Slide 1

Microsoft at the Open University

Richard Seaton

IntroductionThe Open University and its studentsMicrosoft server technologiesIssues and resolutionsFuture

The Open UniversityThe Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideasFounded to offer higher education to all, regardless of their circumstancesA world leader in modern distance learningModules (courses) are produced by a team of academics and support staff, delivered to students through a blend of online/web, AV, home-kits, and paper based materials, supported by a local (where possible) tutorOU studentsMost are older than at a traditional university although this is changingMany are employed and studying part-timeSome are unemployed and interested in retraining vocational and industry specific skills are of great interest Microsoft, Cisco, and VMwareSome have accessibility issues Often have no prior experience of studying at HE levelMicrosoft Server Technologies, TM128Part of an UG qualification HE Level 1 (NCVQ Level 4) 30 credit points (120 credits to complete Level 1)Runs for nine months: October to June with a recommended study time of 10 hours/weekModule materials:Microsoft IT Academy eLearningMOAC text books 70-642 and 70-640 (MCTS) from WileyCompTIA Network+ book (as a pre-req)Assessment: mixture of written and practical tasks but no examinations at this level (OU L1 practice)Microsoft server technologies materialsModule readers:Sybex CompTIA Network+ MOAC Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration 70-642MOAC Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration 70-640Module laboratories:Microsoft eLearning online labs 6690 6709Microsoft eLearning online labs 6710 687023 MOAC Labs for 70-642 and 70-640Module Website:Study guide and assessmentsStudent forums Module home page

A typical study week

A typical activity

Connecting with studentsStudent numbers: Oct 2010 - 350 (capped)Oct 2011 - 800 (capped)Oct 2012 - ????... We enter the new era of HE funding! Associate Lecturers (aka Tutors):are the personal face of the OU, provide learning support to students through teaching, marking assessments, individual and group contact by email and tutorials Student contact via:emailtutor group forums (Moodle forums part of the OUs VLE)face-to-face tutorial (1 initial introductory)Elluminate (Blackboard Collaborate) up to six online tutorials Module wide forums (for all students, tutors and module team)feedback and progress through assignment marking

Issues and resolutionsPoor take up of certification only some 20% of students took a certification exam this is typical across our vendor modules. We will raise awareness this year with support from our vendors please!Overloading in the first part of the module. Adoption of MOAC book Networking Fundamentals (MTA 98-366) may offer a more focused approach and the certification is much more accessible may be offer one as part of the module? Problematic labs Microsofts new contract with ElementK must help eLearning materials need improving can we help here?Development of the MOAC laboratory manual for home use OU future with MicrosoftAdditional modules covering:Server Administrator (70-646)Windows Desktop support (70-680)Introduce MTA coursesNetworking fundamentals, 98-366Use for Openings, the OU access modulesExplore not-for-credit modulesUse our Netlab remote laboratory to support future courses from the Academy Program

Further details

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/tm128.htm

Richard Seaton 2011