Report on Identifying and Assessing Judges’ Information Technology Training Needs

The study aimed to tailor a training program to judges' needs in managing information technology. The study sample covered 420 sitting judges, of whom 196 filled out the questionnaire. The study was carried out in three steps: developing the judges' training needs assessment questionnaire, identifying the training needs, and summarizing the information and identifying training subjects. The questionnaire was prepared with the assistance of ROLISP and sent to Moldovan courts by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) on May 20 and June 7, 2013. The results of the study showed that judges possess general computer literacy. However, 37.2% of respondents mentioned areas in which they needed additional training, including disk cleanup, updating antivirus definitions, inserting headers and footers, inserting a table, registration on a website, and downloading files on a website. The study also assessed judges' knowledge of specific computer skills, including turning on and off a computer, logging on and off a computer, using a keyboard, using a mouse, setting the date and time on a computer, creating a shortcut on the desktop, starting disk cleanup, updating antivirus definitions, and using Windows OS. The results showed that judges generally have a good understanding of basic computer skills, but some areas require additional training. In terms of Microsoft Word skills, the study assessed judges' knowledge of opening and saving a Word file, typing a text in Word, minimizing, maximizing, and closing the Word program, deleting, copying, cutting, and pasting a text, tracking changes in a document, using the undo/repeat functions, formatting paragraphs, and selecting and changing font and font size. The results showed that judges generally have a good understanding of basic Microsoft Word skills, but some areas require additional training. The study's findings will be used to tailor a training program to judges' needs in managing information technology. The training program will focus on areas where judges need additional training, including disk cleanup, updating antivirus definitions, and using Microsoft Word skills. The program will also provide training on basic computer skills, including turning on and off a computer, logging on and off a computer, and using a mouse. The study's results will also inform the development of a training program for courts staff in information technology, as required by sub-action 1.2.2.9 of the 2011-2016 Justice Sector Reform Strategy. The training program will aim to improve judges' and courts staff's skills in managing information technology, which will ultimately improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice sector in Moldova. The study's findings will also be used to inform the development of a training program for judges and courts staff in other areas, including data management, document management, and electronic case management. The program will aim to improve judges' and courts staff's skills in managing information technology, which will ultimately improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice sector in Moldova.