Section 1: Getting started with OpenLearn
OLS_1
Section 1: Getting started with OpenLearn
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Contents
· 1 Getting started with OpenLearn
· 1.1 Sign up to OpenLearn
· 1.2 Using My OpenLearn
· 1.3 Using tags to identify subjects of interest
1 Getting started with OpenLearn
Figure 2 Getting started
Before signing up to OpenLearn, it is worth looking through the information and guidance on the site itself. At the bottom of the Homepage there is a link to About OpenLearn.
· You might want to look at the short video on this page about what OpenLearn can offer.
· This page also has a link to Frequently Asked Questions. The first section, Using OpenLearn for the first time, is a helpful place to find out more about the platform, but later sections are probably more helpful once you are fully engaged in using OpenLearn and once questions (particularly technical ones), start to arise.
1.1 Sign up to OpenLearn
Although you can access much of OpenLearn without signing up, being a member of the OpenLearn community offers you, and the learners you support, more features.
Activity 1
(Approximate timing: 10 minutes)
Your first task is to sign up to OpenLearn. Follow the links from either the Homepage or the Get started page to create a free Open University account.
Figure 3 How to create a free Open University account
Creating a free Open University account involves entering a few details on the page below:
Figure 4 Entering details on the sign up page
Once signed up you should also create your profile under My OpenLearn accessed from the navigation bar of OpenLearn’s home page.
Figure 5 Accessing My OpenLearn profile
You can choose how much or how little information to provide, but as a minimum it would be beneficial to identify your primary interests in terms of areas of study, and to include a short biography. You can also upload a photograph of yourself if you wish, plus set your display and contact preferences. The Open University uses learner information to evaluate use of the site and improve the OpenLearn offering. If you opt in to being contacted by the Open University, then you can help in this process.
Figure 6 Setting up your OpenLearn profile
The information you provide will then be used by OpenLearn to recommend relevant OpenLearn content catered towards your interests. By registering on one of our courses you will be able to track your progress, download activity records and gain a statement of participation and digital badges.
1.2 Using My OpenLearn
Once you have set up your profile and outlined what your interests are, these will then be shown the next time you login intoMy OpenLearn.
Figure 7 Example of recommendations shown on My OpenLearn page
Activity 2
(Approximate timing: 15 minutes)
Go into My OpenLearn to see what OpenLearn materials have been recommended for you.
Read the introduction to each one.
How relevant are the recommendations?
OpenLearn allows you to identify only one primary interest at a time. If you have a number of different areas of interest, it may be necessary to alter your profile page to see what other recommendations have been made.
1.3 Using tags to identify subjects of interest
All content on OpenLearn has tags relevant to the subject which can be utilised to identify materials that are particularly relevant to you. This means that you can tailor OpenLearn to reflect your particular interests.
Each time that you find content that interests you, go to the bottom of the page. This is where you will see the tags. Add those associated tags by clicking on them. They are stored in your personal tag cloud which can be viewed from within your profile onMy OpenLearn.
Figure 8 Adding a tag to your personal tag cloud
Activity 3
(Approximate timing: 10 minutes)
Spend a few minutes searching through OpenLearn and finding content that interests you. Start by adding some tags to your personal tag cloud.
Check your profile inMy OpenLearnto see where they are stored.
You’ve now completed this section of the course. Now go onto Section 2.
Page 2 of 4 25th June 2015
http://www.open.edu/openlearnworks/course/view.php?id=1904