Description
This qualification is no longer available to new students. You must complete your study by 31 December 2021. If you would like to discuss your options with one of our advisers, please contact us.
This innovative MA offers you the unique opportunity to study the theory and practice of online and distance education through materials created by experts from The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology – who are reinventing digital learning through the innovative use of new media and technologies. You’ll develop your understanding of technology-enhanced learning, from design, selection and use to evaluation and continuing development. A wide choice of modules enables you to contextualise your learning in topics of relevance to your own practice and interests, including e-learning at work, social media, supporting disabled students, and research methods.
Key features of the course
- Our study environment enables you to collaborate with students from around the world
- There is scope for individual study and you'll receive individualised feedback from you tutor
- Your study will cover the latest developments in digital learning
- Relevant for non-practitioners with an interest in online learning
Planning your studies
You must be prepared for study at postgraduate level. This usually means holding a bachelors degree - whether from a UK university or from one outside the UK - or its equivalent. However, if you have successfully completed two-thirds of a bachelors degree (an HND in the UK, for example) and have professional experience in technology-enabled learning, you may still be eligible for the programme. You will be asked to provide further information and evidence of your eligibility as part of the registration process for the programme.
All teaching is in English, and your proficiency in the language needs to be adequate for postgraduate study and for contributing to online discussions by text and voice. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend that you make sure you can achieve a score of at least seven in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). To assess your English Language skills in relation to your proposed studies, you can visit the IELTS website. Although experience of distance education may be an advantage, it is not essential. If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.
How long it takes
The minimum time to complete is two years, and if you wish to claim the Masters in Online and Distance Education you must have completed all the required modules by 31 December 2021.
If you are just starting the MAODE it is recommended that you study the modules in this order to complete the qualification before it is withdrawn:
- H880 (February 2019)
- H817 (February 2020)
- H818 (October 2020)
- H819 (April 2021)
Career relevance and employability
Workplaces and work roles increasingly involve media-rich and technology-enhanced forms of learning, professional practice and personal development, often summarised in the term ‘elearning’. Accordingly the experience of achieving this masters degree has proved vocationally relevant across a wide range of occupations and locations, from managers in business organisations, media professionals, teachers of languages, consultants, trainers and teachers at any level of the education sector.
Each module in the MA in Online and Distance Education requires study using a range of tools and The Open University's online learning environment. Consequently you will improve your personal skills in using these tools, enabling you to develop your own practice and to learn from others. You will explore in depth the research and practice literature in technology-enhanced learning, and experience the implications of learning technology choices made across a wide range of contexts and organisations, both formal and informal. You'll advance not only your skills of selection and design of technology, but also your understanding of how technologies engage learners and how they can be evaluated and developed on a continuing basis.
Depending on your choice of module study, the qualification will enable you to demonstrate, in addition, expertise in particular areas:
- Designing, implementing and critiquing technology-enhanced learning, if you study Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures (H880)
- Open educational resources and approaches for learning within university, college, management or other contexts, if you include Openness and innovation in elearning (H817)
- Research and evaluation of educational technology, including research design and planning, and critical review of research reports, if you have included. The critical researcher: Educational technology in practice (H819).
The vocational relevance of the MA in Online and Distance Education goes well beyond the obvious category of teacher and trainer, and previous alumni have included librarians, media professionals, project managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, other professionals in commerce, practice educators in nursing and web developers.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you must complete your study by 31 December 2021.
You need 180 credits as follows:
A 60-credit compulsory module
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module H800.
plus
60 credits from list A:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules H800, H801, H802, H803, H804, H805, H806, H807, H808, H809, H810.
plus
a further 60 credits from either list A or list B:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules E801, E805, E807, E846, E848, E852, E854, E855, E856, E857, E859, E891, ED841, EE880, EE881, ET821, H812, H850, ME825, SEH806, SH804.
Excluded combinations
You can only do one or the other and not both of the following:
- H880 or H800
- H819 or H809
- E805 or EE814
- E854 or EE817
- E855 or EE811 or E857
- EE880 or E881
- H812 or H850
If you have already studied with The Open University at postgraduate level and now want to count your module or modules towards the MA in Online and Distance Education, you will need to ask us to link your previous record to the qualification. We will check our regulations at that stage to ensure the module is eligible.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Arts in Online and Distance Education. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MA (ODE) (Open) after your name.
If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification