An academic from The OU’s Institute of Educational Technology is among more than 150 of the world’s best minds chosen to record a series of conversations about their subjects for a new educational website called EXPeditions.
Mike Sharples, Emeritus Professor of Educational Technology, is part of an international cast of doctors, professors, lecturers, lawyers and writers who have shared their knowledge for posterity.
Subjects range from psychoanalysis to land conservation, climate change, threats to media freedom and what Aristotle can teach us about positive emotions, among many others.
Making education accessible
In Professor Sharples’ trio of seven-minute videos, he talks about making education accessible; how technological advances can improve education and new ways to learn and teach.
All the interviews were conducted during various lockdowns in 2020 by Pierre-Antoine Ullmo, the publisher and founder of the website and app that runs alongside it.
Professor Sharples said: “Sharing our expertise can only benefit others who want to learn about our subjects. Educational technology is a fairly small world, but it has a big impact on the way people learn through The OU, even more so in the current covid climate.”
His research involves the human-centred design of new technologies and environments, and adapting and developing that technology to deliver the best results in terms of education.
“It’s an honour to have been invited to share some of this knowledge through EXPeditions in the company of others from universities around the globe.”
Leading thinkers, researchers and scientists
EXPeditions contains the thoughts of leading thinkers, researchers and scientists from the top universities in the UK, USA, Australia, Europe and India who shared their passion and knowledge in bite-sized videos.
Pierre-Antoine said: “There is no one better than academics, scientists, and leading professionals to share their passion for their subjects because they are dedicated body and soul to the issues within them.
“The website is aimed at a general audience including students who want to learn more; have a huge appetite for knowledge and are interested in the issues affecting the world – people who are willing to be part of the debate.”
The website gives access to all the conversations at joinexpeditions.com
The EXPeditions app (joinexpeditions) is available for download on iPhones only at present and there are both free, and paid-for options available.
