Exasperation on Distance Learning
This is my reply to a recurring trend on my experiences with being a distance learner at the University of the Philippines Open University. This was triggered by the recurring theme of not getting enough time slice from the faculty-in-charge(fic), especially for an information system project…
< rant mode on />
Another thing that confuses me is that the course guideline talks about masteral research and the likes but the course catalog description is
IS 295a Information System Project I (2 units)
Design of an information system
IS 295b Information System Project II (2 units)
Implementation of an information sytem
I know we are masteral students but that description is misleading. In my opinion theses are over-rated since it only proves you are specialized in one aspect of a field. That is the reason why i picked this program, both because i can manage my time and not do a thesis.
At this point in time, introducing an ‘innovative’ addition to the knowledge tree is a tough act considering that almost everything has already been done and tried. You dont believe me? Then try wading through the freshmeat.net site. Almost everything is done at least two ways.
One more stumbling block is that you have to have an organization as your target user and you have to get your proposal approved by your adviser/committee as well. I do not know if that is just me but i have a hard time explaining to a prospective sponsor about the course proposal and then just find out it will be rejected afterwards. Getting them to at least spend the time to evaluating my request for ‘sponsorship’ is hard enough that transforming this into a chicken-and-egg (err. organization-or-adviser in this case) scenario is downright frustrating.
I can only imagine the paperwork piled on top of the FICs but these is already bordering on the absurd. They should have instituted a screening process that only students with pre-approved proposals are permitted to enroll in the course, that way the time of the majority is not wasted waiting for the second coming of Christ.
I am already thinking that we are getting what we have paid for. We paid for an ‘inexpensive’ program and look where we are: a bunch of students trying to find our bearings while being guided by overloaded fics who barely have time to spare for distance-learning students. Prof. Anacleto once told me that he has a personal theory on why the MIS only has 1 graduate so far. I think I also have mine: reality erodes idealism. Bok Apao and the rest who already dropped out are proof of that.
< rant mode off/>
ciao!
Just got an email response from Prof. RSA. But like what I have said to him, I still stand-by with what I have posted.
Yes, I totally agree . . .
Mabuti kayo MIS lang ang reklamo niyo, ako I have been with UPOU when I took my DCS (graduated 2000) and now 1-1/2 years in MIS. I have always the impression na 2nd class citizens ang treatment nila sa mga OU students. Are the teachers really that busy? Or is a systemic problem?
Ang mahal pa naman nang tuition. Remember they charge us P600 per unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m sure that’s not cheap. Meron pang library fee na napakamahal na hindi naman nagagamit!!!!!
One of my frustrations is the grades. I’ve been with the UP system for sometime now, eng’g graduate ako Diliman (long long time ago, he, he) and I have never experienced waiting for months for my grades during my undergrad days. This time sa UPOU, nakakainis isipin, iilan lang tayo, madali pang grading system, tmas and exams lang, and yet ang bagal nang mga teachers . . . or is it the admin staff? I really don’t know kung saan ang mabagal.
IS238 is big concern for all of us! Tapos na midterm, wala pa feedback, I am afraid kung magfeedback man baka too late na. Ang dami pang documents required para sa proposal pa lang!!!!!! Kung ma reject ang proposal hanap na naman nang iba, wala nang time!!!!! I think ayaw yata nila tayong patapusin!!!!!!!!!!
Hanggang dito na lang po, sobra na yata reklamo ko, tnx for the space.
MIS lang dahil ito lang ang connection namin sa UPOU. I dont know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. The ‘inexpensive’ portion is relative to the masteral programs offered in other academic instituions.
I dont want to create bad press on the DE program but I do not think we have a fulltime faculty for the program. Nakikihati lang tayo sa oras ng mga fulltime faculty ng ‘real-world’ programs.
The feedback system is really bad. The rationale that we are masteral students so we can find our way is being stretched to the extremes. We dont want spoon-feeding, we just want to know where the food bowl is so we can help ourselves.
IS238, IS295, IS214,etc. IS201 lang yata ako nakaexperience ng mabilis na feedback constantly throughout the sem. It is ironic that time, the thing that attracted us to the program, is the same thing that is going to kill our academic endeavour.
ciao!
hello,
Ooops, I would like to correct myself. Hindi naman po lahat ganito ang impression ko, tulad nang sabi mo meron din mga subjects na ok ang interaction and feedback. It’s just that sometimes it gets frustating for me, I try very hard to catch up with their deadlines and requirements, juggling my work, family and studies. I guess, part ito nang DE type of education. I just wish na things could be a bit better and a more pleasant experience.
regards.
Delfin
[...] The film couldn’t have a better timing. I have been thinking about my stay in UPOU, and my exasperations. Time and again I have stated that I am not taking it up for the degree. I am in it for the learning. But what have I learned during my 1.5 year stay? I would have to say a little because most have been a rehash of what I have already known from lurking from a few mailing lists. Aside from the course that teaches the concepts of assembly languages I cant remember a single thing that I learned from the program. [...]
Hi,
OMG, thanks for the post and it gave me a picture kung anu maranasan ko next sem, I am an MIS student din and will take IS295a next sem, parang ayaw ko na ata. Hirap talaga cguro anu ang IS29a. Can you provide some tips naman para makaprepare na ako? habang medyo malayo pa..
Thanks.
Regards,
Richard
@richard: This post was made 6 years ago. For all I know baka nagimprove na ang MIS program ng UPOU. Most FICs that I “studied” with are no longer with UPOU. I know a lot of of my batchmates na natapos nila yung program although none of them are the part of the group who “kept the fire burning” during the early parts of our journey. You can try to interpret that any way you want.
I never enrolled in 295a dahil may existing provision sa aking employment contract that would make the requirements of the course illegal. That is one of the reasons why I dropped out (aside from the fact that I am not learning as much as I do when participating in tech forums).
My only tip is to start building your networks. If my memory serves the requirements laid down to me are the following:
– the system will need to be sponsored/used by an existing organization.
– the system should depart from the normal Information Systems (e.g. case studies type, fly-by-night sidelines,etc.) although at this time and age I cant figure out how to build a new information system that hasnt been done before.
– make sure you dont have contractual obligations that would prevent you from making said system.
– make sure your sponsor organization knows the maximum time that you can spent on this project.
and best of all…,
– make sure you know what you want to achieve when you enrolled in the distance learning program. that will be your benchmark if you want to continue or call it quits.
I was in sel-denial for a year before I called it quits.
ciao!
Thank you so much! Your post is really a great help. More Power!