Where to go for online courses
If you type “Online Learning in the Philippines,” what would usually
appear in search engine results are positions for teaching English or
Tagalog online. But don’t despair, if you are indeed looking for online
courses to augment your knowledge and improve your teaching skills,
just search for UP Open University.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) dates back
to 1995, when it brought the number of constituent universities in the
UP System to five. It is mandated to give educational opportunities to
those who are unable to take advantage of the traditional mode of
education.
Popularly known for distance education, the Open University offers
learning degrees and non-degree programs so that they can promote
life-long learning. In fact, the Commission on Higher Education has
already declared UPOU as a National Center of Excellence in Open
Learning and Distance education to recognize its efforts in maximizing
the possibilities of Filipinos to learn.
UPOU specifically has online courses for educators. One is the
Online Teaching and Learning (OTL) course, and the other is the
Professional Teaching Certification (PTC) Program (brochure .pdf format).
First off, the OTL is a 16-week online course that orients students
to the new teaching and learning methods of the Information Age. What
are only needed for admission are at least a Bachelor’s Degree, basic
computer and Internet skills, and access to a computer with an Internet
connection.
This consists of online readings and seven modules, including:
Assessing readiness to teach online, Why teach online, Constructivism
and online learning, Envisioning the process of teaching online,
Designing online learning activities, Creating a community of learners,
and Evaluating students’ learning.
Secondly, the PTC program gives certification to non-education
graduates who want to teach 18 units of professional education courses.
This deals with courses on educational psychology, principles and
techniques of teaching, principles of education, measurement and
evaluation, practicum, and special education or organization and
management of educational institutions.
For admission, applicants must have a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from a recognized institution.
Here are some other resources and links to online courses:
PBS.org – free online learning orientation course
Online Facilitator Training I: Mastering the Skills of Online Teaching - 45-hour course on how to give formative feedback, offer technical guidance and foster community
Creating Units to Support Differing Learning Styles - 30-hour course on how to create a cross-curricular unit integrating technology to support learning
Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Reading in the Content Areas - study strategies on how to use language processes to learn subject matter across the curriculum
Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits
- how to teach and assess writing with the 6-Traits of writing (voice,
ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions)
Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources - learn how to locate authentic digital primary sources in multiple formats to improve and enhance your curriculum
Global Awareness and Collaboration Across the Curriculum – recognizes and studies the impact of 21st century global economic forces on learning and knowledge production
Implementing Instructional Technology Innovations
Digital Media and Visual Literacy - must have previous experience with i-Movie, Windows MovieMaker, Pinnacle Studio, Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro
Web Design for Educators (Beginning)
Intermediate Web Design: Making Your Website a Learning Center
Effective Classroom Management
Instructional Leadership Skills
Introduction to Action Research
Collaborative Communities in E-learning – how to facilitate and build an e-learning community
Teaching English Language Learners (ELL) in General Education
- gives teachers, psychologists, counselors, study groups and
administrators useful and practical strategies for English language
learners, and how to involve parents in the school
Poverty in Schools
– for those interested in studying the issues facing economically
disadvantaged students, and how their situation affects learning
Sources:
“About UP Open University.” Retrieved May 12, 2009 fromhttp://www.upou.org/about/history.htm
“Academic Programs.” Retrieved May 12, 2009 from http://www.upou.org/academic/programs
“University of Wisconsin Courses.” Retrieved May 12, 2009 from
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/courses.shtml
(Published 25 May 2009, Smart Communications Inc.)
