4 Reasons to go to an e-Learning Mass Graduation

Posted by: 
Jose Rey Y. Alo
elearning mass graduation in ATI Caraga

Two handshake lines: the guests and the graduates (photo by Yovina-Claire Pauig)

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.

So why a mass graduation for e-learning? I believe it was 2008 when the tandem of Dodoy Babanto and Jason Jampac, our e-extension coordinators in Caraga region, hatched the idea of holding a mass graduation for e-elearners coming from Caraga. These users come from different provinces, have different occupations, have finished different online courses at different times. A mass graduation was the way to bring everybody together. Here are four reasons not to miss that.

  1. The Handshakes.
    2.  It was a time to meet and interact face-to-face with the persons who were a few months back were "just mouse-clicks away". Handshakes were the way to connect at that moment; by my count, at least I had 373!
  2. The Voices.
    3.  It's simply feedback. But this time feedback was laced with anecdotes and more human interest. And you get to see and feel audience reactions.
  3. Local tourism.
    4.  It was a chance to see the place, sample local food, experience local hospitality.
  4. New acquaintances.
    5.  Make new friends, expand your network. The natural bonhomie of the occasion was contagious that would go on until the evening's fellowship with guests.
    These four reasons, in fact, you don't get in any virtual graduation. Check out the event in pictures.

Postscript. Virtual graduation ceremonies have been held and demonstrated by Florida State University and the University of Edinburgh, both via Second Life.

In this article: 
e-extension
e-learning

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