Educators, scholars, students, researchers and elearning practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for paper and poster presentations for the International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning 2018 (ICODeL2018) to be held on 26-28 November 2018 at the Garden Villa Hotel, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. With the theme "Technology-Enhanced and Inclusive Education in the Digital Age," ICODeL2018 will gather leading experts, practitioners, and researchers in technology-enhanced education, flexible work-based learning, and industrial sector to discuss how technology can b/e tapped for quality education and promote industry and academe partnership to develop leaders and professionals that can thrive in an open and rapidly changing [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), represented by Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Director of the Information Office, participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for Higher Education held at Shenzhen, China on 11-13 June 2018. The congress, which gathered regional experts, policy makers, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and post graduate students throughout the Asia and the Pacific, carried the theme, "Seizing digital opportunities to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4." As stated by the United Nations, the aim of SDG 4 is to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities [...]

Continuing the initiative to provide a platform for discussing education-related issues, challenges and opportunities, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Education (FEd) will conduct its 6th EDUKussion Forum titled "Integrating Literacy Strategies Across the Curriculum" on 22 June 2018 (Friday), 1:30 - 4:00 pm at the Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL), UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. The forum will highlight the talk of Dr. Nemah N. Hermosa, former UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and former Dean of the Faculty of Education. Her field of specialization includes teaching and assessment of English, Reading and Literature; [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), in partnership with the UPOU Alumni Foundation, Inc. (UPOUAFI), held the 3rd FICS Masterclass: A Lecture Series from Thought Leaders on 30 May 2018 at The Sandbox, CCDL, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. Dr. Felix Librero, Professor Emeritus and former UPOU Chancellor, served as the thought leader and discussed Thesis Writing: A Practical Guide. Dr. Librero explained that a thesis or a dissertation is a capstone for academic degrees both for Masters and Doctoral degrees. Its purpose is to demonstrate a student's expertise in his/her [...]

On 17 May 2018, members from the Faculty of Education of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU FEd) delivered oral paper presentations in the 18th Philippine Society for the Study of Nature (PSSN) Annual Scientific Conference: International Conference on Nature Studies and Innovation for the Environment (ICoNSIE) 2018. The panel presentation was entitled "ODeL Framework for Environmental Education: Practices, Potentials, and Challenges". Composed of five oral paper presentations, the session detailed vital principles and workflow in open and distance e-learning (ODeL) practice that can be also be applied in the creation of online environmental education initiatives. Dr. Ricardo [...]

Dr. Maria Ana T. Quimbo, an affiliate faculty member of the Faculty of Education of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU FEd) presented a paper last 17 May 2018 during the 18th Philippine Society for the Study of Nature (PSSN) Annual Scientific Conference: International Conference on Nature Studies and Innovation for the Environment (ICoNSIE) 2018. Entitled "Enhancing the Resilience of Indigenous Peoples through a Climate-Smart Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP)", Dr. Quimbo observed the case of Aytas in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Philippines and found out that the current ADSDPP was not equipped on climate-proof plans and [...]

To share best practices in the development and management of open and distance eLearning programs, the UP Open University, facilitated a focus group discussion (FDG) for the second time with the personnel of Ifugao State University (IFSU) on 20 May 2018 at its IFSU Campus in Lamut, Ifugao. The FGD is part of the Cascading Best Practices Program (CBPP). The UPOU team lead by Chancellor Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria met with 27 faculty and staff members involved in the IFSU distance education programs for a needs assessment and evaluation. They discussed the difficulties they encountered as student-participants in the Open [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), in collaboration with the Sukhothai Thammatirat Open University (STOU) in Thailand, conducted a "Seminar on Online Assessment" on 24 May 2018 at the Audiovisual Room of UPOU in Los Baños, Laguna, and online via networks.upou.edu.ph. The seminar featured the experience of STOU in Online Assessment, specifically the experience of the lecturers from Office of Registration, Records and Evaluation, Dr. Prathana Phonapichat and Dr. Anusorn Koedsri. Dr. Phonapichat shared about the STOU Test Research and Development Center. She explained that STOU creates tests for 400 subjects every semester using item banking. According to [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) organized the "Cultivating Accessible and Inclusive Education: Disability Awareness Seminar" on 18 May 2018 at the Audio Visual Room, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. The seminar is part of @cessUP, one of UPOU's flagship programs, and part of UPOU's thrust towards Universal Accessibility. In her opening remarks, UPOU Chancellor Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria, highlighted the possible causes of exclusion identified by UNESCO -- exclusion from having the life prospects needed for learning; exclusion from entry into a school; exclusion from participating in school; exclusion from meaningful learning experiences; exclusion from recognition of [...]