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The anonymous letter writer who draws attention to the potential closure of many of the Open University¡¯s regional centres regrets the loss of local presence (¡°The OU is closing doors¡±, Letters, 21 May). But there is another implication ¨C the move will lead to less face-to-face teaching. The OU¡¯s new vice-chancellor has already called for it to become ¡°more digital¡±.

Yet there is evidence that suggests that moving to exclusively online learning will have a detrimental effect on retention. There is a widespread belief in many distance learning institutions that some initial face-to-face contact is necessary to enhance online work. For example, the Korean National Open University, where I worked a few years ago, insists that its students start their studies with a three-day face-to-face session. As it says in its student guide: ¡°To overcome the limitations of distant education and to encourage interactions between faculty members and students and also among students, KNOU requires its freshmen to take face-to-face classes at its regional campuses¡±. This is despite the fact that South Korean students have greater access to higher speed internet than students in the?UK.

If the OU does become ¡°more digital¡±, then I?have little doubt that its retention rates will continue to fall.

Ormond Simpson
Visiting fellow
Centre for Distance Education, University of London