Gender Equality in Online Learning: The Case of UP Open University

Abstract

In line with its mandate to provide wider access to quality higher education, the UP Open University takes full advantage of the use of web-based technologies as tools for teaching and learning. It introduced online tutorials in the delivery of content in 2001 as means of providing academic support to its students. In recent years, the UPOU utilizes the modular object oriented dynamic learning environment (MOODLE) as its learning management system thus making teaching and learning at UPOU fully online. This paper examined the gender equality among students enrolled in the UP Open University online vis-à-vis the introduction of online learning. A five-year enrolment trend (2006-2011) was analyzed and presented in graphs to compare the enrolment of male and female students. Results showed that there is a steady increase in enrolment in most UPOU programs which could be attributed to the growing popularity of online learning and distance education among Filipino students. Data further showed that female enrolment is greater than its male counterparts in the fields of education, communication, health and management sciences. Males, on the other hand, dominate in IT-related programs. This study concludes that whilst female constitutes greater share in the enrolment (63%), there is clear indication that online learning appeals to both genders. With the increasing literacy and access to web-based applications that are gender-neutral, online learning is expected to gain more recognition as an alternative mode of education in the years to come.