article icon
History & The Arts
Sound Systems: Listening to music together
Technology has always determined how we listen to music, from instrument design to recording and amplification. This article and video explores how some of these elements shape our musical experiences and communities, with a focus on one individual's story and sound systems.
article icon
Education & Development
The Children's Research Centre Hub
The Open University's Children's Research Centre enables participation by children and young people - this collection of FREE resources explores some of their important work.
activity icon
Languages
Spanish for travel: Test your skills
Test your Spanish language skills as you immerse yourself on an interactive journey through Spain.
article icon
Education & Development
What does ‘inclusive education’ mean to you?
Inclusive education is a widely championed goal, but how it’s understood and practised can vary dramatically depending on who you ask and where you look. This article explores why true inclusion goes beyond access, requiring meaningful change in attitudes, systems, and classroom practice.
video icon
Education & Development
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and the degree awarding gap collection
Explore this video and collection of articles looking at the degree awarding gap and the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students in higher education.
article icon
Digital & Computing
Unmasking inequalities: what COVID-19 revealed about the degree awarding gap at The Open University
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep-rooted inequalities in UK higher education. At The Open University, research into Level 1 Computing modules revealed the structural and institutional barriers behind the degree awarding gap and practical ways to close it.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Algorithmic Design
This course explores the creative potential of designing with algorithms. This is part of the new BDes Design qualification at The Open University. Learn to think algorithmically and tweak code to create your own wallpaper patterns and be part of contemporary design practices. Through hands-on graphical experimentation using p5.js JavaScript, ...
activity icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
At a crossroads: navigating work and/or family alongside study
Balancing the demands of studying with family or employment responsibilities can be difficult. This interactive explores different challenges, including lack of understanding and support from family members and employers, time pressures, and dealing with the emotional side of navigating work, family and study. Based on the real-life experiences ...
activity icon
Education & Development
EDI calendar 2025 - 26
This EDI Calendar is a resource to highlight key events, observances, and initiatives related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
article icon
Education & Development
Where to take your learning next
By now you will already know all about the amazing learning opportunities available on OpenLearn. You may have completed many OpenLearn courses or perhaps just one or two. However much you’ve done so far, your experience on OpenLearn means you already know what it is like to study online and at a distance.
free course icon
level 3: advanced icon
Badge icon
Education & Development
Becoming an ethical researcher
This free course, Becoming an ethical researcher, explores the ethics of planning, carrying out and reporting research which involves human participants. It will sensitise you to issues that a researcher should consider to support ethical and well-justified decision-making. A wide variety of research scenarios will be used to stimulate ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
Supporting babies and toddlers
The first two years of a child’s life are a time of incredible change and development. This free course helps practitioners to understand these changes and explore how they can support babies and toddlers in early childhood settings. This course draws on research and expertise from early childhood academics at The Open University and ...