Linking the Central American Landscape: Training of Trainers for Knowledge Transfer
IUCN | Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) | Project VOCES
Country (ies): Costa Rica
Scope: Regional | Global
Year: 2024-2025
01
CONTEXT
Park rangers and protected area staff in Central America act as the operational bridge between science and rural communities. There was a gap in the region regarding didactic tools that work with diverse audiences—including youth, farmers, and Indigenous Peoples—that are applicable in real-world contexts (workshops, virtual sessions, and field demonstrations), and that facilitate the transmission of specialized knowledge to communities.
IUCN Academy, the global e-learning platform, required a practical, asynchronous Spanish-language course designed for self-paced learning. It needed 6 modules totaling 6 hours in short capsules to build the capacities of protected area staff prioritized by the Linking the Central American Landscape Program.
02
CHALLENGE
Designing an e-learning ecosystem from scratch that avoids digital fatigue and can be used by field professionals, converting facilitation methodologies into applicable tools. Additionally, delivering a technical solution ready for immediate implementation, structured according to the specific characteristics and best practices of an LMS, so the team could integrate it directly while maintaining pedagogical quality and operational clarity within a 6-hour format.
03
SOLUTION
A comprehensive, ready-to-implement solution was built with a user-centric adoption approach, supported by three components:
- Techno-pedagogical model and course architecture: Defining the training path, modules, and skills progression, such as planning, facilitation, field demonstrations, and evaluation.
- Comprehensive content and multimedia production: Scripting, directing, and editing video capsules; writing clear platform reading materials; and alternating micro-lessons with practical activities.
- Editorial packages and LMS interactivity: Integrating downloadable materials and self-assessment exercises so learning remains useful even with limited connectivity.
04
IMPACT
- Published course with certification: Available on IUCN Academy, including a certificate of completion and pedagogical model.
- Practical transfer for the territory: The developed course enables park rangers and facilitators to design and execute workshops, virtual sessions, and field demonstrations, using evaluation for continuous improvement.
- Low-connectivity compatible design: Asynchronous format and brief capsules, complemented by downloadable resources to sustain learning under real-world conditions.
- Regional scalability: Content localized for Central America and the Dominican Republic, with global deployment via the platform.
