Online learners’ experiences and views towards online courses: A case study of the University of the South Pacific

In higher education, demand for online courses has risen over the years, and higher education institutes (HEIs) are investing heavily in the development and delivery of online courses. As a regional university, the University of the South Pacific (USP) is no exception and has made an incremental shift from face‐to‐face and print methods to blended and fully online methods in course delivery. At USP, significant attention has been given to developing an online learning environment using the Moodle platform, upskilling academics and supporting employees to offer good experience to the learners regardless of their location. An area that needs research, however, is the study experiences of online learners. Are they getting what they expected from online learning? Are online courses intended to satisfy the styles and preferences of their learning? This study tries to answer these two questions by collecting online learners ' opinions and experiences at USP. Data were collected from 75 learners registered in 3 online courses using a questionnaire. Positive student experiences of online learning included greater flexibility, timely feedback and greater opportunities for interaction with academic and peers. Challenges identified included poor internet connectivity and lack of familiarity with the online learning management system and tools for first time online learners. Students highly rated the use of multimedia, online learning materials and online assessments as positive contributors to their learning in online courses. Most of the learners were satisfied with online course design and delivery and reported positive learning experience for the three online courses at USP. However, 20 percent of the learners were not satisfied with their online learning experience. Some aspects such as course navigation and feedback system could be improved and training of first time online learners could further improve student learning experience

Influence of Different \u3cem\u3eIn-Situ\u3c/em\u3e Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques in Aonla Based Hortipasture System on Water Yield in Semi-Arid Region of India

Land degradation, mainly because of lack of permanent vegetal cover, is major challenges to feed the ever increasing population of the world. As of now, one-sixth population is affected by land degradation. India is also suffering by land degradation as it’s having detrimental impact on production and productivity. The Bundelkhand region, located in Central India, is amongst the most degraded ecosystems characterized by undulating and rugged topography, highly eroded and dissected land, poor soil fertility and low water holding capacity, scarce ground water resources, erratic distribution of rainfall, lack of assured irrigation facilities, heavy biotic pressure on forests, inadequate vegetation cover and frequent crop failures, resulting in scarcity of food, fodder and fuel (NRCAF, 2009; 2012) Agroforestry is only answer to increase the permanent vegetal cover without demanding additional land. Agricultural land in India is 142 million hectare and cropping intensity is 135%. Out of this, 60% area is under rainfed condition which is characterized by water scarcity, land degradation, low inputs use and low productivity. Agricultural productivity of these areas oscillates between 0.5 to 2.0 ton ha-1 with average of one ton per hectare. The productivity of these areas could be enhanced through inclusion of woody perennials in field or bunds. These could be fruit plants, timber, fodder or fuel wood spp and its sustainability could be enhanced through in-situ moisture conservation techniques. The 56% area of Bundelkhand region comes under red soil (Alfisols and Entisols), which is characterized by coarse gravelly and light textured with poor water holding capacity. Therefore, establishment of woody perennials is very difficult without soil and water conservation measures, particularly in red soils of the region. Keeping above facts, an experiment was conducted to evaluate impact of different soil and moisture conservation measures in aonla based hortipasture system on water yield at Experimental farm of Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, U.P. India

Assessing the potential of kava (Piper methysticum Forst) and wild kava (Piper aduncum L.) as organic amendments for managing root-knot nematodes

Kava (Piper methysticum Forst) and wild kava (Piper aduncum L.) were evaluated for their efficacy against root-knot nematodes. Plant materials were tested as soil additive in pot trials at 2% and 4% concentrations for 0, 1 and 2 week degradation periods. Effects on the root-knot nematode, M. incognita, and its host, tomato, were recorded. All the tested materials reduced the number of galls compared to the control. Generally, maximum gall suppression was achieved at higher concentration (4%) and with no degradation time. Gall suppression was directly related to concentrations of plant materials, but not with the degradation time after soil incorporation. Kava powder, kava peelings and kava kosa caused maximum gall suppression but were phytotoxic. Kava stem, kava leaf and wild kava leaf, on the other hand, resulted in lower gall suppression but enhanced plant growth. These plant species are good candidates for further trials as soil amendments