The Viability of Mobile SMS Technologies for Non-formal Distance Learning in Asia
The Viability of Mobile SMS Technologies for Non-formal Distance Learning in Asia
Participating Institutions:
- Molave Development Foundation, Inc., Philippines
- Health Sciences University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
- ESP Foundation, Ulaanbaatar
- University of the Philippines Open University
Research Team:
- Dr. Angelo Juan Ramos, Molave Foundation ( project leader )
- Dr. Amarsaikhan Dashtseren, HSUM
- Dr. David Lambert, ESP Foundation
- Professor Felix Librero, Chancellor, UPOU
Project Overview:
The objectives of this project were to test the feasibility and acceptability of using short message system (SMS) technologies for delivering non-formal distance learning (DL) to different socio-economic, cultural and gender groups; and to determine the motivation of users for distance learning purposes.
The outputs includes SMS Learning Packs - courseware in SMS format and other ancillary materials (i.e. booklets, cassettes, CD-ROMs, etc.) - on different subjects and topics identified as learning needs of different groups; an SMS server in each partner country (i.e. Philippine and Mongolia) to handle student registration, storage, and deployment of the educational materials, trained personnel on SMS-enabled technologies, a set of standardized assessment tools and forms for use by partner countries, shared online educational materials, research tools/ methodologies for use by project partners, publications, and a set of suggestions for policy guidelines and standards for the use of the SMS platform in DL.
The Philippines is a world leader in the use of mobile and short message systems technology, and Mongolia is a leader in the development of high-compression methods techniques facilitating these technologies in rural areas. This project, a collaboration between specialists in these two countries, explored the innovative possibilities of mobile SMS technologies in community development contexts, and provided a bridge between these non-formal uses of the media and those of the formal DL situation. The cross-fertilization of these two fields represents a valuable contribution to the international literature of DL, in demonstrating that efficient DL evolves from a strong community understanding of the DL media's potential.