Print-basedCBI/CBT

Topic: AlgebraStrengthsWeaknessesStrengthsWeaknesses

Learning objective 1:

Be able to convert measurements from one unit to another (i.e. Celsius to Fahrenheit, kilogram to pounds, etc.)

- Printed learning materials are handy (i.e. a student can bring it wherever and read it whenever), thus it can facilitate learning easier

- Print-based materials may be reproduced easily if the need arises

- Printed materials will be an option by the majority of the target learners, assuming that most places in the country still do not have access to technology (note: some places still do not have electricity)- Printed materials can be easily damaged if not properly taken care of. Paper is very much susceptible to water, for example.

- Cost of reproduction of materials must be considered; long-term effects of reproduction must be noted as well (effects on environment, for example)

- Opportunities for other educational technologies will not be explored- Portable: an entire years lesson/discussion can be saved in a single CD-ROM and can be backed-up and reproduced without the fear of ultimate data loss

- The learning material, its content and suggested activities will be on a different level. It can make learning more interactive (ex. Video instruction and games)

- CBI/CBT will foster a new breed of learners who are technologically adept- With the speed of how technology advances, so will be the pace of information transfer. Along with this reality comes the constant updating of instructional materials.

- The training of the target learners must be addressed first. How many are computer-literate? Will the training be on a large-scale/nationwide basis?

- CBI/CBT will be largely dependent on electricity, and that is something that the Philippines is addressing as of the moment, especially in the Southern parts of the country.

Learning objective 2:

Be able to classify and evaluate algebraic expressions

Learning objective 3:

Be able to graph linear equations by plotting points

COSTNotes

Print-basedCBI/CBT

StudentMay be cheaper in the long run since paper costs relatively cheap, and we have an abundance of resourcesMay be cheap at first look, but in the long run, the cost of electricity and the maintenance of computer units will be shouldered by the students

Teacher/TutorThe most apparent cost that will be shouldered by the teacher is his/her transportation going to and from the school, not to mention the meals he/she has to take while working.The teacher may not be frequently required of his/her physical presence because his/her voice and the instructions he/she is going to give are all recorded in a digital format. The cost will all depend if the teacher will be required to attend to his/her students physically.

DE InstitutionThe cost of paper and reproduction appear costly at first. Then, the salary of teachers will be addressed next.The copy-paste system will take care of reproducing the instructional material. It is much cheaper because CD-ROMs are cheaper these days.The salary of teachers may be on a contractual basis (teacher will be compensated if he/she devises one module/IM)If the DE Institution will require students to regularly attend classes in the school, then CBI/CBT will be much costlier since the operational expenses will be considered (electricity, computer maintenance, etc.)

Managerial IssuesOperational Issues

- How will the materials be delivered to students, and how to make sure those materials are delivered- Training of staff, teachers, and students about distance education

- How will teachers be compensated? Per-module or on a regular/monthly basis?- Maintenance costs of computers

- Monitoring of retention and migration of students in relation to the system of education being implemented - Frequency of updating instructional materials

A thorough feasibility study must be conducted to ensure the proper delivery of DE learning for the target students. The scenario presents a large-scale DE implementation, and the problem that I find in this situation is what kind of DE program should be carried out, especially in a developing country like the Philippines.If I will be suggesting a solution, I strongly recommend Print-based materials be the mode for DE learning. Our country has yet to address the issue of electrification in most of our rural areas (The Department of Energy is still on the issue of national electrication, and as of 2011, only 83% of households in the country have electricity)[endnoteRef:1][endnoteRef:2]. If CBI/CBT will be implemented and there will be power outages in the different parts of the country, then it will pose a big challenge for the program. Let the government address this issue first, and then maybe we can explore more options in the future. [1: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/09/05/11/doe-targets-90-household-electrification-2017, accessed May 9, 2015] [2: ]