New research grant for shorter learning programmes

The OU is part of a €500,000 collaborative project with other members of the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities to develop shorter learning programmes.

The three year project aims to develop a framework for the production, dissemination and use of Short Learning Programmes (SLPs). These are to be standalone European ‘qualifications’ of 60 credits maximum which will be of interest to businesses and employers, primarily.

Dr Liz Marr, OU Learning and Teaching Innovation Director said: “Short learning programmes respond to the demand of large numbers of students for a shorter study period in order to obtain an award, a certificate or a diploma at diverse qualification levels.”

This project will mainly focus on flexible online/blended SLPs, as they fit with the time constraints and the time horizon of learners and also are scalable for larger groups of students.

Read more about Dr Liz Marr’s work in Learning and Teaching Innovation.