Lessons on Distance Learning

Yours truly studying during not-so-busy hours of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Forum 2012 in Cebu. In distance learning, one has to be flexible and innovative ;-)

The semester is technically over as it was marked by finals day today. I was lucky to have to take only one exam – for my ENRM 221. One word puzzle and 4 essay questions – I think I did okay, let’s see come October when we get our grades, hehe. 

The first sem has gained me a couple of insights about distance learning. Before you decide to get into such a program , let me share with you some of the key elements of UPOU success based on my experience.

1.     Belief in the Distance Learning System

Treat distance learning as a “real school” with real lessons, real deadlines, real assignments, and real grades. Get the most out of it and participate in discussions or study groups. Unlike traditional classroom learning, which is teacher-centric – distance learning is driven mostly by the student. You are responsible for what you get out of it.

2.     Flexibility and Innovation

Parts of this blog entry and most of my papers were written from different parts of the world and other weird places. I assume people who opt for distance learning are people who travel a lot and have busy schedules. Be prepared to lug around your modules and grab every opportunity to study and do your assignments!

3.     Time Management

Because you don’t see you teachers and classmates everyday (sometimes even not at all) be very conscious about the time … schedules and deadlines are crucial. Gauge the level of effort needed for specific assignments and plan accordingly. I appreciated the suggested schedule that Prof Sandy, my faculty in charge for DM 201, gave us at the beginning of semester for it gave order to my plan of study. I employed his suggested strategy to my other subject and divided my ENRM 221 module into biteable “chunks” I wasn’t able to follow it religiously, but still – it gave me a clearer vision of what I needed to do.

4.     Social Skills ;-)

Be sociable and reach out to your classmates. I think post-graduate studies are also about learning from the experiences of your classmates, who usually come from different professions. More heads are better than one, they always say – and it is good to learn different perspectives, and to encourage one another.  Plus, interaction with classmates will also help you track your own progress, time wise! My classmates in my current courses also helped a lot in reminding each other about deadlines !

Being a full time employee (who travels a lot), a mom, and a person with many other extra curricular activities, I had difficulty squeezing in my academics into my busy schedule (and bouts of laziness.) But I am still looking forward to my succeeding sems!!!

The Tragedy of the Commons

Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons" was one of our readings for my ENRM 221 class.

The reading, about 5 pages long -- was difficult to read at first. But it becomes very interesting, once you get used to the language and style.

The philosophy basically says that if resources or utilities were treated as a "commons" which anyone and everyone can occupy, use, and exploit - we are all bound to a tragic end. Specially since , "man - as a rational being," will always strive to reach his maximum potential (admit it, we all want to be winners in our own right). We are created  to aim for more and to achieve the best, but it is difficult to aim for more without taking something from another, because realistically - we all live in a finite world. And this is where the concept of "survival of the fittest" kicks in.

"Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit - in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush , each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in freedom of the commons."

The solution to this tragedy, as I understood from Hardin's text, is to make the "commons",  "uncommon." To illustrate the philosophy, he likened the commons to national parks.  These treasures are opened to the public so that everyone can enjoy the beauty that they bring. However, if no control is practice as to who or how many people can come in and enjoy the parks, they will eventually lose their value and the very reason why we are protecting them. Hence, to make them "uncommon," rules and laws are implemented. Such measures to make these treasures (parks) uncommon are regulation of visitors through limited opening days , or the charging of fees to limit the number of visitors.

Makes sense? To some people, this means depriving citizens to their right to see the parks. But to some people, it is a reasonable control measure. I noticed that they have implemented this control measure to our very own Underwater River in Palawan. Tourists wishing to see this natural wonder must plan their visits well and book a few months in advance, plus, there are also boat fees and entrance fees to the park.

In some ways, making the commons uncommon seems like an injustice to the larger population. But do you agree that we need these checks and balances in order to maintain order? The concept of private property, ownership limitations, compulsary taxes, private healthcare : all these are surprisingly, contributions to world inequality! But as Hardin also pointed out, "Injustice is preferable to total ruin."

Another simple illustration of the tragedy -- the ratio of condominium units to parking slots is 1 : 1 . This is a problem for occupants with more than one vehicle, who then resorted to parking in the commons : free spaces around the compound that are not designated parking spaces. Our developers did not foresee this overpopulation happening, therefore they had no control over these people who take advantage of the commons. There were no multiple vehicles policies, no "No Parking" signs , nor sanctions or penalties for obstruction of the common areas. The result? Overcrowding, safety issues, fire hazards, road blocks, and irrational fights among vehicle owners who all claim rights to the commons.

What other tragedies can we think about , how about intellectual property ( digital music and books as commons), or lives of celebrities as commons? Our rivers and oceans as commons? Anyone affected by the territorial disputes in our oceans will understand that the absence of concrete claims in these "common" territories is the source of all these misunderstandings.

Equal opportunities vs survival of the fittest.

I especially liked Hardin's discussion of the Tragedy alongside the issue of population growth:

"The most important aspect of necessity that we must now recognize, is the necessity of abandoning the commons in breeding. No technical solution can rescue us from the misery of overpopulation. Freedom to breed will bring ruin to all.... the only way we can preserve and nurture each other and more precious freedoms is by relinquishing the freedom to breed, and that very soon. 'Freedom is the recognition of a necessity' - and it is the role of education to reveal to all the necessity of abandoning the freedom to breed. Only so, can we put an end to this aspect of the Tragedy of the Commons."

It was a very interesting read , one that really gets your mind working. You may download your own PDF copy of the "Tragedy of the Commons" by Garett Hardin  HERE. 

Illustration acknowledgement: http://annystudio.com/show/0012/ 

National Greening Program of the Philippines

 photo credit here

For my ENRM 221 class (Sociocultural Perspectives on the Environment) , one of our activities was to read about the National Greening Program of the Philippines (NGP). I submitted a 2 page discussion on it but not about to bore you with it :o) . In a nutshell, I can say that the program has an inspiring vision and clear cut guidelines for all government agencies involved . Let's hope all goes well.

I think the NGP is a promising program which is worth sharing, especially if you or your group are looking for ways on how to contribute to the country.

The NGP was introduced via Executive Order 26 in President Noy Aquino's administration,and it seeks to unify all other "greening" programs of the government.

Marked as a priority program of the current administration, aims to contribute to poverty reduction, promote sustainable management of natural resources, enhance food security and productivity, mitigate climate change, and instill environmental consciousness.

The strategy? Bring different stakeholders together – government agencies, civil society and NGOs, and the private sector – and plant 1.5 billion trees by 2016.

Read more about it at http://ngp.denr.gov.ph/

I believe the program is constantly looking for support! The website shows opportunities about how individuals and groups can be a part of it :-)