The New Era University offers distance learning programs through four branches that utilize both asynchronous and synchronous learning methods. They provide online courses, video conferencing, and self-paced learning opportunities. Faculty are supported through recognition, teaching awards, course releases for development of distance learning courses, and opportunities to gain technical expertise in new technologies. Distance learning allows the university to expand access to education.

1. Lontoc, Shelah Mae H.
BSMLS 3-D
PSTHE
Directions: Survey colleges and universities that offer distance-learning education. How do the
offer the program? How do they support and reward faculty who develop distance learning
courses or programs?
NEW ERA UNIVERSITY
New Era University (NEU) under the New Era University - Vantage Education
Management (NEU-VEM) is one of the universities in the Philippines, which offer distance
learning. While browsing their website, I was able to know how they offer distance learning
programs. The university uses two learning methods: Synchronous and Asynchronous.
The NEU-VEM has four branches namely: Alternative Learning System (ALS), Expanded
Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), Online University (OU),
and Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).
1. Alternative Learning System (ALS)
NEU-VEM-ALS aims to offer more educational opportunities for less fortunate Filipino citizens
who, for some reasons, have failed to finish their basic education. It also provides opportunities
to Out-of-School Youths (OSY), elementary and secondary school drop-outs, members of
cultural minorities and indigenous people, and the marginalized group of the society.
2. Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)
Pursuant to Executive Order 330 of 1996, NEU-VEM-ETEEAP is an educational assessment
scheme which recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-
formal and informal education experiences. It employs equivalency competence standards and
a comprehensive assessment system involving written tests, interviews, skills demonstrations,
and other creative assessment methodologies. A Panel of assessors is constituted to determine
the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to a particular discipline, and
consequently equivalent credits and appropriate degrees are conferred by NEU.
3. Online University (OU)
NEU-VEM-OU is the Distance Education (DE) program of the New Era University. It will make
use of the current technology to intensify the University’s effort of delivering quality education. It
envisions reaching larger community of learners through live internet video-conferencing, and
electronic learning modules of instructions. It commits itself to viable education management. Its
flagship is “Providing Online Christian-Inspired Quality Education.”
4. Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)
NEU-VEM-PACE provides continuing professional and lifelong learning opportunities for
personal and technical development through workshops, seminars and symposia. It serves NEU
personnel and individuals outside NEU community who seek to maintain, enhance and develop
their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives. It also bridges international

2. relations to other Colleges and Universities worldwide through student-exchange and faculty
exchange partnership program.
Reference: http://www.vem.edu.ph/profile.php?cmd=resetall
How they offer the program
1. Asynchronous Mode
The New Era University Vantage - Education Management - Online University (NEU-
VEM-OU) uses Asynchronous Mode of delivery. In this mode, students (primarily working
students) can access course materials on their own schedule (flexible). Study guides, modules,
and course outline of each lesson are also sent through e-mail attachments. Username and
Password will be provided to registered student to access downloadable PDF guides, video and
audio podcasts, lectures, mail/e-mail correspondence, and print materials from this website.
2. Posting/Distribution of Study Guides:
Every Sunday each week through Primary and Secondary e-mails.
3. Submission of Week Performance Tasks (Checklists/Assignments):
Every Sunday each week to Evaluator/Subject Specialist e-mail.
4. Synchronous Mode
NEU- VEM-OU also uses Synchronous Mode. In this mode, all learners can “attend” and
“be present” in a virtual classroom at the same time despite geographical locations disparity.
The so called "virtual face-to-face" or commonly known as video conferencing will be conducted
through our Internet Broadcast Station (IBS) via Video Conferencing Server (VCS). Using the
IBS, scheduled live and interactive discussion will resemble that of a traditional classroom
atmosphere.
Video Conferencing Scheduling Schemes:
For full-time students,
For working-students,
Group Video Calls/Conference using the IBS-VCS - Primary
One-to-one Video calls using YM, Skype, etc.
5. Face-to-Face thru Learning Centers (LC)
6.Internet Broadcast Station (IBS)
Their US-Based Learning Center has acquired latest version of Video Conferencing Server
(VCS) product designed for multipoint video conferencing both inside the local network and via
the Internet. Through this software, our Internet Broadcast Station (IBS) can handle "virtual-live-
classroom" at a time with an ideal number of students per session. The software has the
following capabilities:
• Video Call.A perfect way of contacting students by means of the latest innovations in
communication industry. Point-to-point personal video call makes it possible for two parties to
see and hear each other, exchange messages, links and files, work together on the documents
in a comfortable environment while in different places.

3. • Multipoint Video Conferences. Online video conference where some participants can see and
hear each other and collaboratively work on the documents, discuss things and make decisions.
• Audio-Video Lectures. All the participants of the conference can see and hear the teacher,
who in turn sees and hears all of them. The discussion is recordable.
• Text Interaction at Video Conferencing. Instant messaging (text) can be done publicly and
privately. Students can use it to share text messages, links and comments with all student-
participants of a conference. Text Interaction is available all the time and students don't have to
be in a conference to use it. It can be opened whenever a student wants to start exchanging
messages with another student anytime.
• File Transfer at Video Conferencing. File transfer allows the student to send files during a
video conferencing directly to another student/s without using third-party solutions. File transfer
is used when it is necessary to send files of various types: photos, audio and video files,
documents etc. File transfer is quite useful as users don’t have to deal with FTP, upload sites,
flash drivers, CDs, emails, file size limits, archiving and upload/download speed limits. File
transfer function is in high demand during the conferences and is available to all users without
restriction.
Reference: http://www.vem.edu.ph/delivery.php?cmd=resetall
How they reward and support faculty
It is recommended that a system of faculty incentives and rewards be developed cooperatively
by the faculty and the administration, which encourages effort and recognizes achievement
associated with the development and delivery of distance learning courses.
For the most part, faculty gained new knowledge from their distance learning experience.
Faculty also honed their skills in teaching via satellite TV, using online discussion groups, e-
mail, PowerPoint slides, and building a virtual community. One learned how to handle large
volumes of e-mail as a result of the course. Several became more comfortable in front of the
camera. They considered learning to teach on television in a time-controlled environment to be
a valuable skill. Others valued the experience of learning how to direct online discussion.
short time rewards of faculty consisted of recognition and praise from the president, the
director, and program administrators
Each professor received one course release for the first distance class preparation
One professor won a teaching award for outstanding professor, and consequently
received greater visibility in the community
several faculty members recognized the benefits of gaining technical expertise and
being on the cutting edge of new technologies
Others remarked that the distance learning experience had increased their self-
confidence