Preparation Steps for Educators
The Breeding Management System (BMS) has been used as a teaching tool at many universities and professional workshops. The Integrated Breeding Platform is committed to making the BMS available as a teaching tool.
1. Choose example dataset
Determine which of the example datasets (see below) is of interest for you classroom or workshop. The IBP will pre-load a database with data that matches the start of either the maize tutorials or cowpea MABC example.
2. Request access
Please contact us at least two weeks before your class if you would like to use the BMS in your classroom using IBP example data and established training materials. (The IBP team is also available to coordinate and lead classroom and workshop trainings. A minimum of four weeks notice is recommended if you are interested in engaging IBP staff in upcoming training events.)
Important information to provide:
- Which dataset you would like preloaded?
- What dates would you like to have access. Include a week or so ahead of any event to work though the activities and troubleshoot in advance of the students.
- How many students will be using the system at one time?
3. Login with 24 hrs of getting email invitation
The IBP will establish you one or more database programs (depending on student number). You will be added to the program(s) as an administrator and receive an automated email to set your password. The link within the email is active for 24hrs.
4. Familiarize yourself with BMS in advance of class or workshop
Work through the steps of presented in either the text of the maize tutorials or the Cowpea Marker-Assisted Backcross video. The IBP is committed to helping educators with access to the BMS and training materials, but cannot guarantee personalized support to those receiving promotional access. Please submit any questions you may have via our on-line help desk. Allow several days for a response. You may find answers to common questions here:
5. Add students to your program
Create student users with Admin or Breeder permissions. This will trigger an automated email to the student, allowing them to set their passwords within a 24 hr period. In the event the email expires, select System Admin and open their user profile. Make sure that they are "active" in the system and select Add User a second time. The email will be sent again.
Add students to your program(s). If you do not add the student to the program, they will be able to access the system, but not enter your program.
Gregor has an active system account, but has not yet been added to any programs. Therefore there he cannot perform any activities in the system.
6. Use the BMS in classroom or workshop
One common way to explore the BMS is with guided instruction - where the instructor describes and performs an activity on a shared screen, followed by students emulating the same task. Alternately, students can access training materials and work independently on the BMS.
Keep in mind that students are sharing a database, so they must uniquely name all files and folders, perhaps by appending with their initials. The BMS is designed for concurrent use, but sometimes in training settings there is slow performance when everyone selects the same option at once. For example, if 10 people generate an experimental design at the same time, they may experience slow performance or time out. Stagger process heavy activities by a minute or so to alleviate this issue.
IBP Example Data
The IBP can configure your database to contain two datasets that correspond to IBP instructional materials. You are free to use the IBP instructional materials or develop your own extensions. If you contract IBP staff to lead and coordinate classroom and workshop trainings they can further customize the training data and instructional materials.
Maize Tutorials
The maize tutorials are written step-by-step instructions with screenshots that can be found online. These tutorials are our most basic introduction to the BMS and follow a comprehensive set of activities from crossing and advancement through, evaluation, and analysis of a CIMMYT field trial. Depending on the depth of instruction, the maize tutorials can be used to fill a 2-3 day workshop. The maize tutorials are designed to be self-instructive, but progress is faster with a demonstration leader.
Cowpea Marker-Assisted Backcross
The marker-assisted backcross example is based on UC Riverside data. This example is presented in video format (14 mins). The video is a concise version of a demonstration that depending on depth of instruction can span 1-2 hrs.
