Designing ICT-based Training Systems for the Water Industry

The evolution of society and the socio-economic changes affecting Europe demand new continuing training models, suitable for guiding people towards updating their knowledge and adapting competencies to the present situation. This problem assumes particular relevance in the water sector: rational management in this industry requires methods and tools appropriate for forming and updating local competencies oriented to the development of international co-operation. Within this framework, we developed M-AQUA, Multimedia for Continuous Training in the Water Industry, a pilot project of the EC Leonardo Da Vinci Programme. The project focuses on the opportunities offered by information and communication technology (ICT) to the training of technicians who have to gain shared knowledge on water network maintenance and rehabilitation. Accordingly, a multimedia and web-based system was developed which combines an autonomous approach to learning involving both collaborative and trainer-guided activities. This paper describes the M-AQUA system and the viability issues that have been followed in its design.