How I learned to stop worrying and love the e-strategy

1. How I learned to stop worrying and love the e-strategy Tracey Stanley Head of E-Strategy and Development Leeds University Library

2. The E-Strategy conundrum “I know who I was when I got up this morning but I think I must have been changed several times since then” (Alice in Wonderland)

3. An E-Strategy might include... External content (eg: RDN) Campus intranet Virtual Learning Environments University web site E-prints Portals Collaborative working tools Management Information Systems Electronic library services Student information systems Managed learning environments Grants management systems

4. 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!

5. 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).

6. 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?

7. Case Study: University of Nottingham

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Discussion sessions • Work in groups to discuss topics. • Choose someone to take notes and report back.