Harnessing the Use of Open Learning Exchange to Support Basic Education in Science and Mathematics in the Philippines

This paper presents the open learning initiatives of the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology to overcome certain barriers, such as enabling access, cost of replication, timely feedback, monitoring and continuous improvement of learning modules. Using an open-education model, like MIT＇s （Massachusetts Institute of Technology） OCW （open courseware）, a Web-based system was developed to improve the capacity and capability building in primary science and mathematics education in the Philippines, by developing freely accessible, interactive teaching and learning resources. Finally, the paper presents the current status of the project, and discusses the system＇s potential to deliver better value for money, particularly with the economies of scale, when distribution and monitoring of quality learning modules became nationwide in scope.