EDUCATION BLOG

I believe that the Open Distance Learning (ODL) is the answer to the problems of high illiteracy rate in the Philippines. It can improve the coverage and quality of education, since through ODL, education is accessible and affordable to anyone at anywhere at their own conveniences. They can plan their lessons and tests themselves, and can study at their own paces.

I think the great thing about ODL is that the courses are so flexible. Students can do many courses at their local centre or from home or even from work provided they have access to the internet. Courses can be broken down into bite-sized chunks, so they can learn at their own capacities whenever and wherever it suits them. Students can get a degree in various fields ranging from computer engineering to cooking. Typically, during college it makes a time crunch. Customary traditional schooling does not allow flexibility in time, courses and degrees and it requires physical attendance.

This kind of educational approaches will be very effective not only in the Philippines but also in countries like New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and countries in South Pacific. These countries which consist of archipelagos and islands, distance and means of transportation are to be remarkably regarded. In the Philippines where climates and transportations are of great consideration besides of the worry in allotment of time in going to campuses because of the traffic situations in urban areas; these would also be resolved by means of these approaches. Students can reduce their travel time significantly and completely especially if they live too far away. They do not need to travel for hours just to attend class sessions. Not only it can save their time but also can reduce expenses in transportation and costs of tuition fees. Expenses for accommodations are generally eliminated; since students are forced to rent dormitories just to be closer to their campuses. Hopefully, tardiness and absences could be resolved through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). A good example of its productivity is principally operating in the University of the South Pacific. (See the example of USP in the Traditional Education and Distance Learning by Karoulis and Pombortsis.)

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is also very advantageous to students with physical disabilities. This demonstrates that there are no discriminations whatsoever in education though of course, there are some limitations especially in communication disabilities and visual impairments. Students with physical disabilities are not segregated in these approaches. They could also become able and confident which is the goal of education. According to Verrena and Glenn, in Attitudes Towards Physically Disabled Persons, the higher their educational level, the more positive were the students’ attitudes.

One of the disadvantages and difference I can see in Open and Distance Learning is experiences. Though some distance degree are regarded as more competitive than traditional local university degrees. And many distance degree programs choose similar standards regarding lectures, curriculum, grading system, grading a student’s performance as well as conferring a degree as the traditional colleges. The students in ODL do not have the same experiences with students in traditional universities. They have personally encountered live interactions with the instructors and between students themselves. According to Karoulis & Pambortsis in Traditional and Distance Learning, this differentiation is resolved by new technologies like electronic mail, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or a synchronous discussion like we do in our class through PUP- Students Information System. Students can interact with instructors and between themselves using these tools. But I think there is far more difference in experiences, students can have in a live personal discussion and interactions. Students have to consider their voices, gestures, manners, emotions when they interact in the classrooms. Moreover, confidence in speaking to the public is gradually developed in the life of the students.  Unlike when they are in front of their computers, they don’t have to be anxious of their voice tones, gestures, attires, of course with some observations on the protocol in electronic communications.

In conclusion, my own opinion and suggestion is that Open and Distance Learning is to be offered and given primarily to students who are already working and have already established their own families, which time is their number one considerable aspect. Students at tertiary levels at the age of 18 -35, who are still single are to be encouraged in the traditional approach of education and should also have experiences inside and outside of the classrooms. On the other hand, in any possible time or once in a while, students in ODL should be assigned to appear in a class or in a session for the sake of experiencing live interactions and discussions.