Having discovered the joy of learning, it's something I mean to keep on doing. I've always wanted to find out and in some cases to know more...
For many years, study with the O.U. has sated my thirst, but with the way the O.U. has been forced to change, especially the price hike, something has to give. I'm on transitional arrangements meaning the costs are not quite so ouch as for anyone studying post the exorbitant price increases. But, having studied under the previous pricing structure, today's costs are eye-watering.
Fortunately, universities world-wide have got together to offer some short, free courses.
I've already covered courses by
University of Durham - life on Hadrian's Wall (excellent)
The O.U.'s First World War course (very good)
Birmingham Uni - history of aircraft WWI and development of air power (most disappointing).
Now, I'm studying corpus linguistics with Lancaster Uni, and it's another excellent course. This time it overlaps with a level 3 O.U. course E304. Or more precisely, complements E304 even tho' the two courses are independent of each other.
The tutor for E304 has been in touch about Manchester tutorials. She's changed the timing of the first two; they are now 3 hours instead of two. That means it will be even more worthwhile making the journey.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Friday, 25 September 2015
There's no such word but
Complain-aholic
No such word, but it describes many of today's users of social media.
One group (naming no names) has already become 'moans r us'.
The course hasn't started yet the moans are coming thick and fast. I know I'm a cynic, but to me it seems the advent of social media has made some folk lazy. To me the Open University is about independent learning. I can't help but take a dim view of anyone complaining that they have not got a tutor yet. The course opens in just over a week's time, plenty of time to be allocated a tutor. Especially, when you consider that tutors only begin their responsibilities when the start date comes.
Next on my list of gripes is also to to with on-line comms. When you sign up for a course that says quite openly it has an on-line format, I expect folk to have some digital skills. Granted, the course has digital learning skills built into it, but too many claim problems with working on-line. I did not expect anyone to send the assignment info to fellow students in pdf and glorify in the 'achievement'.
In fact, I'd like to send these moaners back some 15 years, when there was almost no on-line activity in any courses except the tech ones. No word processing, everything handwritten, no electronic submission, no on-line forum. You were truly reliant on your own resourcefulness. Putting cynicism aside, I ought, perhaps to feel sorry for those that hardly do anything for themselves, those that will not make an attempt to be independent.
When I want to find out something, I do the research, I do not take to social media to ask someone else to do the research for me.
No such word, but it describes many of today's users of social media.
One group (naming no names) has already become 'moans r us'.
The course hasn't started yet the moans are coming thick and fast. I know I'm a cynic, but to me it seems the advent of social media has made some folk lazy. To me the Open University is about independent learning. I can't help but take a dim view of anyone complaining that they have not got a tutor yet. The course opens in just over a week's time, plenty of time to be allocated a tutor. Especially, when you consider that tutors only begin their responsibilities when the start date comes.
Next on my list of gripes is also to to with on-line comms. When you sign up for a course that says quite openly it has an on-line format, I expect folk to have some digital skills. Granted, the course has digital learning skills built into it, but too many claim problems with working on-line. I did not expect anyone to send the assignment info to fellow students in pdf and glorify in the 'achievement'.
In fact, I'd like to send these moaners back some 15 years, when there was almost no on-line activity in any courses except the tech ones. No word processing, everything handwritten, no electronic submission, no on-line forum. You were truly reliant on your own resourcefulness. Putting cynicism aside, I ought, perhaps to feel sorry for those that hardly do anything for themselves, those that will not make an attempt to be independent.
When I want to find out something, I do the research, I do not take to social media to ask someone else to do the research for me.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
All change
Another 'sign of the times'. Last year the O.U. used Archbishop Blanch School as the venue for Saturday tutorials. ABS built themselves a new school in a different location. Word went round that the O.U. had parted ways with ABS and in future tutorials would be at Hope Uni. Fine, and in theory no problem until tutorials were announced for 2015-2016. No Merseyside tutorials anywhere! Checking the tutorial finder, everything has been scaled back. The venues on offer used to be - Preston, Chester, Manchester and Liverpool. Now it's Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Oxford and Southampton.
Owing to 'austerity' cutbacks, several Regional Centres are closing, and this has obviously had a knock-on effect.
Students complain about the lack of face-to-face tutorials. With the cutbacks, fewer students are going to travel even further to the tutorials.
If I were to go to the tutorials, it would mean train to Manchester Oxford Road station and a 15 minute walk down Oxford St. I know, I did it some 12 months ago. I'm even less likely to repeat the journey this year.
Owing to 'austerity' cutbacks, several Regional Centres are closing, and this has obviously had a knock-on effect.
Students complain about the lack of face-to-face tutorials. With the cutbacks, fewer students are going to travel even further to the tutorials.
If I were to go to the tutorials, it would mean train to Manchester Oxford Road station and a 15 minute walk down Oxford St. I know, I did it some 12 months ago. I'm even less likely to repeat the journey this year.
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Getting to grips with linguistics
I've always had a fondness for reading and writing.
At Grammar school (age 11) we read Homer's Odyssey (in translation). In junior school we'd come across some poetry. Over the years, I read / studied Charles Dickens' stories and plays by Shakespeare. English Language and Literature were compulsory, with the bonus that I enjoyed most of my studies.
Recently, I took up the study of linguistics (O.U.). Worlds of English whetted my appetite for more study. This year, I'm doing E304, Exploring English Grammar.
The website opened last week, so I had the opportunity to look at and download resources. I also accessed the first 5 weeks of the syllabus. We're going to be learning something called 'Corpus linguistics', working with corpora and doing our own research activities. I'm looking forward to it, but I reckon there'll be some who'll moan.
I had a go at using the corpus linguistics software (O.U.) and was thankful to have done some technology courses, M150 in particular. The GUI graphical user interface looks fairly simple, but not intuitive. Looking thro' the course calendar, study they've built in time to learn to use the software, and something called digital skills.
At Grammar school (age 11) we read Homer's Odyssey (in translation). In junior school we'd come across some poetry. Over the years, I read / studied Charles Dickens' stories and plays by Shakespeare. English Language and Literature were compulsory, with the bonus that I enjoyed most of my studies.
Recently, I took up the study of linguistics (O.U.). Worlds of English whetted my appetite for more study. This year, I'm doing E304, Exploring English Grammar.
The website opened last week, so I had the opportunity to look at and download resources. I also accessed the first 5 weeks of the syllabus. We're going to be learning something called 'Corpus linguistics', working with corpora and doing our own research activities. I'm looking forward to it, but I reckon there'll be some who'll moan.
I had a go at using the corpus linguistics software (O.U.) and was thankful to have done some technology courses, M150 in particular. The GUI graphical user interface looks fairly simple, but not intuitive. Looking thro' the course calendar, study they've built in time to learn to use the software, and something called digital skills.
Oops
No sooner did my friend say she hoped to be home soon; than plans have gone awry. She fell, yesterday, and now has a broken wrist.
Can't help but worry. I know she's in the right place for treatment; but to break so easily, that's the next problem.
Hope she'll be more careful and not have any more accidents.
Can't help but worry. I know she's in the right place for treatment; but to break so easily, that's the next problem.
Hope she'll be more careful and not have any more accidents.
Monday, 14 September 2015
Modern comms
Being a good 60+ miles away, I visited my friend in hospital just the once.
We've kept in touch by sending text messages. Until recently, that was something she just did not do. Needs must...as the saying goes.
Today's message was the best so far.
Surgery has been a success, the physios have given the 'all 'clear' and my friend will be discharged soon to return home. Not certain whether that will be home as in semi-detached or home as in bungalow, depending on who holds sway.
I can see the advantages of the bungalow, but after hospital 'home's best'.
We've kept in touch by sending text messages. Until recently, that was something she just did not do. Needs must...as the saying goes.
Today's message was the best so far.
Surgery has been a success, the physios have given the 'all 'clear' and my friend will be discharged soon to return home. Not certain whether that will be home as in semi-detached or home as in bungalow, depending on who holds sway.
I can see the advantages of the bungalow, but after hospital 'home's best'.
Strangers to the Truth
For several years now, I've been studying linguistics.
Today, my interest was piqued by the daughter of an acquaintance who's just gained her Honours in English & German. That she's an accomplished linguist is without doubt, but here's the caveat.
At some 21 years of age she has found herself ' in a school in Germany. Doubtless her linguistics skills serve her well.
Why the caveat?
This 'newbie' 'greenhorn' teacher's assistant comes (as people do) with her own set of baggage from her upbringing. (Enough said).
Straight from uni, she shared on social media a cartoon from one of the textbooks and it shows a jaundiced view of the English. Typically, I did some research and the author/editor of that particular series is an ex-pat with negative views of life/politics in England.
Another storm in a teacup - as one might say.
Today, my interest was piqued by the daughter of an acquaintance who's just gained her Honours in English & German. That she's an accomplished linguist is without doubt, but here's the caveat.
At some 21 years of age she has found herself ' in a school in Germany. Doubtless her linguistics skills serve her well.
Why the caveat?
This 'newbie' 'greenhorn' teacher's assistant comes (as people do) with her own set of baggage from her upbringing. (Enough said).
Straight from uni, she shared on social media a cartoon from one of the textbooks and it shows a jaundiced view of the English. Typically, I did some research and the author/editor of that particular series is an ex-pat with negative views of life/politics in England.
Another storm in a teacup - as one might say.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
What a difference...
a week makes...
Last weekend, some nervousness about driving North, finding my way around the grounds of Waddow Hall and finding out what had been happening to some dear friends.
C & S were super-busy and completely worn out by all the work they'd been doing / organising. Folk tend to watch events such as the Tour of Britain Cycle race without a thought for what it involves. It is not simply close some roads and get on with it. Planning had been going on for several months. It's not just about riders, teams and their road crews. The bigger teams booked themselves in to some of the more prestigious hotels. Sky were at the Dunkenhalgh.
Then there's the welfare of all the residents and businesses along the route. Liaising with police, fire, ambulance and mountain rescue teams was another 'must'.
Add on to that an accident and the pressure as they say was 'ramped-up'.
N is a volunteer fund-raiser and a marvellous one. For a number of years part of the round of fund-raising has involved crossing Morecambe Bay. For several years this has always involved one of the grandsons. Not this year, unfortunately. N had almost competed the walk when the accident happened. Result, Westmorland Hospital followed by Blackburn Royal Hospital. A plaster cast on a realigned foot and waiting for swelling to subside.
Next, the cast was 'clam-shelled' as in sliced on half, foot checked to see no further alignment needed and another wait.
This weekend, the super-busy pair are having some well-deserved r&r. The casualty is (hopefully) having surgery to plate the injured foot and I'm waiting to hear about the op afterwards.
Later on
I have officially been instructed to , 'stop worrying'.
The op is over and post-op recovery is under-way.
Worry mode has been disengaged.
Last weekend, some nervousness about driving North, finding my way around the grounds of Waddow Hall and finding out what had been happening to some dear friends.
C & S were super-busy and completely worn out by all the work they'd been doing / organising. Folk tend to watch events such as the Tour of Britain Cycle race without a thought for what it involves. It is not simply close some roads and get on with it. Planning had been going on for several months. It's not just about riders, teams and their road crews. The bigger teams booked themselves in to some of the more prestigious hotels. Sky were at the Dunkenhalgh.
Then there's the welfare of all the residents and businesses along the route. Liaising with police, fire, ambulance and mountain rescue teams was another 'must'.
Add on to that an accident and the pressure as they say was 'ramped-up'.
N is a volunteer fund-raiser and a marvellous one. For a number of years part of the round of fund-raising has involved crossing Morecambe Bay. For several years this has always involved one of the grandsons. Not this year, unfortunately. N had almost competed the walk when the accident happened. Result, Westmorland Hospital followed by Blackburn Royal Hospital. A plaster cast on a realigned foot and waiting for swelling to subside.
Next, the cast was 'clam-shelled' as in sliced on half, foot checked to see no further alignment needed and another wait.
This weekend, the super-busy pair are having some well-deserved r&r. The casualty is (hopefully) having surgery to plate the injured foot and I'm waiting to hear about the op afterwards.
Later on
I have officially been instructed to , 'stop worrying'.
The op is over and post-op recovery is under-way.
Worry mode has been disengaged.
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Went the day well...
The Tour of Britain Cycle Race came to the valleys of Ribble and Calder.
Pendle Hill adorned with an outline of a racing bike.
Bowland & Pennine MRT shared images of the event.
Ribble Valley Police had a busy day.
Monday, 7 September 2015
Waddow Hall lunch
LFHHS Committee at their 'top' table
Ladies who lunch...
Table 4
Hazel Bleazard, Edna Redpath, Heather Penswick, Pat Allouis, Audrey Gunson.
(no particular order)
Pat is a sculptress and also restores paintings.
A good time was had by all.
Eventful, to say the least
Yesterday, I did a tour involving three rivers - Ribble, Hodder and Calder.
I drove northwards, and in my mind was the recommendation to 'avoid the A59'. It was a bright, sunny day, perfect for viewing the countryside. Journey's end #1 was Waddow Hall, just across the Ribble on the Yorkshire side. Yorkshire that is by everyone locally except the movers & shakers of local government and central government. They upset everyone locally by moving administration into Lancashire. As on speaker put it, 'Administration comes from Lancashire, but we still live in Yorkshire.'
After Waddow Hall, I drove towards Pendle and the main road along the lower slope. Thence on to Rishton to stay with friends.
Back to journey #1
Heading northwards, being 'a friend of the M6', I left the motorway at Longridge instead of the A59. I had a lovely time meandering along country lanes, through picture-perfect villages towards Clitheroe and Waddow Hall.
The event was the LFHHS annual lunch to be held at the Hall. (Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Soc.)
Instead of going to the Hall from the Lancs. side I came via the village of Waddington (Yorks) not to be confused with Waddington, Lincs. home to R.A.F. Air Command.
Waddington, Yorks. was basking in the sunshine and looked charming apart from the visitors, walkers, cyclists & bikers.
Time for a trip down memory lane, a long time ago, when as a child one of our favourite walks was a circular tour to the Ribble, along its banks, crossing over the river and return along the opposite bank.
Waddington's war memorial and gardens along the brook that flows thro' the village.
I drove northwards, and in my mind was the recommendation to 'avoid the A59'. It was a bright, sunny day, perfect for viewing the countryside. Journey's end #1 was Waddow Hall, just across the Ribble on the Yorkshire side. Yorkshire that is by everyone locally except the movers & shakers of local government and central government. They upset everyone locally by moving administration into Lancashire. As on speaker put it, 'Administration comes from Lancashire, but we still live in Yorkshire.'
After Waddow Hall, I drove towards Pendle and the main road along the lower slope. Thence on to Rishton to stay with friends.
Back to journey #1
Heading northwards, being 'a friend of the M6', I left the motorway at Longridge instead of the A59. I had a lovely time meandering along country lanes, through picture-perfect villages towards Clitheroe and Waddow Hall.
The event was the LFHHS annual lunch to be held at the Hall. (Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Soc.)
Instead of going to the Hall from the Lancs. side I came via the village of Waddington (Yorks) not to be confused with Waddington, Lincs. home to R.A.F. Air Command.
Waddington, Yorks. was basking in the sunshine and looked charming apart from the visitors, walkers, cyclists & bikers.
Time for a trip down memory lane, a long time ago, when as a child one of our favourite walks was a circular tour to the Ribble, along its banks, crossing over the river and return along the opposite bank.
Waddington's war memorial and gardens along the brook that flows thro' the village.
Tranquillity in the heart of the village
When you can see the gardens in bright sunshine, they are at their best!
Thinking of times gone by when Wakes Weeks were in effect and most shops and businesses closed for the fortnight.
Imagine the image without flower baskets and the lower half of the sash window open. Newspapers spread out inside the room on a table by the open window. This was where people bought their newspapers and children bought sweets.
© Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Thursday, 27 August 2015
Roundabouts, slides and...
There's a page entitled 'Growing up in the 50s / 60s which has images from those times.
My local park had the roundabouts just like those pictured. We called one of them the 'Witch's hat' or 'Umbrella'. Beginning by sitting on the planks, soon we graduated to standing and then climbing up the bars. Often there was a 'competition' to see who could climb highest and stay on as the roundabout not only went around, but also swung from side-to side. No idea why, but the nickname 'Daz' springs to mind. Must have been one of the older ones responsible for making it bash too and fro. I still remember hanging on for dear life, yet enjoying it at the same time.
The small roundabout was a challenge to get on whilst it was spinning. Sometimes older youngsters would spin it faster and faster. Again us littlies needed to do our best to cling on.
As for the 'horse' the one pictured looks like one I knew in a park in Derbyshire (Pavilion Gardens, Buxton). This 'posher' version has seats and 'running boards', a more staid version than the local one. Again, older youngsters would come and make the 'horse' rock faster trying to get the younger ones off.
The slide had a cinder path surround, imagine the H&S response today! I still have scars on one knee from falling on the cinders when coming off the slide.
Looking back, playing on all these rides must have been good exercise. What a contrast to today!
Here are some of the roundabouts, slide and 'horse' typical of playgrounds then.
My local park had the roundabouts just like those pictured. We called one of them the 'Witch's hat' or 'Umbrella'. Beginning by sitting on the planks, soon we graduated to standing and then climbing up the bars. Often there was a 'competition' to see who could climb highest and stay on as the roundabout not only went around, but also swung from side-to side. No idea why, but the nickname 'Daz' springs to mind. Must have been one of the older ones responsible for making it bash too and fro. I still remember hanging on for dear life, yet enjoying it at the same time.
The small roundabout was a challenge to get on whilst it was spinning. Sometimes older youngsters would spin it faster and faster. Again us littlies needed to do our best to cling on.
As for the 'horse' the one pictured looks like one I knew in a park in Derbyshire (Pavilion Gardens, Buxton). This 'posher' version has seats and 'running boards', a more staid version than the local one. Again, older youngsters would come and make the 'horse' rock faster trying to get the younger ones off.
The slide had a cinder path surround, imagine the H&S response today! I still have scars on one knee from falling on the cinders when coming off the slide.
Looking back, playing on all these rides must have been good exercise. What a contrast to today!
Monday, 24 August 2015
Weathering the storm
...or more precisely a storm in a tea cup.
Auntie Beeb has done it again, she's making changes that ordinary folk might not be too pleased about. It has certainly come as an unwelcome change to me.
For over 90 years the BBC has been broadcasting weather reports, and useful too. Now a decision has been made to use another provider for the reports. Out with information from the much respected Meteorological and in with t.b.a.
Apparently it is a cost-cutting exercise.
Wonder who will provide the forecasts in future? As far as I am concerned, the best, most accurate records come from the U.K. Met Office; they've been doing it for over 150 years!
Monday 1st of August 2011 was a very special day for the Met Office. They celebrated 150 years of forecasting for the nation, and marked the anniversary of the first ever appearance in print of a public weather forecast.
Social media has been agog with all and sundry expressing views about the Beeb and the Met. Office.
Problem being it made me realize that the 'average' person has little, if any accurate knowledge of meteorology. The cynic in me says that when the Beeb dumb-down the forecasts by using a.n.other provider, Joe Public will probably be none the wiser.
At least, I can continue to access 'proper' forecasts from the Met. Office web-pages.
Auntie Beeb has done it again, she's making changes that ordinary folk might not be too pleased about. It has certainly come as an unwelcome change to me.
For over 90 years the BBC has been broadcasting weather reports, and useful too. Now a decision has been made to use another provider for the reports. Out with information from the much respected Meteorological and in with t.b.a.
Apparently it is a cost-cutting exercise.
Wonder who will provide the forecasts in future? As far as I am concerned, the best, most accurate records come from the U.K. Met Office; they've been doing it for over 150 years!
Monday 1st of August 2011 was a very special day for the Met Office. They celebrated 150 years of forecasting for the nation, and marked the anniversary of the first ever appearance in print of a public weather forecast.
Social media has been agog with all and sundry expressing views about the Beeb and the Met. Office.
Problem being it made me realize that the 'average' person has little, if any accurate knowledge of meteorology. The cynic in me says that when the Beeb dumb-down the forecasts by using a.n.other provider, Joe Public will probably be none the wiser.
At least, I can continue to access 'proper' forecasts from the Met. Office web-pages.
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
September, I'll remember
Part of the lyrics from Paul Simon's
'April, comes she will'
Waddow
17th-century manor house set in 178 acres of beautiful Lancashire
countryside along the banks of the River Ribble.
The memories are vague, as it is so long ago, but I have been in and across Waddow's grounds. In, with the Brownies (probably) and across taking a short cut thro' the grounds.
© Copyright Jon Royle and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
For a long time now, it has been a centre for the Girl Guides Association. In these modern times, it has also become a Conference Centre.
It's even part of Lancashire Folk Lore in the tale of Peg O'Nell and her well.
In 1841, it was known as
1841 census
James Garnett
'April, comes she will'
Waddow
17th-century manor house set in 178 acres of beautiful Lancashire
countryside along the banks of the River Ribble.
The memories are vague, as it is so long ago, but I have been in and across Waddow's grounds. In, with the Brownies (probably) and across taking a short cut thro' the grounds.
© Copyright Jon Royle and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
For a long time now, it has been a centre for the Girl Guides Association. In these modern times, it has also become a Conference Centre.
It's even part of Lancashire Folk Lore in the tale of Peg O'Nell and her well.
In 1841, it was known as
Waddow, Mitton, Clitheroe, Yorkshire, England
The Lancashire market town of Clitheroe is on one side of the Ribble with the village of Waddington and Waddow Hall on the opposite side. For centuries, as is common in England, the river formed the county border.
1841 census
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