Distance Education in the Philippines

Whenever I have a chance to see my classmates face-to-face, I would often ask them about their plans after completing their Associate in Arts (AA) degree from UPOU. To date, UPOU only offers two undergraduate courses—the other one being Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). A lot of them would just give me a blank stare while some would just say, “Ewan ko. (trans: I don’t know.)” However, there are quite a handful of people that have definite plans after receiving their Associate in Arts diploma. Some would continue studying to obtain a Bachelor’s degree while some would put their focus on their jobs.

On the beginning of this semester, I have posted that this would be my last semester as an Associate in Arts student. True enough, last January, I have received a letter from the Office of the University Registrar informing me that I’m already a candidate for graduation. Of course, I jumped for joy upon learning about it although I already expected the said news. But still, I need to pass the courses I took this semester.

So now that graduation’s only a few weeks and the opening of the new academic year’s a few months away, I asked myself, “What’s life after AA?”

When I entered UP Open University, my goal was to pursue Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). However, as I was exposed into the university life and the open learning and distance education learning, I realized that I wanted to do study something else. I’m not abandoning the fact that I still what the BAMS program. But, one thing is clear—I want a bachelor’s degree. So, after Associate in Arts, I would definitely study again and get a bachelor’s degree.

I’m considering every option I have and carefully thinking about them. I told myself that I need contingency plans in case my first plan fails. I know how competitive getting a slot at a UP unit is.

Being a UPOU student doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have a slot at, let’s say, UP Diliman if you want to transfer.

So, I need to have a PLAN A all the way up to PLAN Z. I don’t want to elaborate each of my plans. But, in a nutshell, I either transfer to other UP units and take up a bachelor’s degree or stay at UPOU to take up Bachelors of Arts in Multimedia Studies.

I’ve been to a couple of UP colleges to inquire about their undergraduate degree programs and admission policies. I’ve already submitted my papers for them to evaluate and here I am wishing, hoping and praying that they would admit me as a student.

I’m excited and I can’t wait for my graduation day and of course, the upcoming academic year.

05.08.10

University of the Philippines Open University

Interested parties who wish to be admitted as a student of the University of the Philippines Open University, whether in the undergraduate or graduate level, should take note of the following information:

Deadline for filing of Application for Admission (1st Semester 2010-2011)

UPOU Programs with admission exam (Associate in  Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies, Master of Public Management, and Doctor of Philosophy) – Saturday, January 30, 2010

All other UPOU programs – Saturday, February 27, 2010

UPOU Application Requirements

Associate in Arts applicants:

1. Correctly and completely accomplished application form for admission (in .pdf format)*
2. High School Form 137 with school dry seal or Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) result and official & original transcript of Records from former school.
3. Two identical 2″x2″ photos and two identical 1″x1″ photos (print complete name and program at the back)
4. Self-addressed stamped white envelope
5. Proof of payment of application fee of Php350.00 (US$75)

Post-Baccaluareate Program applicants:

1. Correctly and completely accomplished Application for Admission (in .pdf format)*
2. Original copy of Transcript of records (TOR) for all degrees earned (original and duplicate)PhD program applicants are required to submit original TOR for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
3. Two (2) letters of recommendation ( UPOU Form1a in .pdf format)* from: a) employer/supervisor; b) former professor; c) former program adviser
4. Two identical 2″x2″ photos and two identical 1″;x1″ photos (print complete name and program at the back)
5. Medical certification issued by a licensed physician
6. 500-word essay (please refer to item #30)
7. Proof of payment of application fee of Php500.00 (US$100)
8. Photocopy of PRC license/board exam rating (if applicable)
9. Photocopy of latest income tax return (ITR) [if applying for a scholarship]

For teacher applicants include:

1. photocopy of PBET/LET eligibility
2. Certificate of Teaching Load (please use UPOU Form 1b). Read the rest of this entry »

Is it possible to go “paperless” in a distance education setting?

For quite some time now, I’ve been thinking of this question because of the impending doom of climate change and whatnot. I’ve been on the look out for ways on how to reduce my carbon footprint—walking more instead of riding jeeps or tricycle, saving water, and electricity, using both sides of a paper and others.

I firmly believe that, yes, it is possible to go “paperless” in a distance education setting or a university setting, if people would want to. In fact, Bicol University have taken steps to go paperless. However, the decision of going “paperless” in a distance education setting doesn’t only lie to the student but also to the professors and university officials.

I’m not advocating for people to go entirely paperless. As what Karen Unger wrote in her TechNewsWorld article, “It’s unlikely that we will ever fully rid ourselves of dependence on paper.“ Instead, what I want is to reduce my dependence on paper.

Students do use a lot of papers throughout their academic life and will even use more paper once they join the workforce.

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Paper Use in a distance education setting

1. Use your phone’s organizer / calendar function instead of desktop calendars or planners – For the past three semesters, I’ve been using printout calendars to keep track of deadlines for assignments or other school activities. Since my cellphone is open 24 hours and 7 days a week, I decided to fully maximize its organizer / calendar function.
2. Submit assignments / projects electronically as much as possible – The sad truth is that in this age of technology not all professors / instructors would allow you to submit your assignments and projects electronically. I’ve encountered a lot of professors at UPOU who would only accept “hard copy” submissions. Well, maybe they’re not always in front of their computers to check submissions sent via e-mail or Moodle. However, I’m fortunate that there is still quite a small number of professors who prefer submission via e-mail or Moodle. Sending via e-mail and the Internet means saving even more money because you don’t have to pay for the printing and the sending of the document.
3. Communicate via E-mail - The great thing about UP Open University is that everyone is an e-mail away—from the university officials, to the professors/instructors, and to the students! So, the fastest way to communicate with each other in a distance education setting is via e-mail unless if you need to send hard copy documents like True Copy of Grades, Transcript of Records, etc. For example, if you want to have a personal copy your grades on the course you’ve taken last semester, you could just ask for your Student’s Checklist from the Office of the University Registrar via e-mail and they’ll furnish you a PDF file of your records.
4. Writing an essay? Type it on your computer right away – Typing your assignments or projects on your computer right away won’t only save time; it would also reduce your use of paper. I’m not a fan of writing essays or assignments using pen and paper and then encoding them on my laptop later on. I prefer encoding them on my laptop right away because it’s easier to edit and correct mistakes.
5. Have a pile of readings and handouts? Make them into scratch papers – Every semester, professors would give handouts or readings. After reading them (usually at the end of the semester), I cut them into small pieces (size: approximately 1/4 of a bond paper) and use them as scratch paper.

Any more ideas on how to go paperless in a distance education setting? Share them below.

The following guest article was contributed by Richard Hemby who frequently writes about online degrees and college related topics for Online College Guru, a directory of online degrees.

An online bachelor’s degree program can open doors to advanced employment opportunities and an exciting new career. Many of today’s job openings require a four-year degree; even for entry-level jobs, a bachelor’s degree can give applicants the edge in the competitive job market. Traditional education programs can require a lengthy leave of absence from current employment, and generally require set times of attendance that may not fit with existing schedules and obligations. Online courses allow students the flexibility to take classes on their own timetables while continuing to hold down a full-time job; financial aid is available for most online degree programs as well. Before selecting an online bachelor’s degree program, however, students should ensure that it meets certain basic standards for educational excellence.

Accreditation

Ensuring that the degree program you select is accredited by a recognized U.S. agency is vital in order to ensure the value of your degree. The Council for Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education are the governing bodies for educational accreditation; programs that meet their requirements are listed in “Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education” published by the American Council on Education. Any online program can advertise itself as accredited; this does not indicate, however, that they have been reviewed and approved by a recognized accrediting body. Students should investigate the degree program thoroughly. Watch for warning signs that an institution may not be legitimate. While it is easy to determine that online schools offering a degree for $300 and requiring no class work are diploma mills, other signs include a lack of accreditation information, scanty contact information, and little or no documentation of the university’s existence outside their internet presence. Accreditation is the value behind an online degree, so making sure that the institution chosen is properly accredited is essential in order to avoid wasted time and money.

Flexibility

The best online degree programs offer flexibility to their students, not only in class times and requirements, but also in terms of what career options are available to graduates. Avoid overspecialized degrees and programs; these can limit your employment options and make it difficult to find employment in your chosen field. A well-rounded educational background can open doors to opportunities in a variety of fields, making you more employable and providing a solid foundation for the future. By choosing a degree that offers a number of career paths, you will maximize your employment potential and ensure that you get the most from your online degree.

Today’s students have more educational options than ever before. Online degree programs offer real, marketable skills and credentials that can provide opportunities for advancement, promotion, or an entirely new career; by ensuring that the program selected is accredited and offers broad employment potential, graduates can be certain that their online program truly confers a degree of excellence.

Efren Peñaflorida, a secondary educator and graduate student of the UP Open University (Master of Public Management), who started a “pushcast classroom” in the Philippines, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper revealed Peñaflorida’s selection at the conclusion of the third-annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night, November 21, 2009.

Peñaflorida, received $100,000 (on top of the $25,000 he received for being a part of the Top 10 CNN Heroes) to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. The said online poll has gathered 2.75 million votes from all over the world.

“So to each and every person inside this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be,” Peñaflorida said in his acceptance speech.