Distance Education in the Philippines

Examinations are vital part of a student life whether in the undergraduate or graduate level. Examinations allow the faculty-in-charge to monitor how much a student have learned in a certain period of time. Although UPOU offers distance education programs via the Internet, UPOU distant learners / students still have to take examinations depending on your faculty-in-charge (FIC).

Usually, FICs would give a midterm examination and a final examination though some FICs would only give a final examination. There are also instances when the FIC would not give any examination at all but would require students to submit a final project or a final paper. FICs will be the one to dictate the requirements for a certain course so better check your course guide given at the start of the semester.

But, how do UPOU distant learners take examinations?

For Written Examinations (Pen & Paper)

• AT THE LEARNING CENTER / TESTING CENTER - When given a written examination (pen and paper type of exam), students are required to be physically present at any of the UPOU learning center or testing center. UPOU has several learning centers / testing centers across the country. Your test papers would be forwarded to your chosen learning center automatically but be sure to contact your learning center coordinator before your scheduled examination.
• PHILIPPINE EMBASSY / CONSULATE ABROAD - Offshore students can take written examination at several Philippine Embassies / Consulates. However, the venue and schedule of your examination would depend on your arrangement with the Offshore Student Coordinator or the Office of the University Registrar.

For Online Examinations (Electronic Submissions)

Some FICS would opt to give online examinations. Online examinations is the most convenient for all distant learners since being present in any learning centers / testing centers just to take an examination is not required. But due to time zone differences, those abroad might need to stay up late to take the examination. Instructions for online examinations would really depend on your FICs.

Who to contact regarding arrangement for examinations?

• Faculty-in-charge
• Learning Center Coordinator
• Dean of your respective College / Faculty
• Office of the University Registrar (for offshore students)

A common reason why one takes distance education classes is to fulfill a need to finish a degree for additional knowledge or to upgrade a skill even without devoting time for traditional classroom meetings. We have work to attend to; families to take care of or for some due to health reasons.

We have to understand that being a DE student requires certain qualities for our educational goals to be met, that of integrating the concepts learned and eventually finishing the degree.

The distant learner should be an independent or autonomous learner. Remember that a distant learner is away from the teacher. There is only periodic interaction with the teacher. Most of the time you will only be dealing with your learning materials (printed modules, journal articles, etc). Reading voluminous modules will take your time. As much as possible, make it a routine everyday to read your modules. Mapping your reading schedules will guide you. Remember you are on your own, so “self management” and self-discipline is a plus factor.

The modules are often thick to carry around. Here’s a tip for you: I tore my printed modules apart so that I can carry them whenever I am. You can also do the same. Really, one has to reinvent learning strategies to cope with the demands of the distance education course one is taking. Your office, home, any coffee shop or any corner for that matter can serve as your classroom.

Another activity to occupy your time is answering assignments, online forums and discussions. Having your own computer and an efficient Internet connection are resources that you cannot do without. Learn how to be tech savvy and make it a bit that once a day go online to check on news or reminders the teacher or your fellow learners might have posted.

Do not procrastinate. Don’t delay any of your scheduled readings or assignments. It is better if you read in advance. From the readings, I for one take down notes or sometimes do diagrams of the concepts I have encountered for easy recall.

Distance education gave me an opportunity to go back to school. It was never an easy task to be a distant learner. I had to “re-invent” my learning strategies and study habits. Talking about changing my attitude about learning.

Self-discipline, patience, hard work and the ability to learn by oneself or as Moore says “independent learning” kept me on my toes.

Now, that I am back at as DE student, but this time its more of online learning. This is a radical shift from my previous studies. I can attend to my others tasks at the same time continue studying which is becoming a habit. I love the independence that goes with it, learning at my own pace and time.

DE is providing me the convenience that I need, studying in my comfort zone and away from the classroom. It’s economical too. The best part is I can be my own teacher, I determine my own techniques and strategies on how I can go through the lessons.

Hello! I am Anna. I was an MPH graduate from UPOU in 2000, I am currently enrolled as an MDE student. I know the demands of a DE course and that the reason why I only enrolled in only 1 subject. Wish me luck to finish the course.

Yes, it’s official. I’m now an AA graduate of the University of the Philippines Open University (and also a member of the UP Alumni Association)!

The 14th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Open University was held last Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Oblation Park, UP Open University Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. UP System Officials attended the said occasion including UP System President Emerlinda R. Roman, who was also the Commencement Speaker.

Jeric wearing the UP Sablay, the academic regalia of the University of the Philippines

I, together with other 31 students, graduated with a degree in Associate in Arts. It feels so good that all my efforts have paid off. And now, I’m a graduate and a member of the UPOU Alumni Foundation, Inc. and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association. You could listen to the third episode of my podcast, EDUC Today, where I talked briefly about my UPOU graduation.

I really don’t know what to say. But, I’m really grateful to all those who’ve supported me all the way, especially my mom. Without them, I won’t be able to achieve this.

I was actually nervous few weeks before my graduation day because I wasn’t really sure if I’m going to be part of this year’s graduating class. Words can’t express how relieved I was upon receiving the letter from the Office of the University Registrar stating that I’m indeed part of the graduating class.

I’m not really leaving UP Open University for I actually applied for admission to the BA Multimedia Studies program and one of the admission requirements is to be an AA graduate. However, I haven’t heard from UPOU regarding my application. I also applied for admission to the Bachelor of Secondary Education program of UP Diliman College of Education. On May 12, 2010, I will be taking the Teaching Aptitude Test and I’m not really sure about the contents of that test. Taking the Teaching Aptitude Test is, I think, the last step in the admission process at the UP College Education. I’m really hoping to be admitted to both programs and from there I shall decided which to pursue.

If you’re wondering about the future of this blog, let me make it clear that I’m still going to update this blog with the help of my mom and my eldest sister, Dianne. My mom is a Master of Public Health graduate of the UPOU and is now enrolled in the Master in Distance Education program, still at UPOU. On the other hand, my eldest sister, Dianne, is now also a UPOU graduate student under the Master of Arts in Nursing Program. So basically, they would give an overview on how is it like to be a graduate student at the UP Open University.

See you around!

Hi, guys! The UPOU 14th Commencement Exercises is just a few days away. I’m pretty much excited to wear my sablay and receive my AA diploma on the 8th of May.

Anyway, in case you don’t know yet, I started a new podcast show named EDUC Today. EDUC Today is a 30-minute weekly podcast that discusses and explains different educational issues affecting the teachers and students of today. From choosing your degree program to deciding whether to pursue a doctoral degree, this podcast is for everyone interested in becoming informed and educated on innovations and issues involving the academe. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN >>

In this week’s episode of EDUC Today, I talked about distance education and how it works. I also interviewed my mom, Anna Katharina G. Peña, RN, MD, MPH, about her experiences as a graduate student at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the pioneer institution in open learning and distance education in the Philippines. She received her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of the Philippines Open University and is now taking up the Master in Distance Education (MDE) program still at the University of the Philippines Open University.

Listen to this week’s episode of EDUC Today

Check out EDUC Today and other Brink Notes Podcast Network shows today!