prime minister three nights to cut his holiday short in Tuscany and return home, just shows what a mess everything was.
People have felt marginalized. Whether through race (ignore what the media feeds you people do get treated differently in this country!), poverty, bailing out bankers, university fees, price increases (due to the global crisis), unemployment or a whole host of issues.
It's too easy to sit back and say what a bunch of thugs and vermin these people were and not get to the root cause of the situation. I don't condone this behavior but this is what happens when there is a mismatch in society.
The investigations into what happened do seem to be continuing here.
However, they garner little media exposure. We just hear crap about everyone who took part being hardened criminals to put the population down in their rightful place. The media can influence so many things and bend the truth. Reporters don't know much of Tottenham and yet much of the reporting was inaccurate at the time. Media can just evoke problems with the masses at sensitive times.
During the riots, We had one reporter(BBC) saying there is a Jewish community in Tottenham. The Jewish community he is referring to is in Stamford Hill a mile and a half up the road. Meaning they had come down (for some unknown reason) when the unrest took place. Inaccurate reporting such as this lead people to believe only a people of one race, or religion is causing the trouble in a particular area. The media really is a lethal thing
Pah.... I've got so much to say on this issue it'd bring my blog database down and render it unusable
PPE: Just the beginning
Preparing to study book received from the OU
I'm beginning my PPE degree at the Open University with my first module an introduction to the social sciences soon. I've begun to slowly unlock resources on site and an estimated date of despatch for my printed materials is in December. I've also bought a book (Social Sciences: the big issues) and begun reading that to get used to the content I will come across.
I've received some preparation materials already. A book called "preparing for study" from the open university and a audio cd contained within. I've listened to the cd and glanced at the material. I'm going to digest it more thoroughly soon as it contains very useful study tips. Some I've never run across. What was more impressive was that the book seemed written especially for DD101, my course!
So the tips are tailored to my course it would seem.
I've read the first chapter of the social sciences book by Kath Woodward which was just introducing me to what the social sciences are all about really, and explains what the rest of the chapters in the book will be discussing.
I'm about to start the first real chapter about identity. I will report back in more detail when I read this chapter and my open university book
Mistakes you wish you never made!
Do you have that mistake you wish you NEVER made? Please tell me I am not alone
I sold a forum (Let Politics Talk) back in 2008 because I was heading off to university and didn't have time to manage it. I hadn't been for months prior to the sell anyway. Unfortunately I sold, I could have got a lot more for it but I needed to offload my projects so I could commit. When I sold up I made it very clear of the direction I wanted the community to take. I wanted someone to take care of it continue development and create a less centralised moderation team.
One of the first errors I made (when I was part of the team) at LPT was leadership. We had a dictatorship more then anything and not a very diverse moderation team. This lead to one member being banned mainly because others didn't believe with his views and thought he was a extremist. Which I believe now is entirely the wrong course to take. At the time I should have seen it too
I can only put that down to inexperience on my part, and the lack of having a diverse team from different backgrounds who are able to see things from different angles. We were all pretty similar unfortunately.
... And under the new leadership
Under the new leadership nothing much has changed. Apart from lots of great SEO and lots of awful spam. The forum still has the same broken parts as I left it back in 2008. This leads me to believe the software hasn't been upgraded at all! Fair enough if we were only talking visuals. As visually its not too bad. I don't want to be critical of the current owner as he has done more with SEO then I could have. I'm looking to become involved with it again if I can as I'd love to be of some use.
However, looking back on it now. Would I give my baby up again? Never
Novenet Limited is coming along…
Novenet Limited is coming along. When I say that I mean still in the planning stages. A few things are confirmed though. It will be the local business arm focusing on providing web services to local business initially.
We have a prototype logo (as you can see above) which will change when we have a found one that represents our image. I can't remember if I posted it before. The logo is above. I have clear plans of what we should focus on. It's just getting it down actioned on and the like. There still is a skills drain which needs filling. If anyone is looking for a experience to put on their CV and is located in the UK please contact me!
News from a eventful summer!
Four years for inciting?!
Britains Youth Crisis!
Darling slams "arrogant" bankers!
What you get from McDonalds Enfield Retail Park
Click for a larger image! - Yummy.
Hope you like my cheesy eyelash! Mhmmm
Nearly made me sick
Fancied a cheeseburger for lunch cos they are so addictive! Anyone who knows Enfield knows this retail park is pure evil. Krispy Kreme is opposite McDonalds note this was the first Krispy Kreme in Europe! I call it fat park. Half way through eating my burger and boom I noticed there was a eyelash on my wrapper in the cheese. I've heard of McDonalds famous garnishes but never this. Almost made me chunder.
I prefer burger king anyway. Better tasting... A shame there is so few of them. Hope I haven't put you all off.
First post using the wordpress app for my iPhone!
Woohoo 