Course Details

Digital Tools for M&E (KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO) Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This essential training course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for leveraging digital tools like KoBoToolbox, ODK, and SurveyCTO for efficient and effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). Recognizing that timely, accurate, and cost-effective data collection is paramount for robust M&E, this program equips participants with a systematic understanding of mobile data collection platforms, form design, data management, and integration with analysis tools. Participants will gain deep insights into designing complex questionnaires, deploying them to the field, and managing collected data, all crucial for streamlining M&E processes and enhancing data quality in diverse contexts. This course is ideal for M&E specialists, project managers, field staff, data analysts, and anyone involved in gathering and managing M&E data.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals involved in data collection, management, and analysis for M&E and research purposes, particularly those working in field-based environments, including:

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists.
• Project and Program Managers.
• Field Data Collectors and Supervisors.
• Data Managers and Analysts.
• NGO and Development Practitioners.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the benefits and principles of digital data collection for M&E.
• Design complex and interactive digital forms using KoBoToolbox, ODK, or SurveyCTO.
• Deploy forms to mobile devices and manage data collection in the field.
• Extract, clean, and prepare digital M&E data for analysis.
• Troubleshoot common issues encountered during digital data collection.

MODULES

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Data Collection for M&E

• Define digital data collection and its advantages over traditional paper-based methods.
• Explore the ecosystem of mobile data collection tools (e.g., KoBoToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, CommCare).
• Understand the workflow of digital data collection from form design to data export.
• Discuss the benefits for M&E: speed, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, GPS data.
• Examine ethical considerations in digital data collection, including data security and privacy.

Module 2: KoBoToolbox Basics: Form Design and Deployment

• Navigate the KoBoToolbox interface and its key features.
• Learn to create a new project and build simple forms using the form builder.
• Understand different question types (text, numbers, select_one, select_multiple, date, GPS).
• Explore basic skip logic and validation criteria for form intelligence.
• Practice deploying forms to KoBoCollect Android app and submitting test data.

Module 3: Advanced Form Design with XLSForm (ODK/SurveyCTO)

• Understand the power and flexibility of XLSForm syntax for complex questionnaires.
• Learn about advanced question types and functionalities (e.g., calculates, constraints, relevant, pulldata).
• Discuss repeat groups for collecting multiple entries (e.g., household members, assets).
• Explore the use of media (images, audio, video) in forms.
• Practice designing and validating complex XLSForms for M&E scenarios.

Module 4: GPS Data Collection and Mapping Integration

• Understand how to incorporate GPS coordinates into digital forms.
• Discuss the importance of GPS accuracy and best practices for collecting location data.
• Explore methods for visualizing collected GPS data on maps (e.g., using KoBoToolbox mapping features, exporting to GIS).
• Examine the use of geotagged photos as M&E evidence.
• Learn about challenges in GPS data collection and how to mitigate them.

Module 5: Data Management and Monitoring in the Field

• Understand the process of managing collected data in real-time on the server.
• Discuss how to review, validate, and flag submitted data entries.
• Explore methods for monitoring data collection progress and identifying errors.
• Examine techniques for identifying and addressing data collection issues in the field.
• Learn about secure data storage and backup practices.

Module 6: Data Export and Preparation for Analysis

• Understand different data export formats (e.g., CSV, Excel, SPSS, Stata).
• Discuss strategies for cleaning and transforming raw digital data for analysis.
• Explore methods for handling repeat group data effectively.
• Examine techniques for linking collected data with other M&E datasets.
• Learn about common data preparation pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Module 7: Leveraging Digital Tools for Quality Assurance

• Understand how digital tools can enhance data quality and reduce errors.
• Discuss the role of skip logic, validation rules, and constraints in preventing incorrect entries.
• Explore features for audit trails, geo-stamps, and time stamps to verify data collection.
• Examine remote data monitoring for real-time quality checks.
• Learn about implementing data quality control procedures in the field.

Module 8: Advanced Features and Integration for M&E

• Explore advanced features like external selects, pre-loading data, and web forms.
• Discuss integrating digital data collection with other M&E and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Excel).
• Understand the basics of setting up data flows and automated reporting from digital platforms.
• Examine troubleshooting common errors and optimizing form performance.
• Learn about continuous learning and adapting digital tools to evolving M&E needs.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com