Exhibition: The Open Programme

‘Open Box’ modules: modern day ‘U’ courses?

In October 2017, an innovative, 30-credit, Key Introductory OU level 1 module was introduced into the BA/BSc (Hons) Open degree, titled Making your learning count (YXM130). In response to the increased availability of free, online, Open Educational Resources (OERs) across the education sector, this innovative module allows students to use this type of non credit-bearing study as the basis for a personalised, interdisciplinary module tailored to their own interests. On successful completion of the module’s unique and carefully designed assessment criteria, students are able to use this 30-credit module towards a BA/BSc (Hons) Open degree, or other selected undergraduate qualifications.  Although the majority of study time is made up of a specified number of hours spent studying OER materials, the module also provides specific content relating to understanding the benefits and differences between multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary study, in addition to study skills development, employability skills and academic literacy.  Professor Martin Weller comments on the development of this module in his EdTechie blog: "A USB port for informal learning".

The OU is now applying this model at postgraduate level, with a 30-credit masters level module, Advance your independent learning (YXM830), launched in early 2021. This module is part of the multidisciplinary MA/MSc Open qualification, which allows students the opportunity to align their studies with their personal and professional development goals. Advance your independent learning also provides a synoptic opportunity for students to consolidate their learning across different disciplines, where the student (in partnership with the tutor) can specify their field of study and manage the breadth and depth of the topics explored. In addition to OERs, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), non-accredited learning and continuing professional development (CPD) courses, this module also allows students to count reading books, articles, journals and watching relevant visual/multimedia as hours of learning towards the module.

The introduction of these ‘Open Box’ modules in recent years has demonstrated the OU’s continued commitment to designing flexible pedagogies into the learning experience and empowering learners who choose to study in an interdisciplinary way; very much in line with the objectives of the original ‘U’ courses set out in the early days of the OU.  In doing so, they also allow students the opportunity to learn in a way that enables them to connect their own (and others’) experiences of learning through guided activities and reflection (Butcher and Marr, 2018). Much like the approach taken by Faculties to introduce ‘U courses’ in the 1970s, the ‘Open Box’ modules continue to break new ground when it comes to providing an effective solution to test the application of innovative technologies and curriculum design, whilst providing students with an opportunity to expand the platforms and content from which they can choose to study.