This online event will be a showcase of leading research in the field of open learning, conducted by Doctoral Scholars of The Open University and Leverhulme Trust’s Open World Learning programme, whose work is being recognised with the launch of a new open-access Open World Learning Book. The event will feature an opening panel discussion on the achievements of our Doctoral Scholars, a collection of themed break-out sessions where scholars will share their research studies and their social impacts, and close with a roundtable where our scholars will consider the future of open learning. Learning in the 21st century is undergoing both subtle and radical transformation due to the impact of digital, innovative, network technologies. Open learning provides unprecedented access to educational information, providing support to learners worldwide. However, it is not the technologies themselves that represent the biggest change, but the opportunities for access to formal and informal learning. The Open World Learning programme has been funded by the Leverhulme Trust and The Open University to provide 18 Scholars the opportunity to identify changes in open learning which may exclude, rather than include those who would most benefit. Despite technological advancements, the main challenges to open learning are access-related. Our Open World Learning Scholars have been researching the barriers to access for those whose experiences open learning can benefit most and addressing issues where possible. Hosted by Professor Bart Rienties, Programme Lead of the Open World Learning programme at the OU's Institute of Educational Technology, this two-hour event will provide a knowledge exchange platform to learn from our Open World Learning Doctoral Scholars and celebrate their exceptional achievements with the Open World Learning Book Launch. We hope you join us and register to attend our free event. Follow us on the IETatOU Twitter and visit the IET website where a series of digital and social content will be shared highlighting the work of our Open World Learning scholars. Visit us here: https://iet.open.ac.uk | https://twitter.com/ietatou

1. OU/Leverhulme Open World
Learning: Knowledge Exchange and
Book Launch
Wednesday 9 February 2022
Institute of Educational Technology
WELS

2. 2
Welcome Address
1
Professor Denise Whitelock (Director of the Institute of Educational Technology)

3. 3
Welcome Address (1300-1310)
Prof Denise Whitelock (Director IET)
Opening Panel Discussion (1310-1340)
Introduction to the Open World Learning programme,
funded by Leverhulme Trust, reflections on open
world learning by Prof Bart Rienties (IET).
Panel: Dr Tim Coughlan (IET), Dr Irina Rets
(Lancaster), Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET)
Break and transition to break-out
sessions (1340-1345)
Attendees will be asked to decide which break-out
session they would like to attend
Parallel break-out sessions (1345-1415)
A) Learners and the power of language in an Open
World
B) Innovative technologies in an Open World
C) Educators and inclusive practice in an Open
World
Roundtable Discussion with Open World
Learning Scholars (1425-1455)
Prof Regine Hampel (WELS), Dr Garron Hillaire
(MIT), Dr Saman Rizvi (Cambridge), Prof Eileen
Scanlon (IET), Prof Denise Whitelock (IET)
Agenda

4. 4
Opening Panel Discussion (1310-1340)
2
1. Short overview of the Open World Learning programme, funded by
Leverhulme Trust and the Open University
1. 18 Leverhulme Scholars
2. Impact of our work
3. Launch of Routledge book
2. Panel discussion on reflections on open world learning with Dr Tim
Coughlan (IET), Dr Irina Rets (Lancaster), Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET).
Professor Bart Rienties (Programme lead of Open World Learning)

5. 5
What is Open World Learning?
2
“Open world learning seeks to understand access to education,
structures, and the presence of dialogue and support systems. The
challenge of open world learning is to foster inclusion and widen access
to information, knowledge, and learning, rather than to allow people,
organisations, and governments to increase divisions and build closed
groups with privileged access to information and education”.
• One key aspect of open world learning is openness: how approaches
to learning can be designed to enable sharing and co-creation of
knowledge
• These innovations are also changing how societies understand
ownership of knowledge, information, expertise, and the process of
learning.
Rienties, B., Hempel, R., Scanlon, E., & Whitelock, D. (2022). Introduction to Open world learning: what works? In B. Rienties, R. Hampel, E. Scanlon, & D.
Whitelock (Eds.), Open World Learning: Research, Innovation and the Challenges of High-Quality Education (pp. 1-12). London: Routledge.

6. 6
The main question for this event
2
How can open world learning supported by technology help
and/or hinder tackling the global challenges that open and
high-quality education faces?
Erik Estella Elsa Ethan Emily Elliot Erica
erm goals Specific long-term goals Realistic deadlines
Rienties, B., Hempel, R., Scanlon, E., & Whitelock, D. (2022). Introduction to Open world learning: what works? In B. Rienties, R. Hampel, E. Scanlon, & D.
Whitelock (Eds.), Open World Learning: Research, Innovation and the Challenges of High-Quality Education (pp. 1-12). London: Routledge.

7. 7
2
Open World Learning programme started in September
2015 and funded 18 Scholars (15 by Leverhulme Trust, 3 by
Open University)
Cohor
t
Name Candidate Topic 1st Supervisor 2nd Supervisor 3rd Supervisor Status
1 Francisco Iniesto An Investigation Into The Accessibility Of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Dr Tim Coughlan (IET) Prof Patrick McAndrew (IET) Prof Shailey Minocha (STEM) Graduated. Post-doc Open
University UK
1 Jessica
Sampurna
Exploring the Implementation of Online Non-Formal Project-Based Language Learning in the
Indonesian Context.
Dr Ursula Stickler (WELS) Prof Agnes Kukulska-Hulme (IET) Prof Regine Hampel (WELS) Graduated Self-employed
1 Sian Beavers The Informal Learning of History with Digital Games. Dr Elizabeth Fitzgerald (IET); Prof
Rebecca Ferguson (IET) maternity
cover
Dr Elton Barker (Classics:
2015/2016)-Dr Jo Paul (Classics:
2017)
Dr Sylvia Warnecke (WELS) Graduated. Manchester Council
2 Quan Nguyen Unravelling the Temporal Process of Learning Design and Student Engagement in Distance
Education using Learning Analytics.
Prof Bart Rienties (IET) Prof Denise Whitelock (IET) Graduated. Post-doc University
of Michigan
2 Johanna Hall Towards A Model of Collective Flow for Collaborative Game-Based Learning Dr Ursula Stickler (FASS) Dr Thea Herodotou (IET) Dr Jo Iacovides (University of
York)
Graduated. Researcher
University of Aberdeen
1 Garron Hillaire Self-Regulated Learning with Emotion & Cognition Analytics Prof Bart Rienties (IET) Prof Mark Fentonocreevy (FBL) Graduated. Post-doc MIT
1 Popi Anastasiou Digital storytelling in science learning: a tale of the States of Matter Prof Anne Adams (IET) Dr Liz Chamberlain (WELS) Prof Nick Braithwaite (STEM) Graduated. Teacher in Cyprus
2 Shi Min Chua Educators and Learners’ Role in Discussion Forums of MOOCs Dr Caroline Tagg (WELS) Prof Mike Sharples (IET) Prof Bart Rienties (IET) Graduated. Researcher at start-
up
3 Irina Rets OER accessibility and the effect of simplification on text processing among English learners:
evidence from eye-tracking
Dr Ursula Stickler (WELS) Dr Tim Coughlan (IET) Dr Lluisa Astruc (WELS) Graduated. Post-doc University
of Lancaster
2 Vasudha
Chaudhari
Understanding the strategies employed by finance professionals while working under periods of
uncertainty
Prof Allison Littlejohn (University
College London)
Dr Simon Cross (IET) Graduated. Researcher at tech
company
1 George Alain A Process for Designing Educational Technology Systems for Displaced War-Affected Children Dr Tim Coughlan (IET) Prof Anne Adams (IET) Accept with revisions.
2 Pinsuda
Srisontisuk
Investigating the effects of creative thinking in open digital narratives to raise the educational
standards in teaching and learning for young children
Prof David Messer (FASS) Prof Agnes Kukulska-Hulme (IET) Dr Natalie Canning (FASS) Accept with revisions
3 Saman Zehra
Rizvi
Role of socio-economic status and cultural background in learners'
retention/completion/certification odds in MOOCs
Prof Bart Rienties (IET) Dr Jekaterina Rogaten (University
of the Arts London)
Dr Rene Kilizec (Cornell
University)
Graduated. Post-doc at
Cambridge
2 Khadija
Mohamud
Investigating the Impact of Independent Edtech Learning Kiosks in Uganda Dr Alison Buckler (WELS) Dr Beck Pitt (IET) Prof Peter Twining (External) Passed Viva with minor
corrections January 2022
3 Maina Korir Student privacy in learning analytics: Exploring Concepts, Awareness and Concerns Dr Sharon Slade (FBL) Dr Wayne Holmes (UCL) Prof Bart Rienties (IET) Thesis submission December
2022
3 Barbara Conde Repurposing MOOCs for English Language Teacher training: development of a context-senstive
flexible framework to support autonomy in ELT through a blended MOOC approach
Dr Tim Lewis (WELS) Dr Tita Beaven (WELS) Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET) Thesis submission January 2022
3 Dimitrios
Vogiatzis
Examining the learners' attitudes and perceptions toward the use of Social Network Sites for
language learning purposes.
Dr Tim Lewis (WELS) Dr Korina Giaxoglou (WELS) Contingency. Expected
submission December 2022
3 Gosia Iwaniec-
Thompson
The investigation of the impact, knowledge building process and professional development
stages of academics in HE when engaging with digital open Communities of Practices and the
exploration of factors ensuring its sustainability
Dr Chris Kubiak (WELS) Prof Jan Draper (WELS) Currently on second maternity
leave. Expected submission
December 2022

8. 8

9. 9
Output, impact and knowledge exchange in OWL
• During the period 2015-2021 in total 119 academic outputs (journal articles,
conference papers, book chapter contributions) were produced in a range of
top-ranked and open journals by the 18 Leverhulme scholars
• On average each Leverhulme scholar “produced” 6.61 outputs (SD = 8.74,
range 1-32).
• Applied Cognitive Psychology
• Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
• Computer Assisted Language Learning
• Computers & Education
• Computers in Human Behavior
• Frontline Learning Research
• Interactive Learning Environments
• International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
• Journal of Computing in Higher Education
• Journal of Interactive Media in Education
• Journal of Learning Analytics
• Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning
• PLoS ONE
• Etc.
• 185 presentations at regional, national and international conferences and
events were given
• On average each Leverhulme scholar presented at 10.28 conferences (SD =
6.42, range 3-29).
6
12
18 17
14
4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21
Scholar Attend Present Publish

10. 10
2
Open access book available
today!
Emilie Coin (Routledge)
Freely available
https://www.routledge.com/Open-World-Learning-Research-
Innovation-and-the-Challenges-of-High-Quality/Rienties-Hampel-
Scanlon-Whitelock/p/book/9781032010915
https://tinyurl.com/OWLLeverhulme2022

11. 11
Rienties, B. (2022). Powers and Limitations of open world learning: Experiences from the Field of Education. In B. Rienties, R. Hampel, E. Scanlon,
& D. Whitelock (Eds.), Open World Learning: Research, Innovation and the Challenges of High-Quality Education (pp. 13-25). London: Routledge.

12. 12
• The Open World Learning programme provides state-of-the-art contemporary research
insights into key applications and processes in open world learning.
• Presenting ground-breaking research from an award winning Leverhulme doctoral
training programme, the book provides several integrated and cohesive perspectives of
the affordances and limitations of open world learning.
• The 19 chapters feature a wide range of open world learning topics, ranging from
theoretical and methodological discussions to empirical demonstrations of how open
world learning can be effectively implemented, evaluated, and used to inform theory and
practice.
• The book brings together a range of innovative uses of technology and practice in open
world learning from 387,134 learners and educators learning and working in 136
unique learning contexts across the globe
• The work considers the enablers and disablers of openness in learning, ethical and
privacy implications, and how open world learning can be used to foster inclusive
approaches to learning across educational sectors, disciplines and countries.
• The book is unique in exploring the complex, contradictory and multi-disciplinary nature
of open world learning at an international level and will be of great interest to academics,
researchers, professionals, and policy makers in the field of education technology, e-
learning and digital education.

13. 13
Some examples

14. 14
Panel discussion on reflections on open world learning
2
• Dr Tim Coughlan (IET)
• Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET)
• Dr Irina Rets (Lancaster)
• Prof Bart Rienties (Chair)

15. 16
Welcome Address (1300-1310)
Prof Denise Whitelock (Director IET)
Opening Panel Discussion (1310-1340)
Introduction to the Open World Learning programme,
funded by Leverhulme Trust, reflections on open
world learning by Prof Bart Rienties (IET).
Panel: Dr Tim Coughlan (IET), Dr Irina Rets
(Lancaster), Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET)
Break and transition to break-out
sessions (1340-1345)
Attendees will be asked to decide which break-out
session they would like to attend
Parallel break-out sessions (1345-1415)
A) Learners and the power of language in an Open
World
B) Innovative technologies in an Open World
C) Educators and inclusive practice in an Open
World
Roundtable Discussion with Open World
Learning Scholars (1425-1455)
Prof Regine Hampel (WELS), Dr Garron Hillaire
(MIT), Dr Saman Rizvi (Cambridge), Prof Eileen
Scanlon (IET), Prof Denise Whitelock (IET)
Agenda

16. 18
Breakout sessions (1345-1415)
3
• Room A: Open World Learning: Language and Learners
Host: Prof Bart Rienties
Presenters: Dr Irina Rets, Barbara Conde, Khadija Mohamud, Dr ShiMin
Chua, Popi Anastasiou, Dimitrios Vogiatzis
Support: Michelle Peralta
• Room B Open World Learning: Technology and Educators
Host: Prof Eileen Scanlon
Presenters: Dr Saman Zehra Rizvi, Dr Garron Hillaire, Dr Paco Iniesto,
Dr Quan Nguyen, Maina Korir, Dr Johanna Hall, Dr Vasudha Chaudhari,
Gosia Iwaniec-Thompson
Support: Kristiina Bax
PLEASE INDICATE IN THE CHAT WHICH ROOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO
JOIN

17. 19
Breakout sessions (1345-1415)
3
• Room A: Open World Learning: Language and Learners
Host: Prof Bart Rienties
Presenters: Dr Irina Rets, Barbara Conde, Khadija Mohamud, Dr ShiMin
Chua, Popi Anastasiou, Dimitrios Vogiatzis
Support: Michelle Peralta

18. Dr Irina Rets
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
OER accessibility and the effect of
simplification on text processing among
English learners: evidence from eye-
tracking

19. Barbara Conde Gafaro
PhD loading. BA Modern Languages. MA English Language Teaching and Applied
Linguistics
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Building Bridges Towards Self-regulation:
The Goal-setting Behaviour of Adult
Language Learners in MOOCs

20. Khadija Amal Mohamud
Doctor of Philosophy
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Digital Technologies for Development: The Role of social and
cultural structures in influencing experiences of low-income
communities with Internet Kiosks in Uganda

21. 05/04/2022
The main open world learning problem I address in my PhD thesis is
demonstrating how Community Technology Centres support low-
income communities in Uganda in bridging educational inequalities
through providing young people and teachers with online
educational resources. Additionally, the current education in Uganda is
primarily focused on memorisation of information to acquire technical
skills, yet experiences beyond schooling including the workplace requires
soft skills (21st century skills) to tackle challenges faced outside the
schooling system. My PhD aimed to understand how Community
Technology Centres supported young people enrolled in school and
out-of-school in developing soft skills.

22. The most important finding of my work is that it is crucial to embed new
ICT for Development (ICTD) interventions within the social and
cultural context as this determines who engages with the
intervention and how it is accessed, the level of impact of the
intervention on different user groups and their sustainability which
is influenced by ownership within the communities. In my PhD research,
I suggest several strategies to adopting context-specific and gender-
sensitive approaches including a proposed framework called ‘Context
Complexities Framework’ which emerged from the data analysis to
embed ICTD interventions within the local communities to encourage
equitable access, impact, community ownership, and long-term
sustainability.

23. The most exciting impact of my work is demonstrating how
Community Technology Centres helped bridge complex
educational inequalities and supported young people in
developing soft skills which is a sustainable development goal
priority. My PhD research further inspired me to progress with further
work on soft skills development. I am currently researching and
planning to create an online programme for young people in low-
income communities in Sub-Saharan Africa focused on soft skills
development specifically resilience, emotional agility, communication
and interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and management.

24. 26

25. Popi Anastasiou
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Digital storytelling in science learning: a
tale of the States of Matter

26. Dimitrios Vogiatzis
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Can WhatsApp facilitate interaction? A
case study of adult language learning

27. 29
Breakout sessions (1345-1415)
3
Room B Open World Learning: Technology and Educators
Host: Prof Eileen Scanlon
Presenters: Dr Saman Zehra Rizvi, Dr Garron Hillaire, Dr Paco Iniesto,
Dr Quan Nguyen, Maina Korir, Dr Johanna Hall, Dr Vasudha Chaudhari,
Gosia Iwaniec-Thompson
Support: Kristiina Bax

28. Dr Saman Zehra Rizvi
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Role of socio-economic status and
cultural background in learners'
retention/completion/certification odds in
MOOCs

29. Dr Garron Hillaire
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Self-Regulated Learning with Emotion &
Cognition Analytics

30. Dr Francisco Iniesto
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
An Investigation Into The Accessibility Of
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

31. PhD: An Investigation Into The
Accessibility Of MOOCs

32. Impact on Open World Learning
1. Barriers are not necessarily related to technical aspects or
disabilities, there is scope for improvement in accessibility
2. Limitations of MOOC production to provide dynamic solutions
to accessibility barriers, learners responses to barriers are far
from the solutions they will like to find
This research has two implications derived from its findings:
1. Greater knowledge of the MOOC stakeholders in accessibility
2. MOOC Accessibility Audit and recommendations
This research benefits course providers and learners

33. Current research

34. Dr Quan Nguyen
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Unravelling the Temporal Process of
Learning Design and Student
Engagement in Distance Education using
Learning Analytics

36. Maina Korir
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
An Investigation of Privacy and Utility
Tensions in Learning Analytics

37. Pinsuda Srisontisuk
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Investigating the effects of creative
thinking in open digital narratives to raise
the educational standards in teaching and
learning for young children

38. Dr Vasudha Chaudhari
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
Understanding the strategies employed
by finance professionals while working
under periods of uncertainty

39. Dr Gosia Iwaniec-Thompson
Open World Learning: OU Research Seminar
The investigation of the impact,
knowledge building process and
professional development stages of
academics in HE when engaging with
digital open Communities of Practices
and the exploration of factors ensuring its
sustainability

40. 42
Welcome Address (1300-1310)
Prof Denise Whitelock (Director IET)
Opening Panel Discussion (1310-1340)
Introduction to the Open World Learning programme,
funded by Leverhulme Trust, reflections on open
world learning by Prof Bart Rienties (IET).
Panel: Dr Tim Coughlan (IET), Dr Irina Rets
(Lancaster), Prof Rebecca Ferguson (IET)
Break and transition to break-out
sessions (1340-1345)
Attendees will be asked to decide which break-out
session they would like to attend
Parallel break-out sessions (1345-1415)
A) Learners and the power of language in an Open
World
B) Innovative technologies in an Open World
C) Educators and inclusive practice in an Open
World
Roundtable Discussion with Open World
Learning Scholars (1425-1455)
Prof Regine Hampel (WELS), Dr Garron Hillaire
(MIT), Dr Saman Rizvi (Cambridge), Prof Eileen
Scanlon (IET), Prof Denise Whitelock (IET)
Agenda

41. 43
Roundtable Discussion with Open World Learning Scholars (1425-1455)
5
Open World Learning Scholars to reflect on their studies and motivations
for future research intentions with comments from Academic Leads from
the OU’s Institute of Educational Technology
• Prof Regine Hampel (WELS)
• Dr Garron Hillaire (MIT)
• Dr Saman Rizvi (Cambridge)
• Prof Bart Rienties (IET)
• Prof Eileen Scanlon (IET)
• Prof Denise Whitelock (IET) Chair

42. 45
Final words
1.Thank everyone for attending!
2.Thanks in particular to all Leverhulme students and supervisors, the
panel members and everyone who made this event possible!
3.The Routledge book is available
https://tinyurl.com/OWLLeverhulme2022
4.Find out more about our research at iet.open.ac.uk

43. OU/Leverhulme Open World
Learning: Knowledge Exchange and
Book Launch
Wednesday 9 February 2022
Institute of Educational Technology
WELS