JISC

This project is part of the museum content project cluster in this particular programme. The main focus for projects in this cluster is on the development and digitisation of museum collections for learning and teaching.

Background

The Archaeology Data Service was established to collect, describe, catalogue, preserve, and provide user support for digital resources that are created as a product of archaeological research. The ADS is primarily funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Board and JISC and is part of the Arts and Humanities Data Service. Since the establishment of its online catalogue in September 1998, the ADS has begun to build rich collections of quality digital data for use in learning, teaching and research. These include the first national and regional Sites and Monuments Records to be made available via the Internet, full-scale digital excavation archives and the archaeological components of rich inter-disciplinary data sets complementing data held by its sister AHDS service providers. The use of these collections is expanding rapidly. The ADS places a high priority on raising awareness of the potential use of digital data held by the ADS within the further and higher education sectors and is developing a programme of visits to FECs and HEIs, but while these visits are important, they are no substitute for the use of ADS resources within the core syllabus. The ADS recognises that there is great potential for developing electronic tutorials based on existing licensed data sets that would enhance and expand their use within the DNER for learning and teaching. Electronic tutorials would be used by ADS staff, but could also be delivered by the staff of home institutions.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to increase the use of digital data available within the DNER, specifically that held by the ADS and the AHDS, by the further and higher education archaeological community. The project aims to develop electronic tutorial packs to promote the use of ADS resources within the core syllabus being delivered by FE and HE institutions. The specific objectives are to:

• Produce four web-based tutorial packs covering aspects of use of monument inventories, excavation archives, electronic publications and inter-disciplinary datasets
• Enrich users’ understanding of the analysis and use of primary archaeological electronic resources
• Implement the four electronic tutorial packs initially in six Higher Education Institutions
• Present a framework for the use of primary archaeological electronic resources in teaching and learning
• Enhance the ADS data collections as part of the DNER

Project design

The project aims to provide an introduction to the use of primary archaeological data and historical documentary sources as part of the varied curricula taught by archaeology departments and to provide a platform for inter-disciplinary studies. A recent CBA survey has identified 45 HEI’s with archaeology undergraduate degree programmes, 18 HEI’s offering heritage or museum studies, 4 FE sector colleges offering HND/HNC qualifications in archaeology and 10 offering similar qualifications in heritage or museum studies. Analysis of primary data also features in taught masters courses in post-excavation and field archaeology, archaeological computing, heritage management, museum studies and undergraduate history degree programmes. Computer networks offer flexibility in the delivery of education and training in a learning society. Network infrastructure improvements and technology developments (in particular the Web) are providing opportunities for the use of computers in education. The project will evaluate different pedagogical approaches to delivering learning and teaching materials online including existing resources. A qualitative approach will be taken which will aim to exploit the potential of network based learning for self-study and the establishment of a distributed learning community based on DNER resources.

Outcomes

The project will deliver:

• Four web-deliverable tutorials, each averaging the equivalent of three hours of teaching content, but capable of supporting self-directed learning for much longer periods. Tutorials will be supported by documentation for teachers, but will also be usable in a distance learning or self-directed study environment
• Four enhanced data collections available from the ADS catalogue as part of the DNER

Ultimately, the project addresses the interests and needs of the FE and HE sector in using primary digital data in learning and teaching.