This March the piloting of eLearning “The Effectiveness and Efficiency of Public Administration and Local Self-Governance” was completed within the creation of Interregional information and education network’s “The Effective State” portal.  The course was tested in Eastern Ukrainian University named after V. Dal’ (Lugans’k) within full-time masters course “Public service/administration”.

Besides traditional elements of knowledge passing, discussion forums, assessments and on-line testing, the idea of electronic course’s design and scenario was implemented. It was developed during the workshop “eLearning and Knowledge Management” (August 2011). The idea was: discussing the development challenges and perspectives of virtual city by different stakeholders followed by the development of criteria system for estimation the effectiveness of local power.  As planned before, the basis was the discussion related to development challenges and perspectives of virtual city. Different stakeholders participated in it: community, local self-governance body, rayon state administration, business circles and mass media. Instead of virtual city the trainees were proposed to explore the real one, i.e.: Hola Prystan’, Kherson Oblast (by arrangement with Mr. A.P. Negroyu, its Mayor).

The trainees got acquainted with main approaches related to identifying the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration and local self-governance; the statements of effectiveness concept within public administration and its implementing elements; the basics of modern approaches to evaluation of organization’s operation. Besides, they’ve learnt to use modern methods of evaluating management systems and local authorities (local self-governing bodies), algorithms of their activities estimation as well as auditing the management systems to enhance their organizational effectiveness.

The feedback shows that the trainees are really satisfied with the proposed course, i.e.:
•    general satisfaction level – 95%;
•    80% stressed on courses urgency, especially within the context of their current/future practice;
•    forums’ discussions were of great interest (90% - general discussions and 85% - group ones);
•    85% consider that due to proposed format they’ve managed to get new knowledge and would like to use the format during further learning processes;
•     75% would like to communicate within the Community of Practice on other topics.

It should be mentioned that 75% of interviewees said that previous studying the “Knowledge Management” module served for e-Learning course effectiveness. Several experts, the practitioners were invited to take part in forums. Due to them, the discussion appeared to be more helpful for all participants.

Some related to course impressions:

•    “At the very beginning the proposed training format seemed pretty unusual but the as a result it appeared to be effective. Within 3 training weeks we’ve managed to learn 3 interesting topics as well as to get acquainted with additional useful materials. I believe that this pilot training is a positive experience for all us… I’d like to thank the developers of this Site, experts who took part in the discussions and participants…”

•    “Interesting, informative, very competent teacher and qualitative training process! Approach to training process like to experience exchange is very productive.  No wonder they say that learning process is a mutual one! Sometimes, only one unusual question makes us “to generate” and build a chain of thoughts to search the initial level due to which it is possible to pull all the chain. Even more one should say about hot debates”.

•    “No one session was formal. We studied in the atmosphere of warmness and mutual understanding. Despite of the fact that we’ve entered the Site too late (sometimes, after difficult learning routine), we did it with great satisfaction. From my point of view, distant approach is very useful for I would hardly put some questions on the public or formulate my thoughts in an appropriate way. While in informal environment you have enough to think, to consult somebody and to put the question you are interested in. Under such conditions I do know that I’ll have an answer. Many thanks!”

•    “In a new form we’ve learnt a lot of interesting things and revealed new opportunities. The teachers understood that the results of distant education are as effective as the results of traditional training… I have the feeling that I was listened and heard and I wish to communicate on forum again and again.  Discussions on Communities of Practice forum will have the room in future training and practice…”