OU Learning Design team blog

When students have the chance to share their insights, they feel more engaged in their study and more connected to their institution. And of course, they can offer fresh perspectives that will benefit future students. That’s why it’s vital to gather student feedback on your courses – not just through with end-of-course evaluations but also…

Read the following text [‘A bit passive’] :: and:: [‘Ooh, there’s more!’] discuss your interpretation… [‘Bringing in active skills! Now you’re talking!’] Watch this video :: and :: summarise it in an infographic… Listen to this lecture :: and :: present your own research… Read <crossed out> Review <replaces ‘read’. ‘A switcheroo from passive to…

Retention – helping students complete the studies they’ve signed up for – is an essential element of learning design. Open University researchers Jitse van Ameijde, Martin Weller and Simon Cross developed the ICEBERG principles (2015) to highlight seven learning design elements that support retention. We’ve created a quick guide to the principles and some prompts…

Retention – helping students complete the studies they’ve signed up for – is an essential element of learning design. Open University researchers Jitse van Ameijde, Martin Weller and Simon Cross developed the ICEBERG principles (2015) to highlight seven learning design elements that support retention. Below we’ve outlined briefly what the principles look like in practice.…

Key questions to ask STUDENTS • Who are your learners? • What is their starting point? What are the enablers and barriers to learning? • What outcomes do they need to achieve? • What will they do to learn? • How will you measure success? INCLUSION & DIVERSITY • What do you want the student…

Quizzes aren’t just for testing knowledge. They also encourage students to recall their course material, apply it and reflect on the feedback they’re given, whichin turn prompts learning. This is known as the testing effect’ and there’s plenty of research (including a paper by Roediger and Karpicke (2006)) that explores it. Use our quick tips to…

In an online classroom, learners engage with materials at their own pace. This helps them develop independent learning skills, but it can also make it tricky to manage workload. As a result, they may fall behind or become overloaded. Use our tips to make sure workload is consistent and clear, and that students learn to…

The Open University’s mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We have a similar role as learning designers: we’re committed to meeting the needs of all students. Inclusive curriculum is at the heart of this. Here are the three principles developed by the OU’s Access, Participation and Success team to guide…