Blog

This blog explores how creative techniques - such as visual imagery - can reveal deeper insights into the often-overlooked role of workplace mentors in experiential learning. It will be of interest both to those involved in work-based learning and mentoring, as well as those curious about applying creative approaches in scholarly research.

Joint degree programmes at The Open University offer students a unique chance to combine two fields, developing a broad, versatile skill set. Building on findings discussed in our previous blog, this post explores new initiatives introduced to improve the joint degree student experience.

Evidence suggests that peer mentoring boosts confidence and belonging (e.g. Skaniakos et al., 2014). However, this writer’s experience is that peer mentoring’s wider benefits are often undervalued, underestimating institutional impact. This reflection urges evaluators to recognise its full potential, to unlock lasting, systemic gains.

Joint honours degrees account for around 10% of all undergraduate admissions in the UK. In this blog we ask the question, ‘what’s it actually like to be a Joint Degree student at The Open University?’

This blog focuses on what a scholarship team learnt about using WhatsApp to support a peer-mentoring project – with both expected and unexpected consequences!

This blog shares reflections from two perspectives -an intern and her supervisors - on the lived experience of a virtual university-based internship (Reid et al., 2023) run by The Open University during the 2024/25 academic year.

Did you come to academia though a non-traditional route, such as professional practice, or are you currently in a role that is teaching- rather than research-focused? And might you be interested in making a meaningful contribution to your organisation’s research profile? If so, then this could be the blog for you!

This blog explores the nuanced differences between work-integrated and work-based learning, drawing on research and insights from the WACE Conference, May 2025. It highlights implications for curriculum design, learner identity, and the role of workplace mentors in enhancing learning.

The transition to a greener, more sustainable workplace is a growing challenge for managers. But what if games could help? Olga Andrianova and Charles Mbalyohere explain how games can be powerful tools to help managers navigate sustainability challenges.

After attending a peer-reviewed blog writing session, OU academics Sarah Bloomfield and Catherine Comfort found the session deeply affirming. But following a similar exercise with Generative AI, the experience felt notably different.