Tropentag, October 11 - 13, 2006 in Bonn "Prosperity and Poverty in a Globalized World – Challenges for Agricultural Research"

E-learning for Agricultural Communities

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Germany

Abstract

Agricultural knowledge and new technologies of food production often do not reach the ultimate users: the farmers. E-learning transmits relevant information to farmers and educators, thus contributing to higher education and poverty alleviation. E-learning is seen as a means of increasing access to educational opportunities in rural areas and keeping pace with rapid changes within the agricultural sector. This study examines e-learning adoption trends within the agricultural producer community in Central-Java, Indonesia. Whereas e-learning has reached early or late adoption status within other sectors, such as in the IT sector, Economy and Management, Indonesian Agri-Business have yet to "jump on board". Numerous reasons were noted, including: Rising cost of traditional, classroom-based training , long distances from peripheral regions to centres for education , lack of teachers for agricultural production, internet and computer access in Central-Java , wide spread Mobile telephony in the rural areas , computer skills for Indonesian farmers, low production costs for e-Learning , and sustainability of e-Learning courses for Agri-Business. The study did note various agricultural e-learning initiatives of online university courses and programs. Specific objectives of the project are to: (1) train interested farmers, agricultural researchers, educators in the production and use of e-learning courses , (2) Produce e-learning materials on agricultural production methods , (3) introduce the materials in selected communities, (4) support their technical delivery and provide the hardware. The production of desirable e-learning courses with free ware Content Management Systems (CMS) and the written survey would be published and of interest to regional government, e-learning developers and agricultural producers. The author set out to understand e-learning adoption trends, barriers and opportunities within Indonesian agricultural sector. The study will also examine potential benefits of e-learning to the agricultural sector. Opportunities are noted, along with best practices to assist those who wish to develop e-learning products and services for this sector.

Keywords: CMS, e-learning, education, free ware

Contact Address: Agata Monika Jagoda, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Mareschstr. 9, 12055  Berlin, Germany, e-mail: infomathe-agrar.de