The document discusses managing change in educational media production at The Open University. The Open University has transitioned from primarily physical learning materials to online learning, requiring changes to production systems and roles. This includes breaking down silos between departments, outsourcing routine tasks, and focusing on high quality learning experiences. Managing change effectively requires a clear strategic aim, teamwork, building new skills on existing expertise, and ensuring employees can help shape ongoing changes.

1. Managing Change in Educational Media Production Andy Reilly

2. The Open University The UK’s largest University – 200,000 students Highest overall satisfaction rating Nearly 20,000 OU students study outside the UK The UK’s leading university delivering eLearning at scale

3. Open to… people places methods ideas

4. Setting the scene The OU has offered distance-learning since the early 1970s OU learning materials are largely authored in house OU materials are produced to high production standards by media professionals

5. Leafy campus…

6. … and ‘factory’

8. Learning and Teaching Solutions LTS is the OU’s media production centre Advises faculty on the preparation of distance learning materials Organises development, production and distribution Over 400 employees Wide range of roles and skills

10. The OU’s classic model Content heavy Multiple media Printed books play a big part Online resources complement physical media

11. Impact of elearning Shift from physical materials to online learning All OU modules now have online elements Many programmes now entirely online Development and delivery need to be swift Production systems need to be flexible

12. Virtual Learning Environment Online learning through a VLE based on Moodle Started with documents, calendar, glossaries and discussion forums Now includes eportfolios, quizzes, wikis New releases four times per year

14. Integrating media and roles Breaking down silos: publishing, design, software From broadcast TV to DVD-ROM Introduction of project management Review of processes, roles and responsibilities

15. Learning to let go Retain high value tasks in house Outsource routine tasks Ensure quality through team work

16. Impact of Web 2.0 Content light Not all content home grown Focus on the quality of the learning experience

17. Learning media design Engage with a given topic and apply a combination of media knowledge, pedagogic principles and creativity to propose and design engaging student-centred learning

18. Change management Clear strategic aim Led by a cohesive team Build new skills on existing skills A formal methodology can help to keep focus

19. The future Change is continuous Skills need continual updating Employees must be able to help shape change

20. Andy Reilly [email_address] www.open.ac.uk