FirstClass Conferencing
What is FirstClass? This is the Open University's conferencing system - complete with e-mail. There are many courses that use FirstClass (FC) and there are many student organised conferences which are moderated (Looked after by students on behalf of OUSA - the role has been delegated by the OU). You will need to have a computer set up, modem and telephone line an ISP (Internet Service Provider) which you must have in order to read this a password which is obtained from the OU Once you have your password you can access FC via the internet but the OU software is well worth waiting for. In addition to the software you will get an off-line reader so that you can prepare messages off-line (lower phone bills) and there is a manual as well which explains it all. There is a regional conference, called OUSA West Midlands, which is open to anyone and a closed Branch conference for which you will need permission to access it. To gain that permission, on FirstClass email 'OUSA Controller' requesting access and include your Name and Student Identification Number.	Virus alerts
Yes, but what is it all about? You are able to communicate with other students and you will probably find that there is a conference for your special interests, whether that is academic, social or hobby/interest. It works like a series of bulletin boards and is really very simple. You can post a message in one of the conferences, where anyone can open it, read it and respond to it. You find the conferences that interest you and if there isn't one then you can request one from OUSA. You can then read the messages (queries, responses, information sharing ... you name it), attach files to messages for others to download. It is like one big self help group. Someone once said that FC takes the 'distance' out of 'distance learning' and it is true. OU students are not like students from 'traditional' university's in that they do not see each other every day in order to talk about their subject/interests and FC can help overcome this.
A typical screen from FirstClass.
How do I get it? The appropriate software is available free to students, tutors and staff. Send an e-mail to ims-admn@open.ac.uk and ask to be sent a FirstClass software pack. Give your name, address, daytime phone number, OU personal ID and the course number that you are currently studying. Alternatively telephone the Open University and ask for the Academic Computing Service. Their Help Desk is available between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday.
How to use it Try looking at www.fcguru.org.uk and/or http://firstclass.open.ac.uk