The Open University has come a long way since home experiment kits included sheep’s brains and postal strikes spelled chaos for students desperate for their course materials. Forty years later and it’s a different story - all students study with the help of a computer and can do so via mobile devices, using eBooks and audio tracks from iTunes U and even contribute to field work without leaving the living room.
Nothing like the OU existed before these pioneer students began their studies in 1971 and for many it changed their lives. The celebration aimed to recognise the achievements of those students who had faith in what the OU could provide.
“Our children helped us rip open the course materials when they arrived, they were often as excited as we were by the science experiments and always wanted to help us,” said Sylvia Gordon, one of the OU’s first ever students. Her husband Alan signed up for study a few years later and it became a real family affair with the kids particularly keen on the fruit fly experiment and teaching a goldfish to recognise colours, he said.
Sylvia was also delighted to be able to visit the OU’s Milton Keynes campus as part of the Pioneers Day: “It might be last chance I get to come here and it’s nice to see how it’s moved on and developed. I see it these days as an opportunity for a lot more people to study who would find the traditional route far too expensive.”
The Gordons were just two of the 250 guests treated to presentations on the changing student experience; the popular nature identification website iSpot; the OU online; international development work and history of the OU.
“You, the class of 1971, demonstrated to employers and the world at large that you had the knowledge and skills that were at least the equal of students from the older, conventional universities,” said Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean, as the day drew to a close over a champagne and strawberry reception.
The day concluded with the unveiling of a portrait of Jennie Lee. The painting was crafted by renowned portrait artist and OU honorary graduate June Mendoza, who has also painted the Queen’s portrait.
Below is the story of Pioneers Day as it unfolded, told via tweets, audio, images and video…
Comments
What a fantastic day - you have captured it well. So pleased I can re-live it through Platform and for those that didn't attend a great way to catch all the highlights.