Youth crime, a free poster, and living without oil

Having trouble viewing this message? View in browser OpenLearn | YouTube | iTunes U | Twitter | Search the OU | Contact Us               OpenLearn Edition, May 2012             Welcome Whether it's a five-minute exploration or a 50-hour expedition into learning, you'll find it on OpenLearn from The Open University. Below, you can see some of the articles, podcasts, videos and free study units we've recently added to the site. And it's all free. Until next time, The OpenLearn team               Share this email: Why not send this to a friend or colleague?                           Image copyright R. P. C. Franklyn, Ltd               The stories behind our streets     Broadcast on BBC Two     What are the secrets behind your postcode? How has the street you live in changed over the years? For the forthcoming BBC/OU co-production The Secret History of our Streets, we're publishing some stories behind the streets in five UK cities. Explore the stories we've published so far, and contribute your own.     Read online or read a related article                         Images copyright The Open University               Get your free Matrix of Modern Life poster     Bang Goes The Theory has finished its current series, but you can still order a free poster from The Open University that explores the colourful connections between different parts of science, engineering and technology—presented in the inimitable Bang style.     Order online or read a related article                         Image copyright Andrew Penner, via iStockphoto.com               Living without oil     Crude oil is currently our most important global source of energy and it is vital in the manufacture of many modern materials. Yet the world's supply of oil is finite, its price is unstable and our reliance on oil has damaging environmental consequences. This free course explains why developing alternatives to oil is an essential and urgent task for humanity.     Study online or read a related article                         Image copyright London 2012               The truth behind the Olympic torch     As people prepare to run down a street near us carrying this beacon of inspiration, The Open University's Aarón Alzola Romero asks: just how immemorial is the Olympic torch relay?     Read online or read a related article                         Image copyright BBC               Our Crime: discussion hub     What caused the UK's summer 2011 riots? What are the practical ways of dealing with young people who engage themselves in criminal activities? Everyone has got an opinion on young people and crime. Join the debates and share your views on youth crime and justice issues.     Discuss online or read a related article                         Image copyright The Open University               Rheumatoid arthritis: a long term condition     Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic long term condition that principally attacks flexible joints, causing painful swelling, stiffness and fatigue. The risk of developing RA is associated with ageing but it also affects adults of working age and is three times more common in women. 56 year old Liz noticed her first symptoms in 1996, when her son was just 2 years old. In this podcast collection, she shares her experiences of living with RA, from early symptoms to drug-controlled remission.     Listen online or read a related article               Gay marriage and what really matters     Dr Donna Smith puts the media coverage of gay politicians under the microscope in a new book based on research for her OU PhD. In a video interview over on Platform, the OU's student and alumni website, she talks about her research. Dismayed by the Government’s indecision over gay marriage in the face of mid-term electoral blues, she's also written a blog post for Society Matters.     Watch Donna's video on Platform or read her article                     We hope you found this newsletter useful, and we hope to see you on OpenLearn soon.   Share this email:             The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). While we will take all reasonable precautions to make sure that other organizations who we deal with have good security practices, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of those organizations whose websites may be linked to our service. Not happy and want to unsubscribe? | Want to change your details? Having trouble viewing this message? View in browser