The Open University

Elderly mother and daughter use computer

How to use technology to combat social isolation in older people

26 March 2020

Shailey Minocha, Professor of Learning Technologies and Social Computing at The Open University, writes about how the use of technology and coping strategies can combat social isolation in people over 70. The world has changed since coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced. Although the situation may be temporary, we realise that things will be different from now on. […]

Advice on supporting your child during self-isolation

25 March 2020

John Oates, Professor of Developmental Psychology at The Open University, writes about how to cope with children being at home during this period of self-isolation, with advice and helpful suggestions on supporting them through this difficult and confusing time. It probably came as a shock hearing that schools will be closing, on top of all […]

Pregnant woman, holding in hands bouquet of daisy. Image credit: Thinkstock

Perinatal anxiety: one in five women experience it – but many still suffer alone before or after childbirth

24 March 2020

Becoming a parent is usually celebrated as a happy time. But it can often be stressful and overwhelming, too. While some anxiety at this time is normal, around one in five women may experience something called perinatal anxiety during their pregnancy through the first year after giving birth. This condition is characterised by high levels […]

Lift in visitors to OU’s one-stop-shop for free learning

23 March 2020

The Open University has seen a huge spike in visitors to its free online learning platform OpenLearn to access its health, wellbeing and educational content in a time of huge societal need. The popular online site is The Open University’s home of free learning, offering a chance for anyone to explore relevant topics, from teaching […]

Alone together – Mothering Sunday in the times of COVID-19

22 March 2020

In this piece psychology academics, including The Open University’s Dr Lisa Lazard and Dr Rose Capdevila look at how despite the social isolation brought about by the coronavirus, there are positive ways that people can think about connecting on social media with their mothers and loved ones on Mothering Sunday but also some of the […]

Learning online? Advice from Open University students (the experts!)

20 March 2020

As UK universities ‘pivot online’ and students transition to a new way of learning, The Open University community – as experts in this field – have some valuable advice to share. Online and distance learning is second nature to OU students, but this won’t be the case for many students and their universities impacted by […]

Why are there UK network issues?

20 March 2020

The UK broadband networks and the national academic network have been experiencing a significant increase in traffic, in light of Government announcements around the Coronavirus pandemic and the changes to daily living and working arrangements gripping the nation and beyond. So why is this the case? Andrew Smith, Senior Lecturer in Networking in the OU’s […]

From supermarket worker to maths teacher – all thanks to the OU!

19 March 2020

Nicole Lam, who grew up in Hong Kong, had always dreamed of becoming a maths teacher, but without the right qualifications she believed there was little hope of ever achieving her ambition – until she found the OU. I never believed I could succeed in higher education and I left school at 16 after GCSE […]

Carers and Disabled Veterans Scholarships Funds open for applications

18 March 2020

The Open University’s Carers and Disabled Veterans Scholarships Funds are today (18 March) open for applications to apply for both schemes. Supporting those that support others The Carers Scholarships Fund will provide 50 UK-based carers with funding for a full undergraduate qualification*. To ensure young adult carers are encouraged to apply, 15 places have been […]

World Social Work Day – focus on OU’s new Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship

17 March 2020

Today (17 March) is World Social Work Day, a day to raise awareness of social work as a career path and recognise the incredible contribution that this sector make to our community. The Open University has a range of courses available to support and train social workers, including the Social Work Degree (SWD) Apprenticeship, which […]

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