What are /r/OpenUniversity's favorite Products & Services?

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Hi mate,

Junior software dev here who recently transition from IT into software development. If you feel like you're not getting enough from your course there's plenty of open-source projects to practice with. Some of the best programmers I've met actually didn't study it at degree level. It's normally chemical engineers, mechanical and maths/physics majors who I've been for the most part.

The Odin Project is a totally free, open-source place that teaches you and provides you with projects. It's great if you want to improve your HTML, CSS and Javascript.

Something you didn't mention but what I think is very important for a student laptop: the quietness of the laptop.

Nothing's more annoying than an obnoxious fan starting on and off when you are focused on a complicated lesson.

So I recommend a fanless or almost fanless laptop. Avoid all Intel-based laptops: i5, i7: they emit a lot of heat so need powerful (and loud) fans. And you need a SSD hard-drive also if you don't want this annoying scratching sound.

For $600, I would recommend the Fanless Asus Vivo: https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VivoBook-Backlight-Premium-Windows/dp/B08V1NQ8S9/ref=sr\_1\_2?dchild=1&keywords=Fanless+Laptop&qid=1629430395&refinements=p\_36%3A2421887011&rnid=2421885011&s=pc&sr=1-2

• 17.3" screen
• AMD Ryzen3 3250U CPU
• 8GB DDR4 RAM
• 256GB SSD

Sorry for the late bump to this - but I just thought of a set of books that I bought during my M269 studies, mostly as a self gift rather than serious study material - but it is basically the source of most of the knowledge imparted in M269:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Computer-Programming-Volumes-1-4A-Boxed/dp/0321751043/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=knuth+art+of+computer+programming&qid=1654188351&sprefix=knuth+%2Caps%2C47&sr=8-1

You can buy the volumes separately (and probably, ahem, find digital copies somewhere), so don't be too alarmed at the price.

It is probably a step above what M269 teaches as these are serious academic volumes, and assume a decent mathematic background. I found some parts tough to read, but I found that they complimented the M269 material really well, and could make a decent attempt at understanding it in most cases.

OU has some guidance on academic writing and there are lots of books & study guides depending on your degree type, for example good essay writing (social sciences)

there's an app called anki (free on android or desktop) that uses Spaced Repitition to keep words from fading away. https://apps.ankiweb.net/

As for learning them to start with I find writing them down longhand helps a lot.

I'm currently using Joplin.

I've tried a bunch of note taking apps and it's the one which fits most of my needs:

-it's open source and free: Contrary to OneNote of Microsoft: No risk that Microsoft pulls the plug one day on the notes that you've created for years. Or decide to make you pay a premium to use it, or that you need to upgrade to a version that you don't like etc...

-You can insert images, mathematical formulas.

-it's available on most of platforms: mobile and desktop.

-it's fast. For example, there was a noticeable delay when using OneNote on my computer.

I did S112 last year, and really enjoyed it. It's a fast-paced but engaging module, and it's covers a lot of interesting topics. There's not that much biology involved though, so it can feel slightly irrelevant at times, but it's all part of having a rounded sciences education.

A lot of people find that the maths is the hardest challenge of the module, but it's totally doable. When you enrol you get access to a PDF of this book which is really helpful. There's also a free OpenLearn course that you can work through before the modules open

I do Health Sciences, which has a lot of crossover with biology, and so far the maths is negligible. If you understand fractions, percentages, and averages, you're set for most of what you're asked to do.
S112 (level 1) involves a few more complicated equations, but the course really holds your hand through it all. Level one is designed for people with no prior study experience, so they really ease you into the subject matter.

When you enrol, you also get access to a PDF of this book which is very helpful, and there's a free OpenLearn course abut maths for science which you can work through before your course starts.

I've got a Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2". It was cheaper than the Ipad 2 I've found and with bigger screen.

Then you can download the free app Write on it.

I'm doing all the TMAs with it which would be quite difficult with a smaller screen.

The book that I have is specifically tailored to social sciences which I don't think you're studying from your other posts. Mine is called Good Essay Writing and it's a SAGE study skills book.

I did do a quick amazon search and it looks like they have a general one here which might be better for you: Essay Writing: A Student's Guide (Sage Study Skills Series) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847870902/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_JW661YA0WF28W7S1A1FX

Do have a look if there's one specifically for your style of study though.

Find a task management app you like and start using it. I use the paid version of Todoist which I recommend and works for me, but do try several different apps as everyone is different. Having a task manager allows me to both plan my work and note down ideas/thoughts I can use for later.

Additionally get some kind of planner/calendar. I use GCal, I know a lot of other people prefer the paper kind, but again you do you. Use it to note down all your important dates (both person and OU-related). Got a holiday planned? Note that in the calendar. TMAs? Again, note in the calendar. This again will allow you to plan your work.

I would recommend Mendeley Reference Manager.

It is basically a desktop program in which you can organise all your references and sort them into different projects. It has also a Browser Plugin to import anything and a Word Plugin to actually generate the references in your document.

The Word plugin also has a preset for the Open University Reference Style.

To download it you can just login with your Open University login information.

Also you can use Mendeley offline, which might not be relevant for you, but can be nice if you are writing while traveling or something.

Ah gotcha. I assume it's this book => Complete Criminal Law: Text, Cases, and Materials

Is this year a major departure from last year? I mean, would last years books be close enough to this years (not necessarily the exact content but Year 1 academic content nonetheless)?

I am just looking to get an understanding of what it would be like before plunking down a ton of money for the course.

I think it depends on what you are studying to a point, if you’re studying a social science, I picked up: Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide (Student Success) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1473982162/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_JRQ260ZGJAFBCCE3EC74 from Amazon - its a tough read but it goes into some deep detail and gives you a few full essay examples which give you an idea of what they want (it’s also paired with the OU marking system). I also picked up The Ultimate Essay Guide on Amazon, but I’d say it’s aimed at intro level, however I read it in one sitting and took some good information from it, plus it really pushed the idea of citations as a focal point. These books may not even be what you are looking for, but they gave me an idea of a different way of writing - before I was used to writing in a “review” type of format. Anyway I hope you gain your confidence back and nail your TMAs/EMAs!

I've decided to buy this book for now. It looks like it'll summarise all of the necessary topics without me needing to buy an expensive bulky textbook. Then I'll prob ask a tutor for any advice on further course prep once I've officially started my modules. Thanks!

I've decided to buy this book for now. It looks like it'll summarise all of the necessary topics without me needing to buy an expensive bulky textbook. Then I'll prob ask a tutor for any advice on further course prep once I've officially started my modules. Thanks!

I bought The Scientist's Guide to Writing after a few recommendations from some of the forums. It's a really great book that's useful for study and further on in a scientific career.

Most of the projects I write up in work involve a standard intro/method/results/discussion format, but I totally screwed up an abstract in a large level 2 ema. This book really helped.