Please give me examples of open university courses or similar that you have enjoyed.Especially if you were a novice at formal learning.

[PellMell]

I am considering doing some type of course.
I have been at home caring for my disabled child since I was 19.
I have a toddler to look after now but yearn to study for qualifications.
I really had no motivation at school, I do now at the age of thirty eight.
My interests are mainly Social science type stuff, Criminology,psychology etc.
Should I be aiming at something really basic or pushing myself
My dh really supports me and thinks I could cope. He has also just said "it is time to think of yourself and fulfil your own potential" aww

Has anyone taken part in the free open learning courses?

Why don't you try an A level in Sociology? I am planning to start A level History soon.

I did a short course years ago.It was called an opening course or something, and was designed to allow you to assess how you lliked learning and studying again.
They do then for arts/science/maths I think,I did the arts one which involved literature and music.It was fairly easy but I enjoyed it.

I've actually found the OU site a bit baffling.
Thats a bit of a worry

If you are going down the OU route then the first course to take are the basic ones in arts, social side etc, these are broad courses which give you a taster and then you can choose to specialise for your next course depending on what you want your degree to be in.

Message withdrawn

Thanks for all of your posts
Doodle, Thats exactly what I thought.
I have just had a look at the sociology A' level possibility too.
Currently I am a Nanny (my dd2 comes along with me). I am a registered childminder too.
I love childcare but feel like my true passion is in the adult to child relationship and how to progress that interest into some kind of work.
It all kind of leads me in the direction of Social worker type jobs but that brings me out in a cold sweat.
Social workers have definately been the subject of many of my rants throughout the last two decades!

think think think ...note to self!!

I have just done the first year of the Health and Social care (Ba Hons)with the OU. I really enjoyed it despite the 3hr exam at the end!
Whatever you choose to do, go for it! I have got two ds under 6 and fitted study in during the evenings mainly.
Good luck :-)

You might find your local FE college has lots to offer. Sometimes it can get a bit lonely studying by yourself (I did a local history diploma with Oxford and it was great but quite hard to motivate myself sometimes).

bumping for the evening crowd.
All suggestions greatfully recieved.

received!
I do remember that saying from my school days
"I befor E except after C"
Oh I wish I had listened harder and learned more.

i'm in the last year of a bsc hons open degree. i've enjoyed almost all the courses. a good start for you might me the intro to social science, dd100, i think. from that you could see which bits you find most interesting and it also counts as 60 points towards a degree.

perhaps you could get some advice about what sort of training is required for social work from a careers adviser too.

rattleskuttle
Sorry I took a while to reply.
Well done to you. Had you already done any further education?
I need to keep it simple I think. Your suggestion is a good one.

hi. no, i dropped out of 6th form and did my first ou course more than 10 years later, which was the sociial science foundation course, d103 in those days. there was lots of help in learning how to structure an essay etc.

i have also had gaps of a few years during some of the earlier study, so ou can be very flexible which can be handy when you work/have dcs as well etc, good luck

Hi Pellmell,
I did a social science OU degree and loved every course I did. Criminology courses excellent, I also enjoyed what was 3rd world studies and professional decision making. If you start with a foundation course you will get plenty of support and get to know how the Ou like to work. One of the things I think works best is that you have the freedom of choosinga new course each year.
The OU also now do specific social work training too if that is of interest. I would say go for it wholehartedly. I loved almost every bit and a few years on am thinking of doing some more for a bit of fun. Good Luck!