THE REPORT OF THE CTA WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR NATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY CTA ORGANIZED BY CENTRE FOR INSTITUTIONALISATION AND PARTNERSHIP, UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA AT THE ICT MacArthur BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN BETWEEN 4TH TO 6TH OCTOBER, 2010
The training of the CTA web 2.0 tools for National Learning Opportunities took off on 4th Oct, 2010 at the ICT MacArthur BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN with verification and registration of delegates. Upon registration, the conference package comprising of training bag, Information Management Resource Kit (iMARK) CD, writing materials and CTA flash. The official opening ceremony commenced at about 10.30am with an opening prayer by Dr S.A Omitoyin after which Dr Ladokun introduced and invited the team from UNAAB namely Prof S. Lagoke representative of UNAAB Vice Chancellor, Dr Akinyemi, Dr (Mrs) Helen Bodunde and the facilitators, Mr. Johnson Opigo and Richard Lamptey to the high table. The opening address was given by Prof Lagoke the representative of the VC (UNAB) who reiterated the need and importance for training and re- training for information dissemination, linkages, sharing and networking. He stressed the importance of the use of WEB 2.0 tools for sharing and collaboration.
Mr Opigo who wore two caps as he stood in for Mr Roger Obubo the Training Programme manager in his own remark, pleaded for maximum concentration from the participants and assured them of an unforgettable experience. In his address, Dr Obubo, gave the history, aims and objectives of CTA and stressed the need for participants to make the best use of the opportunity available at their disposal. He stressed the fact that CTA is working in ACP states on the new Cotonou agreement (Management of Agricultural Information) in areas of her comparative advantage where she can make a special contribution. CTA therefore acts as a broker between organizations and professionals in ACP and EU states in order to enhance their technical capacity and skills in information and communication management for agricultural development.
On the basis of the new frame work, CTA works on these new objectives (1) to improve the availability of and access to relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and well- adapted information on priority information topics for ACP agricultural and rural development and 2 to improve the communication management capacity of ACP agricultural and rural development organizations. The major instrument to achieving these objectives is training thus the course WEB 2.0 tools.
The general objective of the Web 2.0 learning opportunities training is to improve the skills of researchers and development actors in the use of variety of Web 2.0 applications for information retrieval, collaborative generation of content, information sharing and effective and cost efficient communication.
The aim therefore is to improve networking and the management of agricultural information among development actors while the learning outcomes are that the participants would be able to identify and explore currently available Web 2.0 tools, create alerts to obtain desired information streams, subscribe to social networking sites, publish their own content online using blogging application, develop content on assigned topics using Web 2.0 tools using wikis and google docs, and utilize online mapping tools effectively. He concluded his speech by challenging the participants to develop their own action plan for the use of the collaborative tools in their various institutions.
The training was declared opened by Prof S. Lagoke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) and the closing prayer for the opening ceremony was offered by Dr Gbenga Adeyemo after which a group photograph was taken followed by tea break.
The second session followed immediately with understanding the basic concept behind Web 2.0 where a short documentary was shown to the class. Web 2.0 tools were said to be primarily a social rather than a technological evolution. It is said to be a free, low cost, interactive web based service. The usefulness of social media in development which include connecting with people via social network, collaborating and doing things with other people, creating and sharing documents, finding, using, organizing, re-using content was stressed.
Sumptuous meal was served for lunch after which a marathon session on setting up google alert, language tools, advanced search and translation took place. The training ended at 6pm with light refreshment.
On Tuesday 5th Oct, 2010, the classes started at about 9am with blogging and its importance. The whole class became bloggers by creating individual accounts and posting information on it. Blog designs, colours, layouts and customizing of blogs were demonstrated. All participants were given CTA customised vest and biro Breakfast/tea break and lunch were served at appropriate times while the training ended at 6pm with light refreshment.
Wednesday, 6th October 2010 had breakfast served before the start of the day possibly due to the magnitude of the work for the morning. Blogging continued with customization of blogs, image addition, introduction to linkedin, google docs (service provided free of charge by google) here documents are shared not sent. The class had pictures taken in CTA vest .The day ended at 6.15pm with all meals served.
On Thursday 7th Oct, 2010, the day started at about 9am with introduction to google maps that is viewing physical location on maps, satellite and areal. The class was shown how to include map on blogs, how to give direction and find specific location. The class was also introduced to wiki and wiki account was created. Information on wiki must be new but can also contribute to existing one. Personal action plan by individual participants was posted on the class blog and Ibadan, location of the training was located on the “CTA world map”.
The training has been an educative, interesting, interactive, informative but compact one. It is indeed an eye opener to many things that can be done in a new collaborative manner. Networking is no longer an option but a must.
The GOOD SIDE
The training was well organized and executed. The training materials are good and relevant. The instructors were good, friendly, accommodating, understanding, willing to assist, not bossy , able to impact knowledge but fast. The training content was well packaged, the environment was conducive, the training allows good interaction with one another and allows sharing of information, the feeding was adequate and the menu was well planned.
The FLAWS
The local technical staff were not always on ground when needed, long stretched hours without exercise or break, time table was not strictly followed (time management), time too short. Not enough time to master the tools.
CHALLENGES
Slow and fluctuating internet service, intermittent power surge (but there was stand by generator)
Mr Opigo who wore two caps as he stood in for Mr Roger Obubo the Training Programme manager in his own remark, pleaded for maximum concentration from the participants and assured them of an unforgettable experience. In his address, Dr Obubo, gave the history, aims and objectives of CTA and stressed the need for participants to make the best use of the opportunity available at their disposal. He stressed the fact that CTA is working in ACP states on the new Cotonou agreement (Management of Agricultural Information) in areas of her comparative advantage where she can make a special contribution. CTA therefore acts as a broker between organizations and professionals in ACP and EU states in order to enhance their technical capacity and skills in information and communication management for agricultural development.
On the basis of the new frame work, CTA works on these new objectives (1) to improve the availability of and access to relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and well- adapted information on priority information topics for ACP agricultural and rural development and 2 to improve the communication management capacity of ACP agricultural and rural development organizations. The major instrument to achieving these objectives is training thus the course WEB 2.0 tools.
The general objective of the Web 2.0 learning opportunities training is to improve the skills of researchers and development actors in the use of variety of Web 2.0 applications for information retrieval, collaborative generation of content, information sharing and effective and cost efficient communication.
The aim therefore is to improve networking and the management of agricultural information among development actors while the learning outcomes are that the participants would be able to identify and explore currently available Web 2.0 tools, create alerts to obtain desired information streams, subscribe to social networking sites, publish their own content online using blogging application, develop content on assigned topics using Web 2.0 tools using wikis and google docs, and utilize online mapping tools effectively. He concluded his speech by challenging the participants to develop their own action plan for the use of the collaborative tools in their various institutions.
The training was declared opened by Prof S. Lagoke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) and the closing prayer for the opening ceremony was offered by Dr Gbenga Adeyemo after which a group photograph was taken followed by tea break.
The second session followed immediately with understanding the basic concept behind Web 2.0 where a short documentary was shown to the class. Web 2.0 tools were said to be primarily a social rather than a technological evolution. It is said to be a free, low cost, interactive web based service. The usefulness of social media in development which include connecting with people via social network, collaborating and doing things with other people, creating and sharing documents, finding, using, organizing, re-using content was stressed.
Sumptuous meal was served for lunch after which a marathon session on setting up google alert, language tools, advanced search and translation took place. The training ended at 6pm with light refreshment.
On Tuesday 5th Oct, 2010, the classes started at about 9am with blogging and its importance. The whole class became bloggers by creating individual accounts and posting information on it. Blog designs, colours, layouts and customizing of blogs were demonstrated. All participants were given CTA customised vest and biro Breakfast/tea break and lunch were served at appropriate times while the training ended at 6pm with light refreshment.
Wednesday, 6th October 2010 had breakfast served before the start of the day possibly due to the magnitude of the work for the morning. Blogging continued with customization of blogs, image addition, introduction to linkedin, google docs (service provided free of charge by google) here documents are shared not sent. The class had pictures taken in CTA vest .The day ended at 6.15pm with all meals served.
On Thursday 7th Oct, 2010, the day started at about 9am with introduction to google maps that is viewing physical location on maps, satellite and areal. The class was shown how to include map on blogs, how to give direction and find specific location. The class was also introduced to wiki and wiki account was created. Information on wiki must be new but can also contribute to existing one. Personal action plan by individual participants was posted on the class blog and Ibadan, location of the training was located on the “CTA world map”.
The training has been an educative, interesting, interactive, informative but compact one. It is indeed an eye opener to many things that can be done in a new collaborative manner. Networking is no longer an option but a must.
The GOOD SIDE
The training was well organized and executed. The training materials are good and relevant. The instructors were good, friendly, accommodating, understanding, willing to assist, not bossy , able to impact knowledge but fast. The training content was well packaged, the environment was conducive, the training allows good interaction with one another and allows sharing of information, the feeding was adequate and the menu was well planned.
The FLAWS
The local technical staff were not always on ground when needed, long stretched hours without exercise or break, time table was not strictly followed (time management), time too short. Not enough time to master the tools.
CHALLENGES
Slow and fluctuating internet service, intermittent power surge (but there was stand by generator)
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