Longman Dictionary of

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open class
similar stages to those which a language has gone through in its historical
development. In other words, they are interested in the famous question
whether ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.
open class n
also open set
a group of words (a WORD CLASS), which contains an unlimited number of
items.
Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are open-class words. New words
can be added to these classes, e.g. laser, e-commerce, chatroom.
The word classes conjunctions, prepositions, and pronouns consist of
relatively few words, and new words are not usually added to them.
These are called closed classes, or closed sets.
open-ended question n
a TEST ITEM which allows the person taking the test to answer in his or
her own way, in contrast to questions with limited multiple-choice
possibilities.
open-ended response n
see TEST ITEM
open learning n
also open education
a system for educating adults where normal restrictions on entry to adult
education are removed and where learners receive recognition for previous
experience. Courses are organized flexibly according to the students
needs. A number of features distinguish open learning:
a greater accessibility to education than with traditional courses, including
accessibility in terms of academic background, age, time required,
physical location and time constraints
b flexibility in terms of course structure and delivery with a considerable
degree of learner control over pacing, contents, structure and means of
assessment
c a variety of means of support and of study
In open learning individuals are encouraged to take responsibility for the
direction, content, and process of their own learning.
open set n
another term for OPEN CLASS
open syllable n
see SYLLABLE
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