The Extension Connection

Professor Yu-Che Chen taught the first eGovernment course at ISU in summer 2003.

2003 FALL ISSUE

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Last update: October 2003

A quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension

eGovernment offerings appeal for relevance, currency

Sometimes a course has high appeal because it is relevant to current trends in society. In the case of the eGovernment curriculum concentration offered for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at Iowa State, the entire lineup seems to hit that mark.

“Our classes are a mutual exchange between students, who bring professional experience, and the faculty who bring access to a wider range of practices and research,” said Yu-Che Chen, assistant professor in the Public Policy and Administration program. Chen taught the first ISU Continuing Education eGovernment course in June 2003. He previously was on the faculty at Indiana University.

Flexibility in taking the courses is an additional draw for adult students. Courses are available by Iowa Communications Network (ICN), onsite or on DVD.

“For the most part,” Chen said, “students are working people who tend to be buried in their daily tasks.” eGovernment courses are designed to bring them the most updated knowledge and a more comprehensive view of use of information technology by government.

Natalie Knight, a student in the Des Moines-offered summer class, agreed. Knight tracks multi-state legislation for Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. Her bachelor’s degree studies were in plant and soil science. Now she is working toward the MPA at ISU.

“I gained a better perspective on what information is out there and new ways to maneuver through it,” she said. Knight uses several Web sites at a time at work.

“State and federal governments, businesses, citizens are doing everything they can on the Internet,” she noted. “There are pros and cons to this, but more pros. It can reduce government fees and reduce costs to citizens.”

Chen said interest in eGovernment studies at ISU is beginning to build. Eleven took the summer course, and he expected more to enroll in the fall and subsequent offerings. He said Iowa State is one of only four or five universities in the country to offer such focused studies.

Check the Web for additional information about the eGovernment concentration.

Jeff Macomber (left), an ISU Extension field specialist, and Natalie Knight, who works for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., were students in Iowa State’s first eGovernment course in summer 2003.