What should we be learning about?

When this wiki was formed I had the idea to put together a learning program about the semantic library - free, online, and designed for librarians who want to know more but aren't sure where to start. Content would be in plain English, and might look a bit like Five Weeks to a Social Library - online and open using free tools. Participants would be provided with readings and discussion tools to talk to others.

 

Here's a rough idea of what the program might cover. Got ideas? Feel free to add them! If you would like to help out with organising/running such a program please add your name.

 

Fiona

 

Thanks so much to:

Naeem Shabir

Jodi Schneider

Laura J Smart

Jonathan Blackburn

 

For their awesome contributions so far!

 

Question [Jon B]: Would we consider a "tracked" approach for this program, where somewhere in the middle participants were allowed to break off into facilitated groups to work on issues more specific to their interests? The Semantic Web covers so many technologies and possibilities, it's hard to see the forest from the trees without some focus or hands-on experience in your area.  Perhaps, we could assign each group a small "project" to come up with an idea for a semantic web application, project, or standard that would be useful for their field(s).

Response [Fiona]: This is a great idea, and should be easy to manage within Moodle or other learning management software. I envision this being a little like BIGWIG but 100% online where people can share examples and resources, and then work together.

Response [Jon B]: Cool - good to know - just looking at the topics below  ... there is SO much that could be covered.  Breaking up into groups would allow everyone to get a idea of the depth and range of uses of semantic technologies, and if they "presented" their findings back to the broader group, everyone could benefit.  Another project idea would be to have each group create a "work plan for applying a semantic web technology in libraries" or something like that. (Sorry I love interactive, group stuff.)

Response [Laura]: I love the idea of work plan. It would help learners understand the "so-what" factor and it would provide incentive for doing the learning program -- a good thing if, for example, one wanted to persuade an entire library work group to do the training.  I will discuss with my colleagues and see if they would be interested as we're currently writing up our annual training plans.  I think the notion of having an application in mind that the learners will create and implement as they learn will be persuasive.  We meet next week, I'll let you know how they respond.  Oh -- and perhaps we should consider a general discussion of library specific applications in Week 1 to give some context prior to the details of Week 4.   

 

So where are we with getting this up and running?

 

[Fiona: July 2008] Thanks to the awesome contributions of everyone below, we have a really good structure for the kinds of things that people may want to learn about and references. My aim is to start building a course within Moodle, Drupal or another LMS by about October. Why not sooner? I'm moving back across the world in August and I expect it will take me a couple of weeks to settle into things!

[Laura]: I'd advocate for Drupal.  Jon B is experienced.  I'm in the midst of learning it.  Perhaps we can help move this forward while you're moving?

 

  1. What should we be learning about?
    1. So where are we with getting this up and running?
    2. Pre-program: Before you begin
    3. Week 1: What is the semantic web?
    4. Week 2: Components
    5. Week 3: Hands-on
    6. Week 4: Applications in libraries, research, data and science
    7. Week 5: Summary

 

Pre-program: Before you begin

 

  • What skills do we presume of the learning audience? We should brainstorm and make explicit the background knowledge necessary to succeed in the Learning Program.
    • basic knowledge of WWW architecture, HTML, XML
    • basic knowledge of metadata
    • ...what else?

[Fiona's comment: this is important I agree that there will be some technical background required. Learner profiles will help us to better define course outcomes and promote the course]

  • Sound knowledge of databases and database structures (to make explaining linked data easier?)
  • How to obtain the requisite background. Provide links/tutorials etc.
  • Tech specs necessary to do the course -- what programs you'll need installed on your computer, will you need access to a web server etc.?

 

Program audience (adapted from: http://www.semanticlibrary.net/2008/04/18/learning-the-semantic-web/ )

 

Brainstorm here!

 

  • Learners are likely to be in the middle-ground of early adopters. They are enthusiastic about new technology and keen to learn more, but may not have found the time (or motivation, or practical hands-on project to practice skill-building) to examine RDF, OWL and other aspects of the Semantic Web in detail.
  • They are likely to be in work roles involving technology, at all types of libraries. Level of technology involvement in the workplace is likely to vary widely from ERM specialists, to reference/techie staff, to web developers, to cataloging department staff without any technical experience beyond following detailed step-by-step procedures for cataloging with the local ILS.
  • Learners are likely to benefit from online discussion to share ideas and knowledge
  • Learners are likely to want examples where they can see technologies and concepts in practice
  • Learners are likely to want exercises where they can get "hands on" practice
  • Learners will want clear takeaways from the course such as future learning steps or applications for their work

 

Week 1: What is the semantic web?

 

  • Overview of evolution
  • Where we are now (e.g. semantic web patterns)
  • Where we might be in 2-3 years (need for killer app?)
  • Why is it important - what can you do with the semantic web?
  • What libraries are doing about it

 

 

Week 2: Components

 

  • Standards
  • Concepts (overview)
    • What's special about RDF?
    • What's an ontology?
      • Importance/use of ontologies:
  • Tools

 

Week 3: Hands-on

 

 

Week 4: Applications in libraries, research, data and science

 

      • Largely about the algorithms for converting MARC to FRBR and the National Library of Korea's topic maps prototype catalog.
      • I like this better than the paper from the proceedings: Hyun-Sil Lee, Yang-Seung Jeon, and Sung-Kook Han. 2006. MARCXTM: Topic Maps Modeling of MARC Bibliographic Information. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 3873). Charting the Topic Maps Research and Applications Landscape. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/11676904_21

 

Week 5: Summary

 

  • Does the semantic web matter? Trends?
  • Ideas for how to use it in your work - supporting library users, researchers, and providing library services?

 


Page Information

  • 3 days ago [history]
  • View page source
  • You're not logged in
  • No tags yet learn more

Wiki Information

Recent PBwiki Blog Posts