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The traditional learning barriers of distance and cost are being removed thanks to free learning opportunities, such as the one being offered by Open Universities Australia.
Online platforms like OUA’s Open2Study allow anybody anywhere in the world, with an internet connection, access to courses – and they’re free.
With the digital revolution has come truly open access to quality education, whether the aim is to advance a profession, follow an interest, to return to study or to test the world of online learning.
Free learning, no matter the person’s physical location, is well and truly entrenched in the 21st century and OUA is part of the revolution.
That an initiative such as Open2Study has no fees or administration charges, no textbooks or materials to buy and no hidden costs, means that the landscape of distance education has changed forever.
“Open2Study has attracted in excess of 61,000 students from 140 countries since its launch in March 2013,” said Open2Study executive general manager Jose Herrera Perea.
“The spread of interest from local and international students tells us that free courses have removed some of the traditional learning barriers of distance and cost.”
Anyone with an interest and an internet connection, Mr Herrera Perea said, can learn about anthropology, psychology, to writing for the web.
OUA’s free four-week courses allow students to dip a toe in some of the most popular areas in higher education, such as management, advertising, education and nursing.
“The digital advances have made an enormous difference in ensuring students stay connected, regardless of their physical location,” Mr Herrera Perea said.
“In the time it takes to watch a YouTube clip, people can have advanced their knowledge on subjects that are of personal interest, or career related.”
Free online education is media rich and engaging, and learning platforms vary from lectures posted online, well-produced videos, simulations and even interactive games – and results show that students are thriving in online study.
“Learning online is a completely different experience to that of a classroom,” Mr Herrera Perea said.
“We had to think carefully about how to marry quality content with modern online teaching techniques.
“We were buoyed that the research and development has paid off as our completion rates consistently hover around 25 per cent compared to the industry average of 7 per cent.
“Our focus is very much centred on collaborative learning and we actively encourage online discussions and connection through social media platforms.
“Students, regardless of where they are, can now never stop learning.”
*This story has been provided by Open Universities Australia as part of a commercial agreement.