Open University

Milton Keynes

TU100 My Digital Life Computing & IT October Start

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Top post mate.

Looking forward to it.
Does it cover hardware? I would say that's my outstanding weakness (computer anatomy etc)

Open University

Milton Keynes

Reply 41

RhaegoTarg

Original post by Scitobor

No problem JC. In the next 4 weeks, I will provide a few links to material on the net which is relevant to the course and which will enable you to do a bit of advance beneficial reading before it starts. Send me a reminder in a month's time if you do not hear from me on this thread

Regards,

Top post mate.

Looking forward to it.
Does it cover hardware? I would say that's my outstanding weakness (computer anatomy etc)

Reply 42

JollyCynic

Original post by RhaegoTarg

Does it cover hardware? I would say that's my outstanding weakness (computer anatomy etc)

I don't think I've seen anything in the entire degree that really goes near hardware. Not even so far as needing to count in binary to configure SCSI devices. (A silly 1990's requirement to get a CompTIA A+ certification.)

I think that the SENSE board, though, is not unlike the BBC Micro Bit. So the drag-and-drop programming will show how hardware can be directly manipulated. I'd personally like to use python to play with a raspberry pi zero, though. But this module has to be accessible, so what can you do.

Block 2 of TU100 seems too talk a bit about hardware, but likely just to place it in the context of high-tech devices essentially being computers rather than mean electronic and mechanical devices. I'd love to hear from Scitobor on that as well.

The four tips at the end of Scitobor's post have already informed how I'm tackling my pre-module study, so am grateful for any more.

Reply 43

Scitobor

Hi Folks, Jolly Cynic is essentially right. Computer hardware is covered but only in outline and it forms a minute part of the course. It is covered in Block 2, part 1 ("inside the box"). All you really learn is about Computing architecture and the functionality of the parts but it is only bullet-point stuff.
There is no engineering practical in TU 100.
In TM129, which is another year 1 module that I started in February, the second block is entirely devoted to networking essentials. You get to understand much more about the functionality of hardware in that module.

Can't comment on the BBC micro it. I never saw it. The SENSE board facilitates readings into the SENSE programme from sensors such as microphone, light sensor etc and sometimes reacts to the Sensors with sensitive flashing lights. It has a button which works a timer and a slider. Altogether, the SENSE board is not all that exciting. There is not much to learn about it. You just follow instructions.

In a recent Tutorial, I heard that SENSE will soon be dropped from TU100 and replaced with Python. SENSE is great for easing into programming at the beginning. However, Python is a working language. It is used again in a later module in year 2, Algorithms.

Regards

Reply 44

RhaegoTarg

Python is a fantastic language for a beginner. I'm hopefull we'll be using Python in October, but I doubt it.

REALLY looking forward to the course. I work in IT so I'm hoping I can utilise a lot of the things I learn, in a working environment.

Reply 45

patchdoyle

Hey! Starting this in October so definitely welcome any advice or comments!

Reply 46

kay9999

Original post by Hill.IT

Hi All,

I've just signed up and am wondering if anyone else is starting this course in October?

Cheers,

i start in october aswell

Reply 47

s.logan9

Me too. What's the best way to prepare for TU100 with a few months to spare leading up to it? Is there any websites to go on to prepare for the whole degree itself? I did check the open uni forums and one user posted www.codecademy.com

Reply 48

patchdoyle

It's strange how you don't really get much info until your stuff arrives then before you know it you've started! Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reply 49

Scitobor

Original post by s.logan9

Hi everybody,

Firstly, the TU100 results came in the other day. I was very pleased to obtain a distinction. The OU also published statistics showing the percentage of students that obtained particular grades for the EMA. The breakdown is as follows:-

A (85%+) - 25%
B (70-84%) - 35%
C (55-69%) - 19%
D (40-54%) - 11%
E,F,G (fail - 0-39%) - 9%

This does not necessarily mean that as many as 25% achieved a distinction or that only 9% failed the module. To get a distinction, you also need 85% or more OACS. As well as getting less than 40% in the EMA, person could also fail by, for example not getting 40% in OCAS, 40% in ICMA 57 or not getting an average of 40% in the other ICMAs.

Finally, whilst I cannot reproduce copyright material from TU100, I have provided the following links which may be useful preparation for the module. The information linked to is taught in parts of Block 1 and a bit of Block 2. It is plenty to be getting on with.
I would recommend that you read and re-read and take it in as fully as possible over the next couple of months. Don't panic if you do not understand it immediately. The TU100 text explains things beautifully. What you have read will come together when this stuff crops up later.
As soon as the module pack arrives in September, ignore these links any further and get stuck into the TU100 reading immediately. There is an awful lot of it!

Good luck to all of you doing TU100

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/FiveGenerations.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zwsbwmn/revision
http://www.mooreslaw.org/
https://www.ics.uci.edu/~corps/phaseii/Weiser-Computer21stCentury-SciAm.pdf
http://knowing-itech.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/basic-architecture-of-computer.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/hardware/0inputandoutputdevicesrev3.shtml
https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer-programming-language
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z66g87h/revision
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/radiation/anintroductiontowavesrev2.shtml
http://knowing-itech.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/basic-architecture-of-computer.html
http://knowing-itech.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/basic-architecture-of-computer-part-2.html

Regards,

Scitobor

Reply 50

RhaegoTarg

Cannot wait...

Love all that stuff!

Reply 51

s.logan9

Scitobor thank you so much, I will get stuck in. Congrats on getting a distinction

Reply 52

YayaBlu

Hey!
I start in October too!

Im not sure if i want to do a 2nd subject this year too! I work part time and have a 2 years old in nursery!

But if I do, I planning to do the Design route :smile:

Reply 53

GamingGeek88

Hey! Just signed up for this to start in October! Prowling the net for more info! Anybody know of any Reading etc we can be doing in preperation?

Reply 54

GamingGeek88

Original post by YayaBlu

Hey!
I start in October too!

Im not sure if i want to do a 2nd subject this year too! I work part time and have a 2 years old in nursery!

But if I do, I planning to do the Design route :smile:

Planning on the same Route, Computing and it And Design!

Reply 55

indifferentsun

Hello,
I will start the module in October, and i work full time as well.
i am a bit nervous as it is many years from the last time I studied seriously.
Thank you Scitobor for all the information, the percentage of pass/fail is a bit reassuring.