“One of the most important lessons I learned while studying with the OCA is not to give up. That when an assignment does not work out first time it is not a failure but a work in progress. Once I experienced this a number of times I realised that I could work through problems and my confidence in my own abilities grew.”
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I came across the OCA by chance and it initially seemed too good to be true. I wouldn’t have thought that a creative degree was possible from home. By this time I had found an interest in photography and the idea that I could undertake that in my own time at my own pace was enticing.
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“The ‘piece of paper’ would have been nice to have but what is more important is that I have enjoyed the journey, I have met some talented people, created some interesting projects and am continuing to work at creating unique pieces which express how I see the world.”
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“I knew that I didn’t have the qualifications to enter a photography degree at a traditional university but in my search for a course I came across the OCA’s ethos of open access and inclusion it gave me a path into a level of education I would otherwise have been denied. With my academic angst it took me a year or so to pluck up the courage to enter the course.”
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But here’s the thing I believe: creativity isn’t always a choice; for so many of us, it’s a need. And when you don’t satisfy the things you feel compelled to do, life doesn’t work so well.
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“Before OCA I tried other online courses similar to OCA but the difference was that OCA offers rich contents and broader art information. Other online courses concentrate more on techniques only.”
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From the end of January Photography Programme Leader Gina Lundy will be taking maternity leave. We are really excited to welcome Dan Robinson into the role whilst she is away. Below, Dan and Gina discuss the coming 12 months, course review and the vision for the Photography Programme going forward.
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Anna, a retired teacher of modern languages living in Devon, was instrumental in setting up the OCA South West regional group in 2016 and has just completed her BA(Hons) in Photography with OCA. We caught up about her educational journey with OCA and explored which parts of studying for a degree at a distance had been particularly challenging and rewarding.
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Following on from OCA research into student engagement as part of Project 2018 and drawing on student feedback at unit level, degree programmes across OCA are piloting a range of online group work sessions.
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In response to student and tutor feedback the Photography team have started to trial the provision of regular online groups, defined by unit and led by a tutor who has a special interest in that area. These groups are intended to compliment (not replace) the existing regular hangouts happening that are forum-wide, facilitated by tutors and those that are student led. The idea is to diversify and create other alternate, online spaces for student communities.
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