The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture has produced six modules on hybrid rice (F1) cultivation that are ready for uploading in the Pinoy Farmers' Internet portal. The modules were outputs of a workshop on content development and VClass authoring tool held last month at PhilRice's Farmers Training and Information Center.

The modules and subject matter specialists are: Hybrid rice technology: An overview by Dr. Manuel G. Gaspar, Water management by Jovino L. de Dios, site specific nutrient management by Gil C. Gines, Disease management by Dr. Fe A. dela Peña, Weed management by Dr. Madonna C. Casimero and Harvest/Postharvest technologies by Eden C. Gagelonia.

Resource persons include Dondon Carlos, leader of Advance Science and Technology Institute's (ASTI) multimedia over IP team, and ASTI VClass programmer Frances Gretchen Samonte.

The workshop was participated in by 16 PhilRice staffers from the training and management services, development communication, and ICT divisions, in preparation for the use of VClass as an e-learning platform for Open Academy.

Participants were taught how to develop course contents for VClass, edit video clips using Pinnacle Studio software, and prepare modules using the VClass authoring tool.

VClass is an open source e-learning platform specifically designed for delivering online courses through virtual classroom where the learners can see and listen to a speaker and at the same time view a slide presentation on the particular lesson through the VClass demand player. With VClass, distance learning through the Internet is greatly enhanced.

A user training designed for extension workers and other end-users of VClass is already in the pipeline as a follow-up activity.