JISC

Overview

HE/FE community and the OU are facing the problem of integrating legacy systems into institution-wide VLEs . …systems integration represents a significant and growing challenge… (MUSIC 2007)

Current OU course-based resource repository, MyOpenLibrary (MOL), although popular is not scalable beyond isolated courses and it is not possible to integrate it with the suite of tools within the OUVLE. We are not able to offer the quality and consistency of service provision required or to meet fully emerging requirements of the lifelong learner. Therefore, it’s important to integrate Library systems with those other institutional systems for a better user experience.

“How can The Open University manage the process of integrating legacy systems into a recently introduced institution-wide VLE?”

Aims and objectives

To create an exemplar project that seeks to:

• replace the legacy system, MyOpenLibrary (MOL) with a more robust integrated technical solution for managing library content within the VLE workflow;
• model more effective bibliographic resource management for the institution and the broader e-learning communities which can ensure efficient, timely and more flexible distribution of these resources;
• investigate the impact on changing practice for managing bibliographic referencing within e-learning;
• support the development and application of high quality bibliographic management skills for learning and employability.

Project methodology

The library will seek a more effective integration of its services with the OUVLE platform. To do this we will make use of a bibliographic management system (RefWorks) that allows the creation, compilation and sharing of bibliographic resources.

We will develop two prototypes followed by pilots to achieve the aims above.

Specialist learning and teaching support librarians will undertake in-depth liaison, coaching and support for faculty members.

The project will address the cultural change required from faculty staff, librarians and e-learning support staff to adopt different ways of working and document the impact.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

• Workflows options appraisal

• Prototype Technical Documentation, including:
  o Report - scalability of RefWorks
  o Report - impact of proposed solution on existing Library systems and service models
  o Deep linking with Persistent Identifiers appraisal
  o Report - feasibility of integrating a RefWorks application within the ePortfolio system
  o Installation and user guides

• User Requirements Specification

•  Solution prototypes

• New eProduction procedures 

• Sustainability model (service plan)

• Contribution to the e-Framework for Education and Research Service Usage Models development

• A written case study of the exemplar project

• An evaluation report including the user experience; and the change management issues

Technology / Standards used

RIS file format, XML, RSS, OPML, DOI, OpenURL

Lead Institution

• The Open University

Project partners

• RefWorks

Final report