Open Media and Informal Learning

Open Media and Informal Learning (OMIL) commissions content and manages the production of OpenLearn, YouTube, Amazon (Kindle), and Google Play output, as well as content supporting OU/BBC productions, to support both the social and business missions of the Open University (OU). OMIL is research informed, in that it commissions and collaborates on research into informal learning to demonstrate impact. Being research informed provides both business data on how we can improve our offering to informal learners and research data for the wider open educational resources community.

The Unit aims to:

• improve the national and international awareness of The OU brand and services
• deliver quality assets which are available for teaching and learning
• generate learning journeys between informal and formal learning

The Unit works closely with the University's Central Academic Units (faculties), Marketing, Online Communications, Learning and Teaching Solutions and the Business Development Unit to ensure the most valuable use of our broadcast and online channels.

OMIL is responsible for the OU's Open Education Media Operating Policy which provides The OU definition of open educational media, their main purposes and impact and some principles guiding their delivery and development.

Increasing access to education on a global scale

The OU is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible distance learning. Regarded as Britain's major e-learning institution, The OU is a world leader in developing technology to increase access to education on a global scale.

The Open University attracts millions of informal learners from around the world to its free educational resources across multiple platforms. Its vast 'open content portfolio' includes free courses and resources on OpenLearn, which has had more than 95 million visitors since launch in 2006, and its educational materials on YouTube, Amazon Kindle, Google Play and iTunes. The OU's open content portfolio will continue to grow as opportunities develop.