I started with this 15 point module because it looked easy (its got a lot of programming, ideas I know about and its in Java) which I thought might be a good thing while getting to grips with how the OU does things. The material is well presented, you get a big folder of notes and example programs and mini-tests on CD, but a little dated refering to Java 1.3. The assignments also want you to develop using JBuilder which seems a bit pants: I’ll work in NetBeans which I’m familiar with then copy the files to JBuilder for a final check. Most of the hassle in this module is in deciphering the assignments: they seem incredibly fussy on marking if the answer isn’t exactly as they wanted but its not always clear in the question what they actually want. Getting to know how the tutors see things is all part of it I suppose. Nevertheless, this is an excellent course to learn the basics of Java if you can already program - it certainly helps to understand about object-orientation and classes beforehand but its well covered in the material. 10-oct-2006
Well, the final TMA has come back seriously better than expected. TMA3 is a fairly significant development and I’d not really been able to polish it off as I would have liked… but keeping focused on the specification seems to have paid off with 96%. Rather chuffed :) 12-oct-2006
The exam. Well it went OK, scribbling right till the end, which I’m not sure is good or bad. Confident of passing, but its really about the margin :) I think its well into Dec before we get results.