BN509 request for advice

MollyZ

I'm looking for some advice on the BN509 course and was hoping someone here might have some experience of it. What I am most concerned about is the way the course is delivered with attendance being only once a month. I have no IT experience and would be starting from scratch with this so I am worried that I might end up getting totally lost without regular classes. Does anybody know what sort of online support is available for students doing this course? Are you given assignments or tasks or study plans or anything like that or is it a case of turn up once a month and then figure it out for yourself in between? I'd be really grateful for any advice anyone could give.

Tom Dunne

MollyZ wrote: »

I have no IT experience and would be starting from scratch with this so I am worried that I might end up getting totally lost without regular classes.

It is aimed at people with no prior experience in IT, but who already posses a degree, so I wouldn't worry about that. There is that danger, that without weekly classes, you could quickly become lost. However, it is not unheard of for students who attend weekly classes also to become lost. So, it really depends on you - do you learn better in a classroom environment, or studying on your own?

MollyZ wrote: »

Does anybody know what sort of online support is available for students doing this course?

It relies heavily on Moodle. Ideally, you should have at least weekly contact with the subject lecturer, either via the discussion board feature, e-mail, or the live chat.

MollyZ wrote: »

Are you given assignments or tasks or study plans or anything like that or is it a case of turn up once a month and then figure it out for yourself in between? I'd be really grateful for any advice anyone could give.

You are given a lot of reading material, plus some self-test questions.

MollyZ

Tom, thanks so much for the reply-that information is really useful and reassuring. I don't have a problem with studying on my own as long as there is some support there in case I get stuck and it sounds like there is plenty of that.

Also if anyone knows, I was also wondering if there is much difference in terms of course content between the BN509 course and this HDip in IT at NUIM: http://www.cs.nuim.ie/courses/hdipit/index.php. There a lot of description of the modules on the NUIM website but not on the ITB site and I can't tell much from just the names. I'm sorry if that sounds really thick, but like I said, this is all new to me.

Thanks again for reply Tom, it's very much appreciated.

Tom Dunne

Looking at both, they are, for the most part, similar enough courses.

Except for the Humanities Computing in Maynooth, sounds very fluffy.

The Maynooth one also seems to have a strong theoretical component (e.g. Discrete Structures, Algorithms & Data structures). Fascinating stuff, and certainly relevant, but I personally think that it is too much at this level.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that I lectured on the BN509 course )

MollyZ

Tom, thanks again for your help, it's very useful.

I have applied for both of these courses under the LMA scheme for unemployed graudates. Don't know yet if I have a place in ITB. Was offered Maynooth but even though it's part time all the classes are during the day so I'd have to give it up if I got a job Wanted to get as much info as possible in case I do get a place on BN509 to help me decide. Should hear in the next day or so. Thanks again, you've been a great help.

Cristiana

Hi MollyZ I've applied for both of these courses under the LMA also and they've offered me a place this week. After I've seen the NUIM timetable for the HDip in IT is much more likely for me to start the BN509 in ITB because I'm still hoping to get a job soon and all classes are during the day which surprised me a lot

You should get some letter from ITB this week I suppose, best of luck for you

Please if anyone knows, which is the best bus to get ITB from city centre and which stop should I get off? Thanks.

MollyZ

Hi Cristiana, Thanks. I got an offer from ITB yesterday so was very pleased about that and I think I'll take that offer rather than NUIM too because of the timetable issue.

Cristiana

Okay, see you soon I guess