Evaluation of Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT) Programme Offered through Open and Distance Learning: Analysis of Learners Feedback Misra Anil Kumar1, Dimri Anil Kumar2,* 1Additional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Senior Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India *Corresponding author: akdimri@ignou.ac.in
Online Published on 29 July, 2023. Abstract Programme evaluation is a continuous process to obtain feedback on the programme’s success and undertaken corrective measures to enhance the quality of the programme delivery and increase its acceptability among the stakeholders. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers various academic programmes through its learners’ support network across the countries. The educational programmes are conceived and developed at the Schools of Studies and implemented in the field by Regionale Centres (RCs) through its Learners Support Centres (LSCs). Accordingly, Schools of Agriculture(SOA) designed and launched several programmes at the postgraduate diploma, diploma and certificate level, and some useful awareness programmes. These programmes have attracted many learners over the years for their pursuit of learning. The rich programme content enables successful learners to get engaged themself in entrepreneurship and gainful self-employment in the agriculture and allied sector. The present study evaluates the usefulness and effectiveness of the Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT) offered by IGNOU by critically analysing its academic and administrative aspects. Therefore, the emphasis of the study remained on programme development and delivery issues. It included assessing the quality of self-learning material (SLM), counselling sessions to support learners, using assignments as a continuous evaluative tool, and term-end examination, considering mainly the learners’ and Academic Counsellors (ACs) perceptions. The issues and concerns of the DDT programmes evaluated were done as per CIPP (Context, Input, Process and Product) programme evaluation model. The fundamental objective of this study is to provide an analytical and rational basis for programme decision-making for the DDT programme, examined through a different aspect of evaluation –context, input, process and product evaluation. This study is the outcome of the survey conducted among the learners who completed the DDT programme. The essential parameters included in the programme assessment are assessing programme effectiveness in terms of knowledge generation, employability, entrepreneurship skills etc. Likert five-point scale, used for collection of data and the result of the same incorporated in the coherent frame of the study. The study’s findings further strengthen the programme development and delivery and provide constructive input to the university fraternity to improve the existing programme development and delivery. Thus, it is an evaluative study based on the learners’ feedback enrolled with the DDT programme under Lucknow and Aligarh region. Top Keywords Agriculture, CIPP, Programme Evaluation, DDT, IGNOU. Top |