T171, You, Your Computer and the Net.

This is a 30 point, level one course, and is usually the starting point for people beginning their OU studies. I took T171 in 2001 when the course consisted of the following 3 modules:

Module 1 : This was basically an reintroduction to learning, focusing on study skills and using a computer, the internet and group working. This module has now been removed from T171 and is now presented as the standalone course T170.

Module 2 : This was about the history of microcomputers. This module was based on the book, Accidental Empires by Robert Cringely. The course focus on the Companies, personalities and technologies that have lead to the pc revolution, such as Steve Wozniak, Apple and VisiCalc.

Module 3 : This focused on the history of the internet. From its beginnings as ARPANET some 30 years ago, via Tim Berners-Lee and CERN to the current day web via some visionaries such as Vannevar Bush. The module was based around the book Where Wizards Stay Up Late by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon.

The course was rounded off by an ECA (End of Course Assessment) instead of an exam. We had to create a website where we reviewed some of the work we had done on the course and examined in further details some of the significant issues from Blocks 2 & 3

The Module 1 that I studied back in 2001 was subsequently replaced by a module on eBusiness. T171 has now been retired and replaced by T175 (I think)

Below are some useful links that I used during my T171 studies.. 

My T171 Links