EVALUATION OF THE IDEAS, INC., VIDEO-BASED NON-FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

This special evaluation, whose time frame is unspecified, is based on onsite visits and interviews with USAID, GODR and Ideas, Inc. personnel, and farmer beneficiaries. The project was successful. At least 21 videotape presentations were conducted for use in: (1) vocational education center programs; (2) farmer education; (3) technician education; (4) support to extension services; (5) recording one-time education experiences; (6) recruitment; and (7) documentation for official and public awareness. These materials reached a total of 31,397 rural people from 179 communities, who responded well to them and applied knowledge acquired through their use. Twenty-five people were trained in the use of videotape recording technology and in the preparation of audiovisual and other materials during two five-month training programs Several other small-scale workshop training programs were held and peer training occurred sporadically. The modified Foxfire approach (an approach in which students document a community problem and then work with experts in preparing a video message containing a potential solution for community residents) was used in at least one case. Although this approach, the proposed major thrust of the program, was a successful innovation, it was discontinued due to the loss of two educational institutions from the program. Since the approach depended on student availability, there were no other formal schools involved in the program. Problems were observed in the areas of coordination of video production, transportation, evaluation, and program expansion. Recommendations were made as follows: (1) officially acknowledge program integration; (2) equitably transfer video units; (3) strengthen leadership; (4) document project participants' acquired knowledge on videotape; (5) establish maintenance equipment funding; (6) reinstate the modified Foxfire approach; and (7) update training materials.