Distance learning: Open University

Last month the Open University announced details of its latest graduates, and told some of the stories behind their achievements revealing personal success, new life directions and career changes. Hundreds of Service people were among the 11,500 students throughout the world who were notified that they had successfully passed their final degree exams.
Some of this year's Forces graduates tell of how they took exams at the end of major exercises; others talk about studying while on operations in Bosnia and the Gulf - people like Warrant Officer, Phillip Hanley, 49, who is in his final year in the RN. He embarked on a BSc Honours science degree wanting a recognised qualification on leaving the Forces. It was difficult for him to find the time to study sometimes, however he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
Mark Rooke, 33 and also in the Navy, gained his BSc Honours after studying his courses on board ship, sometimes in rough weather and cramped conditions. He took his exam in a tiny officer's cabin, wedged against the desk in a force-eight gale with noisy aircraft a few feet above him on the flight deck.
The OU offers more than 360 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in arts, modern languages, social sciences, health and social welfare, science, mathematics and computing, technology, business and management education, and law. Web-enhanced courses are a growing feature of university life and during their studies today's OU graduates have access to the latest Internet-based teaching and communication resources.
About 110,000 OU students are on-line, sending and receiving 170,000 e-mail and computer conference messages each day. The university already offers 15 courses that are studied entirely on-line. Students check their records electronically and can access an immense range of books and electronic journals through the OU's virtual library.
While some study for degrees, other OU students follow courses related to professional development that often lead to certificate or diploma qualifications. Yet more just study individual courses to update their qualifications or fulfil personal ambitions.
Vice Chancellor, Brenda Gourley, says: 'The influence that the Open University has had on higher education is clearly evident. For over 30 years it has removed the barriers that have prevented many people from studying at university. The OU will continue its commitment to developing open access.'
For further information visit the Quest website at www.questonline.co.uk and click on the Open University What's Your Aim banner icon; alternatively, visit www.open.ac.uk