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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Whether on their laptops or BAMSI's computer lab, agriculture students Shadrick Farrington and Steven Rolle (in glasses) can access EBSCO and the newly acquired distance learning platform
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With the launch of two web-based platforms aimed at strengthening the Institute’s position as a centre for research, and supporting its mission to increase community engagement through distance learning, Executive Director Dr Raveenia Roberts Hanna said the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has experienced an exponential surge to its technology platform with the start of the 2016 Fall semester.
The addition of a web portfolio that supports online courses and distance learning, and the increased holdings of the Institute’s Library and Information Services through EBSCOhost Research Database has far reaching implications for the Institute, now entering its third year of operation.
Dr Hanna said the technology upgrade advances the mission of the Institute to infiltrate the furthest corners of the archipelago, sharing knowledge, bridging the gap and building a community of educated farmers. “The Flexi-Choice Program [the distance learning application] and EBSCO together represent the future of learning – students are no longer tied to the classroom, physical books, even pens and paper – and also point to BAMSI’s ability to enlarge the wealth of knowledge students have access to.”
According to Dr. Hanna, the Flexi-Choice Program has both an online and on-campus component. Students complete the theoretical portion of the course online and then visit the campus for a short period over the summer to complete the practical component. “This gives students the right amount of freedom, motivation and support to fit relevant BAMSI courses such as backyard farming, introduction to horticulture and introduction to aquaculture, into their schedules.”
An equally important addition to the Institute’s arsenal is the presence of EBSCO, an online reference system that gives students, faculty and administration access to some 12,000 academic and scientific journals related to agriculture, marine science and aquaculture. With EBSCO coming onstream, it now means that research completed by educators, scientists and professionals at the top of their field globally can now be accessed by students and staff. BAMSI also intends to share its new platform with communities where it has an office. Residents, students and farmers can visit BAMSI in Long Island, Eleuthera, Andros and Grand Bahama to complete research assignments, and build their knowledge base on a particular subject.
Agribusiness and economics lecturer Jeri Kelly, who hosts the Institutes first online course – agribusiness management and entrepreneurship, said the online portal broadens the scope of BAMSI’s reach - opening the door for the Institute to tap into a wider audience for its courses, increasing its footprint in the education, agriculture and marine science sectors and establishing its brand on a global scale.
The adoption of the new system will allow BAMSI to conduct online courses which, in practical terms, means “continued growth, continued expansion, gives the Institute the ability to reach out to new markets, new islands, and it is our hope to see international students utilising our course offerings and the online program allows that,” Ms. Kelly noted.
In a practical sense, the learning platform, allows educators to “provide recorded lectures; you can also interact with students through chat/discussion forums,” Ms. Kelly said. “It also allows students to work together to complete assignments, which in turn assists with team building - all from the comfort of your home or on the go”.
The institute currently has two courses in session, post harvest management and agribusiness management and entrepreneurship – with three students participating in the initial trial. Going forward the agribusiness course will be offered online exclusively. For the January term, BAMSI’s agrotourism course is also expected to be offered online, as well as a number of short courses for public consumption.
The new platform also allows BAMSI to bring the Institute’s resources to Family Island communities. “Our location can be a challenge, persons may want additional information or to participate in one of our short courses, but may not be able to relocate. This allows them to receive the necessary information because it acts as an educational bridge for the Bahamas and for BAMSI,” Ms. Kelly said.
Second year agriculture student O’Kendo Armbrister, who hails from Exuma, is currently taking principles of agribusiness. “The course is quite simple. There is no face to face interaction, but I do not miss that because the information is straightforward and simple. There is no need for a conversation, but if there was a need I could send her a message to discuss my concerns.
“The course is really good, really simple. And I actually prefer the online process more than the in-class setting because I can do it at my own pace. I can schedule my own time to do the assignments within the week.”
One aspect of distance learning however that many students grapple with is the ability to be disciplined without the physical presence of a lecturer. Based on his own experience Mr. Armbrister said, “You have to discipline yourself. You have to know that this is what you want and this is what you have to do. You only need about an hour to read the pdf and then write your comments or answer the question – it’s not very time consuming.”
**Registration for BAMSI’s online courses and the 2017 Spring Semester are currently open. Interested persons should contact the school in North Andros at 329.1700. In New Providence, contact BAMSI’s main office at 397.6580 or visit us in the Levy Building, East Bay Street. Family Island residents should contact their Island Administrator’s Office for application forms and more information.
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