Dayskipper

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Novice21

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Hello all,

I think I've almost maybe decided to do Dayskipper...

I'd like to do the theory stuff as a distance-learning course, but I'm very worried that I won't be up to it, so I want to be able to call/email someone when I get stuck. Can anyone recommend where I should go, and how long it might take me to get it done?

Many thanks!
 
I did YM Theory "informally" using one of the CD based solutions. It was nothing like as good as doing it at nightschool (doing at moment) because the interaction with other people learning is hugely valuable
 
I'm currently doing it exactly as you suggest with these guys:

http://www.teachmetosail.com/

I was worried they might be a bogus outfit so called the RYA to confirm they're legit... and they are.

I've been allocated a tutor and I have his email address and phone number. I email him from time to time and he's always responded within 48 hours... usually much quicker.

They try to discourage you from phoning... I guess because their "tutors" have other jobs/things they do... plus email gives you a record of all communications unlike the phone.

Only problem with their system I can think of is that when you do chart work you have to scan it then email it which can be a bit of a bind - but if you have a good digital camera you can just take a photo of your work I've found.... so you get used to it, and it's not really an issue.

Interestingly, when it comes to the exam, you get sent the paper so you can sit it at home, with your own choice of invigilator. You then have 7 days to type up your paper and email, fax or post it in to them.... this is obviously very open to cheating... I asked the RYA about this (as it's what made me have my doubts about TMI in the first place) and they confirmed that it's the norm... you don't get a usable qualification until you do the practical anyway, and to do the practical requires using and proving you have the knowledge from the theory... so I guess it makes sense.

I've found the course very interesting and have enjoyed it thoroughly. Only things that are really tough to figure out might be the tidal calculations for secondary ports when you have to do loads of interpolation, and the course to steer calculations coupled with ETAs, which might be a bit tougher if you never studied vectors at school or uni.... but to be honest, they're really not that complicated when you get the gist.

Good luck!
 
I know, I'm sure evening classes is the best way, but there's just no way I can get out in the evenings, being tied to bed times for the kids! Which is why I'd like to find a nice supportive distance course. I am used to working on my own, being an OU student with several courses under my belt...
 
Oh you also asked about timescales.

I think if you took time off work and just worked through it 9 to 5 it would probably take you maybe 4 or 5 days. Most of that time would be taken with working through the exercises the RYA provide.

Re Botheras' comment... I bet it is a lot better at night class, but if like me the closest course is too far away to be realistic, I think this distance course is a workable alternative.
 
I did both dayskipper and Yachtmaster online through Chichester school of sailing, loads of feedback, as much phone contact/email contact as I wanted, passed both.
I would highly recomend them, as for 7 days to type up and post, that certainly wasnt the case, I stopped dead on time and posted my notes straight away, along with the charts and working out scribbles. The test was on the computer screen, I didnt even down load it, just worked like fury.
Your invigilator signs to say that they have played by the rules and no one I know would want the responsibility of saying that a person hasnt cheated so has demonstrated a level of competance if they clearly havent.
 
Do both if you can. I found that the correspondence course that I did was much more complete and thorough than the evening classes. It did not have the same time restraints. Each stage of the work was tested and marked and the work returned with appropriate comments and guidance.
The evening classes did allow immediate interaction between students themselves and with the instructor and filled in any gaps left by the correspondence course.
 
Just had another thought - if I buy all the stuff, can HWMBO work through it all too, then pay to sit the exam at the end?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hey CaptainBob,

What are you doing with the OU?

[/ QUOTE ]

My GF did a Psychology degree with them... I've already got a degree but didn't want to be left out so I started doing a Mathematics and Computer Science degree with them. I did MST207 and M206 (Which is Maths and Programming), but motivation has gone now she's finished and I'm taking up sailing. If I get bored, or housebound for a period of time, I'll probs kick start it again.

What are you doing?

PS. You could both do the course, but only one of you will get the exercises marked... unsure about sending off directly to the RYA for the exam though, I don't think you can do that.
 
I've looked at you're link, they do a reduction for 2 people registering together, so maybe we'll do that. Just trying to convince HWMBO!

I'm just starting the last two courses for my degree in Childhood and Youth studies with the OU. Might go on to psychology... it's a bit adictive!
 
It's very impressively put together. You get a really good feeling from it.... much better than than my first degree which was from a well known uni you'd really expect to be top notch. I found lectures in the flesh almost completely pointless to be honest. An exercise in writing notes as quickly as possible most of the time rather than actually learning anything. Time that could have been spent actually learning. Then again, they did schedule lectures for flippin FIRST THING IN THE AFTERNOON!!! Can you believe it! No such time constraints with the OU /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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