Hands-On ODK,XLSForm,KoboToolbox,Digital Surveys Masterclass

Name: Hands-On ODK,XLSForm,KoboToolbox,Digital Surveys Masterclass
Rating: 4.3 (30 reviews)

Open Data Kit Fundamentals,create data collection tools using XLSForms, become a pro at creating and deploying ODK tools

Created byJohn M

Last updated 4/2023

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Getting Started with ODK and XLSForm Fundamentals : XLSForms Structure, ODK Aggregate, Configurations
Project : Design an NGO Research Tool
Worksheets : Survey , Choices, Settings
Widgets: Text, Number, Date/Time, Select One, Select Multiple, GPS , Image e.t.c. and how to program them for various needs.
Reducing Enumerator Fatigue: Using Question Groups and Looped Questions.
Defining behavior of ODK applications, determining where Skip Logic can happen
ODK Aggregate Servers (Hosting applications built with ODK Technology), for example KoboToolbox , SurveyCTO etc
ODK Client Applications (Web and Android applications)
Load forms into ODK Collect/KoboCollect on an Android device.
Includes practical lessons and resources for practising
Export data from an Aggregate server

Course content

5 sections • 60 lectures • 4h 24m total length

Course Introduction0:55
Definitions3:15
XLSForms - Form Structure Introduction1:05
In the previous lesson, we learnt about various definitions. We learnt about XLSForms, that they were simply a standard for development of ODK tools. You may notice that from now on I will use the words tool and form interchangeably.
Don’t worry about that, because I will be saying this while I am referring to the same thing. These are the ODK based digital surveys that we shall be building on this course.
Now let’s just get right into it. As of now you understand that XLSForms are just worksheet documents, that can be edited on a worksheet software such as Excel. I’m sure most of my students are familiar with Excel, just in case you are using a Linux system such as Ubuntu you may use LibreOffice to accomplish this.
In the next video, we shall learn about the general structure of an XLSForm.
Our First XLSForm (Downloadable Resource Available)2:51
Imagine this, you have been given the task to conduct a survey for the International Child Health Organization (ICHO). In the previous years, ICHO has been collecting survey data using paper-based questionnaires. You are required to convert physical survey forms to digital tools.
How do you begin? We shall be learning how to do it from now on. Please head over to the resources section of this lecture, and download the attached Excel file name basic_format.xlsx. This is a basic template which we shall use to get started.
Disclaimer: ICHO is not a real organization, but we we shall use it for learning purposes.
An XLSForm is made up of three worksheets, we may as well refer to them as tabs:
· The survey worksheet
· The choices worksheet
· The settings worksheet
Getting Your Environment Ready - Quick Reminder1:28
Explore open data kit as a standard for building data collection tools and use Excel forms to design them, review the resources folder, and prepare for lessons on skip patterns.
KoboToolbox and ODK Aggregate2:34
Deploying Our First ODK Tool6:15
Deploy your first ODK tool by uploading an Excel form to Kobo Toolbox, naming the project, and deploying a digital survey tool for a child nutrition study.
ODK Client Applications1:58
Configuring ODK on Mobile5:36

XLSForms - The Survey Worksheet1:01
Define the survey structure in the XLSForm worksheet by setting per-row questions and appearance details, with the server tab mapping rows to questions and exploring widgets.
XLSForms - The Choices Worksheet1:37
Explore the choices worksheet in XLSForms to define predetermined options, link each row to survey questions, and note mandatory columns: list name, name, and label.
XLSForms - The Settings Worksheet2:26
Out of the three worksheets we have discussed, this one is not mandatory but is highly recommended to include.
There are many more column names that the ODK standard provides for inclusion, however the following should not miss from your settings tab:
form_title
form_id
version
As you’d notice on the basic_format.xlsx file you downloaded previously, there is a column named “allow_choice_duplicates”. This is not a mandatory column, it was added to the tool as a fix for a previously encountered error.
You can read more about this from this link https://forum.getodk.org/t/error-allow-choice-duplicates/21440

Introduction to Question Types (Widgets)1:55
Explore widgets and question types in ODK, XLSForm, and KoboToolbox to design digital surveys. Learn how radiobuttons, drop-down menus, and text input fields function as selectable widgets in survey forms.
All About Text2:38
Learn about text widgets in ODK forms, including default text and number text widgets, and how they collect free responses, alphanumeric or numeric data on Android devices.
Programming a Text Widget8:39
Text Widget Data Collection with ODK Collect or Kobo Collect3:40
Introduction to Number Widgets2:02
Programming a Number Widget6:09
This Might Happen when Uploading a File1:03
Upload the finished form by clicking new, choose Excel form from the desktop XLS Forms folder, locate and open it, then refresh if prompted to contact support.
Deploying and Testing a Number Widget3:29
Deploy and test a number widget by creating a project, deploying it, and validating integer and decimal inputs online with thousand separators, euros, and comma-separated values.
Number Widget on Android ( KoboCollect)4:25
demonstrates using the number widget in KoboCollect on Android to collect numeric data, including integer and decimal questions, with hints and comma-delimited formatting, and best practices for single app usage.
Default Date Widget2:41
Date Widget with a Spinner Input (No Calendar)1:27
Create a date widget with a spinner input, defining type as date, giving a unique name and label, and adding a no calendar appearance hint for clean data collection.
Date Widget - Month and Year1:41
Date Widget - Year Only0:44
Create a year-only date widget by inserting a date field, then add a label and a hint to clarify the date type.
Important Note on Date Widgets1:34
Time Widget1:12
Configure the time widget by setting the type to time, naming it time, adding a label such as what time do you have your lunch, and leaving the appearance blank.
dateTime Widget2:03
Learn to use the date time widget to select a time by defining the type as date time in camel casing. Define labels and save, then upload the Excel form.
Web Deploy Date Widgets on KoboToolbox5:25
Publish Date Widgets on Android (KoboCollect) Illustrated5:46
Note Widget1:39
Select One Widget (No Appearance Defined)2:02
Select One Widget Minimal1:37
Explore how the select one minimal widget shows six choices compactly. Group two questions on one screen with minimal appearance to reduce scrolling and fatigue, keeping six choices required.
Select One Widget Autoadvance1:12
Select Widget with Autocomplete2:17
Select Widget with Columns Pack1:51
Select Widget with Columns N1:13
Select Multiple with all Possible Features Combined8:12
Unable to Deploy Error Fixing8:29
Select Widgets Illustrated on KoboToolbox Web3:06
Select Widgets Illustrated on Mobile Android (KoboCollect)8:19
Using a Selected Option on a Note4:38
Learn how to reference a selected option in notes within ODK, XLSForm, and KoboToolbox surveys, mapping numeric values to enumerator names and displaying chosen options in notes.
ODK Remembers! Populate Info Based on Selected Option5:04
A "jr:choice-name" Form on the Web6:29
Explore how jr:choice-name powers form logic with a select one widget, revealing calculated and hidden fields, and learn to upload an XLS form, deploy, and test on web and mobile.
jr:choice-name on KoboCollect6:11
Showcases jr:choice-name on KoboCollect within a select one field, using a names form with calculated and hidden fields and form logic for consent and yes-no questions in ODK.

Reducing Enumerator (Data Collector) Fatigue1:23
Group questions on a single screen to reduce enumerator fatigue and minimize scrolling. Use note widgets and previously designed surveys to group items, such as demographics, for easier analysis.
Grouping Questions (Previously Discussed Widgets Included)8:47
Grouped Questions on the Web (KoboToolbox)6:47
Grouped Questions on Mobile Android (KoboCollect)4:59
User-Controlled Repeat Questions2:20
Fixed Repeat Count1:12
Dynamically Defined Repeat Count0:40
Repeating a Question as Long as Condition is Met1:11
Repeating a Question 0 or N Times1:01
Hands-On Programming of Repeat Questions33:37
Deploying Repeating Questions in a Loop on Web (KoboToolbox)7:06
Part 1: Repeating Questions in a Loop on Mobile (KoboCollect)4:22
Explore how repeat questions loop in a mobile KoboCollect form, including fixed two-set repeats and dynamically defined repeats, with user-controlled add repeats and multiple child entries.
Part 2: Repeating Questions in a Loop on Mobile (KoboCollect)3:07
Master conditional repeats in KoboCollect by looping questions while a condition holds, handling zero or more times, and finalizing and sending completed surveys.

Requirements

Basic worksheet software skills on Excel or similar (LibreOffice, WPS Offfice etc)

Description

Content gets reviewed from time to time, this is the most updated course on ODK and KoboToolbox, so be sure to find new topics!

Also, the instructor is ready to answer your questions any time through the messaging platform.

By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:

Getting Started with ODK and XLSForm Fundamentals
- Definitions
- XLSForms Structure
- Getting work environment ready
- ODK Aggregate
- Deploy our first ODK Tool
- Configurations
Worksheets : Survey , Choices, Settings
Project 1: Design an NGO Research Tool
Widgets: Text, Number, Date/Time, Select One, Select Multiple, GPS , Image e.t.c. and how to program them for various needs.
Validation logic for example how to ensure only certain data is allowed on some widgets.
Load forms into ODK Collect/KoboCollect on an Android device.
Use ODK Collect/KoboCollect to fill out forms with participants.
Reducing Enumerator Fatigue: Using Question Groups and Looped Questions.
Implementing skip logic to determine the way questions flow within a digital survey.
Upload survey data from KoboCollect to an Aggregate Server such as KoboToolbox.
Export data from an Aggregate server

Why should you use ODK?

•ODK allows for built-in checks and skip patterns, meaning they do not have to be done manually by an enumerator. All this is meant to ensure higher quality of data collected.

•Data collection processes can be monitored remotely, and it is possible to make adjustments to a survey even after data collection has started. Submissions can be viewed, and they show when and what data has been submitted. With some adjustments, it is possible to record names of the submitters.

•Promotes a better use of time and saves on costs especially with no need for time-consuming data entry, as seen while using traditional paper based questionnaires.

Thank you so much for making a purchase of this course, it is because of learners like you that my team and I produce this kind of content. We really do hope you shall have learnt a lot by the time you are done with this course.

Who this course is for:

Monitoring and evaluation professionals
IT professionals
Professionals in the NGO sector
Beginners, anyone can learn
Researchers
Data Collectors
Sales and Marketing

Hands-On ODK,XLSForm,KoboToolbox,Digital Surveys Masterclass

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Getting Started with ODK and XLSForm Fundamentals9 lectures • 26min

Worksheets (tabs) of an XLSForm Illustrated3 lectures • 5min

Project 1: ICHO Survey on Child Nutrition2 lectures • 39min

Detailed Hands-On Application of Widgets33 lectures • 1hr 59min

Project 2: Let's Reduce Enumerator Fatigue13 lectures • 1hr 17min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: