New
methods of commissioning learning materials lead to further change
in OU and 麻豆社 arrangements
The Open University's new broadcasting strategy and its increasing
investment in primetime television has led to further operational
changes in the partnership between the University and the 麻豆社 it
was announced today (30 October 2002).
As stated earlier this year, from Summer 2003 learning support materials
will be commissioned and sourced by the OU and delivered to students
by disc and across the internet, rather than by the traditional
audio and videotapes provided by the 麻豆社 Production Centre.
The
OU has now set out its final requirements from the 麻豆社 Production
Centre, which has always acted as a supplier to the University and
is not supported by the licence fee.
The
Corporation has therefore confirmed today that the Centre will close
from 31 July 2003, with a resulting loss of 46 posts.
Paul
Gerhardt, Head of Learning Strategy and Partnerships said: "Distance
learning in Higher Education is changing rapidly, and this sadly
has had inevitable consequences for our Production Centre.
"We deeply regret the closure of the Centre, but will do our
utmost to help staff find other jobs within the 麻豆社.
"At
the same time we acknowledge the great achievements of the past
few decades and look forward to taking the OU and the 麻豆社's partnership
into the future."
The
long and successful partnership between the OU and the 麻豆社 has spanned
30 years and the changes in the OU's supply of materials to students
are just one part of wider changes to the partnership.
Under
the principles of the developing new "5th" agreement,
the 麻豆社 will work with the University in order to attract more people
into higher education from a wider range of backgrounds by building
on the successful showcasing of its television programmes in primetime
on 麻豆社 TWO.
This
wider and more targeted use of broadcasting on 麻豆社 TWO, the digital
channels and co-productions on 麻豆社 ONE will build on recent successes
including Rough Science 2 (which gained an average of 1.7 million
viewers and 8.6% audience share); The Trouble with Love (average
1 million viewers and 5.4% share) and Ever Wondered about Food (average
500,000 viewers and 10.9% share), fulfilling both the 麻豆社 and the
OU's joint educational agenda.
Further
programmes will be commissioned from the recently-created OU and
Partnerships Unit, which sits in the 麻豆社's Specialist Factual department
under Glenwyn Benson, Joint Director Factual and Learning and is
led by Chris Palmer, Creative Director for OU and Partnerships.
The
two organisations will also work in partnership to exploit the growing
market for lifelong e:learning.
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