Special Issue of Open Learning: Call for papers now open

Innovations in open and distance education in STEM

The call for papers for a special issue of Open Learning is now open.  Entitled Innovations in open and distance education in STEM, we are inviting contributions from STEM practitioners and scholars on the following themes –

• How are students supported in their STEM learning at a distance using a range of information and communication tools such as online tutorials, video and podcasts and other online media including virtual immersive environments? How can STEM students be supported in collaborative and networked learning using online tools?
• How can technology effectively be used in the teaching of specific STEM methods for example the use of diagrams, or remote experimentation – what methods are used, what is the impact on student.
• How do educators engage with the production of materials and how do can mathematical and computational and scientific learning be facilitated online – using generic web development tools?
• Accessibility, equality and diversity – what are the implications of online and technology enhanced learning for equality and diversity in distance education. What innovations can support learning for hearing and visually impaired students? What is the potential for gender inequalities in STEM to be reproduced or reduced in open and distance education?

Research papers should be between 5000 and 7000 words inclusive of tables/references/figure captions/footnotes/endnotes. We would also welcome shorter practice based case studies of between 3000 and 5000 words.

Full papers should be submitted via the journal website by Thursday 31st March 2016.  

Informal enquiries please contact esteem@open.ac.uk