In 2008 the Open University ran an extensive trial of mathematics and computing teaching using the Elluminate Live! synchronous communication software. In this article we report on the success of this trial and on the opinions of both students and staff on their experiences.
The Open University (OU) is the UK’s leading distance-learning university with approximately 200 000 students enrolled on (primarily) part-time degrees and with 15 000 student registrations per annum on mathematics and statistics courses of which 550 are enrolled on the MSc programme. The OU delivers its mathematics and statistics courses through a blend of high-quality teaching materials (both online and printed) and individual and group support delivered through a network of 550 dedicated part-time Associate Lecturers (ALs or Tutors).
