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Leveraging instructional design and learning theories
to improve productivity in smallholder systems:
The FEAST experience
Iddo Dror, Head of Capacity Development, ILRI
International Conference on Integrated Systems Research
Ibadan, Nigeria, 3-5 March 2015

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The Problem – some context:
FEAST Learning Development:
• Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers in Africa depend on livestock for their
livelihoods. Feed availability is currently a major constraint to increasing
livestock productivity in many countries.
• To help address this, ILRI scientists developed the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST),
which is a systematic method to assess local feed resource availability and use.
FEAST helps in the design of intervention strategies that will optimize feed
utilization and animal production.
• ILRI has been developing this tool over the past six years. It has been tested and
tried in various sites across Africa and South Asia, using an on-site, classroom-
based training course for the staff of partner organizations seeking to adopt FEAST.
• However, even after completing the training course, some users continued to
struggle with the tool. Furthermore, delivering the training on-site in host countries
posed a considerable travel and logistical burden on ILRI’s staff, to the detriment of
other projects.

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Our solution: (whiteboard animation summary)
FEAST Learning Development:

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Strategic Objectives
FEAST Learning Development:
ILRI has launched a learning development initiative to help
the staff of our partner organizations:
• More effectively apply the Farmer-Centred Diagnosis
methodology to help smallholder farming communities
improve access to livestock feed
• Develop computer and data analysis skills to take full
advantage of the utilities in the Feed Assessment Tool
(FEAST)
• Write comprehensive, well-organized reports to clearly
communicate findings & recommendations
• Create project plans for seeing recommended livestock
feed interventions through to successful completion

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New learning offerings will include:
• Enhanced Classroom
Training
– Redesigned course materials
focused on skill development
– Hands-on activities
– Resources for instructors
• Online Tutorials
– Videos & e-learning activities,
available anywhere, any time
• New Forms & Job Aids
– For reference in the field
The Solution
FEAST Learning Development:

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For organizations applying
the FEAST Tool /
Methodology, we have
identified four key
competencies required for
success:
• Research Skills
• Computer Skills
• Report Writing Skills
• Project Management Skills
Learning Objectives
FEAST Learning Development:

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Class participants will learn to
collect better data by:
• Applying proven techniques
for leading productive focus
group discussions
• Developing interview skills
to gather more complete
data from farmers
• Using the interview /
discussion guides included
in the FEAST Tool
Research Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

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Participants will receive hands-
on practice using the FEAST
Data Template to:
• Track and analyze data
collected from farmers
• Calculate key metrics for
feed availability, animal
nutrition, farmer income &
economic factors
• Produce graphs to support
findings & recommendations
in reports
Computer & Data Analysis Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

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Course features activities to
help learners:
• Recognize good writing /
well-organized reports
• Present findings with
appropriate supporting data,
graphs, etc.
• Clearly explain
recommendations for
livestock feed interventions
and why they should work
in local context
Report Writing Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

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Participants will learn how to:
• Analyze costs, benefits and
risks of recommendations to
focus on interventions with
highest likelihood of success
• Draft actionable plans for
implementing recommended
livestock feed interventions
• Coordinate with local
stakeholders to secure
resources, implement plan,
measure impact
Project Management Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

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• Improve ILRI classroom
experience, help partners
conduct their own sessions
• Course built around field
exercise, hands-on activities
• Materials include presentation
slides, sample templates &
reports, stand-alone player
for eLearning activities (even
without Internet)
• Instructor guide provides
notes and sample script
Delivery: Classroom
FEAST Learning Development:

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By delivering courses in an
online version, we can:
• Expand audience without
increasing travel time / costs
for ILRI staff + partners
• Allow participants to learn at
their own pace, on their own
schedule
• Provide training exactly
when needed (i.e.,
immediately prior to start of
Farmer-Centred Diagnosis)
Delivery: Online
FEAST Learning Development:

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Redesigned Forms & Job Aids
FEAST Learning Development:
• Redesigned data collection forms to include tips for
facilitators, recommended follow-up questions and overview
of FEAST process for reference in the field

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Instructional Design enabled the project to:
• Revise and expand classroom instruction
• Adapt course for online delivery
• Develop hands-on classroom and eLearning activities
• Design new FEAST forms and reference guides
• Work carried out in partnership with Sonata Learning,
a firm specialized in learning development.
Instructional Design Matters!
FEAST Learning Development:

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Evaluation
FEAST Learning Development:
We plan to employ the following to help gauge the
effectiveness of the course:
• Pre- and post-assessment tests to compare immediate
improvement / retention
• Follow-up surveys / performance reviews to participants and
their supervisors
• Comparison of work products of course participants to those
from FCD’s carried out prior to initiative

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Conclusion
FEAST Learning Development:
By measurably improving our learning offerings to partner
organizations, we hope to measurably improve access to
livestock feed resources in the communities we serve.

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Online Resources Demo
FEAST Learning Development:
Review resources online.

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Placing Instructional Design in the broader CGIAR context:
FEAST Learning Development:
• Capacity development is recognized as a crucial and strategic
enabler in the journey from research outputs to development
outcomes.
• The CGIAR CapDev Framework takes a broad, holistic
approach, with nine elements defined, of which one on: “Design
and delivery of innovative learning materials and approaches”.
• This includes:
– Content development
– Adult learning theory and instructional design
– Harnessing technology for CapDev initiatives

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That’s all folks!
Thank you for your attention!
Questions?
For more info contact i.dror@cgiar.org
FEAST Learning Development:

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Discussion Question #1
Learning Development
Discuss the following question with one or more people seated
near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:
• Which of the skill sets covered in the previous slides are
most needed in your organization?
• Are there any other skills not listed that you think would be
helpful to successful development and implement livestock
feed interventions?

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Discussion Question #2
Learning Development
Discuss the following question with one or more people seated
near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:
• What other possible methods / metrics could ILRI use to
evaluate the success of the learning development initiative?
• How could ILRI and its partners ensure that necessary data
is collected to track effectiveness of program?

The presentation has a Creative Commons license. You are free to re-use or distribute this work, provided credit is
given to ILRI.
better lives through livestock
ilri.org