Microsoft at the Open University

Richard Seaton

Introduction

• The Open University and its students• Microsoft server technologies• Issues and resolutions• Future

The Open University

• The Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas

• Founded to offer higher education to all, regardless of their circumstances

• A world leader in modern distance learning• Modules (courses) are produced by a team

of academics and support staff, delivered to students through a blend of online/web, AV, home-kits, and paper based materials, supported by a local (where possible) tutor

OU students

• Most are older than at a ‘traditional’ university although this is changing

• Many are employed and studying part-time• Some are unemployed and interested in

retraining – vocational and industry specific skills are of great interest – Microsoft, Cisco, and VMware

• Some have accessibility issues • Often have no prior experience of studying

at HE level

Microsoft Server Technologies, TM128

• Part of an UG qualification HE Level 1 (NCVQ Level 4) 30 credit points (120 credits to complete Level 1)

• Runs for nine months: October to June with a recommended study time of 10 hours/week

• Module materials:• Microsoft IT Academy eLearning• MOAC text books 70-642 and 70-640 (MCTS) from Wiley• CompTIA Network+ book (as a pre-req)

• Assessment: mixture of written and practical tasks – but no examinations at this level (OU L1 practice)

Microsoft server technologies materials

• Module readers:• Sybex CompTIA Network+

• MOAC Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration 70-642

• MOAC Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration 70-640

• Module laboratories:• Microsoft eLearning online labs 6690 – 6709

• Microsoft eLearning online labs 6710 – 6870

• 23 MOAC Labs for 70-642 and 70-640

• Module Website:• Study guide and assessments

• Student forums

Module home page

A typical study week

A typical activity

Connecting with students

Student numbers: • Oct 2010 - 350 (capped)• Oct 2011 - 800 (capped)• Oct 2012 - ????... We enter the new era of HE funding!

Associate Lecturers (aka Tutors):• are the personal face of the OU, provide learning support to

students through teaching, marking assessments, individual and group contact by email and tutorials

Student contact via:• email• tutor group forums (Moodle forums – part of the OU’s VLE)• face-to-face tutorial (1 initial introductory)• Elluminate (Blackboard Collaborate) up to six online tutorials • Module wide forums (for all students, tutors and module team)• feedback and progress through assignment marking

Issues and resolutions

• Poor take up of certification – only some 20% of students took a certification exam – this is typical across our vendor modules. We will raise awareness this year – with support from our vendors – please!

• Overloading in the first part of the module. Adoption of MOAC book Networking Fundamentals (MTA 98-366) may offer a more focused approach and the certification is much more accessible – may be offer one as part of the module?

• Problematic labs – Microsoft’s new contract with ElementK must help

• eLearning materials need improving – can we help here?• Development of the MOAC laboratory manual for ‘home’ use

OU future with Microsoft

• Additional modules covering:• Server Administrator (70-646)• Windows Desktop support (70-680)

• Introduce MTA courses• Networking fundamentals, 98-366• Use for ‘Openings’, the OU access modules

• Explore not-for-credit modules• Use our Netlab remote laboratory to support

future courses from the Academy Program

Further details

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/tm128.htm

© Richard Seaton 2011