Training course in mobile data collection using ODK

ODK or Open Data Kit is a set of free and open source tools that are used for field data collection using android mobile phones (Devices)and allows data submission to an online or cloud server. The ODK – Open Data Kit ecosystem includes the following components: ODK Collect, ODK Build, XLSForm, ODK Aggregate, ODK Manage as the major components. Other tools in the ODK ecosystem include ODK Briefcase, ODK Aggregate VM, ODK XLSForm Converter, ODK Validate, GEOODK, ODK Scanner, ODK Printers and the ODK Sensor Framework.

The other tools that were inspired by the ODK ecosystem include but not limited to: Kobo tool box which is also free and open source, Ona.io and Survey CTO which have a free trial period and a premium version with added functionalities and unlimited survey data storage capacity.

Other commonly used mobile data collection tools include CSPro for android (CS Entry), Magpi (Regular data collection and also supports SMS data Collection), fulcrum, mobenzi, visitbasis, dimagi, zapier amongst many others.

This training course will focus on the popularly used free and open source tools for mobile data collection but will also give a mention to the other mobile data collection tools available.

If you have always wanted to learn how to collect, manage, visualize and analyze project field data using mobile phones and devices, this training course is for you.

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Introduction

Data collection has always been an integral part of development work. In the past, this task was performed with paper and pen which made it prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs.

Mobile data collection (MDC) tools and technologies such as mobile devices and software such as Open Data Kit (ODK) that allow users to create surveys, collect, manage and upload data to storage facilities in real-time, have reduced the conventional challenges associated with remote data collection.

Open data kit, commonly referred to as ODK is a set of popular free and open source tools that allow us to collect data using mobile devices.

If you have always wanted to learn how to collect, manage and analyze data using mobile devices, this training course is for you.

Who should attend

This training course is suitable for anyone who is interested in learning how to collect and manage project data using mobile devices and Open Data Kit – ODK tools.

Requirements

This course is designed for participants who are reasonably proficient in English and have an understanding of basic ICT concepts. No prior knowledge of ODK is required.

Duration

5 Days

Course Objectives

The course will introduce participants to tools and techniques to gather data for project/programme outcomes to stakeholders using innovative Mobile data collection tools such as ODK and other implementations of the ODK technologies.

At the end of the course, you will be able to design a mobile data collection, analysis, and reporting platform using ODK.

Tools to be covered

• ODK Collect
• ODK Build
• ODK aggregate
• ODK Validate
• ODK Briefcase
• ODK XLSForm
• ODK Javarosa

Course Contents

Module I

• ICT Refresher
• Introduction to  Mobile Data Collection (MDC)
• Benefits of Mobile Data Collection (MDC)
• Challenges facing Mobile Data Collection and their workaround
• Introduction to the ODK ecosystem
• Introduction to basic ODK XLSForm syntax for survey authoring

Module II

Getting started – Survey authoring using ODK XLSForm

• Types of questions
• Data types for each question
• Types of questionnaire and Form logic
• Extended data types geoid, image, and multimedia

Form Validation and Conversion for ODK

• Converting XLSForm to xml forms using ODK xlsform.
• ODK Validate for validating XML forms
• Troubleshooting common syntax errors

Device calibration (Mobile Phones/Tablets) – ODK Collect

• Introduction to ODK Collect
• ODK Collect installation and configuration
• Uploading forms into ODK Collect manually
• Downloading form into ODK Collect from ODK Aggregate server
• Hands-on Exercise

Hosting survey data (Online) – ODK Aggregate

• Introduction to Google app engine for ODK
• Introduction to ODK Aggregate
• ODK Aggregate – Download and setup
• ODK Aggregate administration and calibration
• Data analysis in ODK aggregate

Module III

Intermediate Survey Authoring for ODK

• New data types
• Notes and dates
• Multiple-choice Questions
• Multiple Language Support
• Hints, metadata, and more
• Conditional Survey Branching
• Required questions
• Constraining responses
• Skip: Asking Relevant questions
• The specify (other)
• Grouping questions.
• Skipping many questions at once (Skipping a section)

Hands-on Exercises

 Module IV

Advanced Survey Authoring for ODK

• Repeating a set of questions
• Special formatting
• Making dynamic calculations
• Survey Styling and formatting – Working with the appearance column
• Working with media files
• Cascading select
• External selects
• Conducting Longitudinal surveys

 Hands-on Exercises

Module V

Form Design using web platforms

• KoBo ToolBox
• ODK Build

Downloading data

• Downloading data from ODK Aggregate
• Introduction to ODK Briefcase
• Download and setup ODK Briefcase
• ODK Briefcase calibration and administration

Hand-on Exercise

Presentation of course project by participants

Action plan

Closure

Methodology

This instructor-led training course is delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professionals and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

Accreditation

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate of participation.

Training Venue

The training is residential and will be held at the T4D Training Centre in Westlands Nairobi, Kenya. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

Email: outreach@t4d.co.ke

Mobile Number: +254 706909947

Training Fees

The course fee is KES 75,000.00 or USD 1,100.00 exclusive of VAT. The course fees cover the course tuition, training materials, two (2) break refreshments, lunch, and study visits. Participants will cater for their travel and accommodation costs.

Payment

Payment should be transferred to Tech For Development account through bank on or before the course starting date. 

Send proof of payment to outreach@t4d.co.ke

Tailor-Made

This scheduled course can also be tailored to your organization. To find out how our tailor-made training can help your organization kindly contact our team via:

Email: outreach@t4d.co.ke

Mobile Number: +254 706909947

Joint bids and sub-contracting

We are available for joint bids and sub-contracting for assignments such as market studies & surveys, baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, end-term evaluations and any other scientific studies.

We will bring in our expertise to set up a mobile data collection platform, oversee, administer, and manage the data collection exercise.

View courses to Enroll

See Course Catalog