As an educator, technological innovator and slice of British social history, the Open University needs no introduction. Community Network is extremely proud to count the institution as one of its key clients, the University utilising its conference call facilities for a wealth of practical applications. These range from bringing together staff based in the various different regional centres to providing briefings for new tutors at the beginning of the academic year.
"ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HOW THE TELEPHONY MODEL HAS DEVELOPED"
In the Department of Languages, based at the Open University in Milton Keynes, staff have successfully introduced a new option for Intermediate-level language courses – the provision for students to take their End of Course Assessment (ECA) via group telephone conferences. Christine Sadler, Award Manager in the Department, has been working to make this happen, and is enthusiastic about how the telephony model has developed.
“We’ve had a relationship with Community Network for five years now,” she explains. “We first approached Community Network to provide us with a telephone alternative experience to Level 2 residential schools courses. For those students who can’t attend our residential schools, we provide online or telephone alternatives, as we were keen to give students a fallback choice.”
"CHOICE AND FLEXIBILITY WILL HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS IN HELPING TO RETAIN STUDENTS"
The emphasis on choice has led to courses being developed that offer completely mixed methods of tuition – whether by phone, online or face-to-face. For students electing to use the telephone, it couldn’t be simpler – they’re given the date and time of scheduled calls, and then up to four at a time can call in to be connected to a group session with a tutor. The University hopes that this choice and flexibility will have positive effects in helping to retain students.
The introduction of ECAs by phone was a natural extension of the tuition model – but wasn’t something that the University took lightly. “We had to go through a detailed and thorough approval process to get this done,” says Christine. “After all, the ECA is a formal examination. But although Community Network offered a competitive price, cost was not the main driver. They were chosen because of our past satisfaction and our experience of their reliability.”
"THE KEY IS THAT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS BUT DOES NOT INTERFERE"
Christine and her colleagues are now looking to expand the use of these conference calls to other intermediate courses, again citing the choice factor as important. And Community Network’s emphasis on reliability reflects the University’s desire to make students feel comfortable with the phone tutorial and assessment process – the key is that technology supports but does not interfere.
Community Network recognises the particular importance of each call to the end user, and is proud that its service is so trusted in these circumstances. “It’s a stressful time for them,” Christine reflects, speaking of those students approaching an ECA. “They are adults, and perhaps not used to being in an exam situation – we have to help them all we can.”
