In the recently concluded 5th National Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (NCODeL 2017) organized by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) gained a deeper understanding of elearning through the pre-conference workshops conducted. One of the three pre-conference workshops organized for the participants was the “Technology in Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL)” spearheaded by the UPOU Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) held on 22 November 2017.
The workshop was led by the Faculty Dean, Dr. Alexander G. Flor. He presented an enlightening and informative introduction to ODeL and gave a discussion on “Teaching in a Virtual Classroom.”
Other faculty members also presented different topics such as “Tools for Teaching in UPOU” where technologies used in teaching and learning were discussed by Assistant Professors Myra Almodiel and Mari Anjeli Crisanto. It was followed by an “Overview of Learning Management Systems (LMS)” delivered by Assistant Professor Al Librero where he provided examples and actual LMS he uses in class. Lastly, Assistant Professors Reinald Pugoy and Joyce Manalo talked about “Moodle-ing: A Walkthrough of the Basics of Moodle. ” In this session, they demonstrated and explained the procedures and processes involving the use and application of Moodle as a free and an open-source LMS for eLearning. Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo, Assistant Professor at FICS, moderated the session.
An open forum was held to cap off the pre-conference. Dr. Flor together with the faculty members provided insightful responses to the number of participants from various educational institutions who communicated their views and queries regarding initiatives and implementations of ODeL as a means of learning in the country. Other participants commended the team for giving a clearer view of ODeL. School administrators and leaders also inquired about the possibilities of partnership in promoting and implementing ODeL through basic trainings. In behalf of Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, Chancellor of UPOU, Assistant to the Chancellor Myra Almodiel ensured to give support to other institutions interested in ODeL.
The pre-conference was part of the two-day conference held on 22-23 November 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Metro Manila Philippines. A total of 75 participants from different academic institutions actively participated in the pre-conference workshop on Technology in ODeL. (Cherry Bundalian, FICS )
