Content

If we look specifically at OpenLearn free courses, the content comprises both the course (structured self-study resources) as well as the individual assets that make up a course.

The assets of a course are the materials such as text, images, animations, audio clips, etc., which are likely to be in different digital formats. In some cases a course will consist of just one asset, but most contain a variety.

As the number of OpenLearn free courses grows, so does the variety available. However, the main types of courses that you will encounter are:

• Segments of current  and discontinued OU courses or support materials: These comprise an XML-based front page providing a short description of the course, its learning outcomes, hyperlinks to the sections of the course and the course’s assets (text, audio, images, etc.). In these courses the majority of the original third-party material has been cleared and retained.
• Bespoke materials: These are courses that have been specially written that may not be associated with an OU course. These comprise an XML-based front page providing a short description of the course, its learning outcomes, hyperlinks to the sections of the course and the courses assets (text, audio, images, etc.). In these courses third-party material has been cleared for use on OpenLearn.