Business & Work

OpenLearn – www.open.ac.uk/openlearn - provides access to hundreds of OU courses through a virtual learning environment that supports independent learners. Part of the OU’s mission to open access to education for all, OpenLearn provides free learning to anyone, anywhere in the world.

The website launched in October 2006 with 900 learning hours of materials. With new study units added every month, the LearningSpace area of the website now offers more than 3,700 hours of learning content. Taken from existing OU courses, study units range across 11 topics, from access to postgraduate level. Popular topics include Health and LifeStyle, Languages, Science and Nature and IT and Computing.

Access to Helpful Video, Audio and Forums

Each study unit begins with a clear set of learning outcomes; there are frequent review points, and access to video and audio materials is designed to enhance understanding. There is also a range of study skills material on reading and note-taking, writing skills, and using a computer to study. Learners are also encouraged to start personal learning journals and to join subject-related discussion forums.

OpenLearn has seen visits by over 1 million people from over 160 countries. Learners are using OpenLearn to enrich their current studies; research into future study options; build up a learning portfolio for Continuing Professional Development; keep up- to-date with their subject or interest; and try out new subjects. Parents are using the website to help their children research higher education subjects and lifelong “leisure learners” with a passion for their subject are using the website to extend their knowledge and meet other people with the same interests.

Quote from a user of OpenLearn: “I'm going to be retiring soon and with less money I will have to cut back on the courses I take. It’s a great resource for people who don't want to work towards a qualification or simply can't afford to study as they would like…”

Over 50s Students are forming online Study Groups

U3A is one organisation using OpenLearn to provide study opportunities to their members. A worldwide movement that encourages people in the ‘third age’ of life to take up or continue educational interests, U3A members are forming study groups to support each other in learning online.

Tools such as video conferencing and instant messaging are provided to help learners find other people with shared interests. With one click any learner can start a text conversation with another learner studying online at the same time.

Laura Dewis, OpenLearn Communications Manager: “The OU has been teaching people at a distance for decades. We’ve made use of technology in OpenLearn to help people connect as we know this enhances their learning experience. People use the tools to recreate the experience of studying at university, where learning often happens in conversations with others; and to share their own opinions and make links between the learning materials and the knowledge they bring to them.”

An OpenLearn user survey has showed visitors of OpenLearn gaining new skills as independent learners. The areas of skills improvement include improving their ways to learn (72%), reviewing their progress (62%), recognising strengths and weaknesses (61%), managing project work (43%) and their own study time (39%).

More Information
www.open.ac.uk/openlearn