university of leeds academic services how i learned to stop worrying and love the e-strategy tracey...
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University of Leeds Academic Services
How I learned to stop worrying and love the e-strategy
Tracey Stanley
Head of E-Strategy and Development
Leeds University Library
University of Leeds Academic Services
The E-Strategy conundrum
“I know who I was when I got up this morningbut I think I must have been changed severaltimes since then” (Alice in Wonderland)
University of Leeds Academic Services
An E-Strategy might include...
Virtual Learning Environments
Managed learning environments
Portals
E-prints
Student information systems
Collaborativeworking tools
Campus intranet
University web site
Management InformationSystems
Grants management systems
Electronic library services
External content (eg: RDN)
University of Leeds Academic Services
Challenges for an e-strategy
The strategy requires accompanying changes in working practices, attitudes and organisational behaviour.
The key challenges are organisational and political NOT technical.
There are many routes to get to the same place!
University of Leeds Academic Services
Guiding principles
Information held on campus needs to be fit for its purpose (accurate, current, consistent, complete).
Information should be accessible. Information should be collected in electronic format
wherever possible The institution needs a commitment to reviewing it’s
processes in order to use resources and information more efficiently.
Interoperability between systems is required (avoid the ‘data silos’ mentality).
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (1) - the campus intranet
Need for single sign-on and integration of systems across campus:– business solutions systems– virtual learning environments– virtual working environments
Increased demand for tailoring, personalization etc.
Should we be using commercial ‘portal’ tools or developing our own solutions?
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Nottingham
University of Leeds Academic Services
University of Nottingham
Using U-Portal (open source) to develop a campus portal.
Includes tailored news, access to VLE, links to modules, library link, external content, links to academic records etc.
Single-sign on to all resources. Demo available at
http://sulser3.nottingham.ac.uk:8080/uPortal2/render.uP
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (2) - VLEs and MLEs
Develop your own in-house system or buy ‘off-the-shelf’?
Levels of local customisation? Integration with other systems on campus?
(eg: student information system, library management system)
Increased demand for personalisation
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Leeds
Home-grown VLE - Nathan Bodington.
Developed and run by Flexible Learning Development Unit.
Well-established - all departments have a presence.
Small development team.
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (3) - research environment
Increased need for managing research outputs (publications and other evidence of esteem).
RAE driving increased monitoring culture. Need to improve impact and visibility of
research outputs and expertise by making available to a wider audience.
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Leeds
University Publications Database Commercial links supported through the
Virtual Knowledge Park Contacts management and expertise
capture through the Kimera system
University of Leeds Academic Services
Discussion sessions
Work in groups to discuss topics. Choose someone to take notes and report
back.