School Funding an OU Degree

[Gardinho]

Hi guys,

 

I floated the idea of an OU degree to my boss and he has encouraged me to gather some more information.

 

I would have to prepare a document as to why the school would benefit. Has anyone here done this? My role is ICT Systems Manager of a large secondary school, with budget control and line management duties.

 

I'm cautiously optimistic that this might come to fruition, but a strong case to back me up would really push it over the line.

 

Would also be interested to hear of experiences when studying with the OU.

 

Many thanks in anticipation,

[steve]

Having recently completed my OU degree, on a personal level you'll find it rewarding - I paid for it myself and was given no time off so my employer had no influence on the course I took. For your school it would depend on the modules / degree you undertook.

 

I took an open degree that allowed me some flexibility to take both IT and other courses (management / personal development).

 

I'd suggest you look at a pathway that interests you - IT / IT with management / etc. Then look at the modules topics and try mapping that to some of your roles / responsibilities, along with ideas on how you could use opportunities that arise.

 

It'll be about doing what you do now but better and doing new stuff that will improve the service you offer.

 

For example I took the module: - Managing 1: organisations and people (B628). This had the following topics -

 

Being a Manager - Developing management skills - dealing with stress / pressure (identifying this in others), time management.

 

Communication - Improving skills for communicating within the team and to the service users.

 

Making decisions and solving problems - (Not IT problems, management problems) Introduced problem solving techniques, using SMART recommendations.

 

Planning, controlling, monitoring and evaluating - Using techniques to ensure plans are implemented in a managed way, reducing risk.

 

The receipt and processing of information - What is good quality information, learning from information, using information to influence.

 

 

The above are just a few quick examples that show how you could argue that it will improve your management of the service, improving the users experience, improving any staff working for you.

 

All the courses I've done improved my writing of reports (you'll do hundreds).

 

From IT courses, you can use the knowledge to improve systems, design / implement new systems.

 

One thing to note is it will take you several years so don't let anyone expect for things to happen overnight.

Edited February 20, 2014 by steve

[GREED]

I approached my first school I with the same idea... dropped like a stone... left a year later.

 

I am always wary of companies paying for big qualifications they tend to want to throw it back at you at any opportunity... but of course depends on the boss and company.

 

OU was better 10 years ago you could get grants and all sorts based on income, as well as each module costing as little as £250... not now!

 

OU is defiantly worth it though.

[Gardinho]

Thank you @steve. That's great advise.

 

That's an interesting point @GREED. One which I will definitely take into consideration. Seems like a good opportunity to get an expensive qualification though.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Gardinho

[witch]

Many universities do distance or part-time learning degrees now - might be worth looking into?

[Gardinho]

Thanks @witch. I've looked a little into it. It appears that distance learning at the other unis require an element of day release, which unfortunately isn't an option for me.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[witch]

Thanks @witch. I've looked a little into it. It appears that distance learning at the other unis require an element of day release, which unfortunately isn't an option for me.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I've just had a look and some definitely do online courses with no requirement for day release - Herts uni was the first one I saw

Edited February 20, 2014 by witch

[witch]

Online distance learning courses | UH Online

[Max_Power]

Gone down a similar route to yourself and completed a number of modules towards my degree via OU. Would advise you to research it properly first as i'm sure you are as its time consuming and expensive.

 

Long distance learning requires a fair amount of dedication. Some modules which are level 3 (like B628 which @steve outlines, i've done that module as well) OU suggest it can take as much as 37 hours study per week. In reality is wasn't really that many, but it could be when you include the time you spend on reports and assignments and depending on if you understand what your reading etc.

 

I don't want to put you off, but do consider the time it will take. I thought I would be ok, and started out bright eyed and bushy tailed, but by the time i'd worked an 11 or 12 hour day, sat in a traffic jam on the way home the last thing I wanted was to open up my uni books to study.

 

Possibly start out with a module that contributes towards a smaller qualification or undergrad degree? But can also count towards a full degree - that way you will see if you can stick with it and find the time to study and if not in some cases you can do one or two more modules and still get something.

 

Not to sure how working environments see degrees these days to be honest compared to technical qualifications and to complete a degree would take as @steve says a number of years.

 

Either way good luck - hope your letter / proposal goes well.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Max_Power

[Gardinho]

All valid points from everyone. Thanks to all who has contributed.

[ChrisH]

Just be sure you are ready to give up your evenings and part of your weekends most of the time ! I see the value of the degree as I have been doing it and gaining additional professional skills but like has already been stated it's hard to get enthusiastic after a day at work ! Be mindful of any major changes in your future circumstances as well which will take away from this time. The modules are very expensive now, I am currently on the old pricing scheme so it's not too bad but people on the same modules paid more than double what I am currently paying.

[Gardinho]

The foundation degree has slightly different modules (some I'd be interested in - ie Project Management).

 

Would you advise going down that route and upgrading in the future once I know I can stomach the work load?

[dhicks]

My role is ICT Systems Manager of a large secondary school, with budget control and line management duties.

 

If you're going to put time, effort and money into furthering yourself, are you quite sure a degree is the best way to go about it? In the time it takes you to do a degree, and probably for a smaller cash investement, could you just get on and write a mobile app, or a web-based service of some kind, or if actual programming isn't your thing, use someone else's software to set up a service? At the end of it, instead of a degree you have your own business, hopefully making some income.

[Gardinho]

If you're going to put time, effort and money into furthering yourself, are you quite sure a degree is the best way to go about it? In the time it takes you to do a degree, and probably for a smaller cash investement, could you just get on and write a mobile app, or a web-based service of some kind, or if actual programming isn't your thing, use someone else's software to set up a service? At the end of it, instead of a degree you have your own business, hopefully making some income.

 

It's not my own personal money, the school would be funding it. Otherwise I would agree with you. They're encouraging me to look at long-term CPD.

[fs171]

I'm in the middle of a degree from Anglia Ruskin, that is all online with no day release. It is more about developing as a person, with regard to the work setting you are in so can be molded to most situations. In my cohort there is a peripatetic music teacher, a HLTA, a business analyst and me (IT Tech) we are all using the elements of technology around us to work through the 3 year course. I would say that i am funding myself, and finding my own time, although there seems to be enough as its set up for slightly older people than me, 22, who have family or other similar commitments. Hope that helps.

 

The Course

[Gardinho]

I'm in the middle of a degree from Anglia Ruskin, that is all online with no day release. It is more about developing as a person, with regard to the work setting you are in so can be molded to most situations. In my cohort there is a peripatetic music teacher, a HLTA, a business analyst and me (IT Tech) we are all using the elements of technology around us to work through the 3 year course. I would say that i am funding myself, and finding my own time, although there seems to be enough as its set up for slightly older people than me, 22, who have family or other similar commitments. Hope that helps.

 

The Course

 

Interesting to see the different course. Thanks @fs171

[PotNoodleTech]

If I were you I'd seriously think about doing some industry based courses instead of the degree. Maybe Cisco, Vmware, Prince2 etc? You're already got 2 x MS qualifications, you're already an IT Manager, plenty of demonstrable experience. IMHO - You do not need a degree in the same way as someone who is starting out in the industry. Don’t get me wrong it would be nice to have one, no down sides to it.

 

I’d pick clear experience and industry certifications over a degree any day.

[Gardinho]

If I were you I'd seriously think about doing some industry based courses instead of the degree. Maybe Cisco, Vmware, Prince2 etc? You're already got 2 x MS qualifications, you're already an IT Manager, plenty of demonstrable experience. IMHO - You do not need a degree in the same way as someone who is starting out in the industry. Don’t get me wrong it would be nice to have one, no down sides to it.

 

I’d pick clear experience and industry certifications over a degree any day.

 

I have considered that.

 

I am very fortunate with my job. The pay is good, government pension, good team and work for good management. It would have to be something special for me to leave. Unfortunately, the jobs that have tempted me have all required a degree.

 

Like you though, if I were employing I would take professional certs + experience over a degree any day.

[featured_spectre]

I would look at an open degree personally, not for the fact that you can pick and choose anything, but you can tailor it to suite you.

 

I am currently looking at the following for myself:

 

Level 1

 

Managing in the workplace (B121) - 30 Points

Auftakt: Intermediate German (L130) - 30 Points

Microsoft Server Technologies (TM128) - 30 Points

Working and Learning: Developing effective performance at work (BU130)

 

Level 2

 

Cisco CCNA (T216) - 60 points - transferring my qualification and refreshing the exam

Employment law and practice (W221) - 30 points

Management accounting (B292) - 30 Points

 

Level 3

 

Managing 1: organisations and people (B628) - 30 Points

Managing 2: marketing and finance (B629) - 30 Points

Managing 3: the integration challenge (B690) - 30 Points

Variationen: advanced German (L313) - 60 Points

 

By the end of it I should have Batchelors with Honours.

[Gardinho]

Thanks for the comprehensive post nephilim.

[featured_spectre]

Mine is management oriented because many places I have applied have told me I have no management skills or qualifications, despite managing people and networks for nearly 10 years now.

 

I threw in the German because I am half german, speak it when at my mums house, watch german tv so figured I may as well get it properly done. And the IT stuff just to back up what I have already (thankfully CCNA can be transfered and a refresher exam taken). So yeah, pretty happy with my choices so far.

 

I would add, I am paying for this myself.

Edited February 21, 2014 by featured_spectre

[Gardinho]

I've just had an email from the OU:

 

"I am sorry to say we cannot approve credit transfer in respect of Microsoft training courses, as they are not listed on our website as being assess or eligible."

 

Strange, as I thought they are assessed under TM128?

 

Those are some of the exams I have.

[featured_spectre]

You need the full amount or they dont count

[Gardinho]

You need the full amount or they dont count

 

I do have the full amount as part of my Enterprise Administrator cert. The only exams in that module are 70-640 (AD) and 70-642 (Network Config)?

[PotNoodleTech]

Yes thanks for that post nephilim it's really interesting as I don't have a degree either and I dind't realise you could mix and match such varied skills into one!

 

Will look into something similar I think.