Page 172 - Open and Distance Education In Asia : Good Practice From AAOU Members

152 OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATON IN ASIA
Good Practices from AAOU Members

DELIVERY SYSTEM AND the radio script writers to produce the radio
TECHNOLOGY USE lectures.

The Pre-Internet Era UPOU continued the use of printed course
Distance education in the Philippines has the materials that were mailed to the students as
same historical roots as in most countries well as the once-a-month face-to-face (F2F)
which started the journey at almost the tutorial sessions in the University Learning
same time, that is the use of radio to deliver Centers which characterize its forerunner,
instruction to the learners. Historical STUDI. There were no more recorded
accounts, however, point to the fact that lectures aired over radio, instead, recorded
these initiatives were mainly for non-formal audio lectures were stored in audio cassette
courses as in the case of DZLB’s Paaralang tapes which became a component of the
Panghimpapawid. For degree programs, the course packages for some of the courses.
use of printed course materials, as in the case Television was used for a limited extent only
of the STUDI implementation, became the probably because of the cost of airing the
main technology. video-lectures, which could also be the same
reason why this communication platform did
In STUDI, the main course materials, prepared not take prominence despite the penetration
by the university experts on science (Biology, of television across socio-economic classes
Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics) were in the Philippines. A review of the available
printed into what was then referred to as literature about the PUP-OU also revealed the
“course modules” and mailed to the students use of printed course materials in delivering
enrolled in the program. Radio, which instructional content (Contact North. No
figured prominently in the beginnings of DE date).
in the country, became supplementary with
only the selected lessons recorded as radio Both UPOU and PUP-OU implemented F2F
lectures and broadcast over Radio DZLB. sessions in university-designated Learning
The radio lectures, with duration of 8-20 Centers. For UPOU, these sessions became
minutes, were also “stored in magnetic audio the venue for university-trained tutors
cassette tapes, and distributed to students to clarify lessons that the students have
residing in the rural areas and not reached difficulty understanding, provide feedback
by the signals of Radio DZLB. The STUDI is to the submissions of the students, and also
a convergence of three information and monitor the progress of the students. On
communication technologies: print; radio; the part of the students, the F2F sessions
and the audio cassette. The way by which or visits to the Learning Centers facilitated
the course materials were prepared can also their submission of assignments/course
be considered as the beginnings of the team requirements, sit for their proctored
approach to course materials development examinations, and attend to some other
and preparations of the course pack, that university processes like enrollment, pick-
is, the subject matter experts working with up of learning materials, and submission of

University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU)