JISC

The PORTOLE project aims to produce a range of tools for tutors which will enable them to discover information resources and embed these into their course modules from within a University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).  PORTOLE will produce a set of tools that make it easy for the tutor to discover resources to support an online learning resource, and embed these into the learning environment.  A key deliverable will be to produce tools that have been designed with the ease of incorporation into a variety of VLE environments in mind.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to produce a range of tools for tutors which will enable them to discover information resources and embed these into their course modules from within a University Virtual Learning Environment.  The tools will be designed with the ease of incorporation into a variety of VLE environments in mind. 

The specific objectives are to:

• To encourage the wider use of RDN and other information resources through the development and use of tools which enable tutors to discover quality-assured external resources.
• To encourage the integration of RDN resources with local digital library resources in a VLE environment.
• To enrich the learning environment through the use of annotations adding context and relevance.

Project Methodology

The project's focus is to produce a demonstrable working system which will be used by a pilot group of tutors at the University of Leeds during the course of the project. 

The project methodology is based around an establishment of user needs.  A user needs analysis will be carried out using focus groups of academic and Library staff at the University of Leeds.  The results of this analysis will be used to develop the functional requirements specification and technical requirements specification. The system will then be developed and tested on users prior to full implementation. An evaluation and dissemination phase will follow.

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

The project deliverables are as follows:

• The development of a platform-independent Open Source set of tools that tutors can use to identify quality-assured resources from the RDN and from local digital library sources.
• A demonstrable working system to enable tutors to embed these resources within the course module environment of the VLE.
• Facilities for adding value, such as annotations and other sign-posting tools.
• A final report on the project, including an evaluation of the technical approach and issues, scaleability, transferability of the model to other institutions, and a set of models and guidelines for best practice in this area.
• A strategy towards the initiation of the Java Specification Request for a VLE API.