Skip to main content

The Open University in Scotland

Site: OpenLearn Create
Course: Developing a Sense of Belonging in online distance learning
Book: The Open University in Scotland
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Friday, 29 March 2024, 1:54 AM

Description

Module - S111 - Questions in Science

S111 Questions in Science is a 60 credit module that is an entry to sciences degree within the Open University. Key to creating a sense of belonging within this module is the creation of tutor groups of around 20 students which are the main focus of the teaching. Synchronous interactive tutorials held throughout the duration of the module also help to cement relationships between staff and students as the module progresses.

Contributor: Dr Linda Thomson

1. About this programme/module

Questions in Science is a 60 credit undergraduate module (SCQF level 7) that is the entry point to the BSc Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics and Astronomy and Planetary Science) and a degree in Mathematics and Physics. As a 60 credit module, this equates to half a year of full time study. However, many of the OU’s students choose to study part time, so often the module is the only one that students will take during a full year of study. It is expected that students will study for 16-20 hours per week. 

The cohort is large; around 2400 students every year, split between two start dates. Entry to the Open University is ‘open’ in the fullest sense so students come from a variety of educational backgrounds, and may not have any science Highers. Prior to enrolment, students are encouraged to take “Are you ready for…?” quizzes to ensure they are entering at the right level, but there are no prerequisite qualifications. As a result the cohort is extremely diverse ranging from people with no Highers to those already holding undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.  

Given the size of the cohort, students are divided into geographical clusters (e.g. Scotland, North of England), and within clusters into tutor groups of approximately 20 people. Each tutor group is allocated a tutor who is the students’ key contact for the module.  Tutors are supported by an academic team and a student support team.

2. Design and delivery

This module is an introductory science module teaching scientific thinking and developing students' generic study skills, maths skills and investigative skills along with introducing key concepts in science.   

The module is delivered via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This consists of text for students to read, in-text questions, embedded videos and animations and interactive activities. Practical activities can be presented within the VLE (e.g. ‘Mendel’s pea garden’ to study genetic crosses) or as home experiments in which students are given instructions on what to do.  Students upload evidence of having undertaken this, e.g. by uploading a photo to Open Studio (a pin board style visual interface), or posting in a discussion forum.  Activities can also be collaborative as well as individual.  

Synchronous interactive tutorials are held using Adobe Connect rooms, and these are also recorded for students who are unable to attend. 21 tutorial sessions are held across the 9 month duration of the module. These sessions can involve the entire module cohort or just students in the relevant cluster or tutor group. There are also additional interactive discipline-specific labcasts, which are synchronous sessions broadcast directly from the labs in Milton Keynes. 

There are multiple assessments points within the module, including quizzes and written assignments with different weightings.  All assessments are summative.

3. Induction and orientation

As soon as they have registered all OU students have access to a VLE module ‘Induction to OU study’.  This gives the general induction to the OU and studying with the OU. 

The S111 module is open three weeks before the official start date of the module and the academic team look after the forum during these three weeks to respond to any pre-module queries. Induction to the module happens during week 1.  

Discussion forums are a key digital tool during induction and throughout the module to encourage student communication. As with tutorial groups, discussion forums are arranged at module, cluster and tutor group level so students are able to achieve wider levels of interaction with other students, and with different tutors who are experts in the different disciplines, plus the central academic team.

All students are also able to attend a face to face introductory day school held at multiple venues across the UK. Students unable to attend are offered online alternatives. 

Each student will also receive an initial phone call from their tutor. Tutor group tutorials are scheduled early on in the module.  As well as part of the induction, this will also allow students to get to know the rest of their tutor group.

4. Sense of belonging

Sense of belonging has been designed into the module in terms of group activities, opportunities for students to speak to other students and their tutors within discussion forums and regular interactive tutorials using Adobe Connect rooms, plus opportunities for the students to engage with the central academic team (e.g. labcasts and forums as mentioned above).  

Peer support is augmented with tutor support that comes via forums, email and phone calls. Each student receives at least two phone calls from their tutor during the module, with others taking place if necessary.  

In addition, the wider student support team at the OU is huge with dedicated staff working alongside the course team to help with issues such as guidance, disability support etc.  

There are also wider opportunities such as the subject sites, OU students association and events such as Student Hub Live to encourage a Sense of Belonging to the programme and wider OU community.

5. Student experience

“I really enjoyed the breadth of scientific disciplines covered in S111, it enabled me to get a taste of them all, and helped me come to a conclusion about what path I wanted to pursue for my future modules. Each topic was well written, constructed and taught, and kept me engaged and interested throughout. There were a good variety of practicals and activities, and good opportunities to interact and work with other students, despite being an "all online" module. The electronic format was used well, with video, audio and interactive tools providing a rounded experience and each format being used to its strengths. S111 was my first OU module, and it has proven to be a very enjoyable and auspicious beginning.” 

“I will certainly say that the open university is definitely the best place to study.  Yes the study is done at home and had the advantage of great savings in travel costs but 1 thing I do have to say is that there is always help available.  The help is not just available from your tutor but the other students can also help you understand the work short of giving you the answers.  The most important point for any prospective students is do not be afraid to ask for help if you don’t understand anything in the materials. I seriously recommend the open university for anybody needing the required qualifications for the career you want… and I have not looked back since I started.” 

The production team (which included 11 academics) won the Open University’s Teaching Award for excellence in innovation. The award noted in particular that we made ‘good use of the digital by design ethos and provided a good role model for other modules’ and demonstrated an improved retention and pass rate compared to the previous module.

6. Recommendations

Sense of belonging is key, especially for introductory modules.  It needs thought about at learning design stage (right at the start before anything is written) and reviewed regularly.  Opportunities for students to engage should be embedded in with key learning objectives.  They cannot be just added as a bolt on.  

Encouraging student collaboration and tutorial attendance is always a challenge and remains a challenge across the sector.  We would recommend including opportunities and activities early on in the module for students to collaborate using the different groupings and tools in order to encourage this from the start.