Networked living: exploring information and communication technologies
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 3 Computer-marked assignments (CMAs) |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
We live in a networked world, surrounded by rapidly-developing information and communication technologies (ICTs). ICT systems are all around us – in homes, offices, shops, schools and hospitals – underpinning the services that we rely on every day. But do you ever wonder how these networked systems work? How can an email message find its way to the other side of the world in seconds? How can you browse the web while you are out-and-about? This course looks inside these technologies in a range of different contexts (like entertainment, transport and health), debates their effects on society, and considers how we use them and where they might take us next.
Course content
This course will take you on a journey towards understanding information and communication technologies. You will study examples of ICT systems, learn about the concepts they are based on, and consider the contexts in which they are used. You will also develop the skills needed to learn effectively about these systems, both in this course and in your further studies.
As you study the course, you will gain hands-on experience of ICT systems. You will use your computer to:
- keep in touch with your tutor and your fellow students
- find resources on the World Wide Web
- gain experience of generic software tools (such as spreadsheets)
- use online and computer-based learning materials
- work collaboratively with other students in your local tutor-group.
The course is organised as four blocks, each consisting of printed materials and computer-based activities. You will be guided through these blocks by a set of block Companion booklets and a course website that provides online access to the course materials.
Block 1 Living in a networked world provides an introduction to the course. It introduces you to some of the concepts and contexts that you will study in more depth as you progress through the course. You will start to develop the learning and communication skills you need to keep up-to-date in this rapidly changing field.
Block 2 Communication and identity focuses on networks, and looks at how they can connect and identify people, information and devices. The block explains, in simple terms, how the internet works, and explores what it can be used for. It also introduces other networks, such as those used in ‘smart homes’. Part of this block is delivered online so that you can develop your skills in learning from the web.
Block 3 Entertainment and information looks at how information and communication technologies have transformed entertainment and broadcasting. It explains some fundamental concepts in the context of digital images, film, computer games, news gathering and broadcasting. As part of this block, you will use spreadsheets to create some simple models that are important for understanding ICT systems.
Block 4 Health, transport and government explores three contexts in which ICTs are becoming increasingly important. The range of such applications used in health, transport and government is developing rapidly, and this will have significant implications for our networked lives. By looking at three different contexts, this block will help you to consolidate your knowledge.
Each of the four blocks has an assignment that will be marked by your tutor. Your tutor will also give you written feedback on your assignments so that you can improve your work. In addition, Blocks 2, 3 and 4 have short multiple-choice assignments that are marked by computer. Your study of the course culminates with an end-of-course assessment. This is not an examination. It is an opportunity for you to draw together what you have learned in the course and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that you have gained.
As well as developing your knowledge and understanding of the subject area, the course will help you to develop more generic skills. These skills – in communication, numeracy, information literacy and learning – are vital for your further study and employment in this fast-moving field.
Entry
The course assumes that you can use your computer to carry out tasks such as writing with a word-processor, saving and locating files, installing software and accessing a website. You will need to carry out all of these activities as part of studying the course. You should also be able to: perform simple calculations; read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of a professional magazine or quality newspaper; and write clearly in English. The course will help you to develop your skills in all these areas: using your computer, reading and writing about ICTs, carrying out calculations, and learning at a distance. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course for your needs, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Visit the Course Team's website for further information on the content and goals of the course.
Preparatory work
Before the course starts you may find it helpful to look at the Study strategies section of our Skills for Study website.
Qualifications
T175 is a compulsory course in our
- Certificate in Information Technology and Computing (C47)
- BSc (Honours) Information and Communication Technologies (B38)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Business (B35)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice (B33)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Design (B44)
- Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04)
- Diploma of Higher Education in ICT (E39)
- Foundation Degree in Business Information Technology (G13)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business Information Technology (E45)
T175 is an optional course in our
- BA (Honours) Leadership and Management (B54)
- BSc (Honours) Information Technology and Computing (B13)
- BSc (Honours) Technology (B20)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (B24)
- BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies (B11)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)
- Certificate in Business Studies (C63)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences (C95)
- Foundation Degree in Computing and its Practice (G06)
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and its Practice (E41)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business (E42)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Leadership and Management (E43)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course includes significant amounts of work with a computer. If you use special hardware or software you will need to find out whether it will work with the course software. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Printed course texts, course website, online block Companion booklets, DVD, online forums.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
There will be tutorials, hosted by your tutor, during the course. Some of these will be face-to-face sessions with other members of your local tutor group. In addition there will online tutorials and other collaborative activities in the course, which will take place in your tutor-group’s online forum. Throughout the course you can use this forum to keep in touch with your tutor and with other members of your tutor group.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2010 and February 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Business and Management, Computing and ICT, Environment, Development and International Studies and Engineering and Technology.
Study explained
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- Credit points
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- Level
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- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
I took this course as it was recommended as a starting point for an IT degree. I certainly learnt things ...
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Thanks for your feedback on the course. As we noted below, the issue of study skills and learning how to ...
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I studied this course alongside M150 and enjoyed it. The main crust of the assessment is to test your technical ...
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