Digital Literacy for Agricultural Professionals

Evaluation Report

 

Number of Respondents 15
How did you most commonly access this course ? Company (office) LAN = 7
Internet Cafe = 4
Home (dialup) = 3
Hours you required per week to complete all lessons range = 3-12

average = 6

Minimum time per week participants should expect to spend on this course range = 2-20

average = 6.14

   
Course Content - Quality and Usefulness
 

The most vital information required in order to make improvements in this course include your assessments of the Quality of the content of the various lessons as well as the Usefulness of the information they contain.  Quality is judged based primarily on the accuracy and completeness of the information.  Usefulness is judged based on the relevance and importance of the information to you in your work. 

   
 

Quality

  

Usefulness
 Lessons
 		  
Module 1. Welcome to Digital Literacy for Agricultural Professionals 10 3 2     7 7 1  

Email

 4 8 1 1   4 8 2  

Email Management

 9 3 1     8 5 1  

Using the course discussion board

 6 6 3     5 6 3  
                   
Module 2. Introduction to Online Learning 3 9 2     5 9    

How do online courses work?

4 8 2     6 7 1  

Tips for online learning success

6 6 1     5 9    
                   
Module 3. Searching for Information 7 5 2     7 6 1  

Listserv

 8 3 2     9 4    
Search tools 7 6       8 5    
                   
Module 4. Internet Tips and Tricks 7 6 2     7 4 3  

Virus protection

 6 6 2     9 4 1  

Dealing with PDF

 3 6 3 1   9 3 1 1

Using the windows clipboard

 7 4 2     8 4 2  

 

                  
Module 5. Course Project 5 7 2     7 5 2  
   

Are there any additional topics you feel we should add to this course?

  • Since I'm novice, i found present topics much useful.

  • - How to keep your mailing addresses on your computer- We did not use at all the excell programme. This is one of the most commonly used tool in financial management by Project Manager even in Agriculture- We always see an authomatic answer from a message sent especially if the person you want to contact is out of office. How does this work and how to set it.
  • Group training from module 3 to make close colaboration among relevant subject students
  • Exercises on time management tips - when to continue with work, when to stop especially in internet cafes and working offfline
  • nothing
  • email conferencingecommerce-introduction
  • Though facilitators were very cooperative by sparing time een for cht sessions, I as a participant cou ld not comply with them. The participants must strictly submit the assignments. On line learning is nothing less than a class room learning . So as this is my first hands on experience with on-line learning, I prefer to say that you please select the participants if they devote time till the end of the course. Otherwise the efoorts that go into it will not be justified.
  • More emphasis on on-line chatting
  • More about interaction through direct chatting
  • The topics covered are sufficient.
  • The course materials are well arranged with lot of information. But apart from course contents we got a lot of information from facilitators through email.All of them if arragned properly and incorporated as annexures for this course will be highly useful.

Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 1?

  • Participants can be asked to use the discussion boards frequently, for that topics can be announced by the facilitators to be discussed.

  • How to delete a created folder if you are not going to use it
  • Its good already
  • PArticipation in the discussion board to be made compulsory
  • there is urgent need to boost the agricultural professionals to participate digitally with the rest of the world through this module
  • Participants should exhibit thier cv
  • More emphasis on use of discussion board
  • More about e-mail management.
  • In email management only filter option has been taught. However email has lot of setting all which if given a detailed clue would have been highly useful

Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 2?

  • Nil

  • its still working in a better way
  • KEy board shortcuts to be introduced early
  • this important issue will really change the mindset of the asian pacific people who are living in a world of old rituals and traditions
  • none
  • Quite well organized
  • nil

Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 3?

  • Nil

  • You should look into the way to put the exercise of Listserv subscription earlier considering that the response to some of them comes several days later from the time someone has subscribed to them
  • The material which is available through copyright shold not be for searching
  • nil
  • some more exercise should be done both from students and facilitators to improve this valuable mode of interaction of knowledgethere was something lacking in this module which was not clearly understood by the students
  • Facilitators to summarize basics of searching the internet
  • More time should be given to open listserve site and subscribe to listserve
  • More tiime may be devoted to opening and mangement of web sites
  • We donot get response from majority of listserv. Some of the lists which are up to date and respond should be identified so that participants could use it and submit the assignment with in stipulated period.
  • nil
Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 4?
  • Nil. The present system was much useful.
  • Beside PDF and HTML files there several other we come across. For instance IPj files etc.. Please include also other files currently available in the internet
  • Atleast one specific assignment to make the word or some file to pdf as most don't use acrobat
  • Chances for using internet tips to be increased.
  • a wonderful work done by the facilitators to teach the subject in a lucid way which will be carried by the students wholelife
  • Paricipants to be guided on the basics
  • Very well composed
  • none
  • This module needs improvement especially with regard to handling pdf or jpg or bmp files. Lot of problems arise in copying especially when the html file contains photos in it.
Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 5?
  • Group projects can be encouraged, since it will enhance their knowledge about virtual groups.
  • Provide the specific lenght you need for this course project. There was no indication on this
  • It should be in group. No doubt it affect the performance and relation among peers but it is important
  • nil
  • although this whole course can't be viable without internet but it will be much more valuable when the searches of topic from various sources will be projected in their own language instead of using clipboard practices.
  • More time to be allocated to this module
  • Som how in the begiinnig I thought its easy to form a group and submit an assignment but stil it requires all the efforts and synchrony from the group. he group as a whole should have sufficient time to do it
  • Quite appropriate
  • none
  • Though we have tried to form a group this time. we were unable to execute it because of delay and lack of coordination. If facilitators encourage more of team work which may be useful to learn more about the project. I hope by facilitators' ecouragement there is a possibility to form more effective groups
   

Interactions - Quality and Usefulness

 

We firmly believe that it is through interactions that real learning takes place.  This course uses a number of mechanisms to encourage interactions.  Interactions between participants and the content, interactions among participants and interactions between the facilitators and the participants.  We are, therefore very interested in hearing your assessments of both the quality and usefulness of the various forms of interaction. 

   
 

Quality

  

Usefulness

Interaction Mechanism

 

  
Discussion boards 5 5 4     5 7 2  
Group discussion board(to those who work in group) 7 1 3     7 1 3  
Group email(to those who work in group) 7 1 2     6 2 2  
Send email function 9 5       9 4 1  
Chat 3 3 6     5 3 4  
Exercises 9 5       9 5    
Project (individual or group) 9 3 2     7 5 1  
   

Facilitators

 

We believe that the key to success of any educational activity is the skill and commitment of the facilitators.  Your assessment of their qualities can provide valuable feedback on how to do the job better.  Below we have listed several important factors that define a good and effective facilitator.  Please give us your assessment of the facilitators involved in this course by clicking the circle most closely approximating your opinion.

   
 

 Qualities
 
Knowledge of subject area 9 4 1  
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively 11 3    
Uses personal and professional examples to stimulate discussion 7 5 2  
Interacts on a regular, timely basis 9 5    
Skill in keeping the class motivated 8 5 1  
Works with lurkers 6 5 1 1
Responds to student questions in a timely and consistent manner 11 2 1  
Monitors student learning groups and encourages collaboration 8 4 1 1
Overall rating of the facilitators 12 2    
         
   
Additional comments regarding the course facilitators.
  • They were much cooperative.
  • none
  • They did their best
  • Course facilitators have really read the students and have interacted and motivated the learners.
  • It was a real hard work's result which make the course a successful story. Full credit will go to the facilitators who have done a wonderful job for the people of asian-pacific region. thanks a lot
  • The facilitators should interact more with the participants
  • They are too good for us
  • All the facilitators did their job perfectly. Alexender and Pipot has done commendable and highly appreciable job
  • Facilitators have given a very good materials like running commentary. These materials in due course of time if given in a proper shape (eg. history of internet, email, RAM, etc.) we can print it and keep it in a bound form for future ready reference like the course contents.
  • very lenient and flexible and most suited to teach aglearn programme
   
Course Functionality
   
 

 

Features
 
Ease of use for submitting assignments 7 5 2  
Ease of use for posting messages to discussion boards 7 7    
Ease of use for sending emails 12 2    
Ease of navigation 7 6 1  
Ability to facilitate group work 4 5 2 1
Appearance (user interface) 6 4 2  
Compatibility with your computer and networking setup 7 6 1  
Reliability (i.e. bug free) 11 1 2  
         
   

General

In addition to content and facilitation there are several other factors that contribute to the overall quality of an online course.  Below we have listed some of the most important. 

   
 

 
Additional factors
 
Course structure 8 5 1  
Ease of access under your circumstances 5 5 4  
Duration of the course 5 2 4 3
Time required to complete all exercises 3 4 6 1
Difficulty of exercises 2 4 8  
Reading level of lessons 3 6 3 1
Amount of fun 5 3 5 1
Overall rating of the course 12 2    
   
Do you feel that there is a need and/or demand for training on Digital Literacy among your colleagues? YES = 14   NO = 0
Do you think online learning is an appropriate way to provide Digital Literacy for your colleagues? YES = 13   NO = 1
Would you be interested in participating in another online APRTC course? YES = 14   NO = 0
Do you think US$225 is a reasonable amount to charge for this course? YES = 9   NO = 5
 
What do you like best in this course?
  • Discussion boards (Though i've used it less frequently) and all exercises in module 3& 4.
  • The availability of facilitators to assist a participant in case of any difficulty as well as the availability of all necessary tools for participants to achieve the best.
  • responses and motivation by facilitators
  • The realtion among the facilitators and the class, course work and the check and balance
  • Interaction with facilitators and fellow participants, reply to postings, listserv, url finding,uploading, putting document etc.
  • two things1) digital literacy for agri professionals in the asian pacific region2) interaction among the various agriculturists at a common interface
  • Internet tips and tricks
  • The way the course has been organised. Since its my first on line experience it really enhanced my skills. Now I feel I know something of everything to do with computers.
  • Course project
  • dealing with PDF files
  • The discussion board
  • Searching the answer of challange question. Mode of evaluation of this exercise.
  • The module on searching for information through which I came to know more about listervs and internet searching options.
  • reply by the facilitators immediately and got new friend ship

 

What do you like least in this course?

  • Nil
  • At one time there are a lot of mails on the tips and tricks, and on other information that we do not need for that specific time. It will be better to coincide these with either the current assignment or lesson
  • May be the course project???
  • Listserv, Email management, Pdf format
  • Virus problem( SQL slammerworm), problem with the servers and the local virus problems in the internet cafes which consume more time.
  • subscription of listerv
  • Searching for information
  • Probably,as students we need to be more organised in submissions and interacting in groups
  • Using discussion board
  • General discussion board
  • nothing
  • The assignments are required to be submitted at various places creating a confusion in the assignment. Except the assignments in the first module (for testing the ability to use discussion board, send email function) all other assignments should be made to submit at one place. which helps anybody to approach any assignment by anybody easily.
  • before creating email filter if i open my mail inbox icannot see my close friends mail, but this course have shown a way to it.

Please give us any specific comments or recommendations on how this course could be improved?

  • Group participation and more of discussions. Instead of asking to submit projects, group discussions can be allowed under the supervision of facilitators.
  • As indicated earlier, make sure the participants start some assignment early, specifically Ex on subscribing to Livservers, to avoid delay.
  • An offline version or the portable version of the course content to browse when internet connection is not available.
  • Only thing is the addition of one assingment as I already ask about the Acrobat application
  • Since it is time elastic interaction was least with the late starters and the early participants . This gap can be bridged. Interaction with fellow participants to be made compulsory. Group interaction to be encouraged.
  • actually the moidule 3 requires a little bit extra clarification but overall it is a mavellous approach
  • More topics to be included and a corresponding time allocated
  • After a course project, how to publish a web pae would be an added attraction
  • Increase duration by one week. Place more emphasis in chatting and listserve management
  • Extend duration by one week and give more emphasis on opening and management of listserve site
  • The course is already highly appreciable.
  • I feel that six weeks time is insufficient for successfully completing this course. It may need minimum eight weeks, as it is out of subject matter for every body and need some time to pick up the speed of learning.
  • the course timie can be extended sothat paticipants wiil acquire more communication skill