Digitool, an existing digital repository that is available through the University Library is currently being trialled. Initially it will be used to store and catalogue a range of digital resources around the teaching themes for use in BIOSCI100 & 100G. The Dublin core is used to standardise the metadata descriptors. In designing the digital repository, the team is mindful of issues around copyright and access. The project will investigate the potential of this repository as a teaching resource and the practicality of maintaining and building on such a system in the longer term. It will also consider the long term costs for investment in such a system and likely usage by the staff within the School of Biological Sciences.
Drivers
- Easy, organised and searchable storage
- Secure access
- Collaboration/community of practice between contributors
- Sustainability/reusability of digital resources
Issues
- Managing access and use
- Copyright
- Wider use within School of Biological Sciences
A digital repository is a globally accessible web-based library of digital resources. It enables easy retrieval and reuse of such resources by supporting organised, searchable storage through cataloguing. Such a repository seems to be the ideal solution for the team teaching Stage One Biological Sciences and General Education paper, Antarctica: the frozen continent. They are currently working to enhance their online course. The project aims to enrich the students’ learning experience by creating new self-directed learning modules that utilise visual resources such as photos, graphical illustrations, videos and multimedia.
Through its own research programs and those of colleagues in New Zealand and abroad, the teaching team has accumulated a large number photos, videos and multimedia presentations of Antarctica and its wildlife. Setting up a digital repository to store all these digital resources in a secure, yet convenient location with organised and searchable storage will allow the team to maintain these resources for future use. It will also make it possible to share these wonderful resources within the university and beyond, thus providing an opportunity to build on existing collaborations and foster a community of practice with fellow researchers and biological science teachers. The overall intention is to make sustainable use of these multimedia resources. Initially this will be achieved by selecting few as core components of the course while making the rest available to the students enrolled in the course.
Ashwini Datt 