Learn PAd : model-based social learning for public administrations

In modern society public administrations (PAs) are undergoing a profound transformation of their role, from rigid controllers to proactive service providers. PA servants have to cope with quickly changing contexts due to new laws and governance policies, societal globalization, fast technology evolution. Moreover, notwithstanding the constant decrease of public budgets, PAs are challenged by citizens to constantly improve their service quality. To face the above needs, PA servants need to understand and put in action latest governance procedures and rules within tight time constraints. The European FP7 Project Learn PAd enables a novel model-driven learning approach, through an open platform fostering cooperation and knowledge-sharing and exploiting process simulation for an effective training and assessment. Learn PAd considers learning and working strongly intertwined (learning-while-doing). The platform supports both an informative learning approach based on enriched business process (BP) models, and a procedural learning approach based on simulation and monitoring (learning-by-doing). The platform relies on formal verification and natural language processing techniques to ensure accuracy of content and documentation, and on specialized ontologies and KPIs purposely defined to keep learners engaged. Learn PAd is inspired by open-source communities principles and cooperation spirit: contents are produced by the community, and meritocracy is naturally promoted, with leaders in process competence emerging because of their skill and expertise.