Course Overview

Data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) have always been integral parts of development work. In the past, these tasks were performed with paper and pen, which made them prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs. Information and communication technology (ICT) tools, including hardware like mobile phones and tablets, applications with the capacity to create digital surveys, and software that allows users to upload data to storage facilities in real-time, have reduced the conventional challenges associated with remote data collection and M&E.

DURATION  5 Days.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of training participants will:

• Understand various data collection techniques and data processing methods

• Design data collection tools in ODK and Kobo Toolbox
• Learn how to use mobile phones in data collection
• Learn how to integrate socio economic data with GPS coordinates

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction

Mobile Data gathering

• Benefits of Mobile Applications
• Data and types of Data
• Introduction to  common mobile based data collection platforms
• Managing devices
• Challenges of Data Collection
• Data aggregation, storage and dissemination
• Questionnaire Design

Getting started in ODK

• Types of questions
• Data types for each question
• Types of questionnaire or Form logic
• Extended data types geoid, image and multimedia

Module 2: Survey Authoring and Preparation of mobile phone for data collection

Survey Authoring

• Design forms using a web interface using:
  • ODK Build
  • Koboforms
  • PurcForms
• Hands-on Exercise 

Preparing the mobile phone for data collection

• Installing applications: ODK Collect
  • Using Google play
  • Manual install (.apk files)
• Configuring the device (Mobile Phones)
• Uploading the form into the mobile devices
• Hands-on Exercise

 Module 3: Designing forms and advanced survey authoring

Designing forms manually: Using XLS Forms

• Introduction to XLS forms syntax
• New data types
• Notes and dates
• Multiple choice Questions
• Multiple Language Support
• Hints and Metadata
• Hands-on Exercise

Advanced survey Authoring

• Conditional Survey Branching
  • Required questions
  • Constraining responses
  • Skip: Asking Relevant questions
  • The specify other
• Grouping questions
  • Skipping many questions at once (Skipping a section)
• Repeating a set of questions
• Special formatting
• Making dynamic calculations

Module 4: Hosting survey data

Hosting survey data (Online)

• ODK Aggregate
• Formhub
• ona.io
• KoboToolbox
• Uploading forms to the server

Hosting Survey Data (Configuring a local server)

Configuring ODK Aggregate on a local server

Downloading data

• Manual download (ODK Briefcase)
• Using the online server interface
• Module 5: Working with Spatial data (GPS Coordinates)

• Spatial Mapping
• Introduction to Fusion Table
• Exporting GPS Coordinates (Google maps) to Fusion tables
• Exporting data to Fusion tables using QGIS
• Converting data to shape files

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training approach is highly interactive. It uses a mixture of presentations by the facilitator and by participant(s), group or individual exercises, use of case studies and role plays. These proven learning techniques enhance understanding and retention of covered issues

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training on project performance evaluation course, participants will be issued with a certificate.

Tailor-Made Course 

We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide training needs. A training needs assessment will be done on the training participants to collect data on the existing skills, knowledge gaps, training expectations and tailor-made needs.