3,382 search results
Geology toolkit: what rock is that?
Science, Maths & Technology

Geology toolkit: what rock is that?

You can use our interactive to help you identify an actual rock, or, if you don't have a sample, you can use one of our virtual rocks...Find out more about The Open University's Geology courses and qualifications
View activity Geology toolkit: what rock is that?
Activity 10 mins
Language in the real world
Languages

Language in the real world

...a bit more depth. Activity 6 Timing: Allow 1 hour Read ‘What is applied linguistics?’ (Burns et al., 2009) and note any similarities or differences in how these ten linguists define their field of study. Discussion Applied linguistics potentially covers a vast area, and both academic researchers and practitioners necessarily tend to focus on a small area of particular interest. Not all academics use the term ‘applied ......
View course Language in the real world
Level 3: Advanced 6 hrs
Invasion of the killer pumpkins
Money & Business

Invasion of the killer pumpkins

...out of translucent grey goo which are no doubt edible but look disconcertingly like road kill. The fruit and vegetable section has been overrun by an invasion of killer pumpkins and the sock display is barely visible behind layers of black polyester, death heads and glittering red demon outfits. What is this all about? Why do our children, and increasingly ourselves,...
View article Invasion of the killer pumpkins
Article 5 mins
Freedom of speech
History & The Arts

Freedom of speech

...out more about The Open University's Philosophy courses and qualifications [Political banner promoting free speech (US)] The pros and cons There are good reasons to preserve freedom of speech – the case is made with formidable power in John Stuart Mill’s classic text, On Liberty (1859). In a society in which speech is free, there will be an interchange of ideas,...
View article Freedom of speech
Article 10 mins
What does it mean to be a South Asian young adult carer?
Health, Sports & Psychology

What does it mean to be a South Asian young adult carer?

...daughter or son is a carer? What do South Asian young adult carers do? We are carrying out research with South Asian young adult carers living in England (see below). We interviewed them about what their caring roles involve. Their caring tasks range from doing housework, helping the people they care for to get dressed or to wash, organising their medications and interpreting for them when they have a doctor’s appointment.......
View article What does it mean to be a South Asian young adult carer?
Article 5 mins
When is the best time to water during a heatwave?
Nature & Environment

When is the best time to water during a heatwave?

...out, the sky is blue; there's not a cloud to spoil the view and have you seen what that's doing to the herbaceous border? Botanist Alastair Culham explains how to make the most of watering as Britain continues to experience a hot spell...[Watering cans] When the warmer weather strikes, our gardens and outdoor spaces become a perfect oasis for rest and relaxation. But as...
View article When is the best time to water during a heatwave?
Article 5 mins
What is The Social Contract?
History & The Arts

What is The Social Contract?

...out. In place of a notion of natural and God-given hierarchy, they started from an assumption of freedom and equality amongst (usually male, white, property-owning) human beings. They asked how these individuals could put themselves under an authority. The answer – by agreeing amongst each other to do so. This answer meant that the limits of governmental power were set...
View article What is The Social Contract?
Article 5 mins
Take away Science
History & The Arts

Take away Science

...out about fascinating research projects throughout the UK. Patricia Ragazzon chats to researchers from the University of Nottingham about innovations in nanotubes and David Smith finds out about how we might be able to grow a cure for malaria. We also talk to David Gamblin, an Associate Lecturer, about what he enjoys about working for the OU. The interviews are recorded...
View audio Take away Science
Audio 3 hrs 50 mins