Technology

Training Course In Mobile Data Collection, Analysis And Mapping Using ODK

ODK or Open Data Kit is a set of free and open-source tools that are used for field data collection using Android mobile phones (Devices) and allows data submission to an online or cloud server.

Howto

March 2, 2021

Course Details

Course Name: Training Course In Mobile Data Collection, Analysis, And Mapping Using ODK

Delivery Mode: Classroom-based

Course Duration: 5 Days

Course Price: USD 1,100.00 or KES 75,000.00

Registration Link: Click here to register

Course Description

ODK or Open Data Kit is a set of free and open-source tools that are used for field data collection using Android mobile phones (Devices) and allows data submission to an online or cloud server. The ODK – Open Data Kit ecosystem includes the following components: ODK Collect, ODK Build, XLSForm, ODK Aggregate, and ODK Manage as the major components. Other tools in the ODK ecosystem include ODK Briefcase, ODK Aggregate VM, ODK XLSForm Converter, ODK Validate, GEOODK, ODK Scanner, ODK Printers, and the ODK Sensor Framework.

The other tools that were inspired by the ODK ecosystem including but not limited to Kobotoolbox which is also free and open-source, Ona.io, and Survey CTO which have a free trial period and a premium version with added functionalities and unlimited survey data storage capacity.

Other commonly used mobile data collection tools include CSPro for android (CS Entry), Magpi (Regular data collection and also supports SMS data Collection), fulcrum, mobenzi, visitbasis, dimagi, zapier amongst many others.

This training course will focus on the popularly used free and open-source tools for mobile data collection but will also give a mention to the other mobile data collection tools available.

If you have always wanted to learn how to collect, manage, visualize and analyze project field data using mobile phones and devices, this ODK training course is for you.

Introduction

Advances in information technology have opened exciting new avenues for how research is conducted and mobile data collection is done, with huge implications to monitoring and evaluation (M&E). One of these advances is the use of Mobile Data Collection (MDC). Instead of collecting data on paper using a pen, which is then manually entered into a database for analysis, data is input into a device that is then capable of exporting directly into a centralized database for data processing and analysis.

Mobile Data collection has always been an integral part of development work. In the past, this task was performed with paper and pen which made it prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs.

Mobile data collection (MDC) tools and technologies such as mobile devices and software such as Open Data Kit (ODK) that allow users to create surveys, collect, manage and upload data to storage facilities in real-time, have reduced the conventional challenges associated with remote data collection.

Open data kit commonly referred to as ODK is a set of popular free and open-source tools that allow us to collect data using mobile devices.

If you have always wanted to learn how to collect, manage and analyze data using mobile devices, this training course is for you.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is suitable for anyone who is interested in learning how to collect and manage project data using mobile devices and Open Data Kit – ODK tools.

Requirements

This course is designed for participants who are reasonably proficient in English and have an understanding of basic ICT concepts. No prior knowledge of ODK is required.

Duration

5 Days

Course Objectives

The course will introduce participants to tools and techniques to gather data for project/program outcomes to stakeholders using innovative Mobile data collection tools such as ODK and other implementations of the ODK technologies.

At the end of the course, you will be able to design a mobile data collection, analysis, and reporting platform using ODK.

Tools To Be Covered

ODK Collect
ODK Build
ODK aggregate
ODK Validate
ODK Briefcase
ODK XLSForm
ODK Javarosa

What You Will Learn

By the end of the training the participants will be able to:

Create survey forms using ODK Build or XLSForms
Set up ODK Build, ODK Collect and ODK Aggregate
Upload forms to an ODK Aggregate server
Load forms into ODK Collect on an Android device
Use ODK Collect for mobile data collection with field participants
Upload survey data from ODK Collect to ODK Aggregate
Export and Analyse data from ODK Aggregate

Course Contents

Module I

ICT Refresher
Introduction to Mobile Data Collection (MDC)
Benefits of Mobile Data Collection (MDC)
Challenges facing Mobile Data Collection and their workaround
Introduction to the ODK ecosystem
Introduction to basic ODK XLSForm syntax for survey authoring

Module II

Getting started – Survey authoring using ODK XLSForm

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

Form Validation and Conversion for ODK

Converting XLSForm to xml forms using ODK xlsform(Online and Offline).
ODK Validate for validating XML forms
Troubleshooting common syntax errors

Device calibration (Mobile Phones/Tablets) – ODK Collect

Introduction to ODK Collect
ODK Collect installation and configuration
Uploading forms into ODK Collect manually
Downloading form into ODK Collect from ODK Aggregate server
Hands-on Exercise

Hosting survey data (Online) – ODK Aggregate

Introduction to Google app engine for ODK
Introduction to ODK Aggregate
ODK Aggregate – Download and setup
ODK Aggregate administration and calibration
Data analysis in ODK aggregate

Module III

Intermediate Survey Authoring for ODK

New data types
Notes and dates
Multiple-choice Questions
Multiple Language Support
Hints, metadata, and more
Conditional Survey Branching
Required questions
Constraining responses
Skip: Asking Relevant questions
The specify (other)
Grouping questions.
Skipping many questions at once (Skipping a section)

Hands-on Exercises

Module IV

Advanced Survey Authoring for ODK

Repeating a set of questions
Special formatting
Making dynamic calculations
Survey Styling and formatting – Working with the appearance column
Working with media files
Cascading select
External selects
Conducting Longitudinal surveys

Hands-on Exercises

Module V

Form Design using web platforms

KoBo ToolBox
ODK Build

Downloading data

Downloading data from ODK Aggregate
Introduction to ODK Briefcase
Download and setup ODK Briefcase
ODK Briefcase calibration and administration

Hand-on Exercise

Presentation of course project by participants

Action plan

Closure

Methodology

The instructor-led training is delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professionals and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

Accreditation

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued a certificate of participation.

Training Venue

The training is residential and will be held at T4D Training Centre in Westlands Nairobi, Kenya. The course fees cover the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

All participants will additionally cater for their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

Tailor-Made

We can also tailor-make our courses for you. This way, you/your organization will benefit by:

Using their own tools during the training
Being able to choose areas of interest you wish the trainer to put more emphasis on
Taking the course in-house or at a venue of choice
Cutting on the cost of transport and accommodation

For further inquiries, please contact us on details below:

Email: outreach@t4d.co.ke

Mobile: +254706909947

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

Email: outreach@t4d.co.ke

Mobile Number: +254706909947

Training Fee

The course fee is KES 75,000.00 or USD 1,100.00 exclusive of VAT. The course fees cover the course tuition, training materials, two (2) break refreshments, lunch, and study visits. Participants will cater for their travel and accommodation costs.

Payment

Payment should be transferred to Tech For Development – T4D account through the bank on or before the course starting date.

Send proof of payment to outreach@t4d.co.ke

Cancellation Policy

Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
No refunds will be made 14 days or less to the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training at a later date, or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met

Please Note: The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure

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