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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.
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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.
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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.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Plastics in our ocean
Test your knowledge about plastics in our oceans, and learn about how they impact the environment by clicking on the image below...
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Education & Development
Race and Ethnicity Hub
This award-winning hub offers fresh perspectives on race, racism and ethnicity through free courses, articles, interactives and audio/visual materials.
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Education & Development
Free online Spanish courses
Discover these free Spanish courses on OpenLearn.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Putting the child before the player
Football is the most popular team sport for children and young people in the UK and throughout much of the world. In this interactive, you will learn why children’s rights are fundamental to every young person’s experience of football.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Asteroids
From robotic telescopes to an asteroid pretending to be a moon on Mars, here are four articles about asteroids.