The OpenComputing Laboratory

The OpenComputing Lab provides students access to online computing environments for data analysis and programming through their web browser. It enables students with no prior experience to engage in practical computing activities without installing or configuring their software environment. By managing the software students use as an online service, the Open Computing Lab team can dynamically configure the system to make efficient use of the available resources across the STEM curriculum.

Data Analysis

Students studying Applied statistical modelling (M348) use a Jupyter Notebook in the OpenComputing Lab to run their statistics using the R statistical computing and graphics environment. Students access their virtual computing environment through a link on the module website, which starts up an instance of the Jupyter Notebook and loads their previous work.

Programming

In modules that include programming activities (such as Physics and space (SM123), Concepts in chemistry (S218) and Web, mobile and cloud technologies (TM352)) students can access their virtual computing environment in the OpenComputing Lab through a link on the module website. The virtual computing environment contains a Jupyter Notebook, which has been configured with the corresponding programming environment (such as Python) and guidance materials introducing the students to the environment and the practical computing activities for their module.

For more details about Open University courses in Computing see here.