Supported Open Learning

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Supported Open Learning

• Open University Business School

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Open University Business School

• Established in 1983
• A leading international business school
• Over 17,000 MBAs to date
• Over 30,000 students per year
• 180 full-time staff
• 800 Associate Lecturers

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SOL what is it?
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Distance Learning - SOL









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The experiential learning process
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How we work Encouraging reflective
learning(Double loop learning)
Peers colleagues

• Concepts
• Models
• Tools
• Techniques

• Experience
• Context
• Practice

Student
Course Resources
Tutor
Tutor Group
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Central to the OU Business Schools operation
supported open learning

• 1) Course Team produced materials
• 2) High touch teaching with materials given
  life by practically experienced Associate
  Lecturers (ALs)
• 3) Immediate opportunity for application of
  course ideas in student's own work
• 4) Professional logistics infrastructure for
  quality delivery at scale drawing on wider OU
  facilities

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Designing quality into courses and processes

• 1 2.7 million direct cost to produce a major
  course
• Course team with mix of academic, educational
  design and project management skills
• External scrutiny and developmental testing of
  all courses
• Associate faculty expertly recruited, inducted,
  developed and closely monitored
• Major investment in logistics and learner support

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Quality assurance

• Peer review through course teams
• External assessor
• External examiner
• Results Ratification and Awards Classification
  Panel
• Monitoring of ALs
• Internal Review Committee (via IET) student
  surveys
• Internal Periodic Programme Review
• UK QAA (Quality Assurance Agency)
• External accreditation

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Course Team perspective (production)

• Inception - dialogue with stakeholders
  (companies)
• Course Team formation
• Approvals academic and business case
• Design of presentation envelope
• Structured materials drafting process
• Quality checks - critical reading, developmental
  testing and external assessor
• Professional editor and media support

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Course Team perspective (presentation)

• Production of teaching tutor support materials
• Tutor recruitment, training and ongoing support
• Production of assessment materials
• Monitoring tutors
• Support learning
• Lead script marking and examination board
• Structured course evaluation

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The student experience

• Course texts the seminar in print
• Multimedia resources and online library
• Locally based associate faculty facilitate
  learning sessions f2f or online (116 / 120
  ratio)
• Scheduled assignments for 11 detailed feedback
  and sometimes collaborative learning
• Online conferencing residential schools

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Student experience is high touch

• Personal contact with Associate Lecturer
• Access to On Line Facilities various forums
• Attend tutorials/day schools f2f or online
• Scheduled assignments submitted feedback
  received
• Attend Residential School meet new students and
  faculty

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Support guidance services -hub

• Course choice career planning
• Introductory/induction sessions
• Study skill workshops and materials
• Additional 11 academic support sessions
• Self help groups
• Cater for diversity, special needs, financial
  assistance
• Examinations - local centres, revision sessions
  advice in dealing with special circumstances
• Graduation ceremonies

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Starting points of OU Business School pedagogy

• Openness and accessibility
• Critical, reflective elements
• Personal meaning and application not purely
  academic learning
• Diverse adult learners who may know more about
  practice in their sector than the faculty

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Central concepts

• Active learning (reading is not studying)
• The reflective practitioner
• Dialogues
• The importance of context
• Real life experience and application