1

Understanding Cataloging with DLESE Metadata

Karon Kelly (kkelly@ucar.edu)Katy Ginger (ginger@ucar.edu)Holly Devaul (devaul@ucar.edu)

http://www.dlese.org/Metadatahttp://www.dlese.org/Metadata

2

Workshop Goals

What is metadata and why is it important?

Become familiar with the DLESE metadata structure

Introduction to cataloging tool and best practices

3

Metadata for DLESE“Data about data” in the library will help teachers & learners find what they need

Characterizing and finding resources.What is it about? Who created it? Where do I find it? What do I need to use it? etc….

Information returned to user in search

Information shared with other libraries

The metadata record is what DLESE creates and holds, not the physical files of each resource.

4

Who Will Create DLESE Metadata?

DPC Staff as component of development

Collections groups of which WES is one

Community at large

You!

5

IMS Metadata Standard

The DLESE metadata framework is based on the IMS metadata standard because it :

Describes educational learning objects

Permits multiple levels of granularity

Supports extensibility to allow for specific DLESE community requirements

Allows for both controlled vocabularies and free text fields

Uses XML bindings for portable data exchange in both content and structure

6

Metadata in XML

7

DLESE-Specific Metadata

Scientific characterization• Earth science

taxonomies/vocabularies

• Geographic and temporal coverage - footprint

– By latitude & longitude– By name (with gazetteer)

Educational attributes • Learning resource type,

grade level…

8

DLESE-Specific Metadata:Community requests

Indicate level of peer review and classroom testing

Reference related resources (e.g. evaluation reports, other exercises or labs)

Include instructor comments as annotations

National Science and Geography standards

9

Controlled Vocabularies

Standardized vocabularies to facilitate search and retrieval, browsing classifications.

DLESE vocabularies are compilations of existing vocabularies and DLESE-specific terminology:

Learning resource typeAudienceSubjectTechnical requirements

Still under development, opportunity for community collaboration.

10

Metadata LevelsRequired Metadata:

Minimal metadata set to to identify the resourceProvides some descriptive, educational and computer information as well as subject assignment for browsing and assessment. All resources would include this information

Recommended Metadata:All of the required metadata plus more fields that make the resource searchable both spatially and temporallyProvides more technical, educational, and descriptive information for searching

Robust Metadata:Includes required, recommended fields plus all other fields. Allows for DLESE community specific searches

11

Metadata Fields for the Levels: Required

Required Metadata: URL, title, descriptionSubjectResource type, AudienceTechnical requirementsResource creator and cataloger informationCost, copyright

12

Metadata Fields for the Levels:Recommended and Robust

Recommended Metadata: Includes coverage, keywords, more educational and technical information

Robust Metadata:Includes the National Science Education Standards, peer review, related resources, annotations and difficulty by grade level

13

Cataloging Resources

Make informed decisions about content, pedagogy, and computer requirements based on best practices and cataloger expertise

From experience, spend 30 to 60 minutes to generate required metadata for unfamiliar resources

Manually catalog by copying, pasting, and typing while reviewing resource on-line

14

Become Familiar with Resource

Decide what to catalog and how (granularity)Create single records for resources as a whole

Create additional records if individual parts of resource differ substantially in technical requirements, descriptions and educational data

Create relationships between resources using the fields of description, learning resource type and relation

Strikes a balance between supporting resource discovery with reasonable user effort yet avoids potential user frustration with retrieving to many redundant records

Community developed collections may have varying levels of granularity

15

DLESE Resource Cataloger

http://www.dlese.org/Metadata/Click on “Catalog a record”Link to scope statementActivities supported:

Catalog resources that you would like to have in the library Edit resource catalog records you have created previously; incremental save then submitView best practice guidelines and view vocabulary explanations for DLESE required metadata

16

Scope Statement

The scope of the DLESE collection is Earth system education, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary areas. The collection seeks resources that bring the Earth System into the classroom or other learning site, and which demonstrate the application of science to solving real world problems. The collection shall favor resources which convey linkages and connections: the general with the specific, observation with interpretation, theory with application, global with local. The collection shall favor materials that are well-documented, easy to use, bug-free, motivational for learners, pedagogically effective, scientifically accurate,and which foster mastery of significant understandings or skills.

17

What Happens After I Submit My Record?

Record is reviewed for QA/QCInternal inventory controls assigned ( ID numbers, etc )Additional information added via XML“Ingested” into the databaseAvailable via the discovery systemTiming……will depend on volume of use

18

Future Metadata Development Plans

DLESE Resource Cataloger extended to recommended and robust metadata…. Standards, coverage

Continue controlled vocabulary refinement

Vocabulary definitions for all

Additional educational features; e.g. pedagogy, diversity, concept map connections

19

Cataloging at Home

http://www.dlese.org/Metadata

Subscribe to community and metadata listservs to get updates on new releases

Explore Metadata site for more background information on metadata developments

Contact the DPC with support questions in using the Resource Cataloger