Orientation to the Massive Open Distance eLearning

(MODeL) Courses

W
elcome to MODeL!

To get you started in this program, we prepared this orientation document

which will provide you with the step by step procedure on how you will go
about being a a massive open distance elearner (MODeLer) and a student of
one of the courses we offer under this program/framework.

This orientation material consists of the following sections:

1. Introduction to UPOU
2. Introduction to MODeL
3. Enrolling in a MODeL Course

1. Learn About UPOU. MODeL courses are being offered by the University
of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). To learn more about UPOU, view
the material which can be accessed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0-Zj9qzd78&feature=youtu.be

UPOU brings to the development and offering of MODeL courses its tradition
of honor and excellence and its more than 20 years of offering programs and
doing research on open distance elearning.

2. Learn about MODeL. There are five (5) ways of looking at MODeL:
 MODeL is a platform
 MODeL is a descriptor for a group of courses (MOOCs)
 MODeL is a way of teaching and learning
  MODeL is a brand (UPOU brand for MOOCs)
 MODeL is an advocacy

MODeL is a platform for the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered
by UPOU. It is powered by moodle, an open learning platform designed to
provide educators, administrators and learners with a single robust, secure
and integrated system to create personalized learning environments
(https://docs.moodle.org/32/en/About_Moodle). Open apps are integrated into
the platform to facilitate learning and achievement of the course goals.
MODeL can be accessed at model.upou.edu.ph.

MODeL is a descriptor for a group of courses offered by UPOU. These

courses adopt the framework of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
with the following features:
- designed like the usual course that we know: with learning
objectives; lessons; academic interactions; assessments (both
formative and summative); and teaching presence.
- open which implies absence of entry/enrollment requirements and
course fees
- distance education or applying the principles and strategies
appropriate for distance education wherein learners are physically
separated from their teachers, classmates and the institution offering
the course during the teaching-learning process
- eLearning implies the use of modern information and communication
technologies (ICTs) to deliver instructional content and learner support.
It also implies the use of these technologies to facilitate learner-teacher
interaction, learner-learner interaction, learner-content interaction, and
learner-community of practice interaction. eLearning has almost
become synonymous to online learning.

MODeL is a way of teaching and learning. Courses offered under this

framework are designed for massive enrollment, in the distance education
mode and using appropriate and relevant technologies to deliver instructional
content.

MODeL is a brand or UPOU brand of Massive Open Online Course or

MOOCs. This implies the integration of the quality framework that guides
UPOU’s implementation of online courses.

MODeL is an advocacy. It is UPOU’s concretization of its advocacy for open

education, strengthening its position as a Public Service university, an
articulation of converging eTeaching, eResearch, and ePublic Service, and
one mechanism of achieving Education 2030 Agenda and Lifelong Learning
for All.

3. Learn through MODeL. See the step by step procedure to participate in

MODeL courses and learn through MODeL:
 Go to model.upou.edu.ph
2. Click “Log in” and you will see the screen as below:

Follow the step by step procedure in creating the new account. Take note of
your username and password which you will use to enter the course sites.
Check your email for further instructions/confirmation of your account.
Confirm your account as per instructions in the email.

3. After creating your account, log in to the MODeL platform and choose
the course you want to enroll in..

First time MODeLers are advised to take the DE Readiness module first. This
will give you an orientation on how to navigate the course site as well as how
to be an online distance learner. You are also advised to complete the
module so you can get the enrollment key which you will use in enrolling in
the course/s that you are interested in.
Take note that even if you will enroll in several courses, you will only need to
take the DE Readiness module once. Completing the module will earn you a
badge which will serve as your “pass” to enroll in the courses.

If you had taken the DE Readiness module or had enrolled/completed a

MOOC offered by UPOU, then you will already have a badge and will no
longer need the enrollment key.

After completing the DE Readiness module, choose the course that you want
to enroll in. Encode the course enrollment key when prompted. Start
participating in the course activities.
Certificate of Course Completion:
A digital Certificate of Course Completion will be issued to those who will be
able to complete and pass all course requirements.

Community of MODeLers:

We also encourage you to interact with your fellow learners through the
“Community of MODeLers” link. You can discuss your lessons and your
professional practice with your fellow learners.

For further information, email:

model@upou.edu.ph