How does OU work?

[KatyMac]

Do I get pieces of work emailed to me?

Do I work on the book myself?

What happens?

Have you got firstclass on your computer? It's the CD software that they will have sent you.

With the forums it's done in a very different format to MN but simply click reply and respond to what people have said and click new message to say/ask what you want. These can be very useful and you'll find that there are others who are as stuck as you at the moment, but it won't last long. You'll suddenly get the hang of it all.

My course has 6 or 7 TMAs and ends with an ECA.

Good luck with it all. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Do I need to

The packages don't seem useful (more reading to see what I need)

It helps you to access the forums in a better format. That way you can "chat" with others who are doing your course. Sometimes the tutors set up online tutor groups and of course there is the cafe where you can just chat with fellow students including those who have done your course before. I find it incredibly helpful and its easy to install.

OK you have convinced me