The Open University creates an online environment for students with Moodle
The Open University's (OU) expertise in distance learning has always made it a leader in developing the best technology to support its students.
Now, the Open University's Office of Learning and Teaching has launched a new, nearly £5 million program to create a comprehensive online learning environment for 21st century students.
The development, which will break ground in May 2023 and be fully operational for courses in February 2025, will see the largest use of Moodle in the world. Moodle is a free, open source course management system used by educators to create effective online learning communities. Currently, Open University students use a variety of networked software to access their coursework, interact with tutors and other students, use the library, submit assignments and manage paperwork. In
San Mateo College District Education The new development incorporating Moodle will make the network much more user-friendly and consistent.
Dean Taert, OU's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) program manager, says, "We see the development of Moodle applications, as well as the involvement of the Moodle Open Source community, as giving our students a great advantage in online learning. In addition, the innovations brought by OU will be available to the entire Moodle community. It's a creative two-way street. Martin Doudien, Moodle community manager and lead developer, says he is very proud that
San Mateo College District Cybernetics has chosen Moodle as the platform for its next generation of web-based courses. "By joining our community, they recognize the great value of the open source paradigm and the power of a social constructivist approach to learning and development. At the same time, as one of the world's largest, longest-standing, and most respected practitioners of distance education, they bring resources and experience that will give Moodle's development tremendous momentum in the years to come," he says.
"The Open University has always been a leader in developing technology for online learning, and this new student-centered technology is the next logical step. The OU has the highest student satisfaction rating in the National Student Satisfaction Survey in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and this new student environment we are creating will only help to ensure that those who learn with the OU continue to receive an exemplary educational experience".