This aims of the course are pretty much covered by its title. Lots of Universal Modelling Language (UML) diagrams to allow problems to be systematically analysed, drawn and software designed. Its a tricky thing to teach since you really need to have an understanding of the larger life-cycle of a development to understand why you are drawing a particular diagram at a particular point. Some concepts can only be explained in terms of quite complex examples - a trivial example will not provide the vehicle to demonstrate how to control complexity. All this tends to make the course really quite hard as at times it seems to disappear up it own bottom in tortuous circular terminology. I think it would have been better to ditch some of the techniques and focus on a more limited range with more exercises and chance to apply what’s learned. In its desire to be extensive the material seems to move on without providing enough reinforcement or certainty of concepts covered. Sometimes you can only grasp concepts by seeing them applied in a range and variety of circumstances. Despite all that, its still interesting to (finally?) officially learn the “proper” diagramming tools and techniques that for years I’ve been aware of and applied like many developers ad-hoc. This is a new course for the OU and it shows. The teaching material is very high quality and well presented in glossy booklets but some of the expositions of concepts could do with a rethink. There are also plenty of errata to keep up with which to be fair are well listed on the course website. 27-feb-07 The exam, this time at a posh hotel suite in Birmingham. Nightmare. The paper bears no resemblance to the course or the specimen exam paper. It seemed to revolve around a tiny point of knowledge (half-page in the entire course) with the results of one question being used in other questions. Serious time pressures added to the woe. Think it will get the 40% pass, but it might be a bit close. Judging by the course forums afterwards I don’t think I was the only one to feel shell-shocked. Its rather frustrating to feel you understand the concepts and material, have proven that in the continual assessment but struggle to demonstrate in the exam. 22-jun-07 Well the exam result is back at a better than anticipated mark, but still feels rather disappointing. Overall a pass which is I suppose the bottom line :)