Category Archives: Online Courses-senior phase

Online Courses-an overview

Online Courses 2013/14

Rationale

In its commitment to offering positive and sustained destinations for school leavers, Perth and Kinross is offering a number of online courses which offer senior phase students the opportunity to develop key skills that are valued in the current jobs marketplace. They are about achievement, not attainment

Courses- 5 general achievement courses

  • Pathway to law- OU Paid with OU assessment
  • Pathway to medicine- Free choice from thousands of courses plus learning log and peer collaboration. No formal assessment
  • Beginners’ Spanish– Edmodo/Scholar from web content with final task, assessed by PKC teacher
  • Beginners Mandarin-Edmodo/Scholar from web content with final task, assessed by PKC teacher
  • Starting and building a business- MOOC content from Udacity plus optional Alison courses and real world business setup. No formal assessment but opportunity to develop enterprise.

The Perth and Kinross Digital Literacy Award

  • App Developer
  • Web Developer
  • Games Developer
  • Digital Creativity
  • Blogging +Social Media

Perth and Kinross is offering an award upon successful completion of one of these online courses.

The award will be called ‘The Perth and Kinross Digital Literacy Award’ and consists of core units plus options. All of the specialist options will culminate in a final ‘real world’ project. This is decided by the student but guidance will be provided.

Mentoring and Assessment

Online mentoring and support will be provided by Codecademy and SDK support forums but VLE Coordinator will have overview and provide PKC mentoring/issue tracking

Final assessment will be by VLE coordinator and assembled team from Computing CIN and PCC PROGRAMME BOARD

There will be a presentation event in June 2014 where students will be expected to showcase their project work to the assessment panel and representatives from the business world.

Core Units

  • HTML
  • CSS

Options and additional course content

  • Games Developer: Javascript, J Query, MOOC course that involves practical games dev work https://www.udacity.com/course/cs255
  • Web Developer: Javascript, J Query, Python, Ruby on Rails. Final project to hand code a web application or website for a real world context. https://www.udacity.com/course/cs253
  • App Developer: Javascript, Phonegap/Android/XCode/Google SDK for app development. Final project to develop an app for a real-world situation of student’s choosing.
  • Digital Creativity: digital film production, editing and web upload. Final project to produce a commercial-quality digital movie for a real-world context
  • Blogging and Social Media: WordPress CMS will be blog platform; focus upon social media channel integration and how blog posting is central to this. Final project will be to develop a blog/website and social media integration for a real-world context.

The real world contexts

  • Marketing website/application for: business, social enterprise, band, extra curricular activity
  • School focus: whole school or department website/ application
  • Environmental: e.g. Work with RSPB to develop web presence to support protection of Black Grouse

Check out this TED talk video from Mitch Resnick about why kids need to learn to code

http://www.ted.com/talks/mitch_resnick_let_s_teach_kids_to_code.html

Click here to view all courses or use the tab in the main menu bar

Register here.

Web Developer

Web development programming

Summary

Web Fundamentals

HTML is the underpinning of the entire internet. Every page out there is written in HTML. It tells the browser about the content in the page, and CSS tells the browser how to style it. In this track, you will learn the building blocks of HTML and CSS in order to create and style your first web page from scratch.

You can preview the Udacity MOOC course here

What do I need to know?

Prior knowledge or experience are not required. Enthusiasm for the web and apps and a willingness to work hard are essential. Ideally, you will have some programming knowledge but absolute beginners are also welcome if they are prepared to work hard.

What will I learn?

You’ll learn the basics of web development and then focus on javascript and j-query and/or a server side scripting language like Python or another scripting language of your choice. The final project will see you creating your own web project, which you will be asked to present to an assessment panel in June 2014.

On successful completion of  the course, the final development project and this presentation, you will be awarded with the Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy award

The Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy Award

Register here.

Starting and building a business

Enterprise for entrepreneurs

Summary

Learn the key tools and steps to build a successful startup (or at least reduce the risk of failure). An introduction to the basics of Steve Blank’s famous Customer Development process.

What do I need to know?

Prior knowledge or experience are not required. Passion, tenacity, and a willingness to work hard are essential. Ideally, you’ll join the class with at least a rough idea of the business model of the startup you’ll work on step-by-step through the course of the class. The business could be that of a family member or just an idea you may wish to develop.

What will I learn?

You’ll learn the key steps of the Customer Development process: how to identify and engage the first customers for your product, and how to gather, evaluate and use their feedback to make your product, marketing and business model far stronger.

Register here.

Blogging and Social Media

Social media marketing

Social media marketing skills are very sought-after in the current jobs marketplace. Even with a part-time role, skills and knowledge in leveraging the power of social media channels to market a brand could be well-received by employers and these skills are increasingly sought-after in current job adverts.

Summary

The course comprises of a number of modules focused on getting started with blogging and the development and integration of social media skills. The modules will be online and self-study and would allow progression at a pace that suits the individual.

Having studied this course you will:

Understand more about and develop the skills using social media to raise awareness of something and ineteract with an audience.

Entry advice:

Entry to this course can be from beginner level but some familiarity with social media would be beneficial. Avid Facebook users would do well in this course.

There is a final course project that will be to develop a blog with a social media strategy for a school/organisation you are part of, which you will be asked to present to an assessment panel in June 2014.

On successful completion of  the course, the final development project and this presentation, you will be awarded with the Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy award

The Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy Award

Register here.

Pathway to Medicine

Pathway to Medicine

Summary

Medicine courses are still among the most sought-after degree options, with competition for places tough. Your Highers should be in the bag already, so what can S6 do for you to help make your applicatioan stand out? This course is made up of modules from various MOOCS and iTunesU courses from some of the top schools of medicine in the world. You can study at your own pace and collaborate with others undertaking the courses to help develop your thinking and undertake assignments.

What do I need to know?

Prior knowledge or experience are not required. Enthusiasm for medicine and the anatomy and a willingness to work hard are essential. Ideally, you will be looking to secure a place at university to study medicine and these modules would enhance any such UCAS application.

What will I learn?

You’ll choose various university level modules on topics that appeal to you as an area of medicine that interests you.

How will I be assessed?

There will be no formal assessment as part of this course, but learners will complete a learning log to record their achievements.

Register here.

Pathway to Law

    An undergraduate course in Law.

An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland

This course looks at law making in contemporary Scotland. It considers the role of both the Scottish Parliament and Courts in law making, looking at the structure of the court system and the role of the judiciary. It explores the relationship between the law making power of the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments. It introduces you to some specific areas of Scots law, including the law relating to human rights and children. This course will be of particular interest to anyone needing an overview of the Scottish legal system, and will provide an excellent beginning for students who want to understand how modern Scotland works.

Register for the course

England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales BFPO BFPO Cyprus Channel Islands Isle Of Man Aland Islands Andorra Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland, Republic Of Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania San Marino Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Vatican City State Europe
Start End Fee Register
05 Oct 2013 Mar 2014
£205.00

Registration closes 05/09/13 (places subject to availability)

Click to register

Final date for part-time fee grant application endorsement 08/08/13. Find out about ways to pay for a standalone course.

This course is expected to start for the last time in October 2016.

What you will study

The course begins by asking you to think about the question ‘What is law?’ It introduces you to the legal history of Scotland before moving on to look at the role of the Scottish Parliament in the law-making process and its relationship with the Westminster Parliament. You will then be introduced to the structure of the court system in Scotland. This includes an overview of court procedure, how different courts relate to each other and the role of the judiciary.

The course moves on to consider specific topics such as child law where you will learn about parental rights and duties and the unique Children’s Hearings System. You will also explore employment law, human rights and unlawful conduct.

At some point in the course, there is usually an opportunity for you to visit a Sheriff court in Edinburgh or Glasgow accompanied by your tutor. These visits are arranged during the course and you will be expected to pay for your own travel.

As part of this course you will be provided with opportunities to develop your general study skills, including those specifically relevant to studying law. You will undertake a number of activities to develop both your knowledge and skills. The course concludes in bringing together your knowledge and skills by looking at a number of legal topical issues.

During the course, you will learn to define and use some legal terms and concepts; and to identify characteristics of a legal argument. As well as some specific legal skills, you will learn to:

    • take notes efficiently and effectively
    • select and summarise material in your own words
    • apply information accurately and carefully to a well-defined problem
    • apply appropriate knowledge and skills to the solution of an issue
    • analyse tasks and make plans for tackling them
    • identify and critically evaluate relevant information
    • communicate effectively in an appropriate and accurate written form.

Vocational relevance

The course develops vocationally orientated skills that are transferable to the job market: good written and communication skills; critical thinking; ability to analyse, synthesise, reflect on and present arguments; and problem solving.

An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland is designed to provide an introduction to the law and legal system in Scotland, and is not part of the direct route to qualification as a solicitor in Scotland. It does however provide an excellent foundation for a wide range of further study with The Open University.

Entry

As this is an OU Level 1 introductory course, we do not require you to have prior experience of studying law. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Outside the UK

Please note that this course is only concerned with the law of Scotland.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

PDF versions of printed material may be available. Some components may not be fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. OurServices for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:

  • help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
  • Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)
  • using a computer for OU study
  • equipment and other support services that we offer
  • examination arrangements
  • how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.

Study materials

What’s included

A study calendar, course manuals, assessment guide and a website.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.

  • If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
  • If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
  • If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor with whom you can communicate by email, telephone and post, who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance.

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) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) 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 or EMA on paper.

These pieces of assessed work are an essential part of the course and you should attempt all of them. You will be given more detailed information about assessment and feedback when you begin the course.

Professional recognition

If you are intending to use this course as part of the free choice for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB), and you hope to enter the legal professions, you should read carefully our Recognition leaflet 3.13 Law. There are different entry regulations into the legal professions in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You should read the Recognition leaflet as it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Student Reviews

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Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information read Distance learning

Games Developer

Get started with games dev

Games development is an attractive industry for many. In Scotland, there is a proud history in this marketplace, with Dundee city a focus for a lot of activity in this field. For anyone looking to pursue further study or junior career positions in this exciting industry, this course would provide the perfect introduction. Enthusiastic study in this course could provide learners with the ability to create a game.
The course comprises of a number of modules focused on getting started with and the development of programming languages for games development. The modules will be online and self-study and would allow progression at a pace that suits the individual.

Summary

This course will eventually walk you through the major components of building GRITS, an HTML5 game. We’ll talk about how to take standard game development techniques, and use them to create high performance HTML5 applications

What do I need to know?

Basic knowledge of HTML, Javascript, and how the web works is necessary for this course and so there is an optional introductory unit to be taken first for beginners. If you have a basic understanding of how the web is structured and have already taken Higher Computing then you may not need to undertake the introductory course first. Individuals can choose.

What will I learn?

At the end of this course, you’ll understand how to develop an HTML5 game. You will gain familiarity with HTML5 features such as 2D canvas and techniques for improving performance.

The final project

The final project will see you creating your own games project, which you will be asked to present to an assessment panel in June 2014.

On successful completion of  the course, the final development project and this presentation, you will be awarded with the Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy award

The Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy Award

Register here.

Digital Creativity

Digital Creativity

Digital creativity is a 21st century skill that is increasingly sought-after in current job adverts. The course comprises of a number of modules focused on getting started with and the development of digital skills, mainly in audio, video and image creativity for web publishing. The modules will be online and self-study and would allow progression at a pace that suits the individual.

Having studied this course you will:

Understand more about and develop the skills of digital creativity in podcasting, screen-casting and video production with graphics and audio soundracks. There is a final course project that will be to produce a video presentation for a real-life context.

The final project

The final project will see you creating your own digital video project, which you will be asked to present to an assessment panel in June 2014.

On successful completion of  the course, the final development project and this presentation, you will be awarded with the Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy award

The Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy Award

Register here.

Entry advice:

Entry to this course can be from beginner level but some familiarity with web publishing/ You Tube would be beneficial

Beginners’ Spanish

Beginners’ Spanish

Spanish courses are always sought-after. The Beginners Spanish course comprises of a number of modules focused on getting started with Spanish in a manner that would allow basic conversational use. The modules will be online and self-study and would allow progression in the language at a pace that suits the individual.

Having studied this course you will:

Understand more about Spanish culture and language; introduce yourself; order a meal/drinks; ask for directions; access public transport; introduce/explain about family; book hotels

Entry advice:

Entry to this course can be from beginner level.

Register here.

Beginners’ Mandarin

Beginners’ Mandarin

Mandarin courses are increasingly sought-after. The Beginners Mandarin course comprises of a number of modules focused on getting started with Mandarin. The modules will be online and self-study and would allow progression in the language at a pace that suits the individual.

Having studied this course you will: Understand more about Chinese culture and language; introduce yourself; order a meal/drinks; ask for directions; access public transport; introduce/explain about family; book hotels

Entry advice:

Entry to this course can be from beginner level.

Register here.

App Developer

App Developer

The App developer course comprises of a number of modules in the programming languages required to learn to develop apps. The core units in HTML and CSS are compulsory but could be bypassed if sufficient existing knowledge in these core areas could be demonstrated. The final project will see you creating your own app.

Having studied this course you will: understand the functions of the levels of the app development environments; program for functions related to the phone’s camera, accelerometer and locations features.

CORE:

HTML

CSS

PLUS:

JAVASCRIPT

DEVELOP:

•PHONEGAP •X-CODE/IOS SDK •ANDROID SDK •GOOGLE APPS SDK

Entry advice:

Entry to this course can be from beginner level, but it is advised that the student has an enthusiastic background knowledge of mobile devices and apps.

·      This would suit those who are familiar with the relevant environments e.g. the iOS operating system as a user (i.e you own and use an ipod/iphone/ipad)
·      For IOS apps, a Mac computer or access to one would also be helpful but not prohibitive

Digital Literacy Challenge PROJECT:

Develop an app for web or mobile platform for a real-world purpose

The Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy Award

On successful completion of  the course, the final development project and this presentation, you will be awarded with the Perth & Kinross Digital Literacy award

Register here.