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 OUs 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 Microsofts 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

tp://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/tm128.ht

 Richard Seaton 2011