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Adult Career Guidance NAEGA and NIACE Conference Andrew Watson THE OPEN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

Adult Career Guidance NAEGA and NIACE Conference Andrew Watson THE OPEN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS 21 st June 2011. STRUCTURE. About the OCA: structure, courses, learning model, tutors and students Advice and guidance: front-end, on-programme, and progression

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Adult Career Guidance NAEGA and NIACE Conference Andrew Watson THE OPEN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

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  1. Adult Career Guidance NAEGA and NIACE Conference Andrew Watson THE OPEN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS 21st June 2011

  2. STRUCTURE • About the OCA: structure, courses, learning model, tutors and students • Advice and guidance: front-end, on-programme, and progression • Why would an 18 to 24 yr old opt for the OCA? • Typical issues and concerns raised by students • Sources of further information • Over to you

  3. ABOUT US • Founded in 1987 by Michael Young (Lord Young of Dartington, as in OU, National Consumer Assoc etc) • An education charity • Overseen by Board of Trustees (currently 9) • Nearly all teaching by open learning, with a lively online community • Clear focus on practical, creative arts • All courses externally validated and part of UK Credit Accumulation & Transfer Scheme

  4. OCA STRUCTURE • Head office in Barnsley, South Yorkshire • Small head office team: directorate, registry, finance, student support, distribution etc • As from 2011, a new Head of Learner Support • Currently c120 tutors – experienced at HE level but also practicing artists • Undergraduate courses validated by Buckinghamshire New University; new MA validated by University for the Creative Arts

  5. DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND COURSE MODULES • Currently c 45 course modules • Main subject areas are: Fine Art (incl Textiles), Photography, Creative Writing and Music • Course modules at 3 levels (HE4, HE5 & HE6), equivalent to Undergraduate Years 1, 2 and 3 • 7 course modules needed for a full BA Hons: • 3 @ HE4, 2@HE5 and 2@ HE6 • Currently 5 full degrees (BA Hons) and 1 MA • Next planned degree is Visual Communications

  6. LEARNING MODEL • Almost entirely by distance learning • Students sent learning materials by post • Each student linked with a tutor on 1:1 basis • Typically 5 or 6 assignments per course module • Student given individual feedback by email or post, possibly supplemented by a phone call • Assignments and learning logs assessed at end of course (externally moderated) • Potential for accreditation of prior learning

  7. STUDENT FINANCE • Total cost of a degree from scratch is currently £4,465 • Course modules individually priced at £595 HE4) and £695 (HE5 and 6) • Students may qualify for support from Student Finance England, Wales or NI • Equivalent support not available in Scotland • SFE is a grant, not a loan • Parental income not taken into account • OCA also has a small Bursary Fund

  8. SOME TUTORS ... • Creative Writing: Jane Rogers: • http://www.janerogers.org/ • Photography: Jose Navarro: • http://www.weareoca.com/photography/michael-freeman-talks-to-jose-navarro/ • Fine Art: Suzan Swale • http://www.suzanswale.co.uk/index.html • Music: Patric Standford • http://www.impulse-music.co.uk/standford.htm

  9. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (1): FRONT-END • No qualifications required – open access • Not part of UCAS or clearing system • Information on all modules widely available, incl on the website - also large range of FAQs • Choice of course module used to be up to students, but now much more ‘guided’ • some clearly understood entry points • Advice (but not guidance) freely available over the phone and by email

  10. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (2): ON PROGRAMME • Students effectively self select into 2 groups: ‘personal development’ and ‘undergraduate’ • Main support is via tutor (1:1 relationship) • Head Office (Academic Services) provides fallback – especially Head of Learner Support • Modules not seen as ‘vocational’ historically, but Student Finance bringing in younger students • Academic Registrar monitors appropriateness of course choices at re-enrolment

  11. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (3): PROGRESSION • Potential to move to post-graduate study – at OCA or elsewhere • Increasingly L3 modules include ‘professional practice’ component • No ‘careers service’ as such, but graduands and graduates have limited access to services via validating universities • Videos and interviews on student site with practising artists talking about their careers and current professional activities

  12. WHY WOULD AN 18 - 24 YEAR OLD STUDENT OPT FOR THE OCA? • Flexibility – study in your own time, at your own pace, at home (or wherever!) • Can hold down a part– or even a full-time job • Can be combined with family and/or carer responsibilities • Financial advantages – especially attractive to those not wanting to run up enormous debts • But NB not the answer for a young person wanting the ‘full blown student experience’

  13. TYPICAL ISSUES & CONCERNS RAISED BY STUDENTS • Cost, especially longer term position • Time needed, both on a day to day basis and also elapsed time to complete course module • Transferability of HE credits • Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning • Feeling part of the student community (or not!) • Interestingly very few ask about careers and vocational implication • Government policies in England are placing in jeopardy the ability to dip in and out of HE during adult life/career

  14. SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION • Main source is the website: • http://www.oca-uk.com/ • See also the blog: • http://www.weareoca.com/ • And the Elements Site • http://oca-elements.com/ • Tel: 0800 731 2116 • Email: enquries@oca-uk.com

  15. OVER TO YOU ...

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