Open to learning

Abstract

The Open Learning Environment (OLE) is a novel feature of the new curriculum at The University of Sydney, aimed at encouraging students to personalise their learning through a suite of short modules and fully interdisciplinary units.These units are designed to present students with opportunities to broaden their education, develop graduate qualities and upskill. Comprising an open market for students, the OLE provides fully flexible, online and fee-free units incorporating auto-marked assessments and credentialing using badges and blended for- credit units to develop skills or try new disciplines and areas of interest. Launched in 2018, overall enrolments are strong but vary hugely across available units. Satisfaction and performance similarly varies considerably with both higher failure rates and higher numbers of students receiving higher grades than in other units.