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Why e-Learning? It's accessible. It's successful. It's time insensitive. It's cost effective. E-Learning is the future of capacity strengthening for busy people who want to acquire new knowledge and skills. Instead of taking courses at traditional learning places, e-learning lets you work at your own speed, in whatever time you have available, and wherever you have access to the Internet and a web browser. The Virtual Learning Room IFPRI's Virtual Learning Room is where you can access a number of e-learning courses related to writing proposals and scientific research. The modules under each course are presented in a user-friendly and easy-to-follow manner suitable for self-learning. The Discussion group The D-group is an online platform offering tools and services that bring a group of people together as an online community to facilitate discussion on issues of interest to its members. It is used to share ideas and resources related to topics at hand with other virtual colleagues. Participants are encouraged to make use of the D-group specific to each course. Technical Support Technical support to e-learners is provided by the e-Learning Coordinator (an IT specialist), who manages the Virtual Learning Room and the D-group and generally facilitates the e-learning process. The Global e-Learning Program The IFPRI Virtual Learning Room launched a Global e-Learning Program designed to provide free e-learning opportunities for professionals around the world. The Global e-Learning Program initially comprises two separate e-learning courses on ‘How to Write a Convincing Proposal’ and ‘How to improve your writing skills’. The methods and materials for both courses were developed by experienced international specialists and were tested extensively in two successful pilot e-learning programs carried out in 2005. The 1st course which was already given was completed on September 2006 and the 2nd course will be on-line for 4 months during 2006-2007. Participants can now take the 2nd courses. Course 1: How to Write a Convincing Proposal (April 15 to August 15, 2006) Already taken This course is designed for professionals interested in developing their knowledge, attitudes and skills on how to access funds from diverse sources. It comprises 4 modules as follows: 1) How to write a convincing concept note 2) How to write a convincing proposal 3) How to write for non-technical readers 4) How to prepare a logical framework matrix Register for courses Register for D-group Course 2: How to improve your writing skills (November 1, 2006 to February 15, 2007) This course is designed for professionals interested in improving their skills in scientific communication. It comprises 4 modules, as follows: 1) How to improve your writing skills 2) How to write good research reports 3) How to increase your chances of getting a research paper published 4) How to make good oral presentation Register for this course Register for D-group Global E-learning Program Contact Information Suresh Babu Genet Asefa Program Leader On-line Coordinator ------------------------------------------ Learning and Capacity Strengthening IFPRI-ISNAR Division PO Box 5689 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Phone: +251-011-6463215 ext 2515 Fax: +251-011-6462927 Email: IFPRI-ISNARLearning@cgiar.org The e-Learning Approach Participants should adopt the following approach to each module in the course: 1) Individual on-line learning 2) Reinforcing knowledge by doing practical exercises given at the end of each module. 3) Participating actively in the Discussion Group and refering to posted documents (e.g. practice questions, responses and on-line coach comments from previous course offerings) 4) Evaluating each module and the overall program upon completion How to register for a course(s) Before signing up for these courses, you need to be sure that you will have the time, energy and equipment available to take advantage of them. Each course will only be online for the given four month period, and you will be expected to complete each module within a month. Practice questions will be made available at the end of each month, and you need to be ready to take them, and review additional information at that time, to get the full benefit from the course. Now, in order to register, please fill the Online Registration Form. Tips for e-Learners 1. You will need all the following items before you start work on any of the courses: - Unrestricted access to a computer in a quiet place where you can work.
- Paper and pencil to respond to the questions before you ask the program to “show results”. Comparing your responses with the results provided by the program will greatly increase your learning.
- A work plan or schedule for the specific times you expect to spend on the course.
2. Please let IFPRI e-learning coordinator have this schedule, and be sure that you stick with it! 3. Consider discussing your work plan with your supervisor, especially if you feel you need to take time off your regular work to do the course. 4. Be prepared to evaluate each module. At the end of each module you will find a link to an online evaluation form to record your thoughts on the module’s strengths and weaknesses. This will help IFPRI to improve future courses. 5. These courses are designed to help you immediately, in the work you are doing now. Please be prepared to apply what you learn to your organizations research, proposal writing and/or development efforts.
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