Research · Programme

Learning in an Open World

Person sharing their point of view in a group meeting.

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

Editorial

Learning from home with personal computers

Students and teachers have adapted to online and blended learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read more

Editorial

Multi-generational learning with citizen inquiry

How multi-generational learning with citizen science has increased during Covid-19.

Read more

Editorial

GO-GN is producing its own Open Educational Resources

GO-GN is producing open publications for its network.

Read more

Editorial

Facilitating student consultation to enhance inclusion

The ADMINS research project is working with students at the OU.

Read more

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.

Read more

Editorial

Digital Badges and COVID-19: Enhancing assessments

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted the need for immediate, innovative solutions to improve assessments.

Read more