Ανοιχτή και Εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση στην Πιστοποίηση Γεωργικών Συμβούλων: Προτάσεις Βελτίωσης της Εκπαιδευτικής Εμπειρίας από την Οπτική των Συμβούλων

Abstract

This paper is part of a broader research study conducted with certified Agricultural Advisors who participated in the ELGO-Dimitra Training and Certification Program. This program is part of the "Farm Advisory System" and is delivered as an open-access, asynchronous distance learning course. The overall research explored, using a semi-structured questionnaire, the overall participants' experience gained from participating in the certification program, participants' motivations for participation, the challenges they faced, the benefits they perceived, and their suggestions for program improvement. Specifically, this paper focuses on the findings of an inductive thematic analysis conducted on participants' responses regarding the suggested improvements. The analysis revealed three main themes: (a) Educational Program Improvements, (b) Institutional Framework Suggestions, and (c) Other Comments. This article exclusively focuses on the theme of Educational Program Improvements, which encompassed most of the proposed changes. This theme was further broken down into sub-themes concerning the improvement of the content and structure of the material, the educational methodology, and the assessment for certification. Our findings highlight the needs and perspectives of Agricultural Advisors and can be used to enhance and facilitate the optimization of the training program's design.