RSSExasperation on Distance Learning
Aug 17
Garbage, Rubbish distance learning, upou 14 Comments
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!
Aug 17, 2005 @ 08:35:20
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.
Aug 17, 2005 @ 08:48:14
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!
Aug 17, 2005 @ 10:37:51
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.
Aug 17, 2005 @ 21:55:28
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
Oct 16, 2011 @ 02:06:51
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
Oct 16, 2011 @ 17:39:01
@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 spend 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!
Oct 18, 2011 @ 10:06:38
Thank you so much! Your post is really a great help. More Power!
Jul 06, 2012 @ 13:53:21
Wow this is heavy and talking about deciding on taking MIS with UPOU!! Reading this, I’m more aprehensive as I was before reading this post. Yes this post is almost 7 years already but the issue about DE remains the same. I just recently finished professional teaching certification program at UPOU and since I am in line now with IT work I am contemplating to pursue MIS as my MA instead of Education. But reading this post get me thinking twice. I don’t want to waste 1.5years and at the end decide that there is no other choice but drop the course.
I really need to plan this over. But you know what really sucks?! I need my MA to practice teaching. And an MA in my current job means promotion. And most of all, I am a mother of two with a full time job and I can’t afford to go on regular school so DE would still be the only option if I want to pursue my MA. Gosh..MIS or just settle with MA in Education?
Jul 08, 2012 @ 12:25:26
@anywherejourney: one of my batchmates was also a teacher and her reason is the same as yours: she needs it to progress her stature as an educator. If you are into teaching computer subjects and feel you dont yet have a strong foundation on the basics and concepts then MIS would be able to help you. I am a computer technologist by profession, and a self-professed geek at that, so most of the stuff being thought was not really new to me although some of the presentation was “refreshing”.
One thing I can think of is that you can use your current employer as your sponsor. If you can put a spin to a business need then you might be able to hit two birds with one stone: get through the thesis course and at the same time score brownie points with your current employer. 🙂
Me, I havent given up with distance learning. I am a firm believer that the day we stop learning is the day we die. Only now my resolve against certifications is greater as I am here for the learning rather than the paper. If anybody is interested, I would recommend the free courses offered in coursera.org.
ciao!
Jul 09, 2012 @ 13:43:11
@erin: thanks erin for the boost of spirit. You know what, that was exactly what I was contemplating about, that I can have my current employer as my sponsor. And handling IT audit would mean I know better what processes would need a better or improved system.
But my set back… IT is not really my professional background, I’m a CPA by profession with most of my career exposure on auditing. The reason why I was laterally transferred to IT department was because of my exposure on different audit methodologies which the department direly needs.
My fear is that I may not be accepted by UPOU in MIS after all since I am not proficient with any programming language which I think is part of the requirement. A glitter of hope from this worst case scenario is that I will be asked to take first Diploma in Computer Science before I will be accepted in MIS. That means that would be 4 years of DE!!!!
Jul 09, 2012 @ 18:21:22
Nah, set that worry aside. Let me let you in on a secret: programming is a skill and not a talent. Even if the logic is sometimes infuriating, computers are dumb and they will follow what they are programmed to do regardless how faulty it may be.
Based on what I have seen with the materials, a previous computer related degree is not going to be required. On the other hand, a computer degree may even contribute more to your dissatisfaction with the program. At least that was what happened to most of the techie students of my batch.
I don’t want to dissuade anybody from taking a distance learning route via OU, however I would like everybody who embarks on it to be really sure with what they are getting themselves into. 🙂
ciao!
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:12:52
Yes it was specified that a previous computer related degree is not required but if you don’t, you will fall under this category, and I will quote from UPOU’s site:
“All other applicants must satisfy the following qualifications:
a Bachelor’s degree in any field from any recognized institution with a GWA of 2.0 or better;
proficiency in at least one programming language; and
two years IT-related work experience (this requirement may be waived if the applicant is a graduate of BS in Computer Science, BS in IT, BS in Information Management or a related field).
Applicants who do not satisfy the above requirements will be advised to apply to the Diploma in Computer Science program.”
So there, even if I satisfy the other 2 requirements I didn’t meet the one with the proficiency in at least one programming language and to mitigate that they will ask me to take first the course in Diploma in Computer Science.
So what do you think, am I percieving this right?
Jul 12, 2012 @ 06:49:38
I didn’t remember that but then again I qualify for both. You can play your current position as an IT experience because auditing IT processes really counts. If you lack the year experience then you may want to delay enrolling until you do and in the meantime start picking up a programming language to practice with. I would recommend ruby or python. 🙂
Ciao!