European Journal of ePractice

As Europe evolves more online and interoperable governmental processes and services, the traditional civil servant must develop as the organiser and manager of processes and services that increasingly propagate towards business, education, health and other domains critical to citizens.

A consortium of universities and trainers addressing training needs in government have developed a shared approach (TRIAS) based around a masterclass exploiting existing training content together with new approaches to utilising Wiki-Based Learning plus Problem Based Learning for student support.

The masterclass was delivered to 18 persons who were experienced trainers from government organisations representing 10 countries where they already deliver eGovernment education to government officers. The masterclass aimed to expose these experienced trainers currently involved in national-level planning and delivery of eGovernment training, to modules, methods and tools indicative of the latest trends and topics of relevance to future eGovernment training plans (train the trainers - support planning through experience). The masterclass was delivered in 2007 by a training group of 12 experts from three countries. The training combined learning modules, presentations, eGovernment service-site visits, practical service design exercises, and the use of wiki-based content for study and problem solving.

The experience illustrated selected topics in eGovernment training, and a variety of methods for training. A structured evaluation method was deployed throughout the masterclass period and the results suggest participants view TRIAS core materials, cases, design methods, learning methods, and general approach as a solid basis for building a community sharing knowledge and experience in eGovernment and its teaching. Based on interest and demand, an annual masterclass will now be offered to help organise the teaching community around a collaboration of eGovernmnent trainers at European level.