Mobile learning paper is 10,000th item on OU database

A paper on mobile learning was the 10,000th item to be deposited on the Open University's (OU) research repository when it was posted yesterday.

The research, by OU professor of learning technology and communications Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, is, like all other items in the repository, freely available on OU Open Research Online. The professor's paper looks at the impact mobile phones and other portable devices are beginning to have on how learning is accomplished, especially as regards language learning.

She said: "I was rather exited to hear that. I'm certain the repository has a bright future, so to borrow form a Chinese saying - may it live 10,000 years."

OU pro-vice-chancellor professor Brigid Heywood said: "To reach 10,000 items in that space of time - it was launched in 2006 - without mandatory deposit, is testament to the hard work and support of individuals across the university and the commitment of this institution to free access. Alongside initiatives like OpenLearn it is another example of the OU's drive to make key resources freely accessible to all."

The OU uses open source repository software developed by the University of Southampton to host and manage deposited research.

Read the 10,000th paper.