The people

• Quicktime (3m 8s)

Project leader Stephen Powell and Tim Williams, Ultraversity pathway leader

Project leader Stephen Powell, and Tim Williams, pathway leader of the BA Learning, Technology, and Research explain how the Ultraversity model works in practice for students who study and work at the same time.

Marcus Winter, Consultant

Learning online and at times that suit me is a great opportunity to develop my knowledge and abilities. This course is work based, so I research myself and my workplace, try new approaches and learn through sytematic reflection. As a result I can see real development, personal and professional.

The course embraces technology, which is a boon for me, and gives great creative freedom in structuring my research and presenting the results. A friendly and relaxed atmosphere at Ultraversity, and a great community spirit among researchers, make this journey enriching and much more personal than I thought.

Vivien O'Dunne, Charity Administrator

Initially I enrolled onto the course just prove to myself that I could get a degree. A mum at 17 and now a mum of two teenagers the conventional education route for me wasn’t an option. When I started, I had an average job with average prospects: nearly into year three now and my profile has risen substantially. I’ve had a promotion and the management team really value my opinions and work, so much so that they are already asking if I will continue my study at Masters Level to undertake research projects for my workplace. I’ve given my children a role model to be proud of and my workplace a committed employee. I’ve given myself confidence and a new lease of life that I can truly recommend to anyone considering the Ultraversity way!

• Quicktime (9m 52s)

Helen Holyoake-Ward, graduated in October 2005

Graduate Helen Holyoake-Ward describes her experience of studying on the course: how she found out about it, the technology involved, the importance of the online community the difficulties she faced and how she succeeded. She explains the change this degree has made to her organisation and on her personal development.

Carole Tonner, Advisory Teaching Assistant

My role as Advisory Teaching Assistant was the first of it’s kind in the country. I am based in the Children Families and Learning Department within the local authority. Enrolling onto the BA (Hons) Learning Research Technology degree enabled my role and me to develop. I have been able to focus and target my practice, in order to plan, make changes, and reflect. Everything that has been planned had an effect on my role, understanding, and knowledge. My organisation and myself can see the impact my work has had and can have in the future. I have new skills, like using action research, being able to understand research and the impact it can have, presenting to an audience appropriately and effectively, having an impact on their role and understanding. All skills I have learnt have proved valuable; the degree has given me a more purposeful role and secure place, now, and in the future.

Marion Cope, Community Nurse

One of the greatest benefits for me is that I can send and read messages at a time that is convenient to me, & this is not usually at work!! I dont always feel that people have time to consider any thoughts/ideas or questions in my workplace, but I get great support and encouragement from being part of the online community, as well as practical help with technical questions. Like the advertising says: This is not an easy option! It makes you think & look at theory & apply it, but also develops use of the many ways of presenting work, encouraging creativity, which is stimulating & exciting as well as daunting!!

• Quicktime (5m 8s)

Jermaine Taylor, current student

Student Jermaine Taylor talks about how he combines his day time job at a school with his studies for his degree. In particular, he describes the support he has received in the online community, and points out the advantage of doing the degree alongside his work colleagues.

Susan Melvin, Business Advisor

I am a business adviser working for Thurrock Local Enterprise Agency Ltd. in Grays, Essex. We give support and training to start-up and existing small businesses, run Thurrock Small Business Club and mentor new businesses for the Prince's Trust. It is varied and challenging work which I enjoy enormously. I am hoping that this course will help me to investigate the changing needs of our clients and the best way to deliver the best service we can with the resources available to us. I do feel that this course is relevant to business because it is work based and flexible. From the first module I have identified my strengths and weaknesses and my opportunities for further learning. I can also apply my research to achieving better communication with both colleagues and clients, resulting in a generally improved standard of service.

Kate Luck, Junior Mac Artworker

I suffer from school phobia and was fortunate enough to be apart of Notschool.net, "one of Ultralab's most successful and long-running research and development projects." I have been able to continue my journey of online education through Ultraversity. Being an Ultraversity researcher has given me the opportunity to work towards my degree, something I wouldn’t have been able to do via the 'traditional' paths. There is a real sense of community within Ultraversity, people (the learning facilitators and researchers) care and want to see you succeed. Most importantly for me I am seen as an individual, I am able to direct the path of my degree and focus on areas that are important to me; creativity; photography and developing my position as a Junior Mac Artworker, a job I love and hope to build into a career.

• Quicktime (1m 4s)

John Woollard, external examiner

External Examiner John Woollard of the quality of student work he has seen.