The benefits of open standards : JISC

Over the past 20 years, we have become completely dependent on ICT systems for the day-to-day running of our universities and colleges to the point that we couldn’t now imagine operating without them. But could we use these systems much more effectively? This session will explore what information standards are and will identify key ways in which they could save universities and colleges money and free up resources for use elsewhere by streamlining routine processes. Delegates will hear from two institutions where implementing standards has helped them to find real efficiencies. The University of Bolton has recently replaced its VLE WebCT with Moodle. Information standards such as content packaging have simplified the process of transferring data resulting in significant savings in staff time. At Southampton the question and test interoperability specification is being used to prevent lock in to one assessment system. Good questions take time to write and quality assure, so it is not cost-effective for staff to rewrite questions for each specific system. The session will conclude with a panel question and answer session where attendees will have the opportunity to ask practical questions about how to make the most of an open standards approach in their institutions. Background information: Assessing the Business Case for Standards: An introduction for Strategy and Resourcing Committees briefing paper

JISC Conference 2011
1. Programme

The benefits of open standards

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Session presentation The Benefits of Open Standards Paul Hollins, Director, JISC CETIS

Session presentation The case for open standards Wilbert Kraan, Assistant Director at JISC CETIS

Session presentation How Bolton uses Interoperability Standards Patrick O’Reilly, Head of Information Systems, Technology and Library, University of Bolton

Session presentation Using QTI at Southampton Gary Wills and Bill Warburton, University of Southampton

Assessing the business case for standards - briefing paper Introduction for strategy planning and resourcing committees Making a business case for interoperability and standards is a challenging task for those involved in the strategic planning of IT systems in educational institutions. This briefing with its accompanying references is intended to provide advice and supporting materials to help people to incorporate standards in their ICT-related business cases. It assumes some familiarity with the way IT systems are presently deployed and maintained in educational institutions, and will be of interest to Information Services managers and senior managers for strategy planning and resourcing.

JISC CETIS The future of interoperability standards in education (PDF) In January 2010, JISC CETIS organised a working meeting to bring together participants across a range of standards organisations and communities to look at the future of interoperability standards in the education sector. This paper summarises the views expressed by delegates at the meeting. JISC Centre for Educational Technology and Interoperability Standards
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	Session information
Who should attend	Institutional IT managers Senior Managers Learning Technologists VLE managers Assessment system managers No technical knowledge will be required for this session.
Abstract	Over the past 20 years, we have become completely dependent on ICT systems for the day-to-day running of our universities and colleges to the point that we couldn’t now imagine operating without them. But could we use these systems much more effectively? This session will explore what information standards are and will identify key ways in which they could save universities and colleges money and free up resources for use elsewhere by streamlining routine processes. Delegates will hear from two institutions where implementing standards has helped them to find real efficiencies. The University of Bolton has recently replaced its VLE WebCT with Moodle. Information standards such as content packaging have simplified the process of transferring data resulting in significant savings in staff time. At Southampton the question and test interoperability specification is being used to prevent lock in to one assessment system. Good questions take time to write and quality assure, so it is not cost-effective for staff to rewrite questions for each specific system. The session will conclude with a panel question and answer session where attendees will have the opportunity to ask practical questions about how to make the most of an open standards approach in their institutions. Background information: Assessing the Business Case for Standards: An introduction for Strategy and Resourcing Committees briefing paper
Speakers	Chair Paul Hollins, Director, JISC CETIS Speakers Wilbert Kraan, Assistant Director, JISC CETIS Patrick O’Reilly, Head of Information Systems, Technology and Library, University of Bolton Dr. Gary Wills, Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton Dr. Bill Warburton CAA Officer, University of Southampton
Take away	An understanding of the benefits of using information standards A knowledge of some of the current standards relevant to learning and teaching Tangible examples of the efficiency savings to be gained by using standards