Information Management Resource Kit IMARK

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Information Management Resource Kit
(IMARK) computer-based distance learning in
agriculture Presentation to 22nd APAN 18 July
2006
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• The Demand
• Requests from Member States for capacity
  building
• Advice
• Assistance
• Appropriate guidelines, methodologies and tools
• The Problem
• Inability to address demand with face-to-face
  training
• Insufficient human resources
• High cost

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• Strategy developed by SDR/GIL in 2000
• Develop distance learning to meet immediate and
  future needs of Member States.
• Build on existing resources and expertise, both
  internal and external to FAO.
• Collaborate with other agencies and institutions
  facing the same challenges in capacity building.
• Build an extensive network of experts and
  institutions for subject coverage, quality
  translations, and effective distribution of
  distance learning materials.

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Use of Distance Learning in FAO
Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK)
Asynchronous Self-paced Learning
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Distance Learning in Agricultural Information
Management In 2001, FAO initiated a
partnership-based e-learning programme called the
Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK).
Active collaboration with gt30 international,
regional and specialized organizations. From
2004, coordinated through a Steering Group of
FAO, APC, AUF, Cirad, CTA, IICA, and UNESCO.
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Main Objectives Build capacity at national and
local levels to manage and share information more
effectively. Increase awareness, understanding
and skills of individuals responsible for
information management in agricultural agencies,
institutions and networks. Supplement existing
face-to-face training and capacity building
activities in agricultural information management.
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• Main Outputs
• Modules - a series of computer-based distance
  learning curricula and resources for agricultural
  information management.
• Online Community - a "virtual" community on the
  Internet for contributors and learners, allowing
  them to exchange information, and to collaborate
  with other professionals.

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• The Approach
• Instructional design methods for self-paced
  e-learning
• Curricula designed, developed and reviewed by
  experts
• Strong emphasis on Quality Control
• Distributed on CD and IMARK web site
• Indirect user support CD-based tutorial, FAQ,
  e-mail contact

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The latest instructional methods in e-learning
are used. Each curriculum is
delivered with a technical glossary and search
function, and provides access to non-proprietary
software and tools.

• Personalized Curricula
• Learner Tracking

• Illustrative Case Studies
• Simulations and Demonstrations
• Interactive Tests and Exercises

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• Content development and adaptation
• English more than 100 lessons
• French key partnership with Cirad and AUF
• Spanish key partnership with IICA and CIAT
• Arabic key partnership with Biblioteca
  Alexandrina
• Chinese key partnership with MoA China

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Management of Electronic Documents

• deals with the collection, archiving, management
  and dissemination of electronic documents and
  associated images
• released in October 2003 (En)
• CD copies distributed gt16,500
• English 9,000
• French 6,500
• Spanish 1,000

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Digitization and Digital Libraries

• covers the workflows, processes, technologies
  and skills involved in the creation, management
  and distribution of digital libraries
• developed in partnership with UNESCO
• released March 2005 (En)
• CD copies distributed gt10,000

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Modules released in 2006
Investing in Information for Development
Building Electronic Communities and Networks
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• IMARK website
• Launched in Nov 2005
• 4,000 registered learners
• Learners with bandwidth and connectivity
  problems can order a CD online.
• www.imarkgroup.org

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• Blended Learning the best of both worlds
• Face-to-face (F2F) training for gt 500 people
  using IMARK-based curricula in 2004-05
• Many become trainers themselves
• IMARK lessons adapted for F2F training
• IMARK modules provided before F2F workshops
• IMARK online community for trainees to work
  together

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• Online courses based on IMARK
• Building Electronic Communities and Networks
• Regional organizations in East/Central Africa
  (ASARECA) and Caribbean (CARDI) - Feb-Mar 2006
• FAO staff developing/enhancing Thematic Knowledge
  Networks - May-Jun 2006
• Investing in Information for Development
• RLCs FODEPAL platform for 50 managers from
  national institutions in Latin America Sep-Oct
  2006

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Presentation to 22nd APAN 18 July
2006 Michael Riggs Information Management
Specialist FAO Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific michael.riggs_at_fao.org