Blog

Student retention is a complex challenge, particularly within online distance learning. In this blog Nicola McDowell and Claire Maguire explore how Predictive Learning Analytics in conjunction with introducing ‘Dashboard Module Champions’ can transform how we support students.

In this blog Daniel Russell, lecturer and Student Experience Manager, explores what makes good feedback and how this plays into the retention of students in Higher Education.

The Open University uses a process called 'monitoring' to review a sample of marked assessments and provide feedback to tutors on the gradings and feedback provided to students. In this blog, Allan Mooney and Janette Wallace explore how monitoring can enhance teaching practice in Higher Education.

This blogpost explores how FBL at the OU have collaborated with the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) at Makerere University in Uganda to enhance the delivery of a range of both face-to-face and online learning opportunities.

Carol Edwards and Liz Hardie share their approach to combating isolation and fostering a sense of belonging in the distance-learning environment through the introduction of the “Belonging Project” at the Open University Law School.

In this blogpost we explain the best methods to ensure student success for students from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Being a degree apprenticeship student is a demanding experience. We are often asked by prospective students: how do they do it, and what is it like? In this blog we aim to answer some of those questions.

This blog is a teaser for the more detailed scholarship outputs to follow from the project entitled “What Regional Academics need as researchers and leaders of Scholarship”. It encapsulates overarching themes from focus groups and provides tips on balancing the ups and downs of scholarship, whether you are experienced or new to the field.

In this follow on blog, Angelique Johnstone discusses the process she and Anna Colantoni took to involve practice tutors in redesigning their induction and training programmes for the management and leadership apprenticeships in the Faculty of Business and Law at The Open University. 

Research from Sarah Bloomfield, Fran Myers, and Kristen Reid at The Open University shows that the risk of redundancy is a huge issue in apprenticeship delivery.