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Open learning courses such as those offered by COLU have been developed to enable you to continue your training without the constraints of fixed times and places. You are in control of your learning but to become an effective learner you will need to:

• develop a 'habit of study'
• have a place to work
• set aside times when you will not be interrupted
• produce a regular output of written work
• file and store your books and notes

Getting Organised For Study

Whilst open learning enables you to study at your own pace, many people find it difficult to develop a 'habit of study' because of the self-discipline that is needed. To help you overcome this problem and achieve your long term aim of completing a given module within a realistic period of time, we include a suggested study schedule. Note that it is a suggested schedule and that you may negotiate with your tutor a different, more suitable schedule.

When you look at your schedule you will see that you have to complete two main elements:

• Lessons (bound into books)
• Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs)

Additionally, your module may include practical/project work and/or an examination.

Work through each lesson at your own pace. After studying each few lessons you will have to complete and send in a Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA). These will keep you in contact with your tutor who will mark your answers and return them to you, together with any appropriate constructive comments. If, at any time, you have difficulties with the work, remember that your tutor is there to help you. Don't hesitate to ask for help!

Revision and Examination Technique

Your course may include an end examination in which case you may need to do some revision. If you have worked systematically through your lessons and completed the TMAs, you will have been learning, revising and gaining experience in answering questions all the way through the module. Often, you can use the summaries, to be found at the end of each lesson, to check that you can remember all that you have covered.

Module/Unit Structure

We have stated previously that your main work involves completing lessons and Tutor Marked Assessments. The module/unit is actually made up of a series of topics composed of a number of lessons.

You will find that all the lessons have common features:

The Introduction will help you to get started. It provides you with an overview of the lesson.

Your Aims are provided so that you know what you are aiming to achieve when you have completed the lesson. They provide learning objectives to which it is worth referring whilst you are working through the lesson.

The Study Advice will help you in planning your work strategy by pointing out any special resources needed or unusual time requirements.

Self-Assessment Questions enable you to check your progress and find out if you have achieved your objectives. Solutions or answers are provided but you won't help your learning if you look at the answers before you attempt the questions.

The Summary is designed to reinforce what you've just done and generally provides a quick reference to the contents of the lesson.

The module/unit also includes Tutor Marked Assignments. These will keep you in contact with your tutor who will mark your answers and provide constructive comments. TMAs usually form part of the final assessment of a module so do make sure that you complete and return them within the time allocated.

Again, if you have any problems with your lessons or if you have any queries about your studies, please do not hesitate to contact a tutor.

If you contact your tutor by telephone, it will be of help if you have the lesson in front of you with your queries clearly formulated.

Finally, we wish you all success with your studies.

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