AEE 506 ICTs FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION (2+1)
AND ADVISORY SERVICES
Objective
To orient ICT initiatives, smart/ disruptive technologies, data
analytics, knowledge management process and application aspects and
providing hands on experience in navigating ICTs.
Theory
Block 1: Introduction to Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) and E-extension
Unit 1: ICTs- Concepts and Status
ICTs- meaning, concepts, basics of ICTs, global and national status,
types and functions of ICTs, innovations, meaning of e-Governance,
e-learning, mLearning, advantages and limitations of ICTs.
Unit 2: ICTs in Knowledge Management
Knowledge management-meaning, approaches and tools. Role of
ICTs in Agricultural Knowledge Management.
Unit 3: e-Extension initiatives in Agriculture and allied sectors
e-Extension, overview on Global and national e-extension
initiatives, Inventory of e-Extension initiatives in Agriculture and allied
sectors from Central and State governments, ICAR, SAUs, private sector
and NGO initiatives in India.
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Block 2: Application of ICTs in Extension and Advisory Services
Unit 1: ICT Applications
Knowledge centres (tele centres), digital kiosks, websites and web
portals, community radio, farmers call centres, mobile phone based
advisory services and mobile applications (mExtension, mLearning),
Self-learning CDs on Package of practices, social media, digital videos,
Market Intelligence and Information Systems- ICT enabled SupplyChains and Value-Chains/ e-Marketing (e-NAM, Agmarknet, etc.).
Unit 2: ICT Expert Systems
Expert System/ Decision Support System/ Management Information
Systems, Farm Health Management & Intelligence System for Plant
Health, Animal Health, Soil Health, Fishery, Water, Weather, etc.
Unit 3: ICT Networks
Global and regional knowledge networks, international information
management systems, e-Learning platforms (MOOCS, Course CCRA,
EduEx, etc), e-Governance Systems; digital networks among extension
personnel, Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs)/ SHGs/ Farmers
Groups.
Block 3: Knowledge Management and Standards
Unit 1: Policies in Knowledge Management
Global policy/ Standards on e-Governance, National policy on egovernance, Open Data / Open Gov Standards and Open Source etc;
Language Technology Applications; National e-Agriculture policy/
Strategies/ guidelines.
Unit 2: Web Standards
Web standards, creating and writing for web portals, development
of mobile applications, developing digital videos- story board- video
recording- video editing, types of blogs and writing guidelines.
Unit 3: Social Media Applications to engage audience
Video conference, live streaming and webinars, types and functions
of social media applications, guidelines for preparing social media
content, engaging audience and data-analytics.
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Block 4: Smart and Disruptive Technologies and Advanced
Analytics for Agricultural Extension
Unit 1: Smart Technologies
Open technology computing facilities, System for data analytics/
mining/ modelling/Development of Agricultural simulations; Remote
Sensing, GIS, GPS, Information Utility (AIU); disruptive technologiesAnalysis; Internet of Things (IoTs), Drones, Artificial intelligence (AI),
block chain technology, social media and Big Data analytics for
extension.
Unit 2: Human Computer Interactions
Human Centered Learning/Ergonomics/ Human Computer
Interactions-Meaning; Theories of multimedia learning – Sweller’s
cognitive load theory, Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning,
Schnotz’s integrative model of text and picture comprehension, van
Merriënboer’s four-component instructional design model for multimedia
learning; Basic Principles of Multimedia Learning – Split-attention,
Modality, Redundancy, Coherence, Signaling, segmenting, pre-training,
personalisation, voice embodiment; Advanced principles – Guided
discovery, worked examples, Self-explanation, drawing, feedback,
multiple representation, Learner control, animation, collaboration, prior
knowledge, and working memory. Designing ICT gadgets based on
human interaction principles – Interactive design-Meaning, importance;
Approaches of interactive design – user-centered design, activity centered
design, systems design, and genius design; Methods of interactive design
- Usability testing methods.
Practicals - Content and client engagement analysis
- Designing extension content for ICTs
- Creating and designing web portals, blogs, social media pages
- Developing digital videos
- Live streaming extension programmes and organising webinars
- Working with Farmers call centres
54 - Engaging with professional digital networks
- Writing for digital media
References - BARBER, J., MANGNUS, E. AND BITZER, V., 2016, Harnessing
ICT for agricultural extension. KIT Working Paper 2016: 4. https:/
/ 213ou636sh0ptphd141fqei1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/sed/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2016/11/KIT_WP2016-4_Harnessing-ICTfor-agricultural-extension.pdf - ANNONYMOUS, 2011, E-learning methodologies a guide for
designing and developing e-learning courses. Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations.http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/
i2516e/ i2516e.pdf - HEIKE BAUMÜLLER, 2018, The little we know: An exploratory
literature review on the utility of mobile phone enabled services for
smallholder farmers. J. Int. Dev., 30: 134-154. - MAYER, R. E., 2005, The Cambridge handbook of multimedia
learning. University of Cambridge, New York. - MEERA, S. N., 2017, Disruptive Technologies – Big Data and
Internet of Things in Strengthening Extension & Advisory Services.
Blog 68.Agricultural Extension in South Asia. http://
http://www.aesanetwork.org/disruptive-technologies-big-data-andinternet-of-things-instrengthening-extension-advisory-services/ - PREECE, J., ROGERS, Y., AND PREECE, J., 2007, Interaction
design: Beyond human-computer interaction. Chichester: Wiley. - SARAVANAN, R., KATHIRESAN, C., AND INDRA, D. T. 2011,
(Eds.) Information and Communication Technology for Agriculture
and Rural Development, New India Publishing Agency (NIPA), New
Delhi. - ANNONYMOUS, 2017, ICT in Agriculture (Updated Edition):
Connecting Smallholders to Knowledge, Networks, and Institutions.
Washington, DC: World Bank. https://openknowledge. worldbank.
org/handle/10986/27526