Using technology for enhancement of learning in agriculture

Education and Training: Using Technology for the Enhancement of Learning in Agriculture

In conjunction with TEL-isphere 99 in Barbados, COL is arranging a regional consultation on "Education and training: using technology for the enhancement of learning in agriculture in the Caribbean" to take place immediately prior to the conference, also in Barbados, from 23 to 24 November. The outcomes from the consultations (findings/recommendations) will then be presented at the TEL-isphere 99 conference.

Background

Through pilot studies, COL has made a modest beginning in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the enhancement of learning in agriculture in the Commonwealth. A more thorough review of literature and exchange of views are needed. The consultative group will share its experiences and examine:

• the status of agricultural education and training in the English speaking Caribbean
• experiences in agricultural research, extension and development in the region
• the demand on distance education in the region, including formal and non-formal education needs
• the employment potential of distance education graduates in the agricultural sector, and the skills and knowledge required for obtaining employment, especially in the private sector
• the capacity and capability of existing regional institutions to provide distance education to address above
  use of, and opportunities for ICTs, for agricultural education in the region
• case studies related to ICTs in agricultural extension around the world

Expected outcomes:

• greater understanding the context and opportunities for the adoption of ICTs for education and training in agriculture, in general, and more specifically, to bring to the attention of agricultural scientific and managerial community the benefits of applying (distance) learning technologies to upgrade, retrain and re-skill their people.
• identifying major obstacles that need to be overcome in the adoption of these ICTs
• identifying emerging paradigm of sustainable agriculture, which has the twin objectives of producing food and rural employment
• identifying promising ICTs for education and training in agriculture that will strengthen the multi-directional communication continuum required for overall development in agriculture
• identifying partners among the local institutions and scope for international collaboration
• A summary of the outcomes from the meeting will be presented during TEL-isphere, with the aim of soliciting views, reactions, and input from conference participants.
  
  Staff contact:
  
  Dr. Krishna Alluri
  Project Coordinator
  The Commonwealth of Learning
  1285 West Broadway
  Suite 600
  Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
  CANADA
  
  Phone (Direct): (604) 775 - 8224
  Phone (General): (604) 775 - 8200
  Fax: (604) 775 - 8210
  E-mail: Kalluri@col.org