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Accessibility statement
This flexible OU Level 1 module allows you to count different types of learning towards a formal qualification, such as a certificate, diploma, or degree. You’ll personalise your study by choosing the short courses to include. These may come from our free learning platform, OpenLearn, other open educational resources (OERs), continuing professional development (CPD) study, or learning programmes undertaken through work or elsewhere. With guidance from your tutor, you’ll identify learning goals, plan your study pathway, and, through focused topics and assessments, reflect on what you’ve learnt – all while developing the skills essential for successful future study.
Open educational resources (OERs) provide a valuable platform for learning about a wide variety of topics and subjects. This module allows you to take what you have learnt and use it towards the OU qualifications outlined above.
You will need to select 150 hours of learning to bring to the module, some of which may have been recently completed. This may come from the OU’s free learning website, OpenLearn, or other specified OER sites. This includes edX, Coursera and OERu. To get an idea of what you could choose to study with this module, check out our example study pathways.
You will also study consolidating material and complete assessments which ask you to analyse and reflect on your OER study. You will develop a range of study skills including the ability to plan and reflect on your learning. You will learn how to communicate your learning through a variety of tools and interact with other students.. Drawing on the study you have selected to bring to the module, you will also be introduced to ideas of interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity to develop an understanding of the power and importance of making connections between disciplines.
The final assessment task provides you with an opportunity to consolidate and take your learning forward as you approach the completion of this module.
Although there are no formal entry requirements, this module is most suitable if you have completed some study using The Open University’s free learning website, OpenLearn, or other specified OER. This includes edX, Coursera and OERu or any other OER.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
You'll engage in a series of learning events, comprising a blend of one-to-one sessions between you and your tutor, and module-wide tutorials. There will also be opportunities for collaboration with other students. Your tutor will help you plan your work and think about the ideas explored in the module. Your tutor will also comment on and support you with your assessments.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You'll also have personalised support and one-to-one phone tutorials.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying YXM130 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Making your learning count (YXM130) starts once a year - in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.
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