The OpenLearning Awards 2024 have officially wrapped up, and we’re thrilled to announce this year’s exceptional winners! These awards recognise innovative approaches and outstanding achievements in online education, showcasing the incredible creativity and dedication of educators and organisations worldwide.
This year’s awards highlighted excellence across five categories, with each winner demonstrating a unique and impactful approach to engaging learners and delivering meaningful educational experiences. Here are the 2024 winners:
This course on organisational communication stood out for its learner-centred design and creative approach to fostering effective communication skills.
The course equips students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in organisational communication, enabling them to analyse, design, and implement effective strategies in diverse settings.
Key components include cultural competence, leadership communication, and understanding the impact of digital tools in remote work and collaboration.
Students engage in a blend of asynchronous and synchronous activities, including reflective journals, live discussions, case studies, and group collaborations.
Assessments include reflective essays, case study analyses, and project reports where learners design strategic communication plans for real-world organisations.
The course has achieved a 100% completion rate in previous cohorts and consistently receives positive feedback, with participants praising its practical applications and interactive elements.
This talent development program exemplifies how online education can enhance professional skills. Focused on oral communication in English, this program equips learners with the tools to express themselves effectively in diverse professional settings.
The course is tailored for ESL learners with lower English proficiency, aligning with CEFR Level B1+ to improve oral communication skills.
Activities include discussions, simulations, and role-playing exercises to engage students in real-life interactions and enhance fluency.
A VLOG Project, broken into stages, combines communication skill-building with digital media production, including peer-reviewed showcases and reflective presentations.
Students gain exposure to public speaking techniques, helping them present ideas clearly and confidently in structured formats.
Assessments such as impromptu two-way communication tasks focus on dynamic conversational skills, encouraging adaptability and spontaneity.
This project made effective use of OpenLearning’s AI Assistant to create a course that offers a deep dive into Brunei’s rich culture and lifestyle.
Learners explore Brunei’s cultural heritage, including traditional arts like music, dance, and visual arts, and iconic Bruneian foods.
Activities include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to test knowledge, thought-sharing in online discussion forums to foster interaction, and a crossword activity to review key terms and concepts.
Supplementary materials and guided self-assessments ensure learners delve deeper into specific areas of interest, with constructive feedback on discussion posts provided by instructors.
Afiqah Amin’s course on mastering qualitative insights for business utilised CourseMagic to craft a comprehensive learning experience tailored to aspiring professionals.
The course equips professionals with advanced qualitative research skills, enabling them to make impactful, human-centred business decisions.
Key activities include a hands-on field observation at a food court, where participants document consumer behaviours, followed by group discussions and analysis.
Assessments feature interactive icebreakers like “What Type of Qualitative Researcher Are You?”, situational questions, podcasts with match-it games, and categorisation tasks.
Summative tasks such as categorisation games and collaborative crossword puzzles reinforce analytical skills and qualitative research terminology.
Participants receive real-time feedback from instructors on reflections and observational exercises, fostering a dynamic and supportive learning environment.
The ‘Young Well Beings’ program, led by Arianne Reis and her team, is a testament to the transformative power of education. This initiative supports the mental health and well-being of young mothers, addressing a critical need in today’s world.
Co-designed with approximately 100 young mothers, the course adopts a strengths-based approach, integrating their voices and stories into the learning material.
Reflection activities encourage learners to share personal insights and read responses from peers, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
Endorsed by organisations such as PANDA and Orygen Youth Health, the course provides a much-needed resource for young mothers. Comments from participants highlight its empowering and transformative impact.
The OpenLearning Awards celebrate the best in online education, but they also inspire the community to strive for even greater heights. We’re already looking forward to next year’s applications and seeing how educators continue to push boundaries and innovate in their fields.
If you’ve been inspired by this year’s winners, why not start planning your own application for the 2025 awards? Whether you’re designing a groundbreaking course or pioneering a new approach to education, the OpenLearning Awards could be your chance to shine.
Congratulations once again to all the winners and finalists! Your dedication and creativity drive us to continue increasing access to high-quality education around the world.