Classrooms Without Walls
By Mikee dela Cruz

Supporting the concept that the key to promoting improved Web-based learning lies more on how effectively the medium is used, Librero is more concerned with the need for more sophisticated instructional design of computerization and the Internet.  “Most of those claiming to have adopted eLearning as a tool in Philippine educational institutions today has no training in instructional design.  They do things in a trial and error approach,” he says.  “It is extremely ridiculous for educational institutions (that) cannot even offer conventional programs to think that they can offer quality degree programs in the distance mode.”

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Technical Committee of Reviewers for Open Learning and Distance Education (TCROLDE), formulates the policies governing all forms of distance education programs in the country.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONLINE EDUCATION PROVIDER “The problem is that many educational institutions just proceed to offer programs in the distance mode without seeking permission from CHED, even if they do not have enough expertise,” Dr. Felix Librero, chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), says. Thus, particularly so that the qualifications gained from studying will be locally recognized, checking with CHED on accredited institutions is recommended. In Studylink Distance Learning Worldwide (http://dl.studylink.com), Brian Sayer of the University of London External Programme suggests focusing on the reputation of an educational institution, as this often gives a good indication of the quality of the program, materials, and the final qualification a student can expect to receive.  This may also influence the recognition of various bodies of the qualification received. As for the choosing of online degrees, Librero refused to “prepare a set of criteria” because “there are no hard and fast rules in choosing which would be considered good eLearning courses or programs.”  Sayer backs this by focusing, instead, on cost and convenience, and the quality of the teaching and the learning. “Make sure that you are clear about what the course will cover, how it operates, what will be expected of you and how it will support your personal or career development,” Sayer says.

Issued in 2000, CHED Memorandum Order No. 35, or the Updated Policies and Guidelines on Open Learning and Distance Education, identified the standards for the offering of distance education programs.  More specifically, the memorandum requires institutions offering open learning and distance education (OLDE) to prepare developmental and appropriate instructional materials for every course, identify qualified subject matter specialists, course writers and production designers, and provide course content and mode/s of instruction. 
The TCROLDE evaluates the qualifications of institutions based on a quality assurance framework anchored on the principles of learning centeredness, rigor and sound instructional design, public responsibility and accountability, and quality and continuous improvement.

CHED’s power, however, is limited only to monitoring and evaluating higher education institutions offering OLDE, and encouraging voluntary accreditation.

“What worries me in this aspect is that if CHED is unable to impose discipline in the design, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of quality formal courses and academic programs through electronic means, then we shall have chaos in the educational system,” Librero says.

GROWING TREND

For UPOU’s around 1,500 online students, “hands down, courses on management and business administration are the most popular and common,” Librero said. This popularity is because of the availability of software and content coming from known universities in more advanced countries in degrees in management and business administration.

For online education, “one could easily spend as much as US$30,000 (about P825,000) for a master’s degree,” Librero said.  UPOU charges around P65,000 for a similar degree.

“Overall, I’d like to believe that eLearning has introduced a phenomenon in Philippine education that encourages teachers to be more creative in their design of learning experiences, and students in their desire to learn more meaningfully,” Librero says.  “Digital learning, which makes extensive use of computerization and the Internet, will continue to become popular to both students and teachers.  More and more teachers in various schools will gravitate towards more use of computers and the Internet in the delivery of specific course content even under the conventional mode of instructional delivery.  Because of this trend, more courses and academic degree programs shall become available and accessible through the Internet, which shall make mix mode of instructional delivery much more popular and common to various educational institutions.”

Alvin C. is expecting to finish the degree he is taking by eLearning in less than “a year and a half,” he says, “depending on how well I can balance my business with my schooling.”  But even with this, “I am glad for eLearning.  It allows for me to continue learning while running my business.  Success times two, truly.”

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