290 likes | 387 Views
EDAM project (Exploratorium Digital Asset Management) IMLS grant #10028. Bacteria producing color. Project Goals. A virtual library accessible via the Web Provide quick access for staff and external audiences Create a collection of 10,000 catalogued digital assets
E N D
EDAM project(Exploratorium Digital Asset Management)IMLS grant #10028 Bacteria producing color
Project Goals • A virtual library accessible via the Web • Provide quick access for staff and external audiences • Create a collection of 10,000 catalogued digital assets • Focus on the best of the photo archive Colored Shadows
Project Goals Bending Light • Make data exportable and compatible with international standards • Anticipate future uses and needs • Document what we learn
Project Requirements • Learning the field • Esoteric jargon (interoperability, granularity of data, learning objects, METADATA) • Evolving standards • Information specialists, techies, and other geeks Genetic Eye Color
Project RequirementsThe Team:Information Specialist, Project Coordinator Rose
Project RequirementsThe Team:Digital Image Quality Control Kate
Project RequirementsThe Team:Internal IT Issues; Vendor Relations Ron
Project RequirementsTechnology • Software: Cumulus by Canto; multi-user system for staff; Web publishing module for external users; customized interfaces • Hardware: SunSparc server, NT network for internal users • In-house know-how Exhibit Builder
Project RequirementsPlanning • Needs assessment • Digitization plan • International standards • Conceptual framework • Back-up, storage, security, maintenance Duck Into Kaleidoscope
Project RequirementsTime and Patience • Unexpected technical difficulties • Infrastructure development Hexagon in a cube
Project RequirementsTime and Patience • Cultural barriers; territoriality; trust; buy-in • Inconsistent intellectual property policies • Beta testers; training and hand-holding Bubbles demonstrate osmosis
Outcomes, Lesson Learned, & Surprises • Popularity with users • Improved efficiency and customer service • Agent of change; capacity building; core of experienced users • New resources as users grasp potential Bubblemania
Outcomes, Lesson Learned, & Surprises • Democratization of asset creation • Quality control issues
Outcomes, Lesson Learned, & SurprisesStaff support time; learning curve
Outcomes, Lesson Learned, & Surprises • Digitize and catalog each asset ONCE! • Let go; what’s lost is lost; prevent future loss Scattered blue light from ice cave Bone Stress
Outcomes, Lesson Learned, & Surprises • Positive financial impact; efficiency of access and delivery • A clearer sense of necessary next steps Yosemite Falls
User Feedback from Educators • How have you used EDAM? • “Lesson plan inspiration, development, embellishment” • “…to prepare for a field trip and a student worksheet” • “…for my workshops on holographic imaging at MIT.” • “Needed a lab activity and EDAM was a resource.” • “to show natural phenomena and relate to physical principles.” Diffuse Reflection
User Feedback from Educators • 75% found the online catalog Acceptable to Very Easy to use • 84% found it Acceptable to Very Easy to adapt and customize an EDAM asset Interfering Water Ripples
User Feedback from Educators • 73% reported EDAM had not changed the way they teach, however: • “It hasn’t changed the way I teach (yet!!); it has just made it much easier to locate and use visual resources in my lessons, which I appreciate very much!” Egg Farm
User Feedback from Educators • What have you gained/learned? • 36% reported a better understanding of scientific phenomena • 36% reported an increased ability to teach scientific concepts • Several appreciated free images; “Gained access to a huge number of images to illustrate concepts.” Giraffe Pattern
User Feedback from Educators • 80% of respondents have an Internet connection speed of 128K ISDN or higher Leaping Boulders
Going Forward • Refine data elements to better meet user needs • Refine interface for appeal and ease of use • Focus on educators; NSDL project • Tackle video and audio archives • Strengthen policies • Plan for sustainability Antarctic Glacier