TMA_05 - Report writing

 I know that we just only had our due date for the TMA-04 but I thought that I will try to came up with few reminders on how to write a report. Maybe it will be also useful for you guys, I know that if  I write it down it will make it easier for me to remember :)

 But first things first... I had an amazing news today! As you all know there was Assembly Bye-Elections in Wales... And I have an unbelievable pleasure to announce that I have been elected to the Assembly!!!! You al can just imagine how excited I am, so many good things is happening to me right now! I feel truly blessed :)

 Let's talk about the report now.  So what is the difference between an essay and a report? 

 As you all know in an essay we have to present convincing argument, not only that but also all of that must be done in a logical sequence. So we have our introduction, main body and conclusion. All of that has to be linked together. So each paragraph must be finishing in the way , that you can carry on in the next. I am sure that you all know this by now, but I like to write everything from A to B ;)  There are four types of report :  information or description reports, reports of investigations or studies, maths reports and science reports.

 Now report is ( in my opinion) a little bit easier.  Report has a completely different purpose and structure.

If you would look at it and try to simplify, I would say : Report is written for busy people, to help them find specific information quickly and without a hassle.  Report is providing informations instead of presenting argument like it was done in the essay.

Report:

• Is using headings and subheadings
• Sections are numbered or lettered (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 or A: a, b, c,)
• You can use short statements and bullet points ( do you see what I have done here :D ? ) 
• You can use graphs and tables

 Structure of the report

( Now please keep in mind that this is only a guideline and OU might want different things, so before using anything from here, please talk to your tutor, check your assignment booklet and LC for advice :) ) 

Title page

Describes the purpose of the report. It should have your Name, Date, For who the report is written. 

Terms of references

Explaining who will read the report, purpose and how the report was written ( method) 

Abstract

Short paragraph describing content of the report, its aims, what was found and ( if any) what is called for.  Make sure that you are avoiding writing a conclusion and you are just outlining the main points.

Introduction

 Detailed description of aims and objectives. If there are problems that report is looking at , they should be identified. You are adding here any historical background.

Methods ( make sure that you will use separate headings here!)

 You are going to explain here followed procedures, you are going to use relevant information and materials ( sources). And you will refer here to any problems 

Results ( Again, separate headings)

 You can use here diagrams and graphs to present data. Remember to use logical order , but avoid commenting!

Discussion

That's your main body. Here you will discuss your material. You will analyse and discussed  your facts & evidence with specific references to the problem. You might want to consider dividing your discussion into sections ( if it's lengthy). Points should be grouped and arranged in logical and easy to follow order. Headings and subheadings should be considered. Same with bullet points. Everything used in your report should be acknowledged and referenced. 

Conclusion

Remind most important points, highlight, most central issues and findings of the report. Like with an essay avoid adding new points! 

Appendices

    You are going to include all of the supporting information here. 

Bibliography

 Like with an essay, alphabetical order. 

Before you start your report, you must decide what kind of report you have to write. Remember to use ACADEMIC LANGUAGE !  You can find some help with that in LC3, Appendix 2 p. 51.

Also you might want go to to OU website : http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/reports.php

Another useful one is : http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.02%20Reports.htm

and : http://www.port.ac.uk/media/contacts-and-departments/student-support-services/ask/downloads/Reports-and-essays---key-differences.pdf

How to help yourself to keep focus, whilst you are studying.

 It's 04:50 am, I am trying to fall asleep since 9pm last night... I've finally gave up with the idea of sleep today. I shouldn't really spent 3h making pancakes and other goodies yesterday, I knew that I will pay for standing  next to the cooker for so long....
Oh well, at least you all can benefit from my conditions. ;)

 I've decided to write a post about focusing whilst you studying.
As you probably see by now, practically all of my post are aimed to help you guys. I am a part of lots of forums and groups. Usually I am only observing people, noticing questions and try to help. Some of you might call it : 'not having a life' :D

 Recently I've received quiet a few, really nice private messages on facebook. It was very overwhelming! Some people   said that I've inspired them, others mentioned that I've encourage them to start their own blogs and other that they feel like thanks to some of the tips I am posting they are achieving more from theirs studies and the whole experience is much more pleasant for them. I feel amazing! I am doing something which my conditions can't take away from me.
 Between me and you ,all those messages has inspired and encouraged me :
Not to give up.
 I had a really difficult week last week, and I am not one of those people who moan often, I am always trying to stay positive.  Unfortunately, I've observed that my conditions and pain are beginning to make me bitter and jealous! I am jealous that others are healthy and I am not. That they can carry on with their life and I am stuck.... I am bitter, every subject I am talking about is somehow ending on talking about my conditions. It is like they rule my life.
So today I am saying : ENOUGH.
 I am myself, I am the old , positive and happy Barb. The only difference is I have to cope a little bit more than others, but I can do that! I will not be bitter! I am refusing to change, just because that's how this usually works. You are ending up ill - you feel sorry for yourself and you're blaming everyone.

 I just wanted to say :  THANK YOU for your messages! I am great full because every single inbox has helped me in a ways that none of my medications, in the past 4 years did.  

 Not to talk ( again!) about my illnesses :) I've read few questions on how to study, keep focus, especially when the particular topic of your studies is simply boring.
Now those rules are working for me, but I am not a scientist, doctor nor any other expert so please do not expect a golden rule or a solution :) It might work for you but it might not.

RULES : 

1. Find a comfortable place to study 
   I don't mean bed! lol Seriously it is important for you to feel relax and comfy. Some of you will study for hours and there is nothing worse than fighting a muscle pain, because you are sitting in a very bad position.
So: comfy chair, table with the right hight, good lighting.

2. Snack
 And I don;t mean coffee or crisps and chocolate bars!!! Empty calories with no benefits to your body! I am not a health freak, but I do grab an apple or banana when I am studying and drink water. I will not even try to write about it for more informations go here.

3. Materials
 Have everything clearly displayed, there is nothing worse than starting on your first assignment and had to look for an important note or book! So keep everything organised, and next to you whilst studying.

4. Breaks
 When I was 16 I use to be bale to study for 8 hours straight, without any complications and materials would go straight to my head... I am not 16 any more, and I am ill. So for every 45-50 have a 10 minutes break. Do something else. Just make sure that the breaks are not longer than 20 minutes, your brain will go to off mode and it will be very difficult to concentrate.

5. Switch off everything which might take your attention!
 Yes, I mean your phone, telly, computer, even radio because they might start talking about something interesting!

6. Music 
 Listen to some calm music. My favourites you can find on youtube. When I am studying I am listening to the instrumental, relaxing music. One of them you can find here. It might not work for you, you might work better listening to Madonna or K.Perry. The key is : whatever works for you best.

7. Create your study goals. Motivate yourself.
 For example : Today I will read 25 pages. And If I do, I will watch a 'True Blood' marathon tonight. That would be a short goal. Now to the long : I want to have a second Pass in this module. If I do I will go for away for a weekend.

8. Time to study. 
 Find what time a day you preform the best. It is up to your persona and you don't have a set examples. Some people study best on the mornings, some afternoons. The bottom line is : find it and do it.

9. Positive attitude 
 Please! Don't sit to your books with : I hate the world, I hate that module and I hate that school- attitude.You will only get more and more upset and none of the informations will get in.

10. Start from the least pleasant subject. 
  You will not get dishearten when you can manage to do the hardest bit and all you have left is easy and fun task.


I hope those few rules will be helpful for some of you. If you want me to write more informations or talk about particular subject, you can all message me and I will try my best to do it. And I am really sorry if I am not answering your messages straight away, sometimes is hard in my house to get five minutes to yourself and be able to use computer :)

TMA 01 (cut-off date: 24 February 2014)

 Word limit : 750
Font size : 12
Space between lines : Double ( I couldn't find it in my assignment booklet, so I've asked other students)
Worth : 5% of your total mark.


 So here we are :) I couldn't wait any longer so after my first tutorial and few corrections, I've submitted my first TMA yesterday. I am not sure if I feel stressed or more excited at the minute.

 Just wanted to do a quick check list for all of us, if you haven't submitted your TMA yet, it might be useful.

BEFORE USING ANY OF MY TIPS, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR TUTOR FIRST!

Different tutors might have different expectations and I don't want to give anyone wrong informations!
All things I am writing about were checked with MY tutor.

 Ok, lets start our check list :

• Go back to the activity in LC1 pg.26. Think if there is anything else you could add to your essay
• Make sure that you do not go over your 10% + or - of your word count.
• Your name, personal identifier, TMA question and references on the end of your work, do not count into the word limit
• References used inside your assignment do count
• Make sure you've written your self reflection
• Make sure that you are COMPEERING your street to the City Road
• If you struggle with your references, go to your assignment booklet pg. 14-15. Basically all you have to do is copy the one from there. 
• Do not submit your self reflection as a separate document! Just put it on another (new) page of your assignment. 
• Put your word count at the end of your TMA
• proof read your assignment before sending it- I've made a few silly mistakes and I am glad that I've checked it before I've send it. 
• If you have used any websites to get information about your street : reference it on a separate page as a  Secondary references 
• Make sure that you have 3-4 examples of benefits or loses. 
• Do not introduce any new ideas in your conclusion! 

 Please don't stress nor doubt in yourself. We all spend lots of time, put lots of effort into our assignments and I am sure we will all do great.  After all this assignment is to help us, getting use to the whole TMA writing and I am sure that our tutors will not be to harsh on us, they will leave constructive feedback, and we will be able to learn from it.
If you've done everything on the check list, don't sit there and think :
- Should I submit my TMA?

Just do it! If you are going to think about, you will start doing corrections, by doing this you might destroy good piece of work, for a sake of doubting in yourself. If you haven't came up with any new ideas by now, there is no point trying go think about them.;

I wish you all first pass :)

Tips for your first TMA.

 I hope you all are doing grate and this TMA is not giving you any problems. Ok, so I've decided to cover few common questions. :

1. Does the title, and references are part of my word count? 

No. The only text included in your word count is your main text and references made within. e.g :

( as Babette has written in her blog, ' I've decided to cover few common questions'  ( www.beingmaturestudent.blogspot.com, pg 1 ) 

2. Can I use the rule of 10% + or - word count?

The best way to do it is to ask your tutor. Some of them are allowing it, some not.  

3. How to write my references? 

If you are writing in WORD you have actually a choice to put your references in in different styles, including the Harvard one. All you have to do then is write author, page and year and word will do it for you. 

4. I am stuck, what next?? 

 Put it away, go get yourself a drink and relax. Come back to it the next day. 

5. How to write my introduction? 

Imagine that you will introducing yourself? What would you say? Probably your name, age , if you are a parent, where you working and what are your hobbies. This is exactly how your TMA introduction should look like. You telling the reader your question, what information they will find in your essay, what you are basic your work on. 

6. How to write my conclusion? 

It simply summing up your whole work. So if you have proved that most people is loosing, then you have to say it and explain why is it that way. Don't go over 5 sentences. DO NOT INTRODUCE NEW POINT OF VIEWS! 

7. I am going over my word count!! 

Some of the words you can just simply change for example : 

Instead of writing: 'ask for' say ' request' , or ' It is clear that' use ' obviously' . 

Take your time, write few drafts and come back to it. You might have new ideas, views. Don't stress, there is no pint for that. What's the point of studying if you are not enjoying it?? 

Thesaurus should be your Bible ;) 

Make a plan. 

Go to the activity I've told you about in my previous post.

If you have opportunity use program called Inspiration 9 ( Look pic underneath). 

Print out all audio and DVD transcripts. 

And the most important : ENJOY IT ! ;) 

 

Pic taken from http://blog.writeathome.com/index.php/2013/04/proofreading-checklist-for-the-basic-essay/

Tips of the day : Get organised! Part 2

 We've covered folders and time saving in my previous post. 

 Today I wanted to show you another helpful thing : REVISION CARDS. 

  Throughout your studies you will get to know many new terms, definitions and similar things.  So what I am doing is, writing them down and putting it all into my revision box. It is always helpful to have them next to you, when you study, write essays or just simply can't remember what the definition of certain word was. 

It is not to expensive. I've paid for the box, 200 revision cards and alphabetical order cards - all in the

 8' x 5' size £14. 

I am really advising all of you to invest in them. :) 

Tips of the day : Get organised ! part 1

 Sorry for my absence, unfortunately I wasn't very well. I am back now :) Still pretty rough and everything is aching me, but I sat down today like a brave girl and I've done my work, now I am writing for all of you!  I am simply amazing! :D

So today I would like to talk a little bit about organising your time and work. I am obsessed with planning, lists, having everything in separate folders , but I have a reason. Thanks to that I had two scholarships and I was A* student for 11 years! So you all better listen to me hahah


 So why I like organising so much?

I have everything clearly marked and displayed.
I am visual learner, so when I use colours it is helping me to remember.
I have easy access to all my work. Nothing worse than had to go through billion of pages, papers to find the bit I need.!
Saves time
Sticking to a 'what to do' list is helping with my time and I can have some free for myself.

So do organise your work guys.  You don't have to go over the top like me, but is so good to do a little bit. If you regret it, you can come and tell me that I am full of it. Although I am 100% sure that you can only benefit from it.

That's my DD101 folder.

  I have weeks in sections, so I know where to look for what.

 I am doing my activities there,

After highlithign a text in my books I am basing my study notes on them.

 

And after all of that I have my drafts of TMA's.

When I need to go back, everything is displayed clearly and I am not going crazy because I need to find something. :)

Introducing the social sciences. Learning Companion 1 - Week 2.

In this week of the module you will study:

• 'Material Lives', 'Connected lives' and 'Ordered lives' (Making Social Lives DVD) (4 hours) 
• this section of the Learning Companion ( 5 Hours) 
• Online Activities 3 and 4 ( 2 hours)  

We have finally left our colourful L. Robson, I am sure for some he will not be miss.  I was doing this week in the study materials with a question of the first TMA in mind. Of course my favourites are highlighters, but as someone has mentioned to me : they do not work for everyone. If you are ending up highlighting your whole book, leave them immediately! Replace them with coloured sticky notes.

 Try to do the online activities, they are handy is good to print them out or simply write your answers somewhere, so you can always go back to it and check what could you improve.

You have one more week till your final TMA week. So I would like to come back for a moment to first week in LC1 , check the Activity on the page 26. If you think about it, completing this activity will pretty much be completing the main work for your TMA.  ;)  Plus it is not as stressful as TMA !


 I hope that all of you are getting on with your work and are enjoying your studying experience. Life can be so much fun if you take everything with a smile. Of course it is hard at times, and even I feel like giving up on some days, but that's  normal and I know that tomorrow will always be better. :)

Idea of the day : Be social!

 Hey, I am talking to you! Yes, you've heard me! 

 The Open University is giving you lots of advantages. Studying at your own time, in your own bed ( if you fancy it), great opportunities and resources. 

I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about studying and he/she knows, that they can do their work, pretty much by themselves. 

 

 The only one thing which OU is not giving you is : Social interaction. 

You do not go to the class, therefore you do not see any classmates. You don't share your stress with anyone else. You have no one to talk about ideas, problems and all the other stuff connected with your subject. 

 Humans are group animals, we need others, to stay sane.  Like it or not - you need other people. 

 OU is offering you student forums. Lots of students are making facebook groups, for particular subject. Is as easy as typing the code of your subject in fb search. I personally belong to three different groups there. 

 Each group has different people and I like diversity. I don't talk much with everyone. Unfortunately nature has provided me with a very low level of patience for humans :D

 So instead of screaming to them : 

- Do you want to get yourself killed by me?!!!

I am simply avoiding any kind of interactions with those people. I have to mentioned here that I've already meet few people who I've instantly liked. You know that feeling, when you meet someone and you automatically click ? 

I know if I post something on those pages about my study, personal problems even, those people will comment, talk to me, send me a private message - to make me feel better. 

 That;s what everyone need sometime. 

If you can go to one of your tutorials, meet people there. Invite them for a coffee, lunch or just get together to talk about your TMA's. I believe its called study-buddy? 

 Who knows , you might end up , being 'best friends forrr eeevvvaaaaaaaaaa' - as today's teenager says. :D 

 The point is : Don't be by yourself. 

Feelings towards your course can be overwhelming, upsetting, thee can bring you down sometimes. 

 So it is very important that you have that one person, at least, that you know you can turn to, talk to and even say : 

- I hate that f*** subject. 

It is ok, not to like it sometimes :D 

So, go and be social :) 

Introducing the social sciences. Learning Companion 1 - Week 1.

In this week you will study: 

• this section of the Learning Companion (4 hours) 
• 'The street' and 'Making social lives on City Road' ( Making Social Lives DVD) ( 3 hours) 
• 'Reading and note  taking' (Developing skills Audio CD) ( 30 minutes)
• Online Activities 1 and 2 ( 2 hours) 

Ok, let's start from the beginning.

The first section of the LC1 is pretty ease going, I've done few notes and I've highlighted few bits.
I've exchanged few e-mails with my tutor already, so I know what I'm looking for and how she is expecting my work to look like. Which is very helpful, some tutors for example do not allow the 10% word count rule. When you are using minus or plus 10% of the word count. ( Please ask your tutor before you do that).

'The Street' it's very short and simple video. To be fair, there is not many information which will be use in the first TMA.

'Making Social Lives', here we are meeting quiet a character! Lloyd Robson. Many people describes him as annoying. To be fair... I was giggling the first two times I was watching that video. His wardrobe choices are just priceless and he really feels like a Mr.Bigg Stuff ! It was amazing! So if you are laughing, like me. Watch the video few times and try to do some notes. This video is very helpful and gives you many examples for your first TMA.

'Reading and note taking' Audio CD - not to bad, I am usually listening to my Audio CD before bed. At this stage, it doesn't feel like is the most important thing for me.

Online activities 1 and 2 - simple activities, you shouldn't have any problems with it. If your answers are different that the one provided, don't worry! That's why does activities are provided, for practise.


Quick tips: 

1. I am never reading my study materials without, highlighting pen and a piece of paper with pen. As I scan through the text I can always note key words, which are usually helpful. Highlighting text is a big deal for me. I have a simple reason : When I have to find something I don't have to read through the page to find it, I have it already highlight. 

2. Do not stress over the hours in LC1! Promise me that! The OU is the biggest university in UK. There is lots of people studying and where is lots of people, there are different levels. Some people study quick, some slow, some average, some are lazy, some are OCD, the list goes on and on.... Those hours are only a timeline, and the bar is set at the lowest level. It wouldn't be fair if they provide hours thinking about those people who are reading in an hour, doing online activities in 30 minutes. 

3. If you have accese to transcripts - use them whilst watching DVD and listening to Audio CD. ( highlight whatever is important for you).

So your study materials has arrived!

You've probably joined students forum and facebook groups three months before.

Now... Are you ready?  Good. Breath deep please and CALM DOWN!

No, don't laugh or think that I am silly! I'm dead serious!

You have 7 assignments to be worry about, plus planning and self-reflection. Don't jump to everything to quick!

Let me give you few tips:

1. Do not scan through all of the books and booklets and begin to worry about assignment number 3, when you haven't even started to cover the first one.

2. Do not stress about not being able to go for your tutorials - they are not compulsory and you can get the same help from your tutor over the phone or e-mail.

3. Don't worry where with their work are other people. You are not them. Don't try to keep up, you might lose some key information, important for your TMA. Take as much time as you need.

4. Make a plan. Just key points. It will help you organise the whole TMA.

5. Do as much as you can, when you can. If you can do only 20 minutes, do them! The key is to do your studying systematically. ( trust me, I had two scholarships and I was A* student, I know how to study) .

6. Let someone proofread for you, your TMA.

7. The most important : DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.  The best person to ask is your tutor. That's what they are there for. Don't worry about looking silly. Some of you are just starting studying after being out from school for a few years. The only silly thing you can do, it's not knowing the answer but not asking anyone for explanation and presuming that it is not important. Ask students ask googel, even your other half - maybe they will be able to help you. If not, remember that two heads is more than one.

Welcome !! Greetings! Hallo! Ola! Bonjour! 你好 ! Hej! Håfa ådai!!!! བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས།!!! - and I couldn't be bothered to copy-paste the rest.

So... You are here... And I am here.... We are here together.... :D
 Don't worry I am not planning to be as crazy in every, single post. Well... I am going to try....

Obviously I couldn't put to much in the section ' About me'. I did not have enough space there!
That's why in my first post I want to tell you a little bit about me.
 So, you already know my age and how many children and pets I have. I am engaged to the most amazing guy - which means not only I have to study but also plan my wedding this year! Yeayyy!

 You gather that English is my second language, so please be polite and allow me to make small mistakes. Of course, you can correct me, but do it with manners and we all are going to be happy ;)

 I came to live in Wales 5 years ago. It was refreshing, to start to know new people and culture. I am very specific person, but I have a talent to make friends. To be honest, you either love me, or hate me.  Like Marmite! :D

Now I've been working in school, I use to work with autistic children. I adore them! It brought me lots of pleasure to be able to work with such an amazing, little people! I was also a crèche worker at the same time. Little bit later I've opened handmade jewellery business. I was creating stunning pieces! Yes, I'm big headed.
 After a while, my conditions started to progress.  I had to stop working, close my business. It felt like the end of my world. I was working since I was 12 years old!

I've cried many nights, not being able to sleep. Suffering with pain in my back, shoulder, muscles, elbows, wrist, fingers, knees and ankles. Every inch of my body was hurting. Then I've started to have migraines, connected with my neck muscle spasms.

 Can you imagine being 23 and bed bound? Looking at your children and telling them : I'm sorry I can't go for a walk with you and daddy, I'm not very well, I have to stay in bed.

At the moment I haven't had a day free of pain in over a year. The levels of pain vary from bearable to ridiculously bad - that's when nothing helps.

 I am not planning to give up.

That's why I've sign myself to study with The Open University. I will achieve my degree and I will work as a Clinical Psychologist. Nothing can stop me, not pain, not a cataclysms, nothing!

I want to share with you all my journey. Because life is sad and difficult at times. That's why I want you all to be able to read my post, laugh and sometimes even says :

- Bloody hell, I am so glad that someone have worse than me!

Yes, you are allowed to do that! Even more, you should do that!
 It might gave you motivation, desperation, relief or even joy. - That's why I am here.

This year I am covering a module called :

  Introducing the social sciences - DD101

I will take you step by step, through my work and experiences. Although, please don't count for free work ;) So if you are here, looking for free essay, you can close the window now.
I will try to give my tips, will share what worked for me, but I will not share my TMA's.


Enjoy :)