The UP Open University (UPOU) welcomed visitors from the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Office of the Assistant Vice President for Graduate Education on 10 October 2024 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. Dr. Myra Almodiel, Director of the UPOU Office of Public Affairs (OPA), shared the UPOU’s practices and strategies in open and distance elearning with Dr. Andrei Coronel, ADMU Lead Coordinator for Open and Distance Education Learning, and Dr. Anne Lan Candelaria, ADMU Assistant Vice President for Graduate Education.
The benchmark meeting covered UPOU’s Learning Management Systems (LMS), including accessibility plugins, plagiarism checkers, and other learning platforms. The LMS for Continuing Education Programs (CEPs), degree programs, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) were discussed. They explored student organizations, student councils, and the broader student community within the distance learning environment, as well as the university’s asynchronous approach to coursework. The delegates delved into the different formats, the quality assurance circle, and the development processes of materials, resources, and assessments used by the university. Dr. Almodiel emphasized the nature of UPOU as a resource-based learning institution that prioritizes utilizing a wide range of digital resources to support learners in self-paced learning.
The discussion also tackled student support services provided by UPOU such as Psychosocial Online Support Hub, which offers mental health and emotional well-being resources to help students cope with the challenges of distance learning. Furthermore, the delegates from ADMU visited the UPOU facilities particularly the Educational Media Production (EMP) studio, where learning resources are being produced. “Ang isa sa mga takeaway ko dito is, magkaibang-magkaiba talaga yung ODeL as simply teaching online.” Dr. Coronel added.
The ADMU delegates are keen to have collaborative partnerships and training with the UPOU in the future. In accordance with RA 10650, the “Open Distance Learning Act,” and its commitment to Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), UPOU plays a crucial role in encouraging collaboration among various institutions and organizations. This initiative is focused on delivering accessible, high-quality education while fostering shared advancements in the education sector.
Written by Marinela Hernandez ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photo by Anna Mhari Duria
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