Digital Repositories
The simplest way of sharing these resources is by making them available online. The problem with this method is that anyone searching for your resources has to rely on a search engine (such as Google) to find that resource. A more effective way of managing content is to use Digital Repository software. A Digital Repository is essentially a database that allows the storage, sourcing and retrieval of resources, or Learning Objects, in a variety of standard formats including HTML files, images and animations.
Some VLEs have integrated repositories that allow tutors easily to manage their learning resources. However if you have multiple VLEs in your institution or intend to change your VLE, then a digital repository independant of your VLE would be a good choice. You could upload your resources into a repository using a simple browse tool. During upload the system will record your name (as resource author), the date, file format etc, but you may have to add some information about the resources (frequently referred to as metadata). This is likely to include a description of the resource and its intended use. This description may help others to source your resource.
The following Figure (used with kind permision from WebCT) illustrates how you could upload resource materials from your computer to a repository within WebCT Vista. This system requires you to describe each resource with metadata, so that these items can be re-used any number of times within courses or modules. Institutions have implemented repositories like these at Institutional, Departmental, Course or Module level, allowing content to be stored in one location and reused many times.
Learning resources contained within the database can quickly and easily be sourced by keying in search terms as shown in the following figure:
These resources can then be made available to students within a course. Until recently, most commonly available VLEs did not have this facility available. This resulted in duplication of materials within institutions with multiple copies of single resources having to be updated individually. Temporary solutions had been tested, including storing resources at a location outwith the VLE and creating links to these resources from online courses contained within the system. These temporary solutions usually have limited success, since there is no means by which tutors can easily source available resources. The best solution is to store resources within a searchable database or digital repository.
Metadata is often seen as a barrier to the uptake in use of a repository - generally we are not skilled in this area. We advise discussing your requirements with your librarian as they will have experience in defining metadata. For example what will be compulsory, what can be optional, who should have responsibility for the metadata? For some ideas take a look at Jorum. You may find it useful to have some procedures in place before roll-out for general use.
A repository is only as good as the materials that are stored within it and you may have difficulty encouraging tutors to use it; especially if metadata and procedures are viewed as obstacles. A view taken by a group at the ALT/SURF/ILTA Spring Conference Reseach Seminar (G.Roberts et al, 2005) was to allow the respository to be 'an uncontolled system to begin with, allowing anyone to deposit anything'. It was recognised that this would be an anathema to some as quality controls are high on the agendas of most institutions.
There are real gains to be made by using a digital repository but these will only be realised when it becomes embedded into practice. Further discussion on some of these topics can be found in a JISC funded UKOLN/AHDS Digital Repositories Review.
