Historical OU TV and Radio

The Open University has produced a number of series to inform students and a wider audience about the University. Series such as 'Open Forum' and 'Countdown to the OU' covered various topics such as methods of teaching, information about modules and guidance on areas such as summer schools. The OU Digital Archive Historical Television and Radio collection includes a small sample of the archive. The collection will grow as more contents are added.

Image of Historical OU TV and Radio
Thumbnail Title Description Date
video preview image for Open Forum 10 1971 Open Forum 10 1971General assembly at Cranfield Institute of Technology, discusses consultative committees, the...1971
video preview image for Open Forum 6 1971 Open Forum 6 1971Discussion on student participation. Outlines structure of University required under the Charter,...22 May 1971
video preview image for Open Forum 02 (1971) : Programme 2 Open Forum 02 (1971) : Programme 2James Barber with part-time staff and students discusses the counselling service.26 January 1971
video preview image for Open Forum 1 (1971) Open Forum 1 (1971)The first Open Forum programme includes the University Secretary's opening speech welcoming Open...1971
video preview image for Open Forum 1 (1973) Open Forum 1 (1973)Lord Gardiner speaks about his role as Chancellor. Excerpts from the Mace Ceremony with film shots...12 January 1973
video preview image for Open Forum 7 (1973) Open Forum 7 (1973)Footage of laying the Library foundation stone including speeches by Walter Perry and Baroness Lee....1973
video preview image for Open Forum 1 (1975) Open Forum 1 (1975)The VC's message to students; reviewing progress so far; the role and importance of study centres;...1975
video preview image for Open Forum 2 (1975) Open Forum 2 (1975)Jennie Lee's OU staff club lecture on the early history of The Open University.11 February 1975
video preview image for Open Forum 24: OUSA lecture 1977 Open Forum 24: OUSA lecture 1977PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAMME CONTAINS OUTDATED, RACIALLY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE Sir Harold Wilson's...22 October 1977
video preview image for Countdown to the Open University 1 (1981) Countdown to the Open University 1 (1981)An introduction to The Open University, including interviews with Lord Perry, Brian Broombridge,...1978
video preview image for Degree of Success 10 Years of the OU Degree of Success 10 Years of the OU1979
video preview image for Open Forum 45 (1979) Open Forum 45 (1979)Film of the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip to the Open University Walton Hall campus....27 June 1979
video preview image for Open Forum 42: Tomorrows OU world Open Forum 42: Tomorrows OU worldThe programme considers the possible role of the following computer-assisted learning systems in...1979
video preview image for The nature of OU students The nature of OU studentsNaomi Sargant describes the nature of the Open University student population, comparing 1979 with...1981
audio record of James Cox meets Jennie LeeInterview between Jennie Lee and James Cox for BBC Radio Scotland, regarding Jennie Lee’s...22 June 1982
video preview image for Open Forum 77: Prince Charles' Visit Open Forum 77: Prince Charles' VisitFilm record of the visit of Prince Charles to the OU Campus in 1982 to open the Perry Building and...1982
video preview image for Open Forum 76: Campus On Camera Open Forum 76: Campus On CameraFilm of notable campus events in the Open University's history including the first building work,...1982
video preview image for Countdown to the OU 1 (1983) Countdown to the OU 1 (1983)A look at the early history of the Open University. Featuring an interview with John Horlock;...1983
video preview image for Open Forum 82 1983 Open Forum 82 1983Extracts from the 1983 Graduate Press Conference, which concentrated on the OU in the international...01 February 1983
video preview image for Open Forum 83 (1983) Open Forum 83 (1983)A look at the impact of new technology on OU teaching methods. The following are examined: video...31 March 1983
video preview image for Open Forum 81 (1983): Meet the Vice Chancellor Open Forum 81 (1983): Meet the Vice ChancellorThe Vice Chancellor addresses new students, illustrated by extracts from previous Open Forum...17 January 1983
video preview image for Open Forum 119 (1987) Open Forum 119 (1987)This programme looks at how the spread of home computers has opened new opportunities for teaching...01 March 1987
video preview image for Open Forum 128 (1988) Open Forum 128 (1988)The first of the new look Open Forum programmes looking at New Technology: teaching by Interactive...04 February 1988
video preview image for Open Forum 132 (1988): Magazine programme 5 Open Forum 132 (1988): Magazine programme 5The Open University looks ahead to the year 2000 and the role Information Technology courses will...1988
video record Open Forum Magazine 91 (August edition)Francis Coverdale visits Bath University where there is a venue for Summer School Students taking...04 August 1991
video preview image for Open Forum 1993 April Edition Open Forum 1993 April EditionUser friendly guide to computing, impact of multi-media formats used in OU courses. A look at...1993
video record Blithering NonsenseA look back over the past 25 years at the history of The Open University, includes footage of the...1994
video preview image for Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell Professor Jocelyn Bell BurnellJocelyn Bell Burnell describes setting up the astrophysics research group at The Open University.12 March 2009
video preview image for University of the Future University of the FutureWhat does the future of learning look like? For over 40 years The Open University has pushed the...
video preview image for The History of the Hour Record The History of the Hour Record A look at how science has impacted the development of The World Hour Record (the record for the...
video preview image for The OpenScience Laboratory The OpenScience LaboratoryThe OpenScience Lab (OSL) is the OU's online laboratory for practical science teaching that is open...
video preview image for Technology TechnologyHave you ever wondered how technology has changed the bike and bike design from a simple steel...
video preview image for Forces ForcesA cyclist has to overcome forces in order to ride quickly, this film tells you all about how these...
video preview image for Open Forum 08(1972) : general assembly Open Forum 08(1972) : general assemblyOpen Forum at the general assembly.
video preview image for Physiology PhysiologyA scientific look at the physiological make up of a top athlete featuring Olympians such as Rebecca...
video record A separate Scottish dealOn Thursday 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom moved into uncharted territory after 17.4 million...
video record What is hard or soft Brexit?As the negotiations of the United Kingdom's departure from The European Union continue,...
video record A different vote in a devolved nationSocial researcher, Mark Diffley, and writer for Scottish Centre on European Relations, Kirsty...
video preview image for Open Forum 69(1981) : building for partnership Open Forum 69(1981) : building for partnershipA detailed look at the facilities of the new BBC Production Centre, at Walton Hall, including...
video preview image for Open Forum 78(1982) : solving dotty problems Open Forum 78(1982) : solving dotty problemsAn Open Lecture by Robin Wilson about the usefulness of graph theory.
video preview image for Open Forum 79(1982) : class: an historical approach Open Forum 79(1982) : class: an historical approachIn this Open Lecture at the London Regional Office Arthur Marwick explains how the historian can...
video preview image for Open Forum 60 (1980) : a Vice-Chancellor and a half: a profile of Lord Perry of Walton Open Forum 60 (1980) : a Vice-Chancellor and a half: a profile of Lord Perry of WaltonA portrait of Lord Perry including film of him at work in Walton Hall and footage of important...
video preview image for Open Forum 3 (1975): From Walton Hall Open Forum 3 (1975): From Walton HallThe first edition of Open Forum that was broadcast in colour. A brief look at areas of the Walton...
audio record of Open Forum 1(1971)Welcome to students from the University Secretary: an explanation of what Open Forum programmes...
video preview image for Open Forum 18A(1977) Open Forum 18A(1977)An examination of the OU armed forces scheme in Germany, shot in Rheindalen and Bickfield
video record Home experiment kitsShort promotional video showing the construction of Home Experiment Kits to be posted out in summer...
video preview image for Open Forum 1992 February Open Forum 1992 February21st anniversary of OU programmes - a look at BBC video and storage area. A look at Education in...
video preview image for Countdown to the Open University 1(1985) Countdown to the Open University 1(1985)
video record Conversations : an interview with the Vice Chancellor 1972Charles A Wedemeyer in conversation with the Vice Chancellor Walter Perry and Walter James.
video record Countdown to the Open University 2(1983)Advice on using course units; an excerpt from a tutorial; advice on assignments and exams;...