Research · Programme
Tackling global challenges in education and shaping its possible futures through multidisciplinary research networks and pedagogical innovation.
It is our mission to tackle global challenges in contemporary education and shape its possible futures for widening participation.
IET’s Learning Futures research and innovation programme aims to investigate, establish and encourage multidisciplinary networks to embrace global challenges within education with highly scalable Mass Open Online Courses (MOOCs), MOOC platforms and portable devices supporting mobile learning.
Engaging with communities, partners and stakeholders across academia, industry, government and civil society in the UK and internationally, our research in mobile learning, citizen engagement, online language learning and MOOCs addresses the needs of dispersed and disadvantaged learners.
FutureLearn facilitates distance learning for over 10 million registered users worldwide, with courses from over 100 partners. Connecting IET’s expertise in innovative pedagogy and widening participation, we aim to share awareness of IET’s and The Open University’s leadership in MOOC platforms with partner institutions around the world engaged in our interconnected learning platform.
Editorial
OU launches new chatbot for students to disclose disabilities with ease
Educational technologists at The Open University (OU) have developed a virtual assistant chatbot with artificial intelligence technology to support students to disclose disabilities and access information with ease.
Thought leadership
Ensuring research participants' voices are heard with effective data collection
Research led by IET is exploring how marginalised children, their parents and teachers, use technology to access education. Dr Saraswati Dawadi discusses how effective data collection can uncover lived experiences in under-resourced countries.
Editorial
Widening opportunities for teacher professional development in Zambia using low-cost tech
IET is working with the ZEST project, supporting the use of open educational resources and collaborative digital learning approaches.
Editorial
IET recognised for innovative course production at E-Learning Excellence Awards
In October 2022, academic researchers from The Open University’s Institute of Educational Technology (IET) were recognised by the awarding panel of the European Conference on e-Learning for their innovative practice on the Skills for Prosperity Kenya programme.
Editorial
OUAnalyse project wins in DataIQ 2020 Awards
OUAnalyse has won the Data IQ2020 award for 'Best use of data by a not-for-profit organisation'.
Editorial
Dr Fereshte Goshtasbpour champions open and scaled learning
Fereshte joined IET with the aim to engage in research with big impact.
Thought leadership
Exploring participation behaviour of young citizen scientists
IET are working with Natural History Museums.
Case study
nQuire Mission: COVID-19 and You
In Partnership with the OU, The Young Foundation have set up a mission on nQuire to understand people's experiences of the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK.
Editorial
nQuire and the OU win Guardian University Award
nQuire, the OU's citizen science platform, and The Open University (OU) win Guardian University 2020 research impact award.
Thought leadership
Intelligent Assistants supporting language learning
Intelligent assistants can help language learners study in an informal, self-directed manner.
Thought leadership
Intuitive chatbots in the HE sector
Chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming a widely used tool to support people access information.
Editorial
The social benefits to informal language learning
How informal language learning can allow for self-directed learning experiences.
Editorial
Digital Badges and COVID-19: Enhancing assessments
The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted the need for immediate, innovative solutions to improve assessments.
Editorial
Facilitating student consultation to enhance inclusion
The ADMINS research project is working with students at the OU.
Editorial
Attitudes to home learning throughout lockdown
How attitudes to how children use technology to learn have changed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Editorial
Learning from home with personal computers
Students and teachers have adapted to online and blended learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
