KODE – Kimmage Open and Distance Education
A programme of Kimmage Development Studies Centre (KDSC), Dublin

KODE was launched by Minister of State for Overseas Development Mr. Peter Power TD on 3rd March 2009.  It offers a range of practical courses to development workers – particularly those working in the field at community level projects in Africa.  KODE has put in place a 'blended' learning package for students which includes in-country workshops, specialized tutor support , a dedicated website to facilitate student communication and, essentially, full course material/content on CD.  This learning method facilitates participants to work through the concepts, principles and practice of each course topic at their own pace, in their own time to gain key skills in each of the subject areas.

The modular courses developed to date include:
> Project Planning and Proposal Writing (PPPW) – 8 weeks
> Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) – 4 weeks
> Project Management and Accountability (PMA) – 4 weeks

Courses under development in 2009 include Sustainable Livelihoods, Introduction to Development Issues and Addressing Gender Based Violence.

KODE Model
Each course begins with a one day workshop, this allows the student group in each country to come together and also meet with their dedicated tutor.   Kimmage DSC acknowledges the value of this face-to-face interaction between students themselves and  the tutor.  During the workshop, the tutor leads the students through their comprehensive study guide, estimated hours of study per unit, the course material in detail (cd or can also be printed as hard copy) and register on the KODE website. 

Students are also informed about the course requirements including assignments and participation on the KODE website's bulletin board.  The bulletin board is particularly effective as each course has been piloted in a number of countries simultaneously.  Each week students are encouraged to discuss a topic relevant to the unit of study (posted by the course co-ordinator), to contribute their experiences and share practical issues.  The bulletin board element of the website has proved to be very popular with students.  The website also provides a private forum which allow students to upload and discuss their assignments with the tutor.  Throughout the course, the tutor is available to give encouragement, guidance and support to the students via the website or if necessary by phone.

The PPPW course facilitates a mid-way workshop after 4 weeks to allow students to regroup.  On completion, each of the course participants receives a course certificate from KDSC/KODE.  We are currently investigating the possibility of formal accreditation.

Each course has been specifically adapted for distance learning from course notes from KDSC lecturers.  All necessary permissions and copyrights have been acquired.  The participants are not required to access libraries or additional reading.  Full real-life case studies are an integral part of each course. 

Course Details

PROJECT PLANNING & PROPOSAL WRITING

Eight week course enables participants to:

• Understand and apply best practice standards when planning projects;
• Learn or up grade participatory planning skills;
• Create effective Logical Frameworks;
• Write impressive project plans and proposals and improve fund raising capacity.

Unit 1:             Participation and Culture
Unit 2:             Participatory Planning in Action
Unit 3:             Results Driven Planning
Unit 4:             Logical Framework Analysis
Unit 5:             Preparing & Writing the Project Proposal

MONITORING & EVALUATION

Four week course enables participants to:

• Understand and apply best practice standards when planning projects;
• Learn why monitoring is key to successful implementation and management of projects;
• Create a monitoring plan, write clear terms of reference for evaluations
• Write professional and useful evaluation reports.

Unit 1:             Monitoring in Perspective
Unit 2:             Monitoring in Practice
Unit 3:             Evaluation in Perspective
Unit 4:             Evaluation in Practice

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY (Available November '09)

Four week course enables participants to:

• Understand the importance of accountability and good governance in the development sector;
• Understand the role managers play in creating a culture of accountability;
• Design human resource policies and procedures;
• Prepare, monitor and manage budgets;
  
• Implement financial control systems and prepare key financial statements.

  Unit 1:             Leadership – Creating a Culture of Accountability
  Unit 2:             People Power – Accountable Human Resource Management
  Unit 3:             All About Budgets – Preparing, Monitoring and Reporting
  Unit 4:             Accounting for All of It – The Full Financial Story

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS (Available January '10)

This course will empower development workers/learners to:

• Understand the history and evolution of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
• Use the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to analyse the complexities and dynamics of poverty
• Conduct a Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis in the field
• Plan projects from a Sustainable Livelihoods perspective

  Unit 1:             Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
  Unit 2:             Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
  Unit 3:             Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis
  Unit 4:             Sustainable Livelihoods in Practice

Prices and Payment Information

Organisations:
4 week course €750
8 week course €950

Organisation Rates (Discounts for Each course):
More than 2 participants      20% discount
More than 5 participants      35% discount

Individual Rate:
4 week course €500
8 week course €700

KODE courses have been developed with the assistance of Irish Aid.

www.kimmagedsc.ie
www.kodeonline.com

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