Mark Endean. Inglaterra. "Distance learning for the 21st centuryTransforming the lives of students at the UK Open University"
1. 1 Distance learning for the 21st centuryTransforming the lives of students at the UK Open University Mark EndeanFaculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology 1
2. The Open University in 2010 Over 2.5 million students since 1971 200,000+ students in 2010 20,000 outside UK Study part-time at home No entry requirements Advantages of scale, scope, quality In the top five UK Universities for teaching quality and student satisfaction 2005–09 Karen Parker
3. 3 The Open University in 2010 Total expenditure over £400 million Student fees (1/3) and Government funds (2/3) Central campus in Milton Keynes 800 academics 3000 support staff 13 regional or national centres 300 academics 1000 support staff 7500 tutors
4. UKOU teaching programmes Seven faculties Arts Business School Education and Language Studies Institute of Educational Technology Mathematics, Computing & Technology Science Social Sciences OU Validation Services Open University Worldwide
5. Qualifications Full range of qualifications offered pre-degree or ‘access’ courses HE Certificates and Diplomas Bachelors degrees (BA, BSc, with honours) Masters degrees (MA, MSc) Research degrees (MPhil, PhD) OU has same degree–awarding powers as other UK universities All qualifications meet requirements of UK Framework
22. The Open University in 2010 The OU has built its success and reputation on the foundation of the ‘supported open learning’ model: blend of outstanding learning materials, excellent student support, professional logistics, and leading research and scholarship excellence without exclusivity
23. Who are OU students? Median age – 32. Youngest student 9 years old! Youngest graduate 17. Oldest graduate 80+. Fastest growing cohort of OU students is 18–24 age-group About 38% studying for a second degree or additional qualification
24. Who are OU students? 40% of OU students do not have school-leaving qualifications to get into a traditional university Currently some 10,000 disabled students are studying with the OU Nearly 80% of OU students are in employment
43. Wide range of media options Print: books, supplementary print, readers Offline media: ‘rich media’ delivered on disk, e.g. DVD-video, software etc. Library resources: full range of online library resources available to all students (http://library.open.ac.uk/). Online media: students access web content, online student activities, collaborative work via the OU Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)… Activities: practical work, day events, residential schools Public access: iTunes U, OpenLearn
44. Practices that promote quality Teams approaches Conversations about quality Academic capacity Comprehensive support systems Quality enhancement focus
45. The course team approach course team project team media account manager associate dean coursemanager media project manager course chair senior courses manager academic team graphics editing sound & vision interactive courses office technical testing copublishing course secretary materials rights despatch project support office plus… External Assessor
46. Value of the course team approach Complementary skills ( creativity, storytelling, authoring, elearning, critiquing, pedagogical experience etc) Professional inputs from media technologists, broadcasters, information scientists, pedagogists etc. Personal academic development Peer feedback Staff motivation
47. Challenges for the UKOU Designing learning and support strategies into courses Evolving the Supported Open Learning Model for the electronic era—on-line and mobile learning. Exploiting new technologies, new media and methods Updating and developing professional staff Improving responsiveness, speed, cost & effectiveness Deepening international relevance Building the practical relevance of our courses
48. 34 Challenges for all educators Increase volume without reducing standards Maintain the supply of appropriately-qualified teachers Focus on professionalism of practising teachers Agree global standards Develop new pedagogies learning, teaching and assessment Share best practice 34
49. Muchas gracias! Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and TechnologyThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AA www.open.ac.uk m.h.endean@open.ac.uk