H809-25. Struggling on

I eventually finished TMA 03, but getting answers to my queries just days before the due date did not improve my mood, and the 'answers' I got must remain in quotation marks because for the most part, they were simply reformulations of my questions! But somehow, miraculously, I got the paper done on the Tuesday and submitted it on the Friday before the due date, as planned. I say miraculous because it turned out that I did indeed need to do extra reading. Thankfully, Jo stepped in to give me some advice about not overdoing it for the number of points on offer, and so I didn't. I have to say that I could not have done this TMA without Rhona's and Vic's comments - the early ones I mean, because the later ones were posted too late for me to make use of them. How fortunate that I visit all three discussion forums, right?!

So on to the ECA and more frustration. After a prompt response to my initial questions, my tutor is now 'off the boards' for a few days to mark TMA o3! I already feel like 4 weeks is not enough time to do this proposal justice - as I actually intend to carry out the study next semester and need/want to do a good job. We were advised to 'answer each others' questions.' I'm sorry, but especially at this point, I need to rely on the expertise of - well, the experts. No offence is intended by that. But I think we pay a lot of money to learn from people who have published extensively within their fields. Of course morally supporting each other is important, and we can exchange ideas, but there is a limit to what we can gain from that method. At some point, the tutors have to acknowledge their directional role. I mean, if I saw that my students were struggling, having made a sincere effort to work things out for themselves, I would try to guide them! And not with more of the same questions - at times, input is actually required.

If this sounds harsh, it is but a pale reflection of what I want to say, but I am ever mindful of my (unknown) audience. I have seen now at firsthand that feedback takes on a far more crucial role in a completely online environment. I have mentioned before that I am doing another postgraduate degree by distance at the same time as this one. I cannot say enough good things about that course. Even the librarians read our posts and contribute where appropriate! No flabby thinking goes uncommented on; not only are our thoughts about translation being shaped, but also our use of vocabulary to talk about the field. This is done in a firm but supportive manner, and it is simply fantastic. The tutor is so involved in the course and is keen to share her experience and expertise. I have never had to wait for more than a day for an answer to a question. Students are not left to flounder; contributions are acknowledged, and guess what! In a single course, we have posted 1200 comments, and more keep coming even though it's the end of the semester when students are busy writing their essays! (I got mine done early, what a relief!)

Now, I'm not saying I hold the Open University to the same standard, since it operates in a different context and I have learned to be conscious of such things on this course, but -

- but - I think that through frustration, I am increasing my expectations rather than lowering them.

Anyway, I will not give up easily, and I will not let anything defeat my goals. I am undertaking these two degrees in preparation for my PhD and nothing is going to dissuade me from following this path.

I just hope the Open University will be 'open' to the (constructive) criticism I am planning to send at the end of the course.