It was just by chance. Yes, THE Nora C. Quebral actually dropped by ATI in mid-August this year. Prof. Stella Tirol of the UPLB-College of Development Communication (DevCom) was meeting with ATI-KPMD management -- Niet Arceo and Pam Mappala -- and myself regarding a proposed study funded by ATI. To our surprise, Dr. Quebral, yes THE NCQ, UPLB Professor Emeritus, THE MOTHER of DevCom, tagged along for a separate itinerary. While I frequently bumped into her when I was still at UPLB, this was a rare visit. So, after our meeting, I asked if I could have a souvenir photo with her.

Last April I was given the privilege of speaking before the 2012 graduating class of the UPLB College of DevCom. For most of my speech, I talked about my real world experience at ATI, with e-extension. Just how many of them would join us in extension work? I wouldn't know, but here were my talk-points, abridged.

It was the 4th e-learning mass graduation hosted by ATI-Caraga and the first that I attended. No, of course it was not virtual, not online. It was12-01-2011 in real time, with the characteristic personal touch of ATI as seen and felt in its trainings.

Powerpoint® presentations in training programs are ubiquitous as the proverbial energizers. The use of Powerpoint® is so pervasive that it is accepted as "THE way" to deliver a lecture in the classroom, that without it, the lecturer is deemed ill-prepared. But quite often, a resource person’s lecture is actually dictated by his own Powerpoint® presentation, eventually leading to the lecture's "death by Powerpoint®". (This term first appeared in the web in 2001; coined by Angela R. Garber.) This is the traditional linear presentation.

As the e-Learning for Agriculture and Fisheries approaches its fifth year (launched Dec. 11, 2007), it's now easier to answer, or bust, myths/misconceptions of prospective users. I think the reason why there are myths is that fast-draw mentally: some people are quick to react negatively, or just erroneously, when something new and unexpected is brought to their attention. I have put together 5 of the most common myths/misconceptions that people had after the initial e-learning courses on agriculture and fisheries were opened for enrollment.