It appears that this years DD306 Facebook page may be staying open for those starting in October 2015.
You can find it here DD306 Facebook Page
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Results just one month to go.....
Time seems to be dragging towards the course result, but at least we'll know within the month, but hopefully sooner.
And I want feedback, not just a mark ! ! !
And I want feedback, not just a mark ! ! !
Saturday, 6 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Course Review
Well, time for the course review.
This course review is more difficult than the others courses I have reviewed, as without an exam to revise for, all I can actually remember from the course at this point is the Econometrics tutorials and the EMA project.
This course has not been as much of a revelation as DD209 was, and I think it has suffered from quite a bit of overlap with DD209 - especially the section on game theory, therefore there was not nearly as much new stuff.
To be honest I can't actually remember much about the sections or the TMAs that hasn't been written previously on the blog.
If I was going to give an advice on the course it would be to engage with Econometrics as soon as you can, and also read ahead to the Books 2:1 and 2:2 and choose a area of interest as soon as possible to get as good a run up on the EMA as possible.
I chose econometrics because you are in far more control of the project. In comparison Primary Data Projects means getting questionnaires out and getting permissions from employers or groups can be a nightmare and getting returns can also be a problem. Secondary Data Projects means wading through tons of other peoples reports and attempting to churn something of value out of it - just too much time reading stuff of no interest - I would find it difficult to motivate myself.
Also, the Econometrics Forum is well run and really active. Graham who is the tutor running it is really helpful and can steer you in the right direction to find a suitable data source and then offer advice after that.
Other than that, if you have done DD209 and done reasonably well, DD309 will be a walk in the park. I have had by far and away the highest marks ever for my TMAs, I put a great deal of effort into them but there was nothing that earth shattering about any of these essays.
All in all, I suppose DD309 has been a bit of a disappointment in terms of learning loads about economics, but if I get the mark I need then I suppose I'll be satisfied with the experience.
Not a great endorsement, is it :-(
Also, as I am lucky and I am still on the transitional fees, the courses work out at about £25 per week, which is pretty good value considering the website, books and tutors. The new full time fees in England makes it nearly £85 per week (£2,700 for DD309), and I not sure I'd be as happy about that.
One more to go then I guess my academic career is really finished, it would have been fun to do a Masters, but it is unlikely that my finances will allow that.
This course review is more difficult than the others courses I have reviewed, as without an exam to revise for, all I can actually remember from the course at this point is the Econometrics tutorials and the EMA project.
This course has not been as much of a revelation as DD209 was, and I think it has suffered from quite a bit of overlap with DD209 - especially the section on game theory, therefore there was not nearly as much new stuff.
To be honest I can't actually remember much about the sections or the TMAs that hasn't been written previously on the blog.
If I was going to give an advice on the course it would be to engage with Econometrics as soon as you can, and also read ahead to the Books 2:1 and 2:2 and choose a area of interest as soon as possible to get as good a run up on the EMA as possible.
I chose econometrics because you are in far more control of the project. In comparison Primary Data Projects means getting questionnaires out and getting permissions from employers or groups can be a nightmare and getting returns can also be a problem. Secondary Data Projects means wading through tons of other peoples reports and attempting to churn something of value out of it - just too much time reading stuff of no interest - I would find it difficult to motivate myself.
Also, the Econometrics Forum is well run and really active. Graham who is the tutor running it is really helpful and can steer you in the right direction to find a suitable data source and then offer advice after that.
Other than that, if you have done DD209 and done reasonably well, DD309 will be a walk in the park. I have had by far and away the highest marks ever for my TMAs, I put a great deal of effort into them but there was nothing that earth shattering about any of these essays.
All in all, I suppose DD309 has been a bit of a disappointment in terms of learning loads about economics, but if I get the mark I need then I suppose I'll be satisfied with the experience.
Not a great endorsement, is it :-(
Also, as I am lucky and I am still on the transitional fees, the courses work out at about £25 per week, which is pretty good value considering the website, books and tutors. The new full time fees in England makes it nearly £85 per week (£2,700 for DD309), and I not sure I'd be as happy about that.
One more to go then I guess my academic career is really finished, it would have been fun to do a Masters, but it is unlikely that my finances will allow that.
Friday, 5 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Week 33 - EMA CUT OFF
Assessment: PROJECT (EMA) (cut-off date 5 Jun)
That's all folks....... officially the end if the course
Hope you all got your EMAs in on time and that they were as you would have wished them to be. I guess that is it until the marks come through, probably mid-July.
That's all folks....... officially the end if the course
Hope you all got your EMAs in on time and that they were as you would have wished them to be. I guess that is it until the marks come through, probably mid-July.
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - At last
Diane must have come back off of her lunch break and the website has been updated, Plan B can officially be scrapped, I can stand down the local college printers and we return to DEFCON 1.
So that is a big relief, absolutely nothing more I can do now, it is completely out of my hands.
So nothing else to do except keep my fingers crossed until mid-July.
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - er... still no news
Well if the website update was scheduled to happen over night, either it didn't happen or there is still a queue or problem with the OU accepting my EMA.....
.... and let's hope Diane hasn't taken a days leave.
The EMA has been with the OU for over 24 hours. I may have to phone them later today.
.... and let's hope Diane hasn't taken a days leave.
The EMA has been with the OU for over 24 hours. I may have to phone them later today.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - That's probably it for today then.......
Its a bit like waiting for the white smoke at the Vatican...... constantly looking at the website but no indication that my EMA has been accepted by the OU.
I guess they have all stopped for today now, so not expecting any news until tomorrow now.
If there is no news by this time tomorrow night, I'll be seriously looking at a Plan B.
I guess they have all stopped for today now, so not expecting any news until tomorrow now.
If there is no news by this time tomorrow night, I'll be seriously looking at a Plan B.
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Signed for but not accepted on the OU Website yet.
OK..... I'm now wondering who on earth Diane is, why she is signing for things before 8AM, is she even employed by the OU and why seven and a half hours later the signed for submission has not been entered onto the website. Seven and a half hours is a full working day..... what is the problem.
Plan B is now forming. Given how efficient the local college were, I can probably get the EMA reprinted Thursday afternoon and drive through the night to hand deliver, or at least I could if I didn't have to go to work.
C'mom Diane! Put me out of my misery!
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Tracked, Delivered and Signed for......
The EMA package was apparently signed for on 2nd June at 07:57, by Diane.
But its not yet be confirmed on the Open University website as accepted as my Final Assessed Work received.
So nearly there.......
By comparison, it appears that the DD306 Politics EMA can be sent in electronically, so none of the phaff, cost or time-wasting incurred printing, binding and posting.
But its not yet be confirmed on the Open University website as accepted as my Final Assessed Work received.
So nearly there.......
By comparison, it appears that the DD306 Politics EMA can be sent in electronically, so none of the phaff, cost or time-wasting incurred printing, binding and posting.
Monday, 1 June 2015
DD309 : Doing economics: people, markets and policy - Printed and posted
Staples quoted nearly £100 to print three copies of my EMA, and it would only be possible if the person who knew how to work the machine was in and it would take some time , and I may have to book it in and oh well it all seemed like too much trouble for them.
I contacted another local printer, who sounded slightly more interested, but only slightly, and then he didn't bother emailing me a quote.
Luckily, our local college also has a print shop, and not only were they happy to print my EMAs and bind them, they did so on the spot (20 mins) and only charged £30, which all things considered I thought was a bargain.
Content aside, flicking through the bound EMA it does look pretty good - if there are marks for presentation I should do well in that category.
Then it was straight off to the Post Office.
The lady behind the counter was pretty adamant that the only way to guarantee delivery for Friday was registered post. I have heard that the OU don't like registered post, well they are going to have to get over that, I have proof of posting as required.
As soon as it says EMA received on the website I can relax for a bit.
I contacted another local printer, who sounded slightly more interested, but only slightly, and then he didn't bother emailing me a quote.
Luckily, our local college also has a print shop, and not only were they happy to print my EMAs and bind them, they did so on the spot (20 mins) and only charged £30, which all things considered I thought was a bargain.
Content aside, flicking through the bound EMA it does look pretty good - if there are marks for presentation I should do well in that category.
Then it was straight off to the Post Office.
The lady behind the counter was pretty adamant that the only way to guarantee delivery for Friday was registered post. I have heard that the OU don't like registered post, well they are going to have to get over that, I have proof of posting as required.
As soon as it says EMA received on the website I can relax for a bit.
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