Parliamentary Learning Programme
programme, and suggested by the QER, in the revised learning programme include:
• Web-based
modules.All of the learning modules are available on the website in both HTML and PDF formats so that they may be completed online with the option of participating in mod erated and unmoderated online forums, or printed out for those who are limited to the time they may dedicate in front of the
computer.The online version also includes course presentations for each module, relevant sources, and background research papers.
• Video
conferences.Through this mode of engagement, subject area experts deliver course con tent presentations to learners, and facilitate discussions of issues emerging from the online learn
vide facilities for video conferencing, web access, CD-ROMs, and face-to- face work for the various methods of training for the programme. These video conference outlets are used to host video conference courses to connect Parliaments from different
countries.As a result, the programme organizers and participants can avoid the cost of travel and board for training events, thus making the learning pro- grammes more affordable, a greater fre- quency more feasible and more acces- sible to busy parliamentary staff work- ers in more remote locations. Beginning in August 2007, the
course was made available online. Again, by making this series of learn- ing modules publicly available,WBI and CPA together assist a greater share of the world parliamentary community in fulfilling their role in the governance process, while also opening up availability of course material to academic institutions, civil
The “Development” category
explains current issues in international development and includes: Parliaments as Peacebuilders; Parliament in Conflict Affected Countries; Curbing Corruption; Parliament and Gender; Human Rights; Introduction to International Organizations; and, soon, an HIV and Parliament module. Each module includes an intro- duction to the topic, course content, and relevant research papers and pre- sentations. In addition, the online modules include supplemental learn- ing material to enhance participant engagement, trainers’ notes, and instructions for leading the training sessions. Each module is equivalent to 16-40 contact hours of instruction.
Recent and planned course deliveries Between August and October of 2007 WBI and the Parliamentary Centre delivered the first pilot to this new
“Making the course available through the internet not only makes the course content available to the parliamentary participants, but also encourages more Parliaments to increase the resources they allocate towards internet access for their MPs and staff. ”
Dr Rick Stapenhurst and Ms Brooke Prater
ing
modules.These conferences are useful for all aspects of peer learning, including the participa tory exploration of ideas and issues.
• Face-to-face
instruction.An on- site facilitator is made available before, during, and after the video conference to summarize the presentation and support interaction among participants. This individual will be taken either from a partner institution or will be a leader from within the organization that is being trained.
• CD-ROM. CD-ROMs may be supplied to participants in cases when internet access is very lim ited, or to supply participating countries with additional docu ments, data, course overview, and take-away reference materials, CD-ROMs may be supplied to the participants.
WBI uses the Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) to pro- society organizations and others.
A review of the series content The modular learning series includes 13 learning modules for Parliamentarians and parliamentary
staff.The main objectives of these learning modules are to strengthen the capacity of Parliaments to oversee the allocation and use of public funds, reduce poverty, improve public participation in the policy process, and reduce corruption, among others. The current series follows a
three-pronged approach in which the most imperative modules fall under the “Parliament in Government Systems”
category.These modules include: Orientation for New Staff; Parliament in Governance; Parliamentary Committees; and Parliamentary Democracy. The courses that fall under the
“Core Parliamentary Functions” cate- gory explain the operational functions of Parliament and include: Parliament and the Budget; Parliament and the Media and Parliamentary Ethics.
340 The Parliamentarian 2008/Issue Four
series through the Committees module to 49 participants from Ethiopia, Ghana,Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. The module describes the various functions and needs of parliamentary committees as well as the administra- tive and procedural support needed for their effectiveness. In preparation for the multi-coun-
try conference delivered by video con- ferencing, participants were invited to complete the learning module in a self-paced format, then participated in the moderated online discussion forums to discuss the issues preliminar- ily, join together as national groups to reflect on their parliamentary commit- tee structure, strengths and weaknesses, and finally join for a moderated video conference to discuss the content of the units of the module. This cycle was completed three times to complete the learning module. The last international video conference allowed participants to also reflect and informally assess the training style. Through active participation and knowledge sharing, participants gained
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