Integrating Learning Resources in StudyNet

Paul HudsonLearning Technology Development Unit

Learning and Information ServicesUniversity of Hertfordshire

What I will be covering….

• StudyNet - Hertfordshire’s Managed Learning Environment

• Integration with Voyager• Live demonstration• Targeted information resources for staff

and students• Live demonstration• Where Next?

StudyNet development

• Development started December 2000

• Developed in-house by the LTDU

• Developed using Lotus Domino

• Re-use existing data wherever possiblei.e. Genesis - student record system Voyager - Resource Management system

StudyNet development

• ‘Pilot’ released September 2001/2:

– 22,000 users– Website created for every module– 50% usage April 2002

StudyNet - now

• 5 million logins

• 13000 module websites

• System has developed to meet the needs of academics

• Successful CETL bid – ‘BLU’

The Role of Voyager(the library catalogue)

Initial Voyager Integration

• Search Voyager from StudyNet

• Automatic logon

• Reading list manager

The need for a Reading List Manager

Pilot with philosophy identified…..

• Reading Lists generally out of date

• Inappropriate stock levels

• Voyager reading lists unmanageable

Features of a reading list manager• Create reading list items via Voyager

• Check stock levels of core items

• Request new copies

• Information Consultants could help academics update their reading list to reflect new editions

Let’s have a look around

LIS Learning Resources

• A-Z Lists of E-Journals• New books• Exam Papers• Consultants ‘subject’ web pages

However• Level of support was patchy• Duplication of work and data• Data couldn’t be reused

LIS Learning Resources

• One central data source (Voyager)

• Remove duplication of work

• Provide simple tools to manage and organise resources

• Consistent level of support

Targeting Central Resources Project

• Project funded by University

• Catalogue and categorise by ‘subject’ central information resources.

• To use the categories to provide an information resources environment:– Determined by programme of study

The Implementation

• Weekly data export of journals and websites

• StudyNet database holds partial holdings record

• Data is classified by type and subject• Hierarchal browsing interface• Tools to create subject pages /

integrate resources in to modules.

Contact Details

• Email: P.a.hudson@herts.ac.uk

• Learning Technology Development Unithttp://www.herts.ac.uk/ltdu/