Online Agro-Technology Diploma Programme Presentation

8/3/2019 Online Agro-Technology Diploma Programme Presentation

1/35

On-line Distance Learning forimproving socioeconomic status

of farming community in Sri Lanka

Institute for Agro-technology& Rural Sciences,

University of ColomboSri Lanka


2/35

Background of the Institute

University of Colombo

Magampura Agro-technology and

Community Service Centre(1998)

Institute for Agro-technology andRural Sciences

(2008)


3/35

Agro-technology and community service centre

Upgrading the centre as an Institute Newly established NAC centre in the Institute

INFRASTRUCTURE


4/35

Current Programmes

Currently the Institute has introducedtwo levels of study programs with theUGC approval; Diploma level,

Certificate level in Agro-technologythrough Online Distance Educationwith blended mode.

The Diploma Program in Agro-technology was commenced inNovember 2008 and three batches of

farmer students are following the


5/35

Current programs

They are successfully following theDiploma program and there is acontinuous demand for the course as

the knowledge the farmers gaincould be immediately appliedresulting in a tenfold increase in

income.


6/35

BackgroundLowproducti

vity

Lack ofupdated

knowledge on new

techniques

lack ofinformatio

n to

improvefarm

management

Why?Agriculture

extension hasdwindled

Solution

Just in time knowledgeand information

through online distance

learning in the blendedmode for farmers

While being engaged incultivations


7/35

A Distinctive Online

Agro-technology Diplomacourse

The first online higher educationopportunity to

grass root farm community by

usingtheir local language.

Who arethe

learners ?

Farmingcommunity


8/35

Challenges faced

Heterogeneity of farmers : age,schoolings

Majority of them did not have computerskills

Ability to learn only with local language

Lack of connectivity in remote areas

Ability of interaction with others was

very low Distance from the home to institute

01 months inductionprogramme on use of

computer, internet, email,etc


9/35


10/35


11/35


12/35


13/35

How institute is facilitating the learningfor farming community through this

personal learning -online lessoncontents

http://iars.nodes.lk
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


14/35

Onlinelearning


15/35Field

Peer

interactio

Labpracticals

collaborative learning- peer interaction

experiential learning- Lab practicals andguided learning on their own fields

Face to face learning
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


16/35

The students are supported by dedicated on-linetutors and mentors using discussion forums in

LMS.Tutors and learners are discussing problems and

comments relating to the course and alsoregarding their cultivations through onlineforums in the LMS in local language.

Face to face discussion at least once a month

Learner support
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


17/35


18/35

The Institute follows a well organizedplan of on-line course development,

delivery and evaluation

The QA Tool kit in Distance HigherEducation(Published by COL, UNESCO

and DEMP) is used for ensuring

quality in the process and thesystems of the Institution

Ensuring Quality
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


19/35

Farmers forming their own

learning groups and continuouslyinteracting through onlinediscussion forums resulting inhorizontal flow of information

among the farmers- Self directedlearning

Online education has proven as anew path of disseminatingknowledge for the poverty strickenrural sector that could use only the

local language.

Trends
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


20/35

trends cont..........

Knowledge based agriculture has

proven to give several fold increase ofincome to farming community (Rs 1.6million from 1 ha)

This gives an opportunity for ruralfarming community to pursue

higher education while being incultivation
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


21/35

The Institute demonstrates

that it is possible to impartquality higher education usinginformation communication

technologies(ICTs) to thefarming community. Amongfarmer students ICTs nowbecomes the most powerfultools of improving agricultural

productivity

B h l f A
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


22/35

Bachelor of Agro-technology

The first batch of the Diplomaprogramme has already

completed the Diploma and thecourse is upgrading to a Degree(Bachelor in Agro-technology).
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


23/35

Target group

The Degree program is only for thefarming community who areinvolved in agriculture and does

not open for any otheremployment.

This is solely for the farmingcommunity who is willing to gofor knowledge based agriculture.
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


24/35

Objectives

To provide opportunity of highereducation to those who are involved inagriculture so that they could be

involved in knowledge basecultivations.

Farming community to become agro

entrepreneurs to be on par withinternational farmers.

To allow lifelong learning to the farming

community thereby to enhance the


25/35

Objectives

To provide opportunity of highereducation to those who are involved inagriculture so that they could be

involved in knowledge basecultivations.

To assist farmers to become agro

entrepreneurs on par withinternational farmers.

To allow lifelong learning to the farming

community thereby to enhance the


26/35

Course Structure Total duration 04 years

02years Diploma leading to 01 YHigher Diploma and another 01

for the Degree

Course work: A total of 120credits (04 y)

Student Thesis Research: 08credits
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


27/35

Course Structure

Certificate Courses. Eight courses are

offered during a period of 2 years.

Diploma in Agro technology.Thosewho successfully complete all 8

Certificate courses. Higher Diploma in Agro technology.

Diploma qualified students could follow

four (04) Certificate courses during aperiod of 01 year.

Bachelor of Agro-technology (4

years). Higher Diploma qualified
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


28/35

Each course goes as a Certificate

course. Duration of eachCertificate course is 3 monthshaving 300 h of which 160 h is

for theory and the balance forfield and laboratory classes.

All theory is online

Practicals and field classes areface to face.

Each course identified subject

matter experts in Universities
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


29/35

The entire course is put into an

online interactive form.

All the courses are learner

oriented and the students aresupported by trained onlinetutors and mentors.
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


30/35

Successful farmer students produced bythe institute

Success fields
http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/http://iars.nodes.lk/


31/35

Success fieldsMr Jesuss field Puttlam

Sepalikas Eco tourism site


32/35

Sepalika s Eco-tourism site -Dambulla


33/35

Franks Coconut and Papaya Field-Kurunegala

Awantis Gerbera project Mathale


34/35

Awanti s Gerbera project- Mathale
http://iars.nodes.lk/


35/35

Online Agro-Technology Diploma Programme Presentation

Documents

Transcript of Online Agro-Technology Diploma Programme Presentation