The Open University

Back to the future: what we said about education and Astronomy

6 August 2018

In 2009, in celebration of the Open University’s 40th Anniversary, we asked academics from around the University to predict what the future would look like in their areas of study. Now, as we approach the OU’s 50th Anniversary, we asked the same academics to revisit their predictions, reflect on their accuracy, and reset them for […]

Back to the future: revisiting our education predictions

6 August 2018

In 2009, in celebration of the Open University’s 40th Anniversary, we spoke to academics across the University to predict what the future would look like in their areas of study. Now, as we approach the OU’s 50th Anniversary, we asked the same academics to revisit their predictions, reflect on their accuracy, and reset them for the […]

John Domingue – The Future of Education

2 August 2018

Professor John Domingue, Director of the OU’s Knowledge Media Institute, discusses developments in technology which he sees impacting on education in the long and short term as part of our ‘future of education’ campaign. He also talks about what the OU is doing in terms of its research into new technology, as well as some exciting […]

OU’s research offers new-generation online police training

1 August 2018

Technology is being used more and more for training purposes in all walks of working life, to reach a younger more tech-familiar audience. The Open University’s award-winning Child Witness Interview Simulator, a game-based online learning programme helping to train next-generation police officers, is among such innovations. Developed by the OU’s Centre for Policing, Research and […]

Wooden blocks with 'FACT' and 'FAKE' in black paint

Fake news and the need for ‘social’ digital literacy

1 August 2018

The phrase ‘fake news’ has been popularised in recent years as a result of changes in the political landscape, both in the UK and the USA. Lecturer in English Language and Applied Linguistics, Caroline Tagg, and Senior Lecturer in English Language and Applied Linguistics, Philip Seargeant, reflect on the conclusions of the recently published interim report […]

We know there is water on Mars – what next?

31 July 2018

The age old question of whether Mars has ever supported life is the focus of the latest research from scientists at The Open University (OU). With over half a million pounds of funding from the UK Space Agency, they will be exploring the chemistry of the martian environment to determine if life has ever existed, […]

New Research Network to support the UK’s Food Manufacturing Digital Economy

31 July 2018

A new project has been launched to examine how the Internet of Things (IoT) could transform the food industry through innovations such as ‘smart’ cooking appliances, data-driven supermarket refrigeration networks and enhanced food traceability systems. The Internet of Food Things (IoFT) Network Plus will bring together data and computer scientists, chemists, and economists to investigate […]

OU launches plastic waste initiative with BBC

28 July 2018

Following the impact of Blue Planet II, The Open University (OU) and the BBC have launched an online platform, which brings together programmes and resources to help us understand plastics, the impact they have on the environment, and top tips to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. Plastics Watch brings together engaging and interactive content […]

Students give thumbs-up to Open University teaching

27 July 2018

The Open University (OU) has been ranked in the top 20 of UK universities in the latest National Student Survey. The OU rose 19 places to be joint 20th out of 139 participating universities in the annual survey of student satisfaction. It fared even better in the Nations of the UK, ranking first in Northern […]

Explainer: how online is making learning more accessible

27 July 2018

Access and inclusion in education is key for those providing digital learning. Here, FutureLearn’s Isabel Drury, Partnership Manager, explains the reasons why it should be a core attribute and some of the ways they are responding to needs. What is digital accessibility? People with sensory, physical and cognitive impairments face significant barriers when they use […]

OU News