Distance Learning with IVLE
IVLE, NUS e-learning platform was the ideal tool for UPOU distance learning program

IVLE101, a course on using Integrated Virutal Learning Environment (IVLE) for online tutorials was launched in November 2000 to introduce University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) faculty (full-time and affiliates) to the idea of online course delivery.

Affiliate and full-time faculty members and staff from all UPOU faculties including the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Council (SEAFDEC), now have 13 courses on IVLE. Of these courses, four are non-formal, one is an undergraduate course, and the rest come from the masters or post-baccalaureate degree programs.

The 13 courses use various course tools available in IVLE. The most frequently used tool is the discussion forum. The distribution list tool proves useful not only in keeping in touch with students but also in sending administration advisories and notices.

At the same time, IVLE is serving as a venue for formulating the research agenda of UPOU. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD) currently utilizes IVLE discussion forums for this purpose.

In October 2000, a facility for online course registration was created for IVLE. The Register Page asks for basic student information. This information is placed in a database and is sent to the e-mail of the Online Teaching and Learning Laboratory (ONTELL) and the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) for information and feedback. The Register Page was updated in May 2001, and currently allows gathering of more complete student information, online assessment of fees, and automatic generation of UP Form 5. The registration system is still being tested using pilot courses and has not been widely publicized. Nonetheless, ONTELL has been receiving registration notices from interested students.

History
ONTELL started evaluating different course management software for online delivery in January 2000. IVLE was proven to be most suited to UPOU’s needs for the following reasons:

• Open IVLE has all the most basic applications needed for online course delivery: facilities for posting course information and schedules; facilities for creating discussion boards, class lists, and quizzes; a secure environment that can be easily navigated by students and faculty for tutorial sessions and information sharing; a means of monitoring utilisation of the environment.
• Given UPOU’s limited budget, operating expenses for all online teaching and learning endeavors must be kept to a minimum. This is particularly true for the early stages of operations when acceptance has to be generated for the pedagogical benefits of the new educational medium at a time when the backbone (hardware, software and personnel complement) for supporting online course delivery is far from ideal. Open IVLE was downloaded at no cost to the institution. During installation, UPOU paid for the services of a consultant from CIT to assist in customization and training of staff. Current expenditures are in the form of server upgrading, software procurement, network improvement, ISP fees, and in-house staff salaries.
• The training of UPOU staff on how to customize and maintain Open IVLE improves their skills in the utilization of its programming language.
• The versatility of Open IVLE allows UPOU to put in features unique to its operations.
• All institutions using IVLE contribute ideas for its development. This sharing environment holds the potential for faster improvement of the software.

Installed on August 13, 2000, most of the early modifications involved only the interface. Some of IVLE’s course settings were modified using UPOU’s terminologies. IVLE’s basic units of a course outline were changed to fit UPOU’s course guide format.

Future
For the second half of year 2001, UPOU plans to strengthen its networking and Internet access. IVLE will no longer have to be co-located in a private ISP but will be housed in the UPOU Headquarters. Consequently, UPOU will be like an ISP where students and faculty will have access to the Internet at a lower cost. This will allow students and faculty to more easily access IVLE and its course tools.

By the start of school year 2001 in June, UPOU plans to increase the number of courses with online presence on IVLE. By year 2002, all 45 degree courses and four non-formal courses will have online components. This means that all students will receive an IVLE user name and password.
By school year 2002, a full degree program will be completely online. All courses under the Diploma in Computer Science (DCS) program will be run under IVLE.

Note: This article is an abstract from the report “OpenIVLE at the UP Open University”, by Marie Nicola Escubio and Maria Lurenda Suplido.

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