• 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 are 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 expected outputs include 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, will explore the innovative possibilities of mobile SMS technologies in community development contexts, and will provide a bridge between these non-formal uses of the media and those of the formal DL situation. The cross-fertilization of these two fields will represent 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.