Following Dad’s footsteps into the Open University
DeBBIe BAFF is following in her late father’s footsteps by studying with the Open University.
The 44- year- old, from Caerphilly, South Wales, has already completed a BSc in Psychology and also her Masters in online and distance education with the OU.
Debbie, who has two children, ethan, 11, and Caitlyn, eight, plans to go on to study for a PhD in Technology enhanced Learning.
She says: ‘I’ve always had a soft spot for the OU, as my late father, Colin, was one of the first students. I have fond memories of him with his head in a book or rushing home to listen to one of the radio broadcasts.
‘he was always surrounded by books, so I trained well from an early age. he gained a BA and it took him about ten years.
‘ In those days, there weren’ t any named degrees, but he did a lot of social science courses.’
Debbie has been studying with the OU since 1996 and has also completed a BSc in Psychology and a Professional Certificate in Management as well as her Masters. She works for Swansea University as a senior academic developer, helping staff to put technology-enhanced learning into their teaching.
Debbie used to be a chartered surveyor working on commercial property and estate management. Then, when she was made redundant in 1996, she began studying with the OU. She says: ‘I worked for the OU in Wales for some years, and that got me into a career in universities.
‘Since then, I’ve worked in all aspects of the student lifecycle in both administrative and academic roles, including running an open education project while working at the University of South Wales.
‘ I was able to use the knowledge gained from my Masters within the project.’
She adds: ‘ I’ve always worked full-time and studied part-time.
‘It was easier before I had the children, although they are pretty used to me having assignments now and let me get on with it.
‘You do have to be quite disciplined, and you learn to grab the opportunity to study where and whenever you can.
‘I remember studying in the early hours of the morning and last thing at night when the children were in bed and listening to recordings while doing the washing up.
‘It is so much easier these days with the internet and the fact that you can pretty much study on demand on your phone or mobile device.’