As part of the MA on Online & Distance Education we have been asked to consider the use of new learning technologies in our organisation. I am considering here the Open University Faculty of Business and the course I support as an Associate Lecturer B629.

Social media
Use by OU: Not used for learning, only for marketing.
Use by me: Not used for learning.

Learning analytics
Use by OU: Currently in use, but I am not sure of starting date – a few years I think .
Use by me: Not used for learning.

Flipped Classroom
Use by OU: Not in use in my faculty, but used in other faculties.
Use by me: Used in some learning interventions.

Data-driven assessment
Use by OU: Not in use in my faculty to support learning support, unsure about other faculties.
Use by me: Not used.

Games and gamification: Not in use on the course I tutor and I am not sure it is used in other courses or faculties.
Use by me: Games and gamification used regularly.

3 New Technologies the Open University should develop

Social Media

Trust: The 2013 “E-Expectations Report” found that students trust information delivered through universities’ social media more than if the same content was posted to universities’ websites.cited in NMC Horizon report 2015.

Shared learning: Learners are using social media for peer support, it seems a logical channel for the university. The book Personal Learning Networks explores the ways in which social media can stimulate new learning pathways. As an example, social networks enable the creation of learning teams that mimic interest groups — students are able to congregate by areas of curiosity and even learn from each other.

Speed of update: Learning via social media can often be quicker. This paper looks at the math and science of this. Way to many equations for me!

Gamification

This infographic provides a great overview:

This page had some great examples of the use gamification.

Overall gamification, if applied correctly, can add value to learning in the Open University.

Flipped classroom

The Faculty of Business and Law at the Open University does not use flipped classroom and there are opportunities for taking this approach. I am not sure a virtual course has to be fully flipped but elements of flipping could be included.

Dr Barbi Honeycutt provides some good thoughts and potential examples here.

WORK IN PROGRESS – UNFINISHED