Course

This course is for anybody who would like to become an affiliated guide on The Open University's free courses. You'll be introduced to concepts and ideas about how best to engage with learners, encourage conversation, and identify good practice for responding to learners online.

You should become an affiliated guide if you are keen to motivate and encourage other learners, and can use your own organisational and communication skills to support their learning - particularly within an online environment. The focus of this role is on support and conversation rather than teaching or subject knowledge.

From being an affiliated guide you will:

• gain informal recognition for your skills and experience
• enhance your CV
• engage with new pedagogy
• improve your communication and social skills
• increase your confidence and motivation
• enjoy a sense of fulfilment and personal growth.

 After studying this course, you should be able to:

• understand the role of the affiliated guide within the context of online conversations
• demonstrate knowledge of the organisational, technical and communication skills required of a successful affiliated guide
• communicate effectively online with learners, paying attention to their diverse needs and backgrounds
• suggest further areas of study for learners, promoting relevant Open University content
• reflect on and apply different approaches to your role as an affiliated guide depending on the context.

At the end of this course, you will be invited to complete an interactive quiz. By completing the course you will be eligible to gain a digital badge and your badge will be issued. You will receive an email and the badge will appear in your OpenLearn Create profile in the My Badges section, normally within 24 hours.

Digital badges are a way of recording and displaying your new skills and achievements online for anyone to view. Badges can demonstrate your interest in a subject, commitment to your career or provide evidence of continuing professional development by recognising informal learning. Digital badges normally consist of the badge image and the badge information which lists the badge title, who issued the badge and the requirements for gaining the badge. This enables employers, organisations, schools and individuals to see what you can do. It also provides you with a confidence-boosting record of your abilities.