OU tutors? Could you reassure me please?

[OutAndOut]

Hello there
I am on my final course for my degree (hurrah!), and have so far achieved Pass 1's for all modules.
This year I have a tutor who is new to the OU, although she also teaches at a traditional Uni too. She recently marked my first TMA, and gave really positive feedback. However, she also gave (for me) a low mark - 74%. The only lower mark I got was my first ever TMA for the OU several years ago!
It doesn't feel like the feedback and the mark match up . I thought the TMA was pretty good. Certainly in the borderline between Pass1 and 2, rather than a low Pass 2.
Could you reassure me that despite being new tutor, TMA marking is moderated, and I am not being marked low by a tutor who is anxious not to be seen to be too generous in their first job?!
Thanks!

OU marking is most definitely moderated but if I were you I'd be asking the tutor what you could have done to get a higher mark?

I wonder if it's because the background of the tutor is in traditional uni and therefore their marking schemes?

I'm at traditional uni - 2nd year - but have done many OU courses until 2011 and if it's not a maths/science type paper there is little relationship between the two types of marking!

My best mark this year for an academic essay was 76% and there was not one piece of negative feedback or any suggestions for improvement so I can quite understand how you're feeling especially as this is so out of the ordinary for you.

OU marking and feedback is monitored, but the marks themselves are not altered. Even the exam board cannot alter the marks given in TMAs. The monitoring and exam board procedures are such that tutors who mark particularly harshly can be flagged up and special consideration given to the students affected. The exam board procedures are very rigorous at the OU, so I wouldn't panic about it just yet.

If your tutor is new to the OU, s/he will be quite intensively monitored and this will involve giving advice about the marks given. There is a process of dialogue and support to help tutors to learn to mark at the right level and to give appropriate and helpful feedback.

Thank you both.
I have asked my tutor for feedback and she is going to phone me at the weekend.
I know that many others doing the same course have got good grades, so it is possible to do so. I am just at a loss to know why I didn't this time!
Feeling a bit calmer about it now though. Onwards and all that...