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Distance Learning
& Education
The distance learning Working group:
Development of an IPM distance learning course
Cornell has a longstanding, well established, thorough and popular
course in IPM Ento/PPath 444. To reach wider audiences and to
increase the quality of the existing IPM course the program has
been investing in the development of further electronic media and
distance learning facilities. In 2001 the program invested in
developing a new web based course framework and one module on the
use of sterile male to manage insect pests. The module includes an
on line simulation of the Curaçao model. The work was supported by
a grant from CIIFAD.
In 2001-2 the project was awarded an innovation in teaching grant
by Cornell University. The grant will enable the program to
complete the development of the distance learning full course in
2003.
Soil
health: Distance learning course:
In the last year, Dr. Janice Thies has developed an on line course
in Soil Health. The course, is build up as 45-50 minute modules
that can be augmented to cover specific needs as the course
develops. It is presented as a streaming in line video that covers
the principal areas of soil health as it relates to understanding
the soil biota and its ecology. Topics covered so far include an
introduction, the soil habitat, the rhizosphere, soil ecology, the
various components of the soil biota, soil metabolism, methods of
studying soil biology and ecology. Further topics will include
soil ecosystem structure and function, soil ‘architecture’,
diversity of soil biota, traditional and modern methods of
microbial measurement, organic matter decomposition and nutrient
cycling. Special topics will include: beneficial symbioses,
biological control of plant pathogens, bioremediation and
composting of organic wastes. The course has been used on line to
teach the course in Korea. The course can be accessed by
registered students by clicking on the title.
Contact: Dr. Janice Thies at
jet25@cornell.edu
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