Design of the peer-to-peer learning process and learning content
As a first major task in the making of Intellectual Output 2, the project partnership carried out the
DESIGN AND DESCRIPTION OF THE LEARNING METHODOLOGY
which contains the process and the planning of the learning schedule with all the necessary elements for the successful implementation of the intergenerational peer-to-peer learning process: face-to-face workshops and online sessions, communication channels and tools to be used (interactive lessons, online platform, mobile apps), micro-exercises, templates. Accordingly, we have developed two different methodological documents, a WiseFarmer methodology, as well as a Guide for participants (farmers and facilitators).
WISEFARMER METHODOLOGY
During the development of the methodology all partners collaborated by providing their experience, proven techniques, lessons learned and reviewing the development process and the result. The foundations and the basic principles of the learning program were laid down by GAK (Coordinator) in the project proposal document. Based on the concept, the Methodology document describes the mentoring and facilitation roles, tasks, and related ethic concerns and rules in detail, providing a strong methodological background to the following core activities of the project. The WiseFarmer Methodology is a targeted selection of innovative learning methods and state-of-the-art technology, discussed in the document with relevant examples and references, which allows other stakeholders in different countries, regions and locations to exploit project results. The Methodology is shared on the project website (www.wisefarmer.eu/results) and after validation during the pilot learning activities it will be published as open asset in the WiseFarmer Handbook as well, to support the implementation of similar learning programmes.
WISEFARMER GUIDE FOR PARTICIPANTS (FARMERS AND FACILITATORS)
The guide aims to provide useful, practical information about the learning programme for farmers and advisors (facilitators) participating in the programme, and to serve as a guideline in the learning process. WiseFarmer project brings together the younger and older farm generations for the exchange of their different experiences, from one side in the use of digital tools, from the other side the crucial farming practices based on local knowledge. The facilitators in the WiseFarmer project are experienced agricultural/rural advisors, who coordinate the learning process and support the participating mentor pairs (consisting of one young and one elder farmers) through face-to-face events and online collaboration during the whole learning process. Facilitators are experts who are already in the field, working for many years supporting farmers, experienced, competent and neutral from business interests.
After the methodological preparations and documentations, the WiseFarmer consortium partners turned their attention and working efforts to the development of learning content, including its main structural building blocks, serving as categories, also titled as the
MAIN WISEFARMER THEMES
which were based on the results achieved in the previous work phase by the analysis of the WiseFarmer project’s survey among farmers, taking into consideration the specific properties of the two piloting countries, Serbia and Hungary.
The identified main themes are:
• Innovative production technologies;
• Applications for grants and e-government;
• Sales and purchases;
• Risk management;
• Farm administration and management.
Also during this work tasks, we documented the following
FIVE GOOD PRACTICES
Related to the use of smart technologies and solutions in farming:
1. Observing agricultural data at the field level using mobile app and device;
2. Tracking the motion of farm machinery by GPS logger and automation apps, displaying on real time online map, connected to farm management software;
3. Pest forecast insect pheromone trap combined with android device for remote monitoring;
4. IoT solution for tracking the position of grazing animal (beef cattle), monitoring temperature and other data with visualization in a web browser;
5. Using NDVI satellite data on parcel map to follow the status of vegetation of plantations and crops, connected to farm management software.
LEARNING CONTENT PREPARATION FOR DIGITAL SKILLS
In order to support the learning process during the so called Pilot phase with learning materials at hand, the consortium designed the main possible modules, with a recommended learning path, according to the developed methodology and the original project proposal. To give a short summary of our approach, in the first half of the programme we start with the introduction of the used channels and tools (mobile device, video chat and the e-learning platforms) followed by the content for basic internet usage (searching, down/uploading, file types, etc.) and the government gateway; while in the second half, emphasis is on the documented good practices, allowing even more flexibility for the pairs and the facilitator, to select the offered learning content like from a ‘menu’ of themes, practices and elements (and they are also invited to bring in their own good practices). The modules usually contain a short introduction, a document attachment (ppt, pdf, word), video, interactive content (H5P), questions (quiz) and the problem-solving oriented exercise tailored separately for the two sides of the pairs (according to real farming context), and with separate remarks concerning the potential role of the facilitator.
For the support of the learning documentation, we prepared guides for the video chat and e-learning modules as well. Parallel with the learning module, the partners designed a Knowledge Base, which will contain useful information about the technologies used during the learning process and collaboration phases. The form for online enrolment of learning participants was also prepared.
As the last major step of this busy work package, the project planned and prepared the learning materials for the
FACILITATOR TRAINING
which is to be offered for those farm advisors who will assist the farmer pairs during the learning Pilot. Because the online proportion of the blended programme is expected to increase due to the situation of the pandemic, causing restrictions in travel and reduction or elimination of face-to-face group meetings during the fall 2020, an additional emphasis was put on the topic of digital facilitation, beside the planned elements of communication, customer relations, conflict handling, as well as the technical information related to the Pilot implementation (platforms, channels, tools, tasks, etc.).