Foundation Degree

[sdean]

HI all - I am starting the Foundation Degree in Early Years in Oct with OU. Has anyone done this and can anyone recommend any books that will need for the course - hoping to get a bit of a head start on reading ! - thanks in advance!

[Roseolivia]

Don't buy any books, they give you everything you need. I bought a book before i started last October and have never used it as they prefer you to reference form the materials they supply you. Are you starting with E100 (E123) as i've just finished this and am going onto E124. If you can study on your own and don't need lots of help from tutors i think it's pretty easy (although waiting for final assessment result).

[sdean]

oh great thanks for that. That is good to know. Yes I am am starting on E100. I have been doing the Diploma in Homebased childcare through NEC so been doing it from home on my own and I have managed that in 9 months. It is just worrying as it sounds so serious and hard - but I am going to try my best that is all I can do!!!

[Roseolivia]

Go for it. I haven't found it hard, it's just trying to put time in to study. OU are very rigid on word counts though and referencing but you may be used to this with the DHC. If you need any help give me a shout. I may be asking you for help on E124 as E100 has took over this and E123.

[sdean]

It would be good to have some support as I don't know anyone in my area that is doing the FD so that would be fab!!! thanks x

[rainbowmummy]

Hi, I too am starting E100 with OU in Oct 09. Just posted off my forms today (I know there is nothing like leaving it until the last minute!)

I will also be studing the final two units of my DHC over the next academic year which could mean that I am slightly crazy but I guess only time will tell :p

Anyway good luck x

[sdean]

I have just completed my DHC - so we should be able to help each other on the way from all sides!! x

[Pipsqueak]

Several people on here doing or done FD in various forms. I am just starting my 2nd year in about 4 weeks time.

I would say be organised and disciplined about researching and completing assignments. Get your family on side and make them understand you need that time and space to be able to get your essays and stuff done.

Don't be afraid to ask for help and bounce ideas of people (especially on here - tons of help and advice and honest opinion), and get someone to proof read your work.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Shivvie]

Hi. I'm starting E100 in October too, along with my hubby. I'm a little apprehensive but also excited! Just hope we can fit in the studying with everything else! :)

[shopshelleyd]

I am startingt E115 in October. File just arrived with all new course work in and looks terrifying! Not sure I can do this one...... :panic: :panic: :panic:

[caroljayne]

Hi there,
I have just reserved a place for next feb with Ou for E243 and E230.
I have been awarded 120 points for previous study NVQ L4 so am going straight to level 2.
Really Scared now lol!
Has anyone completed or will be doing these modules, would be good to have someone else to bounce ideas around.
Carol
XxXxX

[specks4]

Hi

Im starting the E100 in october aswell, ive already got all the books so just waiting to start.

Its all abit scary and sounds really hard, i dont know anyone in my area who is doing it so i might be asking you on here for help if you dont mind.

[rainbowmummy]

those who started in Oct 09... Have you received your TMA01 back yet?

I am really apprehensive about starting the next one until I get the feedback.

FYI - Really enjoying study topic four
x

[sdean]

I have had mine back. Think it depends what area you are in.
I am really enjoying this topic too. Feel like I am really learning something new! Contact your tutor and ask for an estimate. They have to have them back within two weeks I thinks so you may have another week to wait at the most x

[polly0]

I started E100 in October 2009 and have just had my first TMA back, could'nt get to grips with study topic 4 until I received my results, so now I can get stuck into it :thumbsup:

[Kelly]

I am trying to decide which compulsory level 2 course to start in Oct. I'm thinking that working with children and families looks like the one I'd like to do or should I consider doing E243 (inclusive education) and E240 ways of knowing together as I really want to do 60pts by October. Any Advice welcome I really can't decide :panic:

[rainbowmummy]

Got my result back a few days after this post and thankfully passed.

Kelly - Sorry I can't help with further study advice. The whole things just confuses the hell out of me and I am really struggling to keep up with this one course thinking of another is too much. Beside I don;t know where I want it to take me in the future. Meaning I am not applying to do anything just yet.

Good luck with whatever you decide
x

[tammys-tots]

Hi is anyone doing E115 at the moment, i am and finding it hard!
Thanks
Tammy

E123 E124 2008 And starting Another 30 point course in Feb Inclusive education

[madasahatter]

I finished E115 in June....is there anything I can help with? PM me if you like.

I'm also starting the Inclusive education course in Feb, along with the 'Ways of Knowing' course (E243 and E230 can't remember which one is which)

[wellybelly]

HI all - I am starting the Foundation Degree in Early Years in Oct with OU. Has anyone done this and can anyone recommend any books that will need for the course - hoping to get a bit of a head start on reading ! - thanks in advance!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0435401009?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0435401009">Advanced Early Years: For Foundation Degrees and Levels 4/5, 2nd edition</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=childminding-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0435401009" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;

Advanced Early Years For Foundation Degrees levels 4 and 5. I use this for my foundation degree, its great.

[tammys-tots]

I finished E115 in June....is there anything I can help with? PM me if you like.

I'm also starting the Inclusive education course in Feb, along with the 'Ways of Knowing' course (E243 and E230 can't remember which one is which)

Hi, i am on the conferencing bit now, really dont like it very confusing, i wont be doing much over next few weeks apart from being on computer lol

Thanks
Tammy

[rainbowmummy]

Those doing E100 at present.

Have you decided which sequence you are going to write about?

I am considering Lark Hill, (mainly because the others don't interest me all at) however it covers so much I am not sure how to focus on one part especially when there are three that link into each other that I need to cover do you think this would be ok?

X

[madasahatter]

Hi, i am on the conferencing bit now, really dont like it very confusing, i wont be doing much over next few weeks apart from being on computer lol


what role have you been given? There's no wrong or right answer, basically any form of childhood behaviour/learning can more or less be explained using whatever theory 'hat' you've been given. In the TMA that links to the theorists you need to refer to the computer conferencing, so a good discussion on there helps as you can refer to both your own and other peoples comments (you could be in agreement or disagreement)

[sdean]

Those doing E100 at present.

Have you decided which sequence you are going to write about?

I am considering Lark Hill, (mainly because the others don't interest me all at) however it covers so much I am not sure how to focus on one part especially when there are three that link into each other that I need to cover do you think this would be ok?

X

I was planning to analyse this one too. I have chosen a few parts to use as one isn't enough but the whole thing is too much isn't it. My tutor said to chose which clips are most relevant to my practices.

[tammys-tots]

what role have you been given? There's no wrong or right answer, basically any form of childhood behaviour/learning can more or less be explained using whatever theory 'hat' you've been given. In the TMA that links to the theorists you need to refer to the computer conferencing, so a good discussion on there helps as you can refer to both your own and other peoples comments (you could be in agreement or disagreement)

hi, constructivism hat i have been given, so any tips welcome.
Thanks
Tammy

[madasahatter]

I had to wear the behaviourist hat. Try googling constructivism and Piaget. Perhaps focussing on how children use their existing knowledge when presented with new experiences, they then use the new experience to construct new ideas and to reassess their previous thinking.....accomodation and assimilation....The importance of play in helping children understand the world around them, how they recreate scenarios, play out ideas etc.

I definitely found it helped to look online for more information about the theorists as I felt there wasn't enough in the OU study materials to get a true picture of the different theorists. Bear in mind you do not have to take your 'hat' as your viewpoint when it comes to the TMA. What the online discussions will probably find is that most people subscribe to a mixture of the various theorists viewpoints depending on whether they are considering the child as a learner, view of knowledge etc (you should get my drift from the study topic activities).

[OUDiva]

Those doing E100 at present.

Have you decided which sequence you are going to write about?

I am considering Lark Hill, (mainly because the others don't interest me all at) however it covers so much I am not sure how to focus on one part especially when there are three that link into each other that I need to cover do you think this would be ok?

X

Hi rainbowmummy,
Saw your post I chose the hospital play as very similar to my work setting and relevant age of children. My mark for tma1 was average (not brilliant) but to be honest just aiming to pass the course.

Take care

[beccas]

Go for it. I haven't found it hard, it's just trying to put time in to study. OU are very rigid on word counts though and referencing but you may be used to this with the DHC. If you need any help give me a shout. I may be asking you for help on E124 as E100 has took over this and E123.

Iam doing this as well e124 i am awaiting my tma01 back at min (inclusion one) have started on my next tma02 finding quite easy this time e123 got me at first but soon got in the swing of things pm me if you need help or want to confer on anything.... i may need the help also.

[rainbowmummy]

I understand that we need two implications, but this is where I fall down.

eg Impli one - not enough space. (is this all I need to expand on?)

or Impli one - I feel I need to expand home corner. (then list all the implications that this throws up? such as not enough space, additional planning?)

or are the implications something completly different? HELP!!!

What are you doing?

[Pipsqueak]

All I can say is arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I have two assignments to get complete for next week and its NOT going good at all:( :(

[manjay]

All I can say is arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I have two assignments to get complete for next week and its NOT going good at all:( :(

Me too!!! I think Christmas got in the way:rolleyes:

[Polly2]

Me three!! What are you doing on here manjay :laughing: :laughing: thought you were writing essays!!

[The Juggler]

All I can say is arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I have two assignments to get complete for next week and its NOT going good at all:( :(

what two are you doing Pip?

[Pipsqueak]

what two are you doing Pip?

I am trying to get the stupid stupid stupid Enhancing Learning assignment done and we also have to do a 15 minute powerpoint presentation next week on Action Research our chosen subject - and I haven't even chosen my subject yet.
I want to cry - buckets
I am crap at time management
I am going to cry....

The stupid hateful assignment just won't 'gel' - I have writers block I think or something. i am past caring how i enhance learning in the setting (chosen subject communiation and language), I really don't give a frig about Bruner or neurons or the like



arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggghhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

arrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa

[polly0]

I seem to be spending more time reading the forums than actually writing anything, done about 700 words of nonsense, i think:panic:

Doing hospital play and trying to link the theorist and approaches to the kids playing, finding it really difficult, done the theorists bit but struggling a bit with the approaches. Any ideas anyone????:panic: :panic: :panic:

[MrsT333]

hi
there seems to be alot of u doing the OU degree, do u mind me asking how much it has cost u? is it better doing it at home or do u think oit would of been better going to uni/college.
i am interested in doing it, but this thread is putting me off, is it hard?

[Pipsqueak]

hi
there seems to be alot of u doing the OU degree, do u mind me asking how much it has cost u? is it better doing it at home or do u think oit would of been better going to uni/college.
i am interested in doing it, but this thread is putting me off, is it hard?

Hi MrsT
I am doing my FD at uni - part time 8hrs a week (1 day) and I think I am finding it easier than if I would be through OU.

don't be put of by what we are saying though - yes its tough - mainly due to the time managment and what you have to fit in/deadlines. Let me rephrase that - I am poop at time managment/study skills lol. Just trying to juggle family, work and that includes my other extra roles, kids/school, more work, kids social lives etc etc. :D

I have learnt a lot, throughly enjoyed the study, its been interesting and there has been a wealth of knowledge and support from the forum members (also my CDO, other classmates, my family etc).

It hasn't really cost me anything as I got mine paid for via the graduate leader fund.

[MrsT333]

Hi MrsT
I am doing my FD at uni - part time 8hrs a week (1 day) and I think I am finding it easier than if I would be through OU.

don't be put of by what we are saying though - yes its tough - mainly due to the time managment and what you have to fit in/deadlines. Let me rephrase that - I am poop at time managment/study skills lol. Just trying to juggle family, work and that includes my other extra roles, kids/school, more work, kids social lives etc etc. :D

I have learnt a lot, throughly enjoyed the study, its been interesting and there has been a wealth of knowledge and support from the forum members (also my CDO, other classmates, my family etc).

It hasn't really cost me anything as I got mine paid for via the graduate leader fund.

thanks pipsqueak,
i think i may look into this route, i did my nvq 3 in college & if i can get it free, that is just fab! :thumbsup:

[madasahatter]

I'm doing the foundation degree through OU because there is no where local (within 15 miles) that does it as an evening course only and I didn't want to put parents out by asking them to make alternative arrangements long term.

Like Pipsqueak mine is being paid for through the Graduate Leader Fund so it's free to me, though you can expect to pay approx £750 for a 60 point module with the OU (usually run over 9 months), with 240 points making up the foundation degree. I previously thought that when studying with the OU you set your own pace and deadlines but this is not the case. Just like any other course you have strict deadlines to meet. You need to be able to devote approx 15 hours per week to your studying. HTH!

[The Juggler]

I am trying to get the stupid stupid stupid Enhancing Learning assignment done and we also have to do a 15 minute powerpoint presentation next week on Action Research our chosen subject - and I haven't even chosen my subject yet.
I want to cry - buckets
I am crap at time management
I am going to cry....

The stupid hateful assignment just won't 'gel' - I have writers block I think or something. i am past caring how i enhance learning in the setting (chosen subject communiation and language), I really don't give a frig about Bruner or neurons or the like

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggghhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

arrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa




awww Pip. I felt like this over xmas. couldn't get started with my research at all - I started a thread but no-one reaplied:crying: :crying:. In the end I just got some notesdown on screen/paper. Read it back and I could see what I needed to change or add.

If you've tried this already ignore me but just get some main headings down and bullet point what you think you want to write. Go over and check you've covered the learning outcomes and content of the brief, then bulk it out. ONLY read what you need to.

I do such a small amount of reading from each book now, more read from lots of different places. Basically I write what I think I want to say then find something to back it up. I just use the index in the back of the book to find the terms then read around that para/page. I just see if I can find someone to back me up and one to argue against it then add my own 2 penneth in at the end. Sometimes I realise I've got totally the wrong understanding and change my point.

Sorry if that is no help at all.:( but I know how you feel..... I found a bit of :p Abba was helpful

[rainbowmummy]

why is it you all seem to know what you are talking about??

Well passed TMA02, same mark as TMA01 which is sad as I thought I was getting better! Still a pass is a pass.

So how are you all getting on with the observations. What areas are you covering? I am doing play... I think!!!

Good luck :thumbsup:

[rainbowmummy]

hi
there seems to be alot of u doing the OU degree, do u mind me asking how much it has cost u? is it better doing it at home or do u think oit would of been better going to uni/college.
i am interested in doing it, but this thread is putting me off, is it hard?

I am funding myself at present as I am also doing the final year of the DHC and my local authority wouldn't pay me to do two courses, i paid £650 with OU.

Is it hard... Yes and No. I am struggling to find the time to fit everything in, you need a very supportive family around you. The OU recommends 12-15hrs a week of study time. I am very lucky is I get 10hrs!
Plus I have found that the style of writing for a level four course much trickier to master.
Please don't be put off, everyone is different and if you find your grove I am sure you'll love it I am finding out things that are interesting and useful. :p

[polly0]

I am doing play too, just reading through the study topics at the moment, not done any obs yet. I also passed TMA2 but a slightly lower mark than the 1st one :eek: but a pass is a pass. :clapping:

[Happy Monkeys]

Hi,
Has anyone done, or started doing the Foundation Degree in Early Years, APEL EZL100 Module through Open University.

Is it harder than you expected? I like the idea of getting it over and done with quickly.

Thanks.
Lynda

[julie w]

I was just wondering (and being nosey really!!) what everyone wants to do when they have their degrees. I always regret not going to uni and I think I would like to have a degree, but where to go from there? Maybe be handy when the day comes and I want my home back and I can look further afield. What do you all think?

[manjay]

I was just wondering (and being nosey really!!) what everyone wants to do when they have their degrees. I always regret not going to uni and I think I would like to have a degree, but where to go from there? Maybe be handy when the day comes and I want my home back and I can look further afield. What do you all think?

I am doing it for ME!!!!!:D I too have always regretted being enticed away from school with a job opportunity described as "too good to miss"! I attend uni part time rather than OU but I am absolutely loving it. My practice has changed immensely already and I surprise myself quite often with the knowledge that I have picked up already. At the moment I love being my own boss and can't see myself ever wanting to be employed again but I may change my mind on that one when my youngest gets older. In all honesty I think I could probably be a full time student;)

[The Juggler]

I am doing it for ME!!!!!:D I too have always regretted being enticed away from school with a job opportunity described as "too good to miss"! I attend uni part time rather than OU but I am absolutely loving it. My practice has changed immensely already and I surprise myself quite often with the knowledge that I have picked up already. At the moment I love being my own boss and can't see myself ever wanting to be employed again but I may change my mind on that one when my youngest gets older. In all honesty I think I could probably be a full time student;)

No, Manjay! Really! :panic: Although I've loved the learning, I hate the homework and assignments with a vengeance, mainly cos they eat into family time. I would do it again in a heartbeat for how it's changed my practice but I couldn't be a full=time student:eek: Good for you though!

I've just been looking at my obs. this week and thinking it's so totally amazing to see what they are doing and thinking and their thought processes - so exciting!

[Pipsqueak]

I was just wondering (and being nosey really!!) what everyone wants to do when they have their degrees. I always regret not going to uni and I think I would like to have a degree, but where to go from there? Maybe be handy when the day comes and I want my home back and I can look further afield. What do you all think?

I am doing this for me, to prove to myself that I am not the failure that the teachers at school said I would be. To show myself that I CAN do this.
I am throughly enjoying it although the amount of family time it has taken is untrue but I keep thinking of the future. I only recently aquired the confidence to do stuff like this - in my more mature years.
I would like to gain EYPs and we have been talking about that at uni today - definately doing my third year (if I can get the funding) and then onto EYPs.
I can't do EYP alongside my third year as I don't have my maths gcse so I will have to gain that either over the summer or after.

Not sure where I want it to take me after that - I will probably remain in childmninding for a while.

[kindredspirits]

i would like to be able to look at working in other settings if work ever dries up - but mainly because i left school 6 months before completely my A-Levels due to post traumatic stress and I was a straight A student - i feel gutted that i never got my qualfications and i dream about school a lot so i feel by getting my FD i will be laying a lot to rest - and i am enjoying it and my practice is improving massively. i found the course reletively simple to follow but you do have to put the time in iykwim.

[manjay]

No, Manjay! Really! :panic: Although I've loved the learning, I hate the homework and assignments with a vengeance, mainly cos they eat into family time. I would do it again in a heartbeat for how it's changed my practice but I couldn't be a full=time student:eek: Good for you though!

I've just been looking at my obs. this week and thinking it's so totally amazing to see what they are doing and thinking and their thought processes - so exciting!

But if I was a full time student I wouldn't have to manage assignments along with working 50+ hours a week:D

[The Juggler]

But if I was a full time student I wouldn't have to manage assignments along with working 50+ hours a week:D

ah true! you need a nice lottery win then, or you could just become an academic, do your honours degree, your masters and teach at uni and have papers published and be paid for being a student (sort of!)

[Jules27]

Interesting thread, glad I clicked on it. I am doing my NVQ 3 at the mo and will be for the next 7 months. Unsure what to do after - degree is my main thought - basically because I never went to uni and its the one thing I regret not doing so would be doing it for me. Just scares me abit and wonder if I would be able to cope with the work load????:confused:

[manjay]

ah true! you need a nice lottery win then, or you could just become an academic, do your honours degree, your masters and teach at uni and have papers published and be paid for being a student (sort of!)

Just imagine yourself being used as a reference in someone elses assignment!!!:laughing:

Jules - I did my NVQ last year and the way mine worked in no way prepared me for what I am doing now. Having said that I know lots on here who do loads of writing for NVQs so I guess it depends on the way yours is done. It is quite scary at first but I think that is more about learning to write academically than anything else. It is not a subject where you have to come up with new ideas so it is all about finding out who has already written about what you are working on.

Time for me is the biggest stumbling block and I have also found out that I am really accomplished at avoidance tactics:rolleyes: . My FD is based at a Uni which is really close to me so that helps. I study 2 modules a term, one in the classroom and one by distance learning which means I just attend Uni one evening a week. Year one gives me a level 4 qualification and yr2 a level 5.

One of the best things I have ever done:thumbsup: