The internet has revolutionised distance learning – even lab experiments are online

Last December a group of Open University students got together to write and stage their own version of the pantomime Cinderella. Nothing remarkable about that – except that none of the students actually met face-to-face. The whole enterprise was carried out in cyberspace, at The Open University's "island" in the 3D virtual world known as Second Life.
This year's Open University Science students are learning how to use laboratory equipment to measure the angles of light emitted from a lightbulb – without the use of a laboratory, or a lightbulb. They do it all at home on their computers, using a technique called ISE (Interactive Screen Experiment) which allows real, as opposed to computer-modelled, experiments to be carried out online.
The Open University has always been at the forefront of using new technology for teaching. In 1969 it was television. Today there are interactive DVDs, podcasts and the internet, which can be tapped into anywhere, thanks to personal communication devices such as the iPhone and Blackberry. All these developments are revolutionising the experience of learning at a distance, in your own time, which is what Open University students do.
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What the OU has done for us
The university launched its first fully online course, You, your computer and the net, as far back as 1999. But in 2009 it still retains printed material and personal tutors, alongside the new technology. What it has learned is to beware of is "technology for technology's sake". Instead it focuses on using the most appropriate medium to achieve the desired result, a successful learner.
Good teaching starts from the human perspective, understanding the aims and aspirations of the student, says Dr Anne Adams, who works in the university's Centre of Open Learning for Mathematics, Science, Computing and Technology. "We are emotive creatures and our learning, which is going to empower us and change our identities, connects up with an emotive side of us."
"Rather than just throwing e-learning devices and applications out there, you have to understand who your students are, and why they need that learning."
A key aim is to make students feel part of a community of learners – they may be studying at home, at work, in a submarine, but they are not alone. Instead of switching on their TVs, today's students log on to a virtual learning environment where they can talk to other students and tutors, take part in virtual tutorials and collaborative projects online, and monitor their progress with online tests which give instant feedback.
It's not only its own students the university is reaching out to. Anyone can now go out and find Open University material, for free, through a variety of channels, anywhere in the world.
OPEN TECHNOLOGY: DID YOU KNOW?
* OpenLearn is an award-winning web portal which makes large quantities of OU materials under a Creative Commons licence. Since its launch over 4.5 million learners worldwide have accessed the 5,800-plus hours of free learning materials.
* Open University course material is available on Apples iTunes U service, to download to your iPod, iPhone or laptop.
* The university has its own YouTube channel, OUView.
* Platform is the new Open University 'virtual campus' open to anyone with an interest in learning and teaching.
* FlashMeeting is an easy-to-use, online video meeting system developed by The Open University's Knowledge Media Institute. It allows up to 50 users anywhere in the world to conduct a virtual meeting using live video and audio text chat and shared whiteboards, and records everything.
* A virtual field trip is enabling Open University students with disabilities to participate in field trips to collect geological samples in the mountains of Scotland. The ERA (Enabling Remote Activity) system makes use of a portable wireless network to relay information to the student's laptop.