Classics online at the Open University: teaching and learning with interactive resources

The Open University (OU) has a proud tradition of using technology to support student learning and outreach activities, and as digital advancements continue to shape the future of Classics, it has become increasingly necessary to embed digital forms of working into the ways in which students learn about the ancient world. Reflecting on student feedback, and the potential benefits and pitfalls of using new technology in the teaching of Classics, this chapter evaluates the use of digital interactive resources for addressing issues of retention and recruitment, as well as meeting different learning needs and styles. In particular, it discusses the design and underpinning pedagogy of two recently produced sets of digital interactive resources: a suite of open-access websites offering online support for language learning, and a pair of digital resources focused on the Roman empire, including an interactive map and an informal game (Hadrian: The Roamin’ Emperor)