This document provides an overview of learning technology innovation at the Open University. It describes how the OU's Knowledge Media Institute and other departments collaborate to develop new technologies through internal networks and international partnerships. Examples are given of technologies developed over the past 30 years for distance education, including early uses of simulations, voice over phone networks, and synchronous collaboration tools. Current areas of work discussed include intelligent tutoring systems, argument mapping, social learning platforms, and learning analytics.

1. Overview for Cambridge2012 Joint OER/OCWC Conference delegates
Developing Innovative
Technologies @open.edu
Simon Buckingham Shum
Knowledge Media Institute (Assoc. Director, Technology)
Slides, movies, tools, webinars, papers… http://Simon.BuckinghamShum.net

2. The learning tech. innovation ecosystem
Faculties R&D
(x7)
Knowledge
Media Institute Interdisciplinary
Centres (x7)
(80)
Learning & Institute of
Teaching Educational
Solutions (423) Technology (83)
Library
Open Media Unit Innovation
(34)
Services (5)

3. The learning tech. innovation ecosystem
Faculties R&D
(x7)
Catalysed by:
Knowledge
Interdisciplinary
Media Institute
(80)
Centres (x7) Internal innovation
networks
Strategic initiatives
Learning & Institute of
International
Teaching
Solutions (423)
Educational
Technology (83) research
Personal passions
and informal
Open Media Unit
Library networking
Innovation
(34)
Services (5)

4. The learning tech. innovation ecosystem
Faculties R&D
(x7) Funded by:
Knowledge
Media Institute
(80)
Interdisciplinary
Centres (x7)
£ OU
UK Research
Councils
Learning &
Teaching
Institute of
Educational
€ EU
Solutions (423) Technology (83)
Corporate
Philanthropic
Open Media Unit
(34)
Library
Innovation
Services (5)
$ Government

5. 1979: The PC is almost here, envisioning
students running simulations…
http://bit.ly/r3wr75

6. 2003: Simulations run over distributed
PCs to improve on supercomputers…
Lead: Bob Spicer, Earth Sciences http://climateprediction.net

7. 1979: Shared screens, drawing and
voice over domestic phone
http://bit.ly/r3wr75

8. 1995: Voice-on-the-Net KMi Stadium
project… now powers OU webcasting
http://projects.kmi.open.ac.uk/stadium/baecker/stadium.html
http://stadium.open.ac.uk/berrill http://stadium.open.ac.uk/podium

9. 1998: Lyceum synchronous meetings and
collaboration tools over 56k modems
http://projects.kmi.open.ac.uk/lyceum http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=544451

10. 1998: Lyceum synchronous meetings and
collaboration tools over 56k modems
http://projects.kmi.open.ac.uk/lyceum http://www.eurodl.org/?article=277

11. Today: Voice + Virtual Microscope on
Web via iPads (Earth Sciences)
Orig. KMi Lead: Peter Whalley / Earth and Environmental Sciences: Andy Tindle http://vimeo.com/29672244
Orig. KMi Project: http://bit.ly/HQAKWu
Today: http://www.virtualmicroscope.co.uk

12. Intelligent formative assessment with
instant feedback: beyond multiple choice
Lead: Phil Butcher http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131510000461
http://www.open.ac.uk/openmarkexamples

13. Intelligent formative assessment with
instant feedback: beyond multiple choice
Lead: Phil Butcher http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131510000461
http://www.open.ac.uk/openmarkexamples

14. Intelligent formative assessment with
instant feedback: beyond multiple choice
Lead: Phil Butcher http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131510000461
http://www.open.ac.uk/openmarkexamples

15. Intelligent formative assessment with
instant feedback: beyond multiple choice
Lead: Phil Butcher
http://www.open.ac.uk/openmarkexamples

16. Intelligent formative assessment with
instant feedback: beyond multiple choice
Lead: Phil Butcher http://www.open.ac.uk/openmarkexamples

17. Apple iTunes U: early KMi podcast
experimentation + strategic funding now
integrated into OpenLearn channels

18. Argument Mapping: making visible the
structure of your critical reasoning
KMi builds and
evaluates argument
mapping software for
diverse contexts
http://people.kmi.open.ac.uk/sbs/tag/argument-mapping http://people.kmi.open.ac.uk/sbs/tag/election

19. Argument Mapping: making visible the
structure of your critical reasoning
The concept is
picked up within a
particular faculty
(STEM)
Lead: Paul Piwek
http://bit.ly/HQtl9z

20. Argument
Mapping
…now
embedded in
the online
learning
environment
(as part of
OpenMark)
Lead: Paul Piwek
http://bit.ly/HNJXK2

21. Argument Mapping: making visible the
structure of your critical reasoning
A robust KMi
research tool
(Compendium)
is customized
for Design
students to
document and
submit their
assignments
(OpenDesignStudio
for award-winning
U101: Design
Thinking course)
Lead: Peter Lloyd
http://bit.ly/I2YQeW

22. What does a university do with Web 2.0,
the cloud and social networks?
22

23. SocialLearn: a social learning and
innovation platform for staff and students
API will enable integration with external web applications,
learning platforms and web services
X
Y
Z
app
app
app
app
app
api
platform
Social Conceptual Content Learning Analytics
Networking Networking Commons Recommendation Engine
23
OU tech R&D can be plugged into the platform to test at scale

24. Harnessing the dynamics of the participatory
web for learning
http://sociallearn.open.ac.uk http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/SocialLearnResearch

25. Harnessing the dynamics of the participatory
web for learning
http://sociallearn.open.ac.uk http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/SocialLearnResearch

26. Harnessing the dynamics of the participatory
web for learning
http://sociallearn.open.ac.uk http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/SocialLearnResearch

27. Learning Analytics: Big Data meets Education
www.nmc.org/publications/horizon-report-2012-higher-ed-edition
Social network analysis from twitter mashups
Tony Hirst: http://blog.ouseful.info

28. Learning Analytics: Big Data meets Education
Registration VLE activity
characteristics
Assessment
Student results Student
demographics feedback
CRM
logs
RICHLY
INDEXED Automatic detection
Towards integrated of key learners?
DATA
data
Analysis and dissemination
including modelling pass & progression rates,
analysing effectiveness of student support interventions
Automatic detection
of deeper learning
conversations?
Strategic review and business planning
http://people.kmi.open.ac.uk/sbs/2011/02/learning-analytics-notes-on-the-future

29. To do justice to the level of OU Learning Tech/
OpenEd innovation, see this online conference
Replayable open access conference
showcases learning tech innovation
in an Open context
http://cloudworks.ac.uk/cloudscape/view/2012