Positioning librarians as essential to the new virtual learning environments

This paper discusses the explosion in the use of electronic resources by students and the development of e-books. The existing high usage will intensify as virtual learning environments (VLEs) become the primary means of interaction between students and universities. A brief outline of university library procurement in the UK is given, followed by an analysis of a recent ground-breaking tender for e-books for higher education libraries in the UK. The continuing development of a bespoke subject collection of e-books for nursing students is explored in some detail, as is the demand for non-traditional resources for the VLE. The paper closes by discussing the information architecture necessary to streamline and unify access to resources in the hybrid library, and to lay the foundation for an architecture appropriate to the electronic library

Positioning Librarians as indispensible to the new Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs)

This paper discusses the explosion in the use of electronic resources by students and the development of e-books. The existing high usage will intensify as virtual learning environments (VLEs) become the primary means of interaction between students and universities. A brief outline of university library procurement in the UK is given, followed by an analysis of a recent ground-breaking tender for e-books for higher education libraries in the UK. The continuing development of a bespoke subject collection of e-books for nursing students is explored in some detail, as is the demand for non-traditional resources for the VLE. The paper closes by discussing the information architecture necessary to streamline and unify access to resources in the hybrid library, and to lay the foundation for an architecture appropriate to the electronic library

Migrating Heritage: Experiences of Cultural Networks and Cultural Dialogue in Europe

Bringing together an international forum of experts, this book looks at how museums, libraries and other public cultural institutions respond to the effects of globalisation, mobility and migration across Europe. It puts forward examples of innovative practice and policies that reflect these challenges, looking at issues such as how institutions present themselves to and interact with multicultural audiences, how to support networking across European institutions, and share practice in core activities such as archiving and exhibiting artefacts. Academics, practitioners from museums and public institutions, policymakers, and representatives of migrant communities explore theoretical and practical approaches from a range of different disciplines such as museum studies, cultural studies, social anthropology, sociology of organizations, and library and information science

Audiovisual preservation strategies, data models and value-chains

This is a report on preservation strategies, models and value-chains for digital file-based audiovisual content. The report includes: (a)current and emerging value-chains and business-models for audiovisual preservation;(b) a comparison of preservation strategies for audiovisual content including their strengths and weaknesses, and(c) a review of current preservation metadata models, and requirements for extension to support audiovisual files

Creation and evaluation of AnswersIn, a novel computer based teaching framework in gastroenterology

Background: There is currently little evidence of a theoretical base for the development and delivery of multimedia teaching in medicine. In this thesis I have; (1) reviewed the principles of adult learning and Instructional Design (ID) (2) proposed an evidence based model for a novel multimedia learning framework (3) developed the model (4) delivered the program to medical students who evaluated its functionality and content and (5) identified learning points for future investigators. Method: Interview style scripts were authored, recorded and integrated to produce “AnswersIn Gastroenterology”. A focus group based pilot study tested the robustness of the program and need for modification. Following a survey of medical student access to multimedia computers, AnswersIn was made available on the university server. The technical challenges of web-delivery were documented and the program made available to four consecutive student groups during their gastroenterology blocks. At the end of each block, students formatively evaluated the resource via a questionnaire. Additionally, the variety of data available using a web-tracker was examined as well as the effect upon usage of a series of advertising emails. Results: 8.5 hours of content were developed. The focus group recommended modifications which were implemented. The survey demonstrated that medical students have high levels of access to multimedia computers. Despite problems encountered during the implementation phase, a total of 178 students had access over four blocks. 21 percent considered AnswersIn as an alternative to lectures and 33 percent indicated that they would use AnswersIn as their main learning resource. Students gave reasons why they continued to favour traditional teaching methods but almost all stated that they would like to see AnswersIn extended to other subjects. Web tracking demonstrated that advertising increased usage. Conclusion: AnswersIn is a novel framework formulated using principles of adult learning and Instructional Design. Formative assessments indicate that students respond favourably to its introduction and its usage can be influenced by advertising

ECLAP 2012 Conference on Information Technologies for Performing Arts, Media Access and Entertainment

It has been a long history of Information Technology innovations within the Cultural Heritage areas. The Performing arts has also been enforced with a number of new innovations which unveil a range of synergies and possibilities. Most of the technologies and innovations produced for digital libraries, media entertainment and education can be exploited in the field of performing arts, with adaptation and repurposing. Performing arts offer many interesting challenges and opportunities for research and innovations and exploitation of cutting edge research results from interdisciplinary areas. For these reasons, the ECLAP 2012 can be regarded as a continuation of past conferences such as AXMEDIS and WEDELMUSIC (both pressed by IEEE and FUP). ECLAP is an European Commission project to create a social network and media access service for performing arts institutions in Europe, to create the e-library of performing arts, exploiting innovative solutions coming from the ICT

Electronic Imaging & the Visual Arts. EVA 2012 Florence

The key aim of this Event is to provide a forum for the user, supplier and scientific research communities to meet and exchange experiences, ideas and plans in the wide area of Culture & Technology. Participants receive up to date news on new EC and international arts computing & telecommunications initiatives as well as on Projects in the visual arts field, in archaeology and history. Working Groups and new Projects are promoted. Scientific and technical demonstrations are presented