Reaching Wider OpenLearn project
End of year 3 report
2013-14
OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
1. Introduction and background
This report is for Reaching Wider and OU colleagues, OpenLearn Champions and other
partners and stakeholders in the project. It reviews and updates the progress of the
Reaching Wider OpenLearn project at the end of its 3rd year. It also makes
recommendations for the strategic development of the project in the future. The project
runs in mid and north Wales and is funded through the North and Mid Wales Reaching
Wider Partnership.
Aims of the project:
To build capacity and knowledge at community level and provide informal pathways to
Higher Education through OpenLearn. www.open.edu/openlearn

Increase awareness of OpenLearn throughout North and Mid Wales.

Develop capacity through recruiting and training OpenLearn Champions within
communities to help people access OpenLearn and further learning.

Develop virtual communities of practice to share the learning from the project as it
develops.

Help to expand the evidence and practice around the use of Open Educational
Resources in widening participation.
What is OpenLearn? OpenLearn is an Open University resource and is Europe’s largest
repository of free Open Educational Resources (OER). Over 600 courses and 10,000 hours of
learning are available from introductory to advanced level, each takes between 1 and 50
hours to study. OpenLearn is completely free to use, and courses are non-credit bearing.
www.open.edu/openlearn
Through ‘my open learn’ learners can track their progress, tag their favourite content,
develop their profile and participate in online discussion with other learners. They can also
print a record of their progress.
In year 1 we established the team, developed the Champion training and on line forum
space, we ran 5 training days and trained 52 Champions across mid and north Wales.
In year 2 we continued to build capacity and engagement in the project and expanded to 92
OpenLearn Champions with 3 additional training sessions. We also built our online network
with a Champions’ Facebook group and a bank of online resources.
In year 3 we have continued to build and support the network of Champions. After 3 more
training days, the network has grown to 124 Champions. This year, we also ran 3 refresher
networking events for existing Champions including 1 online via a webinar format. We have
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
also linked the OpenLearn Champion project to two other exciting OER developments; the
launch of OpenLearn Cymru and the Pathways to Success Project.1
2. What did we do in year 3 – 2013-14?
Building on the developments and learning from phase 1 and 2 of the project we identified 4
key objectives for the project in phase 3 and show the progress against these in the table
below.
Objectives for Year 3
1. Champion support and training
Progress and Outcomes
Run 2 further first stage Champion
training sessions in Autumn 2013 and
Spring 2014 targeting Communities First
Staff and those working with
Communities First Programmes.
We ran Champion training in;
Bangor – Nov 2013 – 15 attended
Wrexham – February 2014 – 12 attended
Trial an online webinar and 2 face to
face lunch time sessions for existing
Champions to support networking and
info sharing.
We also ran a separate ‘in house’ session for 5
Gwynedd library staff in May.
All Communities First Clusters in mid and north
Wales (with one exception) now have staff
trained as Champions.
32 Champions were trained this year.
Total over the 3 years – 124 Champions
We ran 3 refresher training and networking
sessions in;
Wrexham January 2014 – 9 attended
Bangor April 2014 – 10 attended
Webinar session - March 2014 – 5 attended
A total of 24 Champions participated in follow
up training and networking sessions.
Further develop and nurture the on line
community of Champions and continue
to encourage active participation.
Continue to also provide regular project
updates via e-mail.
We have had regular communications with the
OpenLearn Champions via e-mail, blog and
facebook group. We have also continued to
expand and develop the resources in the shared
‘Dropbox’ folder.
Continue to build the bank of case
studies from Champions and learners to
We have continued to develop our written and
video case studies from the project.
1
OpenLearn Cymru launched August 2014 is a Welsh language platform for OpenLearn. Pathways to Success
launched June 2014, provides structured pathways through OpenLearn content in Science and Maths, Arts and
Humanities, Health and Social Care and Social Science.
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
share.
Video case study 1
Video case study –2
Continue to develop clusters of
recommended subject specific content
for Champions. Disseminate the
OpenLearn ‘Pathways to Success’
resources to Champions.
We have supported 7 Champions in identifying
specific curriculum to support their activities. As
part of a separately funded but complementary
project; ‘Pathways to Success’ maps informal
access pathways on OpenLearn. This resource
has been disseminated to all the Champions.
2. Development of new RW projects with Champion partners
Make stronger links with digital inclusion Several digital inclusion officers have
projects promoting OpenLearn as a
participated in the Champion training. We have
progression for those new to IT.
also continued to build our links with the library
service and 7 Champions have been running
regular drop in sessions in libraries in Gwynedd,
Anglesey and Wrexham linking with the library
digital inclusion activities.
Continue to develop spin off projects
In addition to the general on-going support for
aligned with Reaching Wider priorities
all Champions, we have also supported individual
and improve the data capture from
Champions with specific events, including help
learners engaged with Champions.
with promotional materials and resources.
These include

Connecting Learners celebration day

Adult Learners Week at Gwersyllt Library

Agewell Anglesey events

Caernarfon Communities First events

Drop in events in Flintshire Communities
First

Gwynedd library service staff training and
summer drop in sessions

Chwarae Teg skills event
There is undoubtedly many more, but this year
we have captured data from 84 individual
learners who have been reached through this
project.
Total 213 learners (data captured) over the 3
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
year project.
3. Professional dissemination of practice and learning from the project.
Professional dissemination of practice
and learning from the project and the
research via conferences etc.
We have shared the project developments with
the education and community sector both in and
out of Wales. We presented at the Glyndwr
university Widening Access conference in June
2014 and Open University conferences in
Scotland and Milton Keynes as well as having a
guest blog spot on the Mid and North Wales
Cadarn Learning Portal project
The OpenLearn Champion project was noted for
its good practice in the Welsh Government
Report of the Online Digital Learning Working
Group March 2014.
4. Sustainability of the project
Work with Champions and colleagues to
ensure sustainability of the project
beyond RW funding.
As the project has developed we have integrated
much of the practice and learning into our core
widening access work. The ‘train the trainers’
approach to this work also helps with the
sustainability going forward.
3. Reflection on the project’s successes and challenges
3.1. The Champions
The comments below reflect the responses to the latest survey (completed by 17% of the
Champions) and feedback from the training and refresher sessions we held this year.
We now have a network of 124 Champions.
The feedback from the Champion training sessions has continued to be very positive with
99% rating the training as good or excellent.
This year we also introduced 3 refresher sessions to the programme for existing Champions.
These were attended by 24 people and again the feedback was very positive with all
attendees rating the sessions good or excellent.
1) An opportunity to share experiences and knowledge. 2) Encouraged me to reflect
on how I have engaged learners and I have identified areas for improvement. 3)
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
Using the experiences shared by others to build on and expand my own knowledge.
4) Some useful hints, tips and shortcuts learned.
Encouraging the network to communicate with each other continues to be a challenge. We
have posted 15 new blog entries over the past year and continued to post regular updates
on the Facebook group. Although some Champions tell us that they read it and it’s useful,
there is still little discussion between the Champions through this media. The bulk of the
interaction still tends to be via e-mail.
Some local authorities have blocks on their staff using social media so this is an additional
barrier and we have not been able to find a forum that suits everyone.
The chart below shows 43% of respondents don’t engage through these channels.
Which if any of the on line Champion spaces have you found and used?
Project Blog 11%
11%
7%
43%
14%
Project Forum 7%
Facebook Page 14%
Facebook Group 7%
7%
18%
Shared Dropbox folder
18%
Whilst the project has continued to have a ‘buzz’ around it since it started, there is a risk
that the hype isn’t substantiated with hard data. How many Champions are active and how
do we measure the experience of the learners who use the site and the impact on them?
We ask the Champions each year by way of survey to feedback how they are using
OpenLearn. Where we can, we capture data from spin off projects and activities that we are
aware of. Through this we know we have reached at least 213 learners over the course of
the project, but we suspect this is the tip of the iceberg.
This year we have also been capturing more case studies from learners and champions but
capturing high level statistical data on learners and impact remains a challenge.
From what they feedback, the Champions tend to report using OpenLearn in one of four
ways:

Working with individuals and sign posting as appropriate to OpenLearn on an ad hoc
basis.
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14



Using OpenLearn as a resource to promote learning at special events like Adult
Learners Week, Carers Week.
Organising regular drop in sessions or using OpenLearn as part of a programme of
learning provision.
Running a structured ‘course’ over a set number of weeks focusing on OpenLearn
content.
Comments from Champions
(I’ve) used to show the range of free resources to learners who have
expressed an interest in accessing HE. Also directed learners to the site who
wanted to learn Welsh.
Directed individuals to the site in preparation for accredited courses that they
were progressing on to.
I deliver job search sessions to parents who are furthest away from the labour
market but are required to be available and actively seeking employment.
Some of the activities [on OpenLearn ] are a great introduction: using IT,
Career options, encouraging OU learning as an option if ready.
[I used OpenLearn] with family learning group and group of silver surfers. We
had taster sessions then the learners chose a course and followed it in my
library with me acting as a support. The ladies also carried on in their own
time at home.
Practice example
OpenLearn Champions and work with libraries
With free internet access and a bank of computers, libraries are ideal places to access
free Open Educational Resources. Over the course of the project 11 librarians from
Wrexham and Gwynedd library service have trained as Champions. In Wrexham central
library one of the Open University Champions has been running monthly drop in
sessions. Various events and activities have also been organised by the library staff
Champions in the community libraries of Cefn Mawr, Ruabon, Gwersyllt and Brynteg.
In spring 2014 5 library staff from Gwynedd libraries service attended Champion
training and over the summer they have run OpenLearn drop in sessions in Barmouth,
Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestiniog libraries. The sessions were offered as a progression
route for customers who had engaged with the basic IT learning and the feedback has
been very positive.
On Anglesey one of the Open University Champions has been running monthly
OpenLearn drop in sessions in Amlwch, LLangefni and Holyhead. She has seen a variety
of learners of all ages. From initial engagement in OpenLearn she has signposted
learners to local community learning provision, and access courses with Coleg Menai
and The Open University.
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
Learner Case study – Jane – Caia Park Wrexham
Jane is a 51 year old single mum of 2 living in Caia Park Wrexham. She works part time as a
cleaner. She left school with little qualifications and spent her working life in retail. She has
suffered for many years from health problems and spent periods in hospital. Her youngest
daughter also has serious health problems.
Jane started building her confidence by engaging with the Key Connections Family Learning
project in Wrexham and through this did more short courses at the Caia Park Partnership.

In July 2013 she took part in the ‘Next Steps’ course run by one of the OpenLearn Champions at
the Caia Park Partnership. It was a 6 week course based around the ‘Reflection Toolkit’,an
OpenLearn resource. The course was delivered for 1.5 hours each week blending online
learning with group discussion and support.
The course had 5 main sections;
 Defining myself and how I feel about my present situation
 Learning by looking at my life over time
 Identifying my skills, qualities and abilities
 Clarifying my goals and planning for the future
 Identifying my next steps and where I can find information and support
In the final session, local learning providers were invited to meet the learners and discuss their
courses and next steps.

Following the course, Jane and another woman from the group signed up to an OU Access
course and 2 women from the group linked into the literacy classes running at Caia Park. Jane
successfully completed her Access course and is now planning to progress with degree level
study.
.
Links to Champion video case studies
Video case study – 3 OpenLearn Champions talk about the Champion training and how they use
OpenLearn.
Video case study – An OpenLearn Champion talks about her experience
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
The chart below shows how OpenLearn Champions reported using OpenLearn since the
Champion training.
I have used it for my own
learning. 24%
I have used it with a group.
11%
2%
5%
2%
7%
I have used it with
individuals. 25%
24%
I continue to use OpenLearn
occasionally. 24%
24%
11%
I continue to use OpenLearn
regularly. 2%
I did use OpenLearn but am
not currently 7%
25%
I have a regular
project/activity using
OpenLearn. 5%
I haven't used OpenLearn 2%
3.2. Engagement in Communities First Areas
We have continued to be successful in targeting Communities First staff to our OpenLearn
Champion training. In the first year of the project, we struggled to get full engagement from
Communities First (CF) areas due to the restructure of the Communities First programme.
Building on last year’s success however, we now have staff in all (bar one)2 Communities
First Clusters trained as OpenLearn Champions.
We have also reached Champions from the library service, union learning, carers and
disability organisations, digital inclusion projects, FE and HE sector and Job Centre Plus.
2
Due to attend but missed the last training due to bad weather.
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14
3.3. Development of OER practice in Wales and links between this project and other
initiatives in Wales and beyond.
In the 3 years that this project has run, there has been enormous growth in activity and
interest in Open Education Resources and Open Education practice. As well as OpenLearn,
the Open University is now the lead partner in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
platform FutureLearn.
Across the UK, the OU is also linking with schools through Open science laboratory, iSpot
and Our story app. In Wales we have developed and launched OpenLearn Cymru, a portal
for Welsh Medium OER and ‘Pathways to Success’ a guide providing informal access
pathways on OpenLearn.
Whilst 3 years ago the discourse was around Open Educational Resources, the focus now is
very much on Open Educational Practice and how we can effectively use these resources to
widen access and opportunity.
The sector in Wales has seen the publication of the report from the Welsh Government’s
Online Digital Working Group chaired by Andrew Green Open & Online: Wales, higher
education and emerging modes of learning (March 2014). We also now have the OER Wales
Cymru project and in north and mid Wales the CADARN learning portal project.
As this space rapidly grows and develops it is important for projects like this one to share
and contribute to best practice and complement and support the other work that’s
happening in this area so we can continue to champion widening access within this digital
environment.
4. Recommendations for the next phase of the project 2014/15 and beyond.
We have taken on board the feedback from the Champions, Reaching Wider Staff and
partners and the HEFCW remit to Reaching Wider partnerships. 3 We feel that the Open
University in Wales can best contribute to the work of the Reaching Wider Partnership
through its expertise and resources in 2 of HEFCW’s priority areas of; Part Time HE and
Online Digital Learning, specifically the area of Open Educational Resources (OER).
Key objectives for the next phase of this project should therefore be in the following areas;

3
Continue to run ‘train the trainers’ sessions and expand the OpenLearn Champion
model to include other OER including OpenLearn Cymru, Open Science Laboratory
(STEM) in schools.
Reaching Wider Strategies 2014/15 to 2016/17: Guidance report W14/19HE
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OpenLearn Reaching Wider Project – End of year report 2013-14

Expand the OpenLearn Champion network to further align with the Reaching Wider
Partnership work, focusing on; learning providers, employers and school clusters as
well as Communities First Clusters.

Disseminate the OpenLearn ‘Pathways to Success’ resources to Champions and offer
support and guidance in using it.

Continue to strengthen the links with digital inclusion projects promoting OpenLearn
and other OER as a progression for those new to IT.

Continue to develop online webinar as well as face to face networking and refresher
sessions for the Champions network.

Continue to link with other OER developments in Wales and contribute to the
professional dissemination of practice, innovation and learning in this area.
Gayle Hudson
gayle.hudson@open.ac.uk
August 2014
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