Distance Education in the Philippines

I entered the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) as an Associate in Arts student (which I am pursuing to BA Multimedia Studies) during the first semester of 2008. I was just a fresh high school graduate that time and didn’t have any idea on what college life would bring. Two semesters and a summer have passed. Alas, I’m now in my second year here at the national university of the Philippines.

The weeks before the official start of the first semester for the current school year were pretty hectic for me. I was trying to catch up with the school works that needed to be done for the courses I took during summer—projects, reaction papers, assignments, examinations most of them were given at the very last minute. I was about to give up because of the amount of work that needed to be done. I was really worried. But, I wanted this. It was my decision to take up summer classes for I wanted to graduate on time—that is, second semester of this school year.

The first semester for the school year 2009-2010 started earlier than expected. May 30, 2009 is supposed to be our “first day” of classes—Moodle course sites are open, introduction yourself, etc. But up to this date, June 14, 2009, I haven’t received any of my course packs yet. Our course packs in UPOU would normally include the module/s for the course and a course guide where assignments, study schedule, etc. are indicated. Discussion forums have started, and deadlines for the different writing assignments are fast approaching but still I’m clueless about what’s happening. I wanted to work and finish the assignments that are needed to be submitted soon, but I cannot. I am not sure if my professors or instructors are aware of the problem regarding the course packs. There’s still a handful of people who still don’t have their course packs including myself. We’re way behind the study schedule, and I am not sure how will I catch up. I hope that the problem gets addressed very soon—at least before the semester ends, kidding.

But, one great thing about this semester is that UPOU is now offering PE and CWTS courses for undergraduate students. For the past years, an undergraduate student will have to cross-register to other UP units or school/institution to take up the required 8 units of PE courses and 6 units of NSTP. I went through the hassle of cross-registering at UP Diliman for the past two semesters. I would usually spend my entire day looking and enlisting for a PE course—long hours of waiting, looking for available courses, library clearance etc. But now, I don’t have to worry about enrolling and enlisting for PE and NSTP courses as these can now be taken at UPOU. PE classes at UPOU are done twice or once a week. For Hatha Yoga (which I am currently taking), our classes are held every Saturday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

I am looking forward to a fruitful semester. I just hope I can deliver what my professors are expecting from me as a student.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to comment below or e-mail me at agpena@up.edu.ph. If you want me to discuss anything about distance education on this blog, please inform me.