The document reviews the impact of free courses from the Open University, highlighting their benefits to students, including improved confidence, academic performance, and better preparation for formal studies. A 2017 study indicates that 60% of students who progressed to their next module had utilized OpenLearn, emphasizing the increased awareness and usage of these resources. Recommendations include better integration and recognition of informal learning, with plans for future courses and student induction programs to enhance engagement.

1. OpenLearn and students.
The impact of free courses from
the Open University
- a review of impact 2017
- activities for 2018
Patrina Law, Head of Free Learning, The Open University
Doug Cole, Head of Student Success, The Higher Education Academy
Patrina Law
@OUFreeLearning

2. PURPOSE AND VALUE
OF INFORMAL LEARNING

3. Open Educational Resources: part of the
OU’s charter
3

4. 4
Prepare
www.open.edu/openlearn

5. Syndicating to other channels
5
Additional 11m learners

6. Creating + hosting OER for others OpenLearn Create
6
OpenLearn
OpenLearn Create
Content
Creation
Manage
&
Transform
Distribution
&
Services
Content
Creation
Manage
&
Transform
Distribution
&
Services
A space where others can publish
open content, open courses with
badges and ebooks.
It has emerging tools for content
development collaboration, reuse
and remixing.
WWW.OPEN.EDU/
OPENLEARNCREATE

7. OPENLEARN AND
STUDENTS

8. Student use of OpenLearn: 2015 study
OpenLearn provides OU students with the opportunity:
1. To improve confidence and re-assure they have the ability to study at HE level
2. To see what study at the OU is like before making a commitment
3. To help choose the right module through the provision of module excerpts
4. To use OpenLearn materials as additional resource for study
5. To provide references for key topic areas
X ~40% of students surveyed had heard of OpenLearn.
University study costs so much now so it’s a big risk, especially if like me you haven’t been to
university before.
I can definitely say that I wouldn’t have taken the rise of paying so much to do a degree if I
hadn’t been able to test the water through openlearn.
Gave me confidence to enrol on the module, otherwise it’s a lot of money for something I may
not be able to complete.
Provided the opportunity of exploring new modules before paying for them.

9. Students using OpenLearn were 5% more
likely to pass their module and progress
to their next, than those who had not used
OpenLearn.
Impact on students’ progress: 2015 study

10.  A need for all modules to have
derivative content on OpenLearn.
 Improve navigation.
 Better signposting from OU
webpages and frontline staff.
 More study skills courses.
 Students would like recognition for
non-formal study.
Recommendations: 2015 study

11. 2017 redesign: courses reflect VLE experience

12. Home 22%
Latest 1%
Free courses
46%
Subjects 9%
Skills for
work 3%
TV/Radio 1% Profile views 4%
Search 12%
Skills for
study 1%
Impact of improved navigation

13. Student use of OpenLearn: 2017 study
1. Certificates can be valuable to students who are using them for career enhancement.
 Promotional activity by OMIL and Academic Services has raised awareness of OpenLearn: 60% of
students now report using OpenLearn.
1. Students want to have more materials earlier, options to study OU courses in between modules and
to prepare for studying.
2. Students increasingly using OpenLearn for module choice.
3. Students are increasingly feeling better prepared for study and more confident for using it.
4. Students value the opportunity to get a feel for online learning and time management via
OpenLearn.
Open learn should be offered, or at least introduced to students prior to starting their course. I
only became aware of free courses after enrolling on my first module.
I value the free certificates as they are from a reputable university and they are free of charge.
Being on an extremely tight personal budget this is very much appreciated.
This open learn course I'm undertaking at the moment will give me a better understanding of
the course I am undertaking in October this year.

14. Of all the students surveyed, who had
passed their module, 60% had used
OpenLearn. Of all the students surveyed
who progressed to their next module, 61%
had used OpenLearn.
Impact on students’ progress: 2017 study

15. OMIL SUPPORTING
STUDENTS FIRST

16. 16
• Recognition of information learning on the OU Student
Record.
• Commissioning of OpenLearn courses to support
employability.
• Mapping of Employability Framework to OpenLearn courses:
Enhanced Employability and Career
Progression
Core skills & competencies Personal attributes & behaviours External awareness
Problem solving Initiative Business / sector awareness
Communication Self-mgt / resilience Global citizenship
Teamwork Self-awareness / confidence
Numeracy
Digital literacy

17. An increasing the demand for:
• Leadership and management skills
• Self-management / resilience
• Cultural awareness
• Team working
• Business and customer awareness
• Problem solving
• Communication skills
Employers’ requirements
Source: The CBI (2016) The Right Combination, CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2016

19. • Uptake by OU students for top 18 employability
courses in 6 months = 13,000
• Badged Courses in particular are popular
with students
• These two courses have seen 5,500 enrolments
Mar-Oct 2017

20. Induction courses for new students
on OpenLearn. Piloting Feb – April
2018.
• Open Programme.
• Generic induction (undergrad).
• Postgraduate computing.
• Others to follow.
• Formal rollout to all Oct 2018 if
pilot successful.
More Students Qualifying

21. CHALLENGES 2018

22. • Digital badging on the student record: integration of
informal and formal achievements
• Informal learning data integrated with student record for
use by front line staff
• Formal + informal achievements collated to show employers
• Induction for students on OpenLearn
• Challenges still with faculty engagement for module
excerpts
• Challenges to keep up with demand for externally-funded
projects
• Student Experience = better signposting and integration