Integrated Pest Management in Rice

Evaluation Report (Pilot Offering)

 

Number of Respondents 7
How did you most commonly access this course ?

Company (office) LAN = 2
Internet Cafe = 3
Home (dialup) = 2
Hours you required per week to complete all lessons range = 3-8

average = 5.29

Minimum time per week participants should expect to spend on this course range = 2-8

average = 4.86

   
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. Introductions 3 4       2 5    

Introduction to Rice as a Crop

 3 4 3 4

Introduction to IPM in Rice

 2 5 4 3

Introduction to Rice Agroecology

2 3 2 2 3 1 1

The Rules of Rice IPM

 3 3 1   2 3 1 1
Module 2. The First Rule of Rice IPM-Grow a Healthy Crop 3 3   3 2 1

Land Preparation

 2 2 1 3 1 1

Rice Varieties

 1 4   2 2 1

Clean Seed

 1 4 2 3  

Seeding (Crop Establishment)

 2 2 1 2 2 1

Water Management

 2 1 2 2 2 1

Nutrient Management

 1 3 1 1 4  

Importance of Organic Fertilizer

3 2   2 3  

Straw Management

 5       3 1 1
Module 3. The Seconf Rule of Rice IPM - Observe Fields Weekly 3   1 3 1  

Scouting

 1 1 1 1 2

Rice Growth Stages

 2 1   2 1  

Indentification and Diagnosis

3     3  
 
Module 4. The Third Rule of Rice IPM - Agroecosystems Management 4 1   3 1 1

Weeds Management

 1 3   1 3

Insect Pest Management

 2 1 1 2 1 1

Natural Enemy Management

 3 1     3 1  

Disease Management

 1 2 1 1 2 1

Management of Other Pests

1 1 2 1 2 1
 
Module 5. The Fourth Rule of Rice IPM - Unlocking Farmer's IPM Expertise 3 2   3 1 1

Farmer Support and Empowerment Approaches

 4     4    

Traditional Extension Techniques

 1 3 1 2 1

Information and Communication Technologies

2 2   2 1 1  
   

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

  • Kindly provide a model IPM programme (comprehensive) that can be employed in rice as a flow chart. Add list of most effective biocntrol agents that need conservation.

  • We havenot discuss the use of bio-control agents in different agro ecological zones for different pests
  • Yes, as rice is cultivated in a wide range of conditions, we need to understand these conditions in more detail.Also, prior to the four rules, i believe there is a missing rule that to me is very important, which is understanding the ecological mechanizmz and how they work.In this case, the farmer and the researcher will be more capable of making correct decisions. We are not to set the economic revenue aside, but in order to acheive the desired revenue, proper measures should be taken. this can only be achieved with proper understanding of the ecosystem.
  • This course dealt more with growing a rice crop rather than pest management. I expected the opposite.
  • No
  • More case studies for different ecosystems particularly in the marginal areas (problem soils, salt-stress areas, acid upland and the like

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

  • Based on your experience and literature you can draw comparision between agroecologies in the world highliting constraints in implementing IPM.

  • no
  • None.
  • It is ok
  • I am satisfied with what has been presented. I just did extra readings on IPM through the links

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

  • Give details on how to grow a healthy nursery, how to manage water effectively etc.,

  • no

  • For all modules, there have been many links to see. Is there a possibility the information found in these links will be integrated into the course contents? including pictures, tables and statistics , with the permission of their authors of course.

  • More interaction with the facilitators and more content delivery through emails.

  • SRI (System of Rice Intensification) may be introduced

  • You have covered almost all the information we need for growing a healthy crop

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

  • Develop a model scouting scehdule for farmers that can be improved by the participants based on their location specific constraints. (this can be an assignment).

  • More interaction with the facilitators and more content delivery through emails. The assignments should be a step ahead of a survey of the farmers practices. It is not possible to interact with the farmers in the fields to find out the answers because of the short duration of the course.
  • It is ok
  • Just OK. I had difficulty in going out to the paddy and interview the farmers. The more farmer interviewed, the better. I have restricted work schedule to go this far. Maybe case studies or published accounts on farmers practice can be included in the module

Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 4?

  • Economic thresholds for different rice pests in different countries can be collected and kept in the Web links.Both insect and disease management need improvement and major and implementable IPM practices may be listed for each pest/disease.
  • no
  • Lesson 4.3, Natural Enemy Management may be divided inti i. Parasitoids and predators ii. Pathogenic microbes.
  • case studies or published accounts on farmers practice may be included in the module as supplementary information

Any specific comments or recommendations on how to improve Module 5?

  • No

  • no
  • Maybe more guidlines and econmic evaluation lessons.
  • It is ok
  • Excellent readings and links
   

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 Forums 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 2
Send Email Function 5 1   3 2 1  
Assignments 3 2   1   4 1   1
Project (Individual or Group) 2 2 1     2 2   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. 

   
 

 Qualities
 
Knowledge of subject area 3 2 2  
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively 3 3    
Uses personal and professional examples to stimulate discussion 1 3 2 1
Interacts on a regular, timely basis 4 2   1
Skill in keeping the class motivated 3 3 1
Works with lurkers 3 2 1 1
Responds to student questions in a timely and consistent manner 3 3    
Monitors student learning groups and encourages collaboration 2 3 1 1
Overall rating of the facilitators 3 3 1  
         
   
Additional comments regarding the course facilitators.
  • There is need for improvement as every participant has different background and ecosystem
  • I would like to thank you all for your helpful and motivating strategy.
  • The facilitators took keen interest and kept the class on toes with their wise comments.
  • They are very patient and encouraging. I thought I will never make it, as I had difficulty managing my time and work schedule. The facilitators encouraged us to hang on. And it means a lot
   
Course Functionality
   
 

 
Features
 
Ease of use for submitting assignments 7  
Ease of use for posting messages to discussion boards 6 1
Ease of use for sending emails 7    
Ease of navigation 4 3
Ability to facilitate group work 3 1 1
Appearance (user interface) 3 2 1
Compatibility with your computer and networking setup 7  
Reliability (i.e. bug free) 6 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 3   1
Ease of access under your circumstances 3 2 2  
Duration of the course 2 1 3 1
Time required to complete all exercises 2 1 3 1
Difficulty of exercises   3 2 2
Reading level of lessons 1 4 2  
Amount of fun 1 2 2 2
Overall rating of the course 3 3   1
         
   
Do you feel that there is a need and/or demand for training on IPM in Rice among your colleagues? YES = 7     NO = 0
Do you think online learning is an appropriate way to provide this training for your colleagues? YES = 7     NO = 0
Would you be interested in participating in another online APRTC course? YES = 7     NO = 0
Do you think US$225 is a reasonable amount to charge for this course? YES = 3     NO = 1
 
What do you like best in this course?
  • The information links provided on vivid topics of IPM were very excellent.
  • Interaction with people from different part of Asia and regular encouragement from facilitators and Pipot
  • learning style
  • the discussion boards
  • Lessons
  • Discussion board
  • The links for supplementary information and easy access to these information

What do you like least in this course?

  • none
  • Feed back from Facilitators as they might be having lot of work.
  • lack of interaction between participants
  • Lack of interaction between the participants and with the facilitators.
  • When someone both from participants and facilitators loose their cool
  • Needs more hours per week (not just 5 h per week) to access and read the references

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

  • Sucessful case studies in rice IPM may added in links to give an idea to the learners how IPM could be made a sucess story in various parts of the world.
  • Give more number of modules and time
  • the skill developed for IPM should be categorized and prioritized accordingly, so to meet the challange being faced by the farming community through IPM.
  • I believe the information in this course can be more
  • I think this course should be more interactive and emphasize more on pest management practices and recommendations and the IPM concepts rather than on growing the crop itself.
  • Participation and quality of Discussion Board need improvement. There should be some visible mechanism to evaluate the contribution of each participant in this board.
  • Perhaps a little longer. Can I still access the links that I missed to open? Thanks