CTA and documentary microcomputing
As part of its mission to train the agricultural information services of the ACP states, CTA organizes introductory courses in documentary microcomputing. These courses consist of two stages: firstly; an introduction to the basics of microcomputing, and secondly, practice in the use of agricultural databases. Between the two stages each participant works individually on a project relevant to his or her particular needs, using the skills and knowledge acquired in stage one. The main aim of these courses is to give agricultural information and documentation staff a basic knowledge of documentary computing, sufficient for them to master the essentials of computerized documentation, so that they can use, and add to, agricultural databases. The course programme includes an initiation into basic microcomputing, training in the MS/DOS system, general teaching on the potential uses of documentary software and its practical application in compiling agricultural databases using simple software. It also includes an introduction to reference formats and their usage both inhouse and as part of computer-linked networks, and practical training in TEXTO and micro CDS/ISIS softwares. The individual projects, completed between the two stages of the course, represent a new departure in the training of professionals in the field of agricultural information. Springing from the first stage as they do, the projects help in the selection process for the second stage. By means of practical work they provide an opportunity for indepth study and use of the skills and knowledge gained in stage one. They also take into account the participants' personal needs and experience acquired from his own workplace. The subject matter of these projects includes bibliographical databases, lists of information sources, scientists and researchers, and factual databanks. The second innovative aspect of these courses is that the provision of technical documentation is both the tool used to raise the standard of the participants to the desired level and the basis from which to continue with the training themselves back home, thereby helping them to consolidate the skills they have acquired. The first-level courses were held last year in Bordeaux (France) with the help of the Ecole Internationale for the French-speakers and at Lilongwe, Malawi, for the English speakers in conjunction with SACCAR and the University of Botswana. The secondlevel courses will be held during the second half of 1991 in Senegal and Botswana.
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| Format: | News Item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
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Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
1991
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/45514 http://collections.infocollections.org/ukedu/en/d/Jcta33e/ |
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