Web resource launched to teach public sector digital skills

The Public Interest Technology University Network, a partnership of colleges and universities, has funded the launch of a free online resource to support the spread of digital skills in government.

The Teaching Public Digital web resource has been put together by a group of volunteer public service digital experts and institutions.

The website provides free, open access teaching materials on digital era skills for lecturers, teachers and public service leaders.

It includes a list of eight core competencies that digital era public service leaders should have.

These include the ability to anticipate and mitigate the privacy, security and ethical risks that are inherent to governing in a digital era, as well as the ability to use a range of techniques and tools to make government more open, collaborative and accountable.

Other core competencies include collaborating with specialists to understand and develop solutions tailored for the needs and experience of service users, as well as the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and create a working environment that can continuously learn and improve outcomes.

One of the initiative’s co-founders, UK-based mySociety co-founder Tom Steinberg, said the team is also developing a support network for educators to improve their own teaching skills.

This will be backed by a masters-level course which will be released as an open educational resource.

“Universities and in-house teaching academies are the institutions that define the skills of future public service leaders. We want to help these institutions to teach 21st-century skills to help solve 21st-century problems, Steinberg said.

Other core members of the initiative include Canada School of Public Service Director General Chris Allison, Carleton University Associate Professor Dr Amanda Clarke, Harvard University Lecturer of Public Policy David Eaves and Cambridge Digital Slate Policy & Research Leader Dr Tanya Filer.

The Public Interest Technology University Network was convened by New America, the Ford Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation.

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