Research · Programme
It is our mission to further the principles of Open Education, harnessing innovative technology to provide free open learning.
The definition of Open Education and the ways it can be achieved have expanded over time since when The Open University was founded in 1969, and when the Institute of Educational Technology was founded in 1970. Now encompassing the specialities of Open Educational Resources (OER), MOOCs, open access publishing and open educational practice, the IET lead in the developing, establishing and promoting new open practices.
Established with a history of expertise in content sharing, open licensing, and developing methods for open collaboration, the IET’s research covers the impact of open education on learners, teachers and educators across society. As Open Education has grown in mainstream prominence in the past two decades, the IET has sought to answer questions of the most vital importance in education, industry and developing markets.
How can teaching be changed if students are given open textbooks and online resources which they can alter and add to?
What does it mean for an academic and their research to develop an online identity? How do universities adapt to providing content for free and recognising the learning that takes place informally?
These, and many more, are the types of questions we are interested in answering. The impacts extend throughout and beyond universities, with public engagement and awareness being vital for societal issues such as health, economics, jobs and education.
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.
Editorial
‘Take your teaching online’ course relaunches with new resources for educators
The Open University (OU) has relaunched a course designed to support educators in taking their teaching online, sharing new fundamental knowledge from lessons learned internationally during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
Editorial
GO-GN wins Open Education Award for Excellence
GO-GN wins Open Education award for Excellence by Open Education Global for its e-access Research Methods Handbook.
Editorial
Research empowering victims of human trafficking wins OU award
We are pleased to congratulate IET’s Dr Saraswati Dawadi and the OU’s Dr Margaret Ebubedike who have been voted the winner of The Open University’s People’s Choice Award.
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
MOOC Platforms as a central hub in the job market
MOOC platforms have a role in play in assuring uniform standards for online learning and training courses.
Editorial
Learning from home with personal computers
Students and teachers have adapted to online and blended learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Editorial
Multi-generational learning with citizen inquiry
How multi-generational learning with citizen science has increased during Covid-19.
Editorial
GO-GN is producing its own Open Educational Resources
GO-GN is producing open publications for its network.
Editorial
Facilitating student consultation to enhance inclusion
The ADMINS research project is working with students at the OU.
Editorial
GO-GN aims to raise awareness in the Global South
GO-GN is expanding its reach to raise awareness of open educational resources in the global south.
Editorial
Digital Badges and COVID-19: Enhancing assessments
The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted the need for immediate, innovative solutions to improve assessments.
