JISC

This project is part of the Enhancing JISC data services for Teaching and Learning project cluster in this particular programme. Projects in this cluster are aimed at improving access to and accessibility of JISC resources in support of learning and teaching.

Background

With an increasing number of courses available online and the proliferation of networked information resources there is a pressing need to provide integrated access for students and to integrate support and management from academics and librarians.

The JISC has funded the development of an Authenticated Networked Guided Environment for Learning (ANGEL) to provide powerful access management tools.

Aims and Objectives

ANGEL will be able to offer students:

• Integrated access to: digital library resources, for example from the local library, the JISC’s Distributed National Electronic Resource (DNER) and the wider Web; online learning as delivered, for example, by WebCT and similar course content management tools; and locally produced resources such as reading lists, examination papers, lecture notes, electronic course packs, model answers, discussion lists and tutorial advice
• Customised and personalised views of available resources based on course needs, current progress and personal preferences
• Seamless access to all the services
• Support across the whole range of material

Educators and librarians will be able to:

• Design courses which effectively combine all kinds of material
• Track student progress through all resources
• Offer support and guidance across all sorts of networked sources

ANGEL will build on pioneering research in integrating access in the hybrid library, such as the Headline PIE, and in virtual learning environments, such as De Montfort’s Learning Domain. The Networked Authentication part of the effort will develop an access management system. ANGEL will work closely with those responsible within the JISC for authentication and security of information.

Outcome

As well as portable, reusable, open software components for use by further and higher education, the project will deliver updates on personalisation, authentication and authorisation developments and public reports on the metadata, licensing and other interoperability issues.