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Student at the Open University
Open University
Milton Keynes

Does anyone use OpenLearn?

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Unfortunately, being ill has meant that my plan to return to studying just isn't viable. :frown:

So, does anyone else use open learn? The courses on there are free; but are they any good? Would love to hear other peoples views.
Reply 1
Avatar for Urist
Urist
9
OpenLearn is good in the same way that something like FutureLearn, Coursera, EdX or Udacity is good: they're all Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms and therefore their courses aren't valued as real qualifications. They are however good evidence of interest and knowledge in the subjects you study, of working hard to learn in your spare time and of continuing personal development in the workplace. Some of them, such as Udacity and Coursera, offer paid-for "nanodegree" or "specialisation certificates" which claim to be valued similarly to higher education but I'm dubious about that.

OpenLearn specifically has a huge range of material, much of which is taken from discontinued (and some current) Open University courses. These range from basic introductory courses on things like arithmetic or using calculators to 100 hour extracts from masters degree level modules. I'd say give it a shot, and also try FutureLearn, which is also an Open University initiative which features courses from themselves, other universities and even organisations like the European Space Agency (their course on climate monitoring from space was a really good one).

Definitely give it a try, but don't expect to earn real qualifications.
Student at the Open University
Open University
Milton Keynes
Reply 2
Avatar for Tiger Rag
Tiger Rag
OP
22
Original post by Urist

Definitely give it a try, but don't expect to earn real qualifications.


Thanks for your reply :smile: I am aware that I won't get a qualification from doing them. I just need something to keep my brain active!
Reply 3
Avatar for jsp_1983
jsp_1983
9
I can't speak for all of the courses on there, but the ones I've seen are either full OU modules or sections of them. So yes, they should be 'good'. I believe you can now earn open badges by completing them. Obviously that doesn't mean accreditation or assessment, but taken in good faith as part of a portfolio of learning, it might demonstrate your interest and commitment.

Compared to Futurelearn, OpenLearn is miles ahead. FL's materials and methods are quite weak, IMO. They certainly don't stand up to their competitors, EdX and Coursera.
OpenLearn is great for brushing up. My first course doesn't start until February so I've been using OpenLearn to brush up on maths and stuff like that so when the real course starts I've got some knowledge to go in with.
I have begun using it to supplement my study of Literature prior to my course start in February. I find it very useful personally. I am in a similar position to yourself and I find OL and the OU in general fantastic.

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