Introduction to Integated Pest Management

Evaluation Report

 

Number of Respondents 6
How did you most commonly access this course ?

Company (office) LAN = 2
Internet Cafe = 2
Home (dialup) = 1
Other = 1
Hours you required per week to complete all lessons range = 5-7

average = 5.6

Minimum time per week participants should expect to spend on this course range = 5-10

average = 6.8

   
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. Defining IPM 3 1 1     4 2    

Introductions

 2 2 1     3 2    

Evaluating definitions

 4 1       5      

Writing a personal definition

 3 1   1   2 3    
                   
Module 2. IPM Foundation Principles and Concepts 2 3       1 4    

Agroecosystems and agroecology

 3 2       3 1 1  

Analyzing an agroecosystem

 2 2 1     1 3 1  

Economic principles

 3 1 1     3 2    
Economic thresholds 5         3 2    
Agrobiological effects of chemical pesticides 4 1       5      
                   
Module 3. Tools, Methods and Tactics of IPM 5         4 1    

Preventative methods

 4 1       3 1 1  
Intervention tactics 3 2       2 2 1  

Regulatory approaches

 2 2 1     1 3 1  
                   
Module 4. Intervention 3 2       2 3    

Evaluting potential preventative options

 2 2 1     1 3 1  

Determining pest population dynamics

 3 2       2 3    

Selecting an intervention

 3 2       1 4    

Designing an IPM program

 4 1       3 2    
Evaluating an IPM program 2 4       3 2    
   

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

  • 1. About micobial control2. No separate topic about Host plant resistance, since is a important component in IPM.3. Need of quarantine measures for the migration of pests from one country to others or one state to others

  • we can just elobarate the ETL and EIL chapters because people from new areas it take more time to learn.
  • Preperation of IPM Guidelines
  • The topics are fine.
  • In case of zmodule 3, little eloboration on the individual topics will be usefull. some additional exercises may be included

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

  • No,good work.

  • IPm components portion has to be improved more
  • None. The module provide a good challenge to the participants to bring forth their understanding of IPM at the start of the course
  • The module is well presented and understandable.
  • No specific comments. Module 1 is good.
  • Really earlier i don't know all the defonitions. after completion of this course i came to know all the definitions available for IPM. I think this module will be highly usefull for the participants and there is no need to change anything

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

  • No, done a good work

  • Economic principles aspect has to be eloberate.More exercise should give in that aspect
  • None. I feel that the module covers exhaustively all the relevant aspects of IPM Foundation, Principles and Concepts
  • In my case my computer could not handle the simulations. If possible there should be options for those who cannot handle simulations.
  • No specific comments. Module 2 was good.
  • Very useful exercise.every one will be learnong about the simulations. this is my first experience. we can have some more modules in this chapter. its really funnay and more useful.

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

  • I mentioned in the additional topic area.

  • no comments
  • None. Bassically all the IPM Tools, Methods and Tactics ranging from indigenous knowledge to genetic modification are covered exhaustively in the module
  • The module is well presented and understandable.
  • Module 3 was very time consuming, especially when using a dial-up or if computer is not very fast, e.g. Pentium III or higher.
  • diiscussing individual topics may be useful
Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 4?
  • Very fine and no need to modify anything
  • it was really nice on my knowledge
  • None. Relevant aspects of IPM implementation are taken care of in the module
  • The module is well presented and understandable.
  • What I liked about Module 4 is opportunity provided to apply the theories and concepts learned in the previous lessons to the design and implementationan of an actual program.
  • Its found to be a difficult one. it needs time. within a short time evaluating the components of IPM components is not possible. Some changes in this module may be done
   

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 3 3       3 3    
Course email function 2 3       2 3    
Assignments 2 3       2 3    
Interactive Simulations 2 1   2   2 1 1 1
- Crop production 2 3 1     3 3    
- Economic injury level 4 2       4 2    
- Pesticide resistance 4 2       4 2    
- Removal of natural enemies 3 3       3 3    
- Hormoligosis 3 2 4 2    
- Removal of competitors 3 2 1     3 3 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 5 1    
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively 3 3    
Uses personal and professional examples to stimulate discussion 3 2 1  
Interacts on a regular, timely basis 3 3    
Skill in keeping the class motivated 4 1 1  
Works with lurkers 2 1 2  
Responds to student questions in a timely and consistent manner 3 2 1

 
Monitors student learning groups and encourages collaboration 3 3    
Overall rating of the facilitators 3 3    
         
   
Additional comments regarding the course facilitators.
  • Thanks for all the course facilitators and co-ordinators for provding excellent and motivating words and knowledge for days in the course of time.keep the same and all the best.
  • course faclitators are really nice.While giving comments they added more ideas and techniques .It was very much useful and motivate me doing excercise.It made me to do more home work.
  • I would like to note that the facilitators have done an exemplary job by responding to each and evryone of the participants submissions even when their computers were down! I was left wondering whether they had time for their normal jobs or their famillies.
  • Bisically their guidance and assistance was quite commendable.
  • The course facilitators were very knowlegdable on the subject matter and responded well to the students' assignments providing stimulating and challenging questions for further study and analsis
  • Since we didn't had another facilitator for the first two weeks we might had missed a lot in the initial modules. this type inconvenience may be avoided. Bala sir and Kumar are really taken much of their efforts in giving suggestions to the participants. they had given more imformation apart from our syllabi
   
Course Functionality
   
 

 

Features
 
Ease of use for submitting assignments 3 2    
Ease of use for posting messages to discussion boards 3 2    
Ease of use for sending emails 3 2    
Ease of navigation 3   2  
Ability to facilitate group work 3 1 1  
Appearance (user interface) 4 1    
Compatibility with your computer and networking setup 3 1   1
Reliability (i.e. bug free) 4 1    
         
   

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 3 2    
Ease of access under your circumstances 2 2 1  
Duration of the course 2 3    
Time required to complete all exercises 2 1 2  
Difficulty of exercises 1 1 2  
Reading level of lessons 2 3    
Creates a sense of community 3 2    
Amount of fun 4   1  
Overall rating of the course 4 1    
   
Do you feel that there is a need and/or demand for training on Integrated Pest Management among your colleagues? YES = 6     NO = 0
Do you think online learning is an appropriate way to provide IPM training for your colleagues? YES = 5     NO = 1
Would you be interested in participating in another online APRTC course? YES = 6     NO = 0
Do you think US$225 is a reasonable amount to charge for this course? YES = 4     NO = 1
 
What do you like best in this course?
  • A good interaction among all and the excellent ideas and comments of facilitators and motivation given by them.
  • simulation excersie was really very nice.I enjoyed lot in this.pest and predator simulation is reaaly useful
  • Interaction among facilitators and participants and information provision by the faicilators and the other sources of information relevant to the various modules.
  • I was able to interact with other students and facilitators at a very low insignificant cost. Within a short time I have learned many new things. It seemed as if we were in one place in the same class.
  • What I liked best about this course was the flexibility. Although, there were deadlines to meet, one could still work at one's own pace, e.g. during the course of the week, only one day were vacant to answer the assignments, one could devote the whole day (up to 6 hours or more) whereas in a regular class, one would be constrained to travel and physically attend the the class. Also, in on-line courses, one could ask the facilitators anything anytime (although the answer would not be instantaneous but one WOULD get an answer) whereas in a regular educational setting, one would have to wait and catch the professor during his vacant hours.
  • -IPM definitions. Excellent and healthy discussion between the participants.-Facilitation by Kumar and Bala sir-response by Pipot to querries-the most i kied is the simulations. really i had a nice time and i lerned a lot in this module. I know the computers and software to some xetent, so i am trying to do my level best in this aspects for my research programme

What do you like least in this course?

  • Some time the problem in opening and access ability of line. This is not a problem at the course sponsorship institute but with our local network.
  • all excerxcise i did with enjoyable manner .so here no one is there to dislike or least like
  • None
  • My comuter could not handle the simulations programmes and so I missed out on the simulations.
  • The difficulty with on-line learning is the highly theoretical aspect of this medium. Especially for a course like IPM where an actual field demonstration would be very useful to demonstrate the concepts and lessons. Although an attempt to bridge this gap through use of simulations was done, the exercise is still a far cry from an actual hands on field exercise/demo. Personally, I have no immediate suggestions in this regard ... maybe using a web cam for this purpose ... I don't know.
  • Implementation. of course it's my problem too. I didn't had much of time to complete this exercises. I feel bad.

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

  • A good piece of work by APRTC and officials for the young learners about IPM and various agricultural topics. No need for any further improvement except few in the subject area mentioned earlier. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
  • we can improve by sending the model assign ment before enter into the original assignment,somepersons new to this area dontknow how to present the assignment.so if provide model assign ment for each topic it will be iseful for all of them
  • Sorry I don't understand the question on general factors "Difficulty of assignments.The posting of assignments could be improved by providing specific routes through which each assignment should be posted. I would like to suggest that all assignments should be uploaded in the submit assignemt function. All in all the course is basically useful and educative.
  • The course is quite well structured and well presented. I hope the standards and quality of interaction will be maintained.
  • The course could be improved by incorporating ways of giving it a more practical flavor, e.g. how to give students opportunities to have actual interactions, similar to laboratory class where the lessons are demonstrated before the class, observations can be made and questions and answers are exchanged then and there. Maybe the discussion boards can be improved in this regard as technology of the medium progresses.
  • - eloborative discussion on the individual components may be done- implemetation modules may modified to make it still more easierthat's enough