1

Leveraging instructional design and learning theories

to improve productivity in smallholder systems:

The FEAST experience

Iddo Dror, Head of Capacity Development, ILRI

International Conference on Integrated Systems Research

Ibadan, Nigeria, 3-5 March 2015

2

The Problem – some context:FEAST Learning Development:

• Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers in Africa depend on livestock for their

livelihoods. Feed availability is currently a major constraint to increasing

livestock productivity in many countries.

• To help address this, ILRI scientists developed the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST),

which is a systematic method to assess local feed resource availability and use.

FEAST helps in the design of intervention strategies that will optimize feed

utilization and animal production.

• ILRI has been developing this tool over the past six years. It has been tested and

tried in various sites across Africa and South Asia, using an on-site, classroom-

based training course for the staff of partner organizations seeking to adopt FEAST.

• However, even after completing the training course, some users continued to

struggle with the tool. Furthermore, delivering the training on-site in host countries

posed a considerable travel and logistical burden on ILRI’s staff, to the detriment of

other projects.

3

Our solution: (whiteboard animation summary)

FEAST Learning Development:

4

Strategic ObjectivesFEAST Learning Development:

ILRI has launched a learning development initiative to help

the staff of our partner organizations:

• More effectively apply the Farmer-Centred Diagnosis

methodology to help smallholder farming communities

improve access to livestock feed

• Develop computer and data analysis skills to take full

advantage of the utilities in the Feed Assessment Tool

(FEAST)

• Write comprehensive, well-organized reports to clearly

communicate findings & recommendations

• Create project plans for seeing recommended livestock

feed interventions through to successful completion

5

New learning offerings will include:

• Enhanced Classroom

Training

– Redesigned course materials

focused on skill development

– Hands-on activities

– Resources for instructors

• Online Tutorials

– Videos & e-learning activities,

available anywhere, any time

• New Forms & Job Aids

– For reference in the field

The SolutionFEAST Learning Development:

6

For organizations applying

the FEAST Tool /

Methodology, we have

identified four key

competencies required for

success:

• Research Skills

• Computer Skills

• Report Writing Skills

• Project Management Skills

Learning ObjectivesFEAST Learning Development:

7

Class participants will learn to

collect better data by:

• Applying proven techniques

for leading productive focus

group discussions

• Developing interview skills

to gather more complete

data from farmers

• Using the interview /

discussion guides included

in the FEAST Tool

Research SkillsFEAST Learning Development:

8

Participants will receive hands-

on practice using the FEAST

Data Template to:

• Track and analyze data

collected from farmers

• Calculate key metrics for

feed availability, animal

nutrition, farmer income &

economic factors

• Produce graphs to support

findings & recommendations

in reports

Computer & Data Analysis SkillsFEAST Learning Development:

9

Course features activities to

help learners:

• Recognize good writing /

well-organized reports

• Present findings with

appropriate supporting data,

graphs, etc.

• Clearly explain

recommendations for

livestock feed interventions

and why they should work

in local context

Report Writing SkillsFEAST Learning Development:

10

Participants will learn how to:

• Analyze costs, benefits and

risks of recommendations to

focus on interventions with

highest likelihood of success

• Draft actionable plans for

implementing recommended

livestock feed interventions

• Coordinate with local

stakeholders to secure

resources, implement plan,

measure impact

Project Management SkillsFEAST Learning Development:

11

• Improve ILRI classroom

experience, help partners

conduct their own sessions

• Course built around field

exercise, hands-on activities

• Materials include presentation

slides, sample templates &

reports, stand-alone player

for eLearning activities (even

without Internet)

• Instructor guide provides

notes and sample script

Delivery: ClassroomFEAST Learning Development:

12

By delivering courses in an

online version, we can:

• Expand audience without

increasing travel time / costs

for ILRI staff + partners

• Allow participants to learn at

their own pace, on their own

schedule

• Provide training exactly

when needed (i.e.,

immediately prior to start of

Farmer-Centred Diagnosis)

Delivery: OnlineFEAST Learning Development:

13

Redesigned Forms & Job AidsFEAST Learning Development:

• Redesigned data collection forms to include tips for

facilitators, recommended follow-up questions and overview

of FEAST process for reference in the field

14

Instructional Design enabled the project to:

• Revise and expand classroom instruction

• Adapt course for online delivery

• Develop hands-on classroom and eLearning activities

• Design new FEAST forms and reference guides

• Work carried out in partnership with Sonata Learning,

a firm specialized in learning development.

Instructional Design Matters!FEAST Learning Development:

15

EvaluationFEAST Learning Development:

We plan to employ the following to help gauge the

effectiveness of the course:

• Pre- and post-assessment tests to compare immediate

improvement / retention

• Follow-up surveys / performance reviews to participants and

their supervisors

• Comparison of work products of course participants to those

from FCD’s carried out prior to initiative

16

ConclusionFEAST Learning Development:

By measurably improving our learning offerings to partner

organizations, we hope to measurably improve access to

livestock feed resources in the communities we serve.

17

Online Resources DemoFEAST Learning Development:

Review resources online.

18

Placing Instructional Design in the broader CGIAR context:

FEAST Learning Development:

• Capacity development is recognized as a crucial and strategic

enabler in the journey from research outputs to development

outcomes.

• The CGIAR CapDev Framework takes a broad, holistic

approach, with nine elements defined, of which one on: “Design

and delivery of innovative learning materials and approaches”.

• This includes:

– Content development

– Adult learning theory and instructional design

– Harnessing technology for CapDev initiatives

19

That’s all folks!

Thank you for your attention!

Questions?

For more info contact i.dror@cgiar.org

FEAST Learning Development:

20

Discussion Question #1Learning Development

Discuss the following question with one or more people seated

near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:

• Which of the skill sets covered in the previous slides are

most needed in your organization?

• Are there any other skills not listed that you think would be

helpful to successful development and implement livestock

feed interventions?

21

Discussion Question #2Learning Development

Discuss the following question with one or more people seated

near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:

• What other possible methods / metrics could ILRI use to

evaluate the success of the learning development initiative?

• How could ILRI and its partners ensure that necessary data

is collected to track effectiveness of program?

The presentation has a Creative Commons license. You are free to re-use or distribute this work, provided credit is

given to ILRI.

better lives through livestock

ilri.org