TY - GEN
T1 - Exploring three approaches to offer distance learning courses through a social network of health researchers in three African countries
AU - Ingelbeen, Brecht
AU - Aryeetey, Richmond
AU - Khanna, Jitendra
AU - Niang, Mahamoudane
AU - Djientcheu, Vincent
AU - Kiyan, Carlos
AU - Maojo, Victor
AU - Lynen, Lutgarde
AU - Zolfo, Maria
AU - Ramirez-Robles, Maximo
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp hereby presents the results of two pilot distance learning training programmes, developed under the umbrella of the AFRICA BUILD project (FP7). The two courses focused on evidence-based medicine (EBM): with the aim of enhancing research and education, via novel approaches and to identify research needs emanating from the field. These pilot experiences, which were run both in English-speaking (Ghana), and French-speaking (Mali and Cameroon) partner institutions, produced targeted courses for the strengthening of research methodology and policy. The courses and related study materials are in the public domain and available through the AFRICA BUILD Portal (http://www.africabuild.eu/taxonomy/term/37); the training modules were delivered live via Dudal webcasts. This paper assesses the success and difficulties of transferring EBM skills with these two specific training programmes, offered through three different approaches: fully online facultative courses, fully online tutor supported courses or through a blended approach with both online and face-to-face sessions. Key factors affecting the selection of participants, the accessibility of the courses, how the learning resources are offered, and how interactive online communities are formed, are evaluated and discussed.
AB - The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp hereby presents the results of two pilot distance learning training programmes, developed under the umbrella of the AFRICA BUILD project (FP7). The two courses focused on evidence-based medicine (EBM): with the aim of enhancing research and education, via novel approaches and to identify research needs emanating from the field. These pilot experiences, which were run both in English-speaking (Ghana), and French-speaking (Mali and Cameroon) partner institutions, produced targeted courses for the strengthening of research methodology and policy. The courses and related study materials are in the public domain and available through the AFRICA BUILD Portal (http://www.africabuild.eu/taxonomy/term/37); the training modules were delivered live via Dudal webcasts. This paper assesses the success and difficulties of transferring EBM skills with these two specific training programmes, offered through three different approaches: fully online facultative courses, fully online tutor supported courses or through a blended approach with both online and face-to-face sessions. Key factors affecting the selection of participants, the accessibility of the courses, how the learning resources are offered, and how interactive online communities are formed, are evaluated and discussed.
KW - HIV/AIDS research
KW - distance learning courses
KW - evidence-based medicine
KW - low-resource settings
KW - reproductive health research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84906751382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/ISTAFRICA.2014.6880657
DO - 10.1109/ISTAFRICA.2014.6880657
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84906751382
SN - 9781905824441
T3 - 2014 IST-Africa Conference and Exhibition, IST-Africa 2014
BT - 2014 IST-Africa Conference and Exhibition, IST-Africa 2014
PB - IEEE Computer Society
T2 - 2014 IST-Africa Conference and Exhibition, IST-Africa 2014
Y2 - 6 May 2014 through 9 May 2014
ER -