The Open University Learning Design Sustainability Group

The Open University

The Open University Learning Design Sustainability Group:                

• Paul Astles, Learning Designer
• Kathleen Calder, Senior Learning Designer
• Hayley Johns, Learning Designer
• Catriona Matthews, Learning Designer
• James Openshaw, Learning Designer

What started as an idea within a small team based working group has now mushroomed into a wider institutionally supported venture. We identified a gap in how Education for Sustainable Design was supported within the Open University’s (OU) module design process. We researched ways to pro-actively support module teams to consider how sustainability can be designed into courses, taking a non-tokenistic and meaningful approach.

Building on feedback from students we developed infographics, videos, and workshops to help both module teams and Learning Design colleagues to reflect on where they are within their sustainability journey and identify what additional support is needed. Student voices have provided us with valuable insight into which areas we need to focus and develop support for module teams.

The iterative design process we used sought feedback from across the institution which in turn built relationships with, and brought together, interested parties kick starting institution-wide conversations. 

What the Judges Thought

The team brought creativity, innovation, and collaboration to bear in creating a fantastic example of joined-up and integrated working at the OU developing engaging and effective learning materials. The judges really loved its potential for transferability. The judges really liked that you identified the need for creativity within the Open University’s module design process. The research undertaken to pro-actively support how sustainability can be designed into courses, taking a non-tokenistic and meaningful approach. A great example of how listening to the student voice and inviting feedback can improve learning materials by creating relevant infographics, videos, and workshops to improve the learner’s experience.

What it Means to Win

“I’m delighted that our Learning Designers have, through independent consultation and listening to student voices, developed sustainability resources supporting the university to embed sustainability in our formal, informal, and subliminal curriculum. This award recognises the great initiative of our colleagues, inspiring us all to make sustainability integral to our roles.”

Professor Tim Blackman, Vice Chancellor

Top 3 Learnings

1. Focus on identifying non-tokenistic actions that can meaningfully support change, knowledge building or skills development.
2. Create opportunities for student input into resource design– their ideas, comments and critiques are invaluable.
3. Recognise that everyone’s journey towards taking meaningful non-tokenistic actions to embed sustainability will be different.