OpenLearn
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Type of application / System Requirements
The UK Open University OpenLearn site provides access to learning resources from a full range of Open University subject areas from access to postgraduate level and to a numb er of on-line tools.
Purpose
OpenLearn is online learning that is open to anyone, anywhere in the world using materials taken from Open University courses. And it is completely free to use! Instead of attending classes, you study online in the LearningSpace, using materials that have been specially designed for distance learning.
OpenLearn does not:
- require you to be or become an Open University student
- grant degrees or award credits
- provide access to the services available to students registered on Open University courses, such as tutorial support
OpenLearn is an opportunity for informal study – in your own time access materials in areas familiar or new to you, without the pressure of keeping to a timetable or sitting exams. Instead, assess your own progress by keeping an online learning journal, discussing the topics with other online learners in forums and completing self assessment exercises where you control when the answer is revealed. While OpenLearn isn’t exactly the same as studying at University, it gives real learning experiences taken from degree courses – and for free!
What it does
The site provides access to a wide and growing range of Open Educational Resources. The university has spent some endeavors in assuring the quality of the resources. File formats vary - although most are PDFs. The site also provides access to two sets of tools: one, Learning space for those wanting to use the materials for their individual learning and the other, LabSpace, for those wishing to reuse and remix the materials.
How can it be used for creation of OERs
LearnSpace is not intended for the creation of OERs. However it actively encourages the remixing and reuse of materials -see below.
How can it be used for consumption of OERs
Of course you can just go to the site and browse through materials. But To help users get the most out of OpenLearn the site has provided a tool kit of resources to help connect with other learners and educators and make sense of studying. The tools help:
- recreate the learning experience of studying at university where often the best learning happens in conversations with others
- to form your own opinions and make links between the online learning materials and the knowledge you bring to them.
You can also join and set up your own video conferences to meet online learners from anywhere in the world, or chat online using text chat. You’ll be able to see who else is studying the same material as you and find yourself a study buddy! You can also create knowledge maps to help you organise the information in a way that makes sense of it for you, and draws in your previous knowledge or research on the subject. and download them to you computer.
How can it be used for reuse of OERs
LabSpace makes many different open educational resources available and encourages users to take away, re-use and remix to suit your needs as an educator. Broadly speaking, these resources fall into the categories of ‘content’ or ‘tools’.
Content
The content of the LabSpace comprises both the unit (structured self-study resources) as well as the individual assets which make up a unit.
The assets of a unit are the materials such as text, images, animation, audio clip etc and which are likely to be in different digital formats. In some cases a unit may consist of just one asset, but most will contain a mix.
As the amount of material in the LabSpace grows, so does the variety of the units available. However, the main types of unit provided are:
- Segments of current OU courses or support materials.
These comprise an XML-based front page providing a short description of the unit, its learning outcomes, hyperlinks to the sections of the unit and the unit’s assets (text, MP3, images etc). In these units the majority of the original third party material has been cleared and retained.
- Teaching texts from a discontinued OU course.
Such units contain an XML-based front page providing details of the original course and a hyperlinked list of PDF versions of the majority of the texts. Third party material has been removed.
- Audiovisual material from discontinued courses.
These units comprise an XML-based front page providing both a description and hyperlinked list of the audio or video files* * Specially written guides. These guides provide details on using the tools and technologies in the LabSpace.
- Knowledge maps.
These link together various different resources in a visual structure.
- Public FlashMeetings.
FlashMeetings created by fellow users of the site.
- Collaborative Units.
Groups of people and organisations can develop aspects of their project which will result in new open educational resources.
Formats
Units can be downloaded or taken away in several formats:
- Zip file of all the individual assets;
- Moodle back-up;
- OU XML;
- IMS Content package;
- RSS.
At the asset level the major formats are:
- Text in XML, PDF or Word;
- Animations in Flash;
- Images as GIF or JPEG;
- Audio files as MP3 and video files as MP4.
Tools
A variety of software tools are available from OpenLearn to help communicate with others and to rework content. Compendium is a mind-mapping tool, FlashMeeting enables video-conferencing through a web browser, and MSG is an instant messenger requiring no download. These tools can be used in situ or taken away as a client download or source code. For those who wish to rework the material, the OUXML structured authoring schema is provided as part of the unit downloaded.
License support
Materials are licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Standards / Compatibility
See section on reuse (above).
HOW TO USE IT
There are four sections on the web site provding a guide on how to use the materials:
- Get Started - Learners
- Get Started - Educators
- Get Started - Organisations
- Get Started - Researchers
All provide access to details and How-to support including text and videos.
Links / examples / Who is using it
Here is an example of the introduction to one unit (it seemed relevant -)). To view the full unit click here.
Living with the internet: keeping it safe (T180_8) This unit allows guest users to enter RSS Feed for T180_8 Computer crashes are often the result of viruses, worms or Trojans as unfortunately some internet users want to cause havoc or vandalise your computer. This unit provides a guide to the downsides of living with the Net. Advice on how to deal with these ... Computer crashes are often the result of viruses, worms or Trojans as unfortunately some internet users want to cause havoc or vandalise your computer. This unit provides a guide to the downsides of living with the Net. Advice on how to deal with these dangers is provided and security issues like spyware and adware are explained. The unit also deals with protecting children online, and provides links to various helpful websites which deal with the problems raised. Hide prerequisites Show prerequisites
Time: 10 hours Level: Introductory
Topic: IT and Computing Last Modified: February 4th 2008
Join this unit | Browse - Tell me more about the Join this unit option.
The site also provides access to research about who users are and what they are using it for. Researcher Steve Goodwin says: "A large choice of content is definitely at the top of the list for both browsers and learners who are spending time studying the materials online. Top of learners' wish lists are more testing, assessment and interactive content. The ability to interact with other learners is not as important for many, but a smaller sub-group value the social tools. This sub-group also value being able to create their own personal space. One thing high on learners' wish lists is the opportunity to have Q&A sessions with experts. Perhaps it is not a surprise that users request the 'carrots and sticks' that formal learning provides and that the 'social learners' are a smaller group. Social learning using a combination of online tools, resources and communities is an emerging trend that a smaller group of early adopters are embracing."
Sandbox
The site provides open access without a log-in although you may wish to create an account to use the various tools. Go to http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php.
Comments / Discussion
This is a great site. Although it started out by primarily providing access to Open University materials it has developed into both an on-line self learning resource and a valuable application for remixing and repurposing materials. In many ways it is a model for the way ahead for universities in supporting Open Educational[b][/b] Resources.
