UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

Targeted at: Any member
Duration: 20 weeks but no regular class
Qualification: Open University 10 credits

The Course

If you are interested in the environment, or want to study biology, science or mathematics, then Breakthrough is particularly appropriate. It emphasises the development of writing skills and gives an introduction to calculation. It explores a range of environmental concerns, shows how science can analyse the effects humans have on the world, and looks at calculations and units in the context of familiar examples.

It is currently being assessed to explore the potential that it will meet the Maths requirements for entry into the OU pre-reg diploma in Nursing, though this process has not yet been complete.

This course has been prepared with the needs of new learners in mind. If you are interested in the environment, or want to study biology, science or mathematics, it would be particularly helpful. Starting from a day-to-day level of reading and numeracy, the course emphasises the development of writing skills and introductory calculations.

This course also introduces some of the ideas and ways of thinking involved in studying mathematics, science and technology. You will find it useful whether you are building up towards regular, structured study, or are simply interested in finding out about technical subjects and their place in our lives. In this course the scientific and mathematical ideas are emphasised more than the technological ones, although the skills are just as appropriate for anyone who intends to study technology.

The course materials assume no special knowledge and no experience of studying. Taking examples from everyday life, they enable you to start from your general knowledge and interests and gradually build up to degree-level study. Features of the course include:

• activities that encourage you to link the discussions in the course to your own experience

• core questions and key points that help you to keep hold of the point of what you are reading

• study skill sections that enable you to reflect on how you are learning.

The course is made up of two modules, ‘Our living environment’ and ‘Thinking about measurement’.

‘Our living environment’: The environment often appears in the news, with stories about topics as diverse as acid rain, damage to ancient forests, and protests about endangered animals. But how are these topics related, and what do we mean by ‘the environment’? How can we tell what effects human activities have upon the natural world: can we look beyond the obvious, to see the underlying patterns? This module offers new ways of thinking about issues that you may have come across before, and helps you to develop your writing skills so that you can record those thoughts. At first it encourages you to think about your feelings about the environment, and shows how scientists might write about various topics. Then you’ll see how science describes the relationships between plants and animals in a variety of environments: ponds, woodlands and compost heaps. Next, the module examines some of the huge natural processes of recycling of chemical constituents, such as carbon, and shows why they matter on a global scale. Finally, you’ll see some examples of the ways in which environments are deliberately managed, and have a chance to explore some controversial issues to do with conservation.

‘Thinking about measurement’: Measurement is part of our everyday lives, whether we are cooking a meal, buying a bar of chocolate or planning a journey. It is so familiar that it is often taken for granted, until we suspect that someone has made a mistake and given us less than we’ve paid for. But why do measurements matter, and who decides when a measurement is correct? This module introduces some of the uses and limits of measuring size, with examples that range from cooking a medieval meal for 100 people to complaining about an underweight chocolate bar. Along the way you’ll learn about the metric system and calculations such as percentages.

Courses run from February, June, September & November. You must be registered at least two weeks prior to course starting. If you are interested in this course, please download an expression of interest form.