This is a new programme that Kimmage has been piloting for the past two years and is almost ready for formal launch as a course offering in its own right.  One final pilot course is currently in preparation and will be run in the first half of 2008.   It is planned that this will take place before the end of 2008 – watch this space! 

The current KODE website used by pilot participants is: www.kodeonline.com

Background
In 2006, Kimmage DSC presented a short course on Project Planning and Proposal Writing under KODE - Kimmage Open and Distance Education.  This six week pilot course was run on a trial basis in Kenya and Tanzania.  Some 22 volunteers from local NGOs and CBOs participated in the course. 
In 2007 we undertook further research on the feasibility of the distance learning method and its relevance for development workers, believing that this method may provide opportunities for development workers to explore and develop new skills at their own pace and in their own time.  We were hopeful that it may also provide a vehicle for Kimmage to further localise educational activities in the South, and so further pilot courses took place between March and June 2007 – in Zambia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya and Ireland, involving a further adaptation of the Project Planning and Proposal Writing Course, and a new module on Monitoring and Evaluation.  As on previous occasions, the participants undertook self-study over the course period, contributed to a discussion forum on the dedicated KODE website and were supported by a dedicated tutor and IT support person.  

The course material was originated by Dr Eamonn Brehony who lectures in Project Planning and Management (PPM) at Kimmage DSC and the Course Writer who adapted the materials for distance learning purposes was Maria O’Loughlin.  The Coordinator is Aileen Butler and the IT support person is Brendan Wynne.