Book on DE in the Philippines Off the Press

Distance Education in the Philippines, Issues and Concerns, the first comprehensive book on distance education in the Philippines, has just been released by the UP Open University. Authored by Dr. Felix Librero, former Chancellor of UPOU, the book comprises of 18 chapters, divided into three parts. Part 1 covers basic issues and concerns that have been expounded upon in various academic discussions in past conferences but remain significant discourse points today. Part 2 deal with issues and concerns that have been observed resulting from first hand experiences in the UP Open University. Finally, Part 3 deals with issues and concerns that go beyond the UPOU and the Philippines.

The book is a compilation of papers presented by the author in international conferences on distance education the past few years, and was originally intended to be one major textbook for the course on distance education management under UPOU’s Master in Distance Education program. However, initial reactions to it have indicated that it may even be much more useful in other DE courses both at UPOU and in other open universities in the region.

Of this volume, internationally reknowned distance education experts have commented . . .

". . . It should be required reading for all involved in higher education," (Fred Lockwood, Professor Emeritus of Learning at Teaching, Macnhester Meropolitan University, United Kingdom). ". . .an impressive and comprehensive account of the history of open and distance learning in the Philippines, and has implications for all educators intent on moving into the ODL field.” (Professor Jon Baggaley, Athabasca University, Canada). ". . . The ODL policy makers, institutional leaders, teachers and researchers alike should find this volume as a refreshing source for further reflection and decision-making." (Professor Santosh Panda, Director, Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India.) ". . .With Dr. Librero’s extensive experience in distance education culminating in his Chancellorship of the UP Open University, he has had a distinctive vantage point in seeing the promise, challenges and pitfalls of the distance mode in meeting the educational needs of growing and highly dispersed populations." (Dr. Benito Teehankee, Chair, Technical Panel for Distance Education, Commission on Higher Education, Philippines; and Director of Graduate Studies in Management, Graduate School of Management, De La Salle University, Manila).

For inquiries and orders, please send email to: luisa.gelisan@upou.edu.ph.

Date posted November 14, 2008