E-learning tools

Group II

Qs 1&2: What e-learning tools are currently available?

Tnau: good website and e-learning material for UG and PG, digital form and uploaded on the website. Full course materials for 400 courses; video films 200 in ag tech these are available on vcd for farmers/extension; 10 multimedia pc-based clips are available ANGRAU: non formal education through visual aids in partnership with private company; video tools; multimedia cds on crops development; radio and tv phone-in programs for the farmers; call-in centers for farmers; video conferencing (asynchronous; synchronous); ppt in classroom; GP Pant: limited e-learning; call centers; tv/video programs; tech educational quality improvement computer based is still in planning; Pdf format materials at all institutions Uf: few courses on agro-forestry at UG; web-based WebCT; all the materials on the web; video conferencing; EDIS-fact sheets, extension documents on line, pdf format, searching reviewed every 3 years to keep it current; courses on cd; adobe-connect via breeze; streaming video (asynchronous ) COL: wiki-based learning tool; wikieducator;

Qs 1&2: What e-learning tools are currently available?

IIT: uses acado 200 courses and moodle free ware; platforms that we can create/administer courses; blackboard; director; ppt classroom; PAU videos; radio, tv; talk radio; call center; video on water; classroom ppt for images; complicated diagrams; Govt of india: agreed to facilitate any instittuions to start with communitybased radios; More conventional media: fm radio/video/cd/ppt in classroom; synchronous video conferencing is increasingly popular adsat E-sagu in AP it enabled personal extension education ISRO needs to be more utilized; it is a very potentially useful resource EDUSAT All india level: ICAR has common curriculum for ag universities, but implementation to e-learning and content-based curriculum needs to be developed and different faculty from all over india and come together to develop this IIT style approach to collaborate on content; need technical back up to develop this

Qs 3: What barriers may impede elearning in water management?

Lack of technological support infrastructure in terms of hardware, software and personnel access and connectivity to help the faculty to develop the elearning courses Lack of appropriate academic/career incentive structure to reward and recognize for their involvement in the e-learning; promotional incentive; better teacher evaluation; Lack of awareness that e-learning is important by the upper administration Licensing and other costs for obtaining the tools; e/g webct; adobe connect; etc; some user unfriendly tools exists Lack of enough qualified technical personnel in it and water management

What barriers may impede elearning in water management?

Lack of confidence at all levels to use IT and elearning; Perception of the faculty that e-learning is not good quality education From learners pov: infrastructure for access; relevance; connectivity; incentive; farmers are resistant to e-learning and prefer face to face contact not true in all cases; Lack of learning programs based on need Lack of financial support for use of e-learning