JISC

OLIVE is a collaborative project between Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Westminster. The project is a practical exploration of the OpenURL as a method of linking between VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) software and digital library resources at both reference list and learning object levels.

Aims and Objectives

Firstly to OpenURL enable reference lists held within the VLE to allow the seamless linking from the reference to the full text online (when available), to document delivery services, or to offer location services (e.g. look up the reference on a library catalogue). Secondly, to OpenURL enable the VLE at a learning object level to allow the LOM (Learning Object Metadata) to be passed to an OpenURL resolver, which could then offer appropriate resources, based on the LOM (this could be full-text journals, websites or other digital objects). 

The specific objectives are to:

• Working implementations of the OpenURL at reference list level within the LearnWise VLE and the Blackboard VLE, using SFX as an OpenURL resolver
• Best practice guide for the OpenURL enabling of reference lists within a VLE
• A specification for the OpenURL for learning object metadata that can be registered as part of the OpenURL standard
• A working implementation of the OpenURL at a learning object level within the LearnWise VLE and the Blackboard VLE, using SFX as an OpenURL resolver
• Best practice guide for the OpenURL enabling at a learning object level within a VLE

Project Methodology

OLIVE will develop and apply OpenURL implementations for Reference Lists in two specific VLEs. The implication of this is that a user of the VLE (e.g. a tutor) can create a list of references within the VLE, and they will automatically include links to full-text online where it is available, or to other useful information sources (e.g. a library catalogue, or resource list). OLIVE will also develop and apply an OpenURL implementation for a Learning Object. This will, in theory, allow a list of relevant resources to be generated easily, based on the Learning Object Metadata. This could allow the user to find Learning Objects created by the same tutor, or that are designed to fulfil the same learning objectives, or simply to generate a list of relevant resources for the Learning Object.

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

OLIVE will produce tangible developments within two specific VLEs which have wide coverage in the HE and FE communities (LearnWise and Blackboard). It is hoped that the techniques used will be applicable with other VLE packages. OLIVE will also produce best practice guidelines for OpenURL implementations within VLEs which will be publicly available. The results of OLIVE will be presented at suitable conferences, and disseminated in the appropriate literature, as well as via a project website.