The Open University launches OU Anywhere app
The Open University (OU) has launched a tablet and smartphone app to enable students to study for their qualifications whenever and wherever suits them best.
Developed in-house by the OU Learning and Teaching Solutions team, OU Anywhere sees all OU course materials made available via tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. Through the app students will be able to download all the textbooks, videos and other materials they need to allow them to study at home, in the office or on the move.
From today OU students will also be able to use native e-readers to highlight and annotate text using the app. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) also allows students to interact with tutors and fellow students online.
“From learning a language on the beach to analysing rock samples on the train, OU Anywhere will let our students work towards their qualifications whenever and wherever suits them best,” commented Martin Bean, vice-chancellor of The Open University.
Bean continued: “Making education and training accessible to all is vital if we’re going to get the economy growing again, and OU Anywhere will make it easier than ever for students to fit their studies around their busy lives.”
OU Anywhere is available on Android and iPhone and is powered by the OU’s VLE and gives students the option of accessing their course, module texts and media via the app in addition to the books and DVDs traditionally posted to them at the start of their studies.
Undergraduate course content will be available immediately with postgraduate content to be added shortly. The Open University has also confirmed plans to launch apps for Kindle Fire and Microsoft Surface platforms in the near future.