iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Simply one of the best courses available for flexible online study, as is the entire Masters in Online Teaching it forms part of. Mostly because of superb expert course writers, and fantastic tutors! www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Just 3 weeks until the fab module I teach on starts again! PG Cert in Researching Digital Education, 60 credits, build during the module your oan PhD or Ed/D proposal or funded project application. I also run the online conference you'll present at! More here: www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Of course - I'll happily answer any questions any of them may have! Thank you!

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Full 60-credit modules: www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate... and www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate... Micro-credentials: www.open.ac.uk/courses/micr... (scroll to teacher development and inclusive learning section) Bitesize CPD: www.open.ac.uk/courses/shor...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Thank you! Interested because I'm on the 'promotion' group for our modules, micro-credentials and bitesize CPD courses, all aimed at professional educators. We have zero budget and zero support from university comms team, so I'm curious about where we should focus our efforts to try to reach ppl.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Hive mind: if you are an educator, where do you get information about interesting courses, professional development materials etc? Social media? Mailing lists? Publications? Which ones? Pls include in your reply which country you work in and which sector (school, university, industry training etc)

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

That would be wonderful! Thank you for the offer! I don't think there's a dm system on here so I'll try to drop you a line via your blog. All the best for today!

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I would love a copy of your presentation or paper afterwards please. The Masters in Online Teaching I tutor on has a Community of Practice and we invite students to contribute. Imposter Syndrome seems almost universal among our students to a degree, so I think your work would help them step forward!

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

"Evaluating and improving courses" Open University micro-credential is open for registration. Study 7th Jun to 1st Sept, ideal timing for many working educators. 100% online, flexible pacing. 15 postgrad credits - can be counted towards Masters in Online Teaching. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

Online teaching: evaluating and improving courses. The skills and knowledge you'll acquire through supported postgraduate study at The Open University can bring real-life benefits to you and your career. Develop the skills you need to evaluate the success of your online teaching and enhance your students' digital education experience. Flexible study. Fully online. 15 postgraduate credits. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/hzvm882

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Final call for registrations for the (free) Research and Scholarship in Digital Education conference featuring student presentations & keynotes from Professors Allison Littlejohn, Sukaina Walji and Tim Coughlan. 9:00 April 10th, 13:00 11th, 18:00 13th. Registration & programme: lnkd.in/eJU_SU5M

A cartoon featuring four penguins attending a video conference. Two are 'breaking the fourth wall' by passing a cake to one another despite supposedly being in disparate locations.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

The 2026 Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference is coming up on April 10-13 and you are warmly invited to attend (free) to support our student presenters and hear keynotes from Profs Sukaina Walji, Tim Coughlan and Allison Littlejohn. Register at tinyurl.com/yeffzwxv

A cartoon depicting four penguins in a video conference. Two are 'breaking' the image by passing a cake to one another despite being in separate participation windows and therefore in different locations.

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Kate Lister @katemarburg.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

UK HE folks, help please! I'm researching the HE sector crisis through a grief and meaning-making lens. I want to understand how universities can create cultures of support during times of crisis. Will you complete my 5-min survey? app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/cilt/makin...

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk

Making meaning from meltdown

Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

I just made a short promotional post for our 2 upcoming micro-credentials on accessible online learning and inclusive (social, race, gender) online learning, which both start again in March. It's the perfect time to study given we have such a global cohort already! www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/i...

A series of open doors, one behind the other into the distance.

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Institute of Educational Technology @ietatou.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

📢📢Registration deadline extended to 29th January📢📢 www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

10 days to register for Technology-Enhanced Learning: Foundations and Futures! For educators wanting to develop their understanding of topics like Open Learning, Citizen Science, Inclusive Practice and of course incoming tech and future-proofing educational practice www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

An image of a person using a laptop with a coffee mug next to them.
Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures
Develop your skills, knowledge and practice in relation to digital learning, teaching and training in this hands-on postgraduate module for everyone with a professional interest in digital or technology-enhanced learning. You'll gain experience of a range of learning technologies and explore the processes of designing, implementing and critiquing e-learning, using a range of social media and tools to work both collaboratively and through individual study. You'll examine the use of technologies in different contexts and develop your skills in using evidence to recommend specific tools. Successful completion of this 60-credit module qualifies for a Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching (K43).
60 postgraduate credits, 33 weeks, 100% online, £3045 More details at:

https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/h880/

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Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

We are now at 75k signatures, with many messages of support on Instagram, Facebook and here. This is a genuine groundswell of love over hate, and a call to focus on the real harms faced by women and girls. Thank you all who’ve signed and shared. Let’s keep it going 💜 notinourname.org.uk

notinourname.org.uk

Home - Not in our name

Not In our Name: Women in support of the trans+community

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

New CPD courses produced by @ietatou.bsky.social on digital education and AI, eXtended Reality, blended learning and the climate crisis. www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/i... Please share if you think this would be of interest to your followers.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Thank you Fi - this is helpful. Any suggestions as to *where* to big up those aspects? I push it on here, LinkedIn, my personal FB account, but I don't know how to reach more widely without a promotion budget.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Suggestions please. An excellent module that I teach on is suffering very low registration numbers this year for reasons unknown. It's a PG module on teaching with EdTech & Online, aimed at teachers, trainers, lecturers etc. With no budget but my time, how would you promote? 6 wks to reg deadline.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Friend in Pakistan needs to leave without seeking asylum. High-achieving proactive academic and researcher in access to and accessibility of education incl for women, disabled people, mental health issues, and LGBTQ+. Would be ideal PhD candidate. Please share widely. We must find them a way out.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Registration now open for OU online Masters module Technology Enhanced Learning: Foundations And Futures for Feb 26 start. 60 PG credits, entirely online. Also part of Masters in Online Teaching. Ideal for new and experienced educators from all sectors & countries. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

Technology–enhanced learning: foundations and futures
The skills and knowledge you’ll acquire through supported postgraduate study at The Open University can bring real-life benefits to you
and your career.
Learn about the theory and practice
of online and blended learning
Flexible study.
Fully online.
60 postgraduate credits.
www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/h880

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ALTUK.bsky.social @altuk.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

In a world that seems to be speeding up by the second, with notifications pinging, deadlines looming and AI tools promising instant answers, Helen Greetham has been thinking about ways of slowing down when it comes to digital learning and infrastructures in our latest #altc blog:

buff.ly

ALTC25 Guest Post: A Manifesto for Slow Digital Learning

In a world that seems to be speeding up by the second, with notifications pinging, deadlines looming and AI tools promising instant answers, I’ve been thinking lately about ways of taking thi…

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

It's not me! A different Simon Ball I suspect!

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

And anyone who designs, purchases or installs a shower that has a lever that pulls out towards the bum-turning zone, resulting in inadvertent scalding / freezing on every turn or bend, should be poked until they see the error of their ways. Dials and knobs for showers please, never levers.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Registration is now open for Open University postgrad module Research and Scholarship in Digital Education www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate... Aimed at those moving into postgrad study or thinking of or starting a PhD. Starts Oct 4th (until May 2026). Students can participate in April Online Conference.

A postcard advertising Open University module H890 Research and Scholarship in Digital Education. Aside from the module name the text reads: The skills and knowledge you'll acquire through supported postgraduate study at the Open University can bring real-life benefits to you and your career. There is further text beneath an image of two students working together, which reads Evaluate teaching innovation through cutting-edge research. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/H890 and buttons reading 'Flexible study', 'Fully online' and '60 postgraduate credits'. There is also a QR code going to the same place as the link mentioned above.

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Emily Hamilton @emilymcminn-ms.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Sacre Bleu! According to the BBC absolutely nothing happened in Westminster hall today, hundreds of Trans people definitely did not undertake a mass lobby and MPs certainly didn't hear from their constituents about why the EHRC is a liability. Meanwhile in France... www.france24.com/en/live-news...

france24.com

Trans campaigners descend on UK parliament to protest 'bathroom ban'

Hundreds of transgender people and their supporters flocked to the UK parliament on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to oppose new guidelines that would deny them access to certain single-sex spaces.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

You can now read a summary of the brilliant 2025 H890 Research And Scholarship In Digital Education Conference. Two insightful and thought-provoking keynotes (thank you @neilselwyn.bsky.social @shaileyminocha.bsky.social ) and 9 truly excellent student presentations! www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/i...

A cartoon divided into four squares, each featuring a penguin, as if they were all in an online video conference. One wears large headphones, one is looking directly at the camera, and two are passing a cake between each other, subverting the fact that they are all in separate locations. This image is used as the main image on the H890 conference homepage.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

We have been fortunate enough to be awarded some more Commonwealth Scholarship places for entry onto our Masters in Online Teaching next year. Please share this information far and wide, especially if you have contacts in the eligible Commonwealth countries. iet.open.ac.uk/commonwealth...

iet.open.ac.uk

Commonwealth Scholarships 2025 | Institute of Educational Technology, The Open UniversityInstitute of Educational Technology

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Institute of Educational Technology @ietatou.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

One day to our Research & Scholarship in #DigitalEducation conference. Join us on: Friday 11th April 2025, starting at 09:00 BST Saturday 12th April 2025, starting at 13:00 BST #studentconference

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Neil Selwyn @neilselwyn.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🎧new interview! We all saw reports in 2021 that Denmark was 'banning' Google from schools ... but what actually happened next? I talk to Emilie Groth about the complexities of the Chromebook case & what it tells us about public sector dependency on Big Tech ... www.buzzsprout.com/1301377/epis...

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Institute of Educational Technology @ietatou.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

📢Confference prorgamme is confirmed!📢 All welcome 👇 2025 H890 Research & Scholarship in #DigitalEducation Online Student Conference Friday 11th April 2025, starting at 09:00 BST Saturday 12th April 2025, starting at 13:00 BST Registration forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Reminder to register for our FREE "Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference" to hear from our Masters in Online Teaching students and keynotes from Prof Neil Selwyn and Prof Shailey Minocha. Details and registration link here: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

A cartoon featuring penguins participating in an online video conference with their webcams in a 2x2 grid, but they are 'breaking the fourth wall' by handing a cake to one another despite being supposedly in different locations.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Registration is open for our FREE 2025 H890 Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference! Join to hear our Masters students present their work alongside keynotes from Prof Neil Selwyn (Monash Univ,Aus) and Prof Shailey Minocha (Open Univ,UK). www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

The 12wk micro-credential I co-wrote & teach on "Online teaching: accessibility and inclusive learning" restarts 10March. Learn and share with educators from around the world. Accessibility, Usability, UDL, AssistiveTech, Roles & Responsibilities. @ietatou.bsky.social www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

My sister Helen Ball, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Durham, has spent most of the past year writing a book "How babies sleep: a factful guide to the first 365 days and nights". Registration for the 10th May launch conference is now open. pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham... Pls share!

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

The free Open University MOOC "The Online Educator" has been updated, relaunching on OpenLearnCreate next week. Join international educators from all stages of edu to enhance your online teaching. 3hrs/wk, 4 wks. Bookmark link as reg not open yet. www.open.edu/openlearncre... @ietatou.bsky.social

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

IET (OU dept) is postgrad-only & we have very good 1-2-1 tutor relationships with our students.We usually have a great global mix which brings new perspectives. With 1 exception I've only ever seen positive reviews about the MAOT & its modules. Happy to call u (I'm a tutor) if u would like more info

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Registration closes soon (23 Jan) for our 100%-online educator-oriented module 'Technology-Enhanced Learning: Foundations and Futures' (counts as 33% of Masters in Online Teaching) www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate... Ideal development for educators, enjoying perspectives from an global cohort. Pls share!

A slide showing an image of a well dressed woman at a desk with a laptop smiling and speaking towards a large video camera. Text reads "Masters in Online Teaching - Learn the theory and practice of online, blended and technology-enhanced learning from experts at the Institute of Educational Technology. Available globally. Fully online. Flexible study pathway" There is a QR code pointing to https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f98

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 20/09/2024

Well, I hadn't been involved in writing a paper for ages and now two come along at once! Read "The Importance of Offline Options for Online Learners" here doi.org/10.5334/jime... and "Collaboration and care in climate education: Brave responses to an uncertain future" here doi.org/10.1002/curj...

jime.open.ac.uk

The Importance of Offline Options for Online Learners | Journal of Interactive Media in Education

***JIME is currently focusing on a number of Special Collections - see announcements below for more details on our calls for papers- the journal is therefore closed to general submissions at the prese...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 18/09/2024

It really is the most awe-inspiring building. I don't think one can really appreciate its splendour from pictures - there's something about being inside that space that is incredibly special.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

Hey @theindependent.bsky.social - can we avoid using the phrase "accused of being transgender" please? Most definitions of 'accusation' involve words like 'wrongdoing' or 'crime', and being transgender is in itself neither of these things. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...

independent.co.uk

Brigitte Macron awarded €8,000 after false transgender claims

The false allegations made in December 2021 went viral just weeks before the 2022 French election

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

3 weeks left to sign up for the Open University's excellent 60-credit PG module 'Research & Scholarship in Digital Education'? Ideal for anyone planning on / starting a PhD or who wants to have a better understanding of the essential principles of educational research. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 18/07/2024

The University of Macerata, Italy (who run the incredible Masters in Accessible Media and Culture) have issued a survey they would like you to respond to if you work in access services for the media, live events and the arts. You can find the survey here: forms.gle/3o2K6cfakqqS...

forms.gle

ACCESS SERVICES FOR THE MEDIA, LIVE EVENTS AND THE ARTS

The data collected by this study are used for research purposes only and are kept strictly confidential.

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 10/06/2024

Please tell me you are also voiced by Miriam Margolyes!

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Dr Leigh-Anne Perryman @laperryman.bsky.social · 20/03/2024

Cut-off date for applications to study Open University Masters in Online Teaching, fully-funded by a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship is 28 March. Details: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/index.php….

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Brady Lab @bradylabs.bsky.social · 06/03/2024

I've got a postdoc position open in my lab. Do you work on moss, single cell transcriptomics or plant developmental genomics? Consider applying for this position - more here: recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06360

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 28/02/2024

The OU's Masters in Online Teaching has again been fortunate enough to be awarded 10 funded Commonwealth Scholarship places for the February 2025 start. If you have any connections in any of the eligible countries please promote the scheme to them - 28 March deadline. www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/i...

open.ac.uk

MAOT Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships – 2025 entry | Masters in Online Teaching

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 26/02/2024

Our online student conference for the postgrad module 'Research and Scholarship in Digital Education' will take place on 12th April 2024 starting at 09:00 BST. You would be very welcome to join us - register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... More: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

open.ac.uk

OU H890 Conference | Possibly the best online conference in the world

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Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · 20/02/2024

Less than 3 weeks to sign up for the next run of the OU's fab micro-credentials on digital and online teaching (creating online courses, evaluating online courses, embedding mental health, accessibility, race and social equity). 12 weeks, 15 credits, loads of value! www.open.ac.uk/courses/micr...

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