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A Digital Library of Open A Digital Library of Open Access Learning Materials Access Learning Materials about Information about Information Management Management in in OceanTeacherOceanTeacherPaul.Nieuwenhuysen @ vub.ac.bePaul.Nieuwenhuysen @ vub.ac.be

Vrije Universiteit BrusselVrije Universiteit Brussel & & Universiteit AntwerpenUniversiteit AntwerpenBelgiumBelgium

Prepared for a presentation atPrepared for a presentation at ICDL 2006, ICDL 2006, the Second the Second International Conference on Digital LibrariesInternational Conference on Digital Librariesin New Delhi, India, December 2006in New Delhi, India, December 2006

21.1. About UNESCO-IOC-IODEAbout UNESCO-IOC-IODE

2.2. Evolution and aims of Evolution and aims of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

3.3. Structure and contents Structure and contents of of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

4.4. The size of the The size of the digital librarydigital library

5.5. Challenges and Challenges and bottlenecks related to bottlenecks related to OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

6.6. Plans for further Plans for further developmentdevelopment

7.7. Evaluation of Evaluation of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

8.8. Invitation to contributeInvitation to contribute

- contents - summary - structure- overview- scope- plan

of this contribution

About UNESCO-IOC-IODEAbout UNESCO-IOC-IODE

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UNESCO > IOC > IODEUNESCO > IOC > IODE

UNESCO with headquarters in Paris, UNESCO with headquarters in Paris, the the United Nations organization United Nations organization for education, science and culturefor education, science and culture

> UNESCO-IOC > UNESCO-IOC The International Oceanographic CommissionThe International Oceanographic Commission

> UNESCO-IOC-IODE > UNESCO-IOC-IODE = = The International Oceanographic The International Oceanographic

Data and Information ExchangeData and Information Exchangeestablished by the IOC in 1960.established by the IOC in 1960.

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The aims of The aims of UNESCO-IOC-IODEUNESCO-IOC-IODE

• to facilitate and promote the exchange of to facilitate and promote the exchange of oceanographic data and informationoceanographic data and information

• to develop standards, formats, and methods to develop standards, formats, and methods for the global exchange of oceanographic data for the global exchange of oceanographic data and informationand information

• to assist member states to acquire the to assist member states to acquire the necessary capacity to manage oceanographic necessary capacity to manage oceanographic data and information and become partners in data and information and become partners in the IODE networkthe IODE network

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE activities UNESCO-IOC-IODE activities aimed at capacity buildingaimed at capacity building

UNESCOUNESCO

UNESCO-IOCUNESCO-IOC

UNESCO-IOC-IODEUNESCO-IOC-IODE

UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE capacity buildingcapacity building

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE activities UNESCO-IOC-IODE activities aimed at capacity buildingaimed at capacity building

• National & regional workshops and training coursesNational & regional workshops and training courses

• Advisory missionsAdvisory missions

• InternshipsInternships

• Regional Ocean Data & Information Exchange Regional Ocean Data & Information Exchange NetworksNetworksFor instance For instance

»ODINAFRICA for Africa ODINAFRICA for Africa (running)(running)

»ODINCARSA for the Carribean and South America ODINCARSA for the Carribean and South America (needs more funding)(needs more funding)

»ODINCINDIO for the Indian Ocean?ODINCINDIO for the Indian Ocean?

• Training tools: Training tools: OceanTeacherOceanTeacher ! !

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE regional ODIN networksregional ODIN networks

• The ODIN strategy includes the following The ODIN strategy includes the following components:components:

»Linking of Linking of training training equipment equipment operational support operational support

»Stimulating regional co-operationStimulating regional co-operation

»Orientation towards concrete products and Orientation towards concrete products and servicesservices

»Taking into account the many stakeholdersTaking into account the many stakeholders

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UNESCO > IOC > IODE UNESCO > IOC > IODE > ODINAFRICA> ODINAFRICA

For instance:For instance:

ODINAFRICA ODINAFRICA = = The Ocean Data and Information Network The Ocean Data and Information Network for Africafor Africa

http://http://ioc.unesco.org/odinafricaioc.unesco.org/odinafrica//

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE-UNESCO-IOC-IODE-project project ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA

• Started in 2001 with Started in 2001 with 20 States in Africa.20 States in Africa.

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE-UNESCO-IOC-IODE-ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA aims aims

• Aims include the following Aims include the following

»to improve access to data and information to improve access to data and information available in African marine science centersavailable in African marine science centers

»to develop skills for the creation, dissemination to develop skills for the creation, dissemination and analysis of data and information productsand analysis of data and information products

»to stimulate the transition towards digital to stimulate the transition towards digital information systems on the Internet like information systems on the Internet like catalogues + interlibrary lending + catalogues + interlibrary lending + communication by e-mail + usage of Internet-communication by e-mail + usage of Internet-based information sources + document based information sources + document repositoriesrepositories

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE-UNESCO-IOC-IODE-ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA achievements achievements

• National Oceanographic Data Centers National Oceanographic Data Centers establishedestablished

• Improved Internet connectivityImproved Internet connectivity

• Data atlases, Data atlases, meta-databases, meta-databases, national ocean awareness activities, national ocean awareness activities, stakeholder meetings, stakeholder meetings, national coordination teams, national coordination teams, training courses…training courses…

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE-UNESCO-IOC-IODE-ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA achievements achievements

• Improved marine information management:Improved marine information management:

»libraries establishedlibraries established

»one computer program for integrated library one computer program for integrated library management provided and installed in most management provided and installed in most centerscenters

»training courses for information managerstraining courses for information managers

»national catalogues creatednational catalogues created

»merging in a union catalogue that is searchable merging in a union catalogue that is searchable through the WWWthrough the WWW

»start-up of 1 common ODINAFRICA document start-up of 1 common ODINAFRICA document repositoryrepository

Evolution and aims of Evolution and aims of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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OceanTeacher OceanTeacher situated in UNESCO-IOC-IODE situated in UNESCO-IOC-IODE

UNESCOUNESCO

UNESCO-IOCUNESCO-IOC

UNESCO-IOC-IODEUNESCO-IOC-IODE

UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE capacity buildingcapacity building

UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE project project OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• OceanTeacherOceanTeacher provides training tools provides training tools for data and information exchange in general for data and information exchange in general and in particular for applications in ocean and in particular for applications in ocean science. science.

• These tools are used during IODE training These tools are used during IODE training courses, courses, but they can also be used for self training and but they can also be used for self training and continuous professional development.continuous professional development.

• http://ioc.unesco.org/oceanteacher/http://ioc.unesco.org/oceanteacher/

• The WWW site is accessible free of charge.The WWW site is accessible free of charge.

• The site can also be obtained on 1 DVD disk.The site can also be obtained on 1 DVD disk.

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE the evolution towards the evolution towards

OceanTeacherOceanTeacher• 1960-1997: no standard curriculum1960-1997: no standard curriculum

• 1997: start of the development of HTML-based 1997: start of the development of HTML-based training curriculum on CDtraining curriculum on CD

• 1998: start of the IODE “ResourceKit”1998: start of the IODE “ResourceKit”

• 2001: 2001: “ResourceKit” + training modules = “ResourceKit” + training modules = OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

continuedcontinued……

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE the evolution towards the evolution towards

OceanTeacherOceanTeacher• 2003: 2003:

refinement of refinement of the outline the outline = taxonomy = taxonomy = classification = classification = table of contents = table of contents of the study materialsof the study materials

continuedcontinued……

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE the evolution towards the evolution towards

OceanTeacherOceanTeacher• 2004: 2004:

bringing together in common modules the bringing together in common modules the documents on topics that are relevant for data documents on topics that are relevant for data as well as information management, as well as information management, such as such as ICT, metadata & searching techniquesICT, metadata & searching techniques++renaming to renaming to OceanTeacher OceanTeacher “Digital Library” + “Courses”“Digital Library” + “Courses”

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE project project OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• This can be considered primarily as This can be considered primarily as an open access an open access digital library digital library developed in an international co-operation.developed in an international co-operation.

• The author of this presentation is member of The author of this presentation is member of the project team as the project team as Chief Editor Chief Editor for the modules on information managementfor the modules on information management

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE project project OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• The The Digital LibraryDigital Library offers offers

»documents (if available)documents (if available)

»hyperlinks to documents on the WWWhyperlinks to documents on the WWW

»computer programscomputer programs

»references to related products references to related products (such as a cd-rom & corresponding WWW site on (such as a cd-rom & corresponding WWW site on information management, produced by FAO)information management, produced by FAO)

Structure and contents of Structure and contents of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacher digital librarydigital library

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacher digital librarydigital library

• The digital library can be browsed.The digital library can be browsed.

• To facilitate browsing and editing, To facilitate browsing and editing, we developed we developed a table of contents = taxonomy = structure.a table of contents = taxonomy = structure.

• The contents can be searched using an The contents can be searched using an external search system (for instance external search system (for instance GoogleGoogle).).

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacher digital library and coursesdigital library and courses

OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

Digital libraryCourses

Besides the digital library, various “courses” Besides the digital library, various “courses” guide users and trainees through the digital guide users and trainees through the digital library, in a way that corresponds to the aims library, in a way that corresponds to the aims and audience of a particular training course.and audience of a particular training course.

The size of The size of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacher sizesize

• OceanTeacherOceanTeacher is perhaps the largest stand-alone, is perhaps the largest stand-alone, single-topic teaching system on the WWW.single-topic teaching system on the WWW.

• It incorporates the followingIt incorporates the following

»1.5 GBytes1.5 GBytes

»More than 6000 individual filesMore than 6000 individual files

»About 3600 illustrationsAbout 3600 illustrations

»More than 14 000 internal cross-links that integrate More than 14 000 internal cross-links that integrate the entire systemthe entire system

»More than 13 000 links to external resourcesMore than 13 000 links to external resources

»Many oceanographic textbooksMany oceanographic textbooks

Challenges and Challenges and bottlenecks related to bottlenecks related to

OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacherchallenges and bottleneckschallenges and bottlenecks

• Permission must be obtained to include some Permission must be obtained to include some materials in materials in OceanTeacherOceanTeacher, even when they , even when they are available/accessible free of chargeare available/accessible free of charge

continuedcontinued……

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacherchallenges and bottleneckschallenges and bottlenecks

• Only few study materialsOnly few study materials

»are available free of chargeare available free of charge

»offer high quality contentsoffer high quality contents

»are up to date and will be updated later when are up to date and will be updated later when neededneeded

continuedcontinued……

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacherchallenges and bottleneckschallenges and bottlenecks

• Keeping copies of documents and programs up Keeping copies of documents and programs up to date in the to date in the OceanTeacherOceanTeacher system, system, when the original master version contents is when the original master version contents is updated elsewhereupdated elsewhere

• International co-operation in the development International co-operation in the development project requires some face-to-face contacts, project requires some face-to-face contacts, which is expensivewhich is expensive

continuedcontinued……

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OceanTeacherOceanTeacherchallenges and bottleneckschallenges and bottlenecks

• Funds are limited (of course)Funds are limited (of course)

• Differences in language among the users Differences in language among the users hinder communication, training and learning hinder communication, training and learning (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese…)(English, French, Spanish, Portuguese…)

• ……

Plans for further Plans for further development of development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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Further development of Further development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• Development goes on in the Development goes on in the ODIMEXODIMEX project project from 2004 to 2007.from 2004 to 2007.

• This work is supported by the Government of This work is supported by the Government of Flanders, Belgium.Flanders, Belgium.

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Further development of Further development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• Enlarge and improve the open access digital Enlarge and improve the open access digital library of study materials on data and library of study materials on data and information managementinformation management

• In parallel:In parallel:Evaluate, refine and improve the taxonomy / Evaluate, refine and improve the taxonomy / structure of the digital librarystructure of the digital library

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Further development of Further development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• Expand target audience: Expand target audience: focus also on scientists in related areas, focus also on scientists in related areas, not only data and information managers.not only data and information managers.

• Derive from Derive from OceanTeacherOceanTeacher a more or less a more or less standard proposed university curricula, standard proposed university curricula, for various study programs.for various study programs.

• Focus not only on starting data and Focus not only on starting data and information centres in developing countries, information centres in developing countries, but also on continuous professional but also on continuous professional development.development.

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Further development of Further development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• The static web site version of The static web site version of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher is adapted for import in a “dynamic” web site, is adapted for import in a “dynamic” web site, that is managed by a contents management that is managed by a contents management system, system, which is (of course) based on a database which is (of course) based on a database management system management system and and »which provides an electronic learning environmentwhich provides an electronic learning environment»which can not only be browsed, which can not only be browsed,

but also searched by an internal search systembut also searched by an internal search system»which is more powerful concerning metadata of files which is more powerful concerning metadata of files

includedincluded

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE OOceanTeacherceanTeacher www site www site

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Further development of Further development of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• Findings up to now, regarding a transition to a Findings up to now, regarding a transition to a contents management system:contents management system:»Import is complicated, due to size and complexity Import is complicated, due to size and complexity

of the contents.of the contents.The process is time-consuming and may generate The process is time-consuming and may generate errors in the result.errors in the result.

»Further editing, organizing and expanding the Further editing, organizing and expanding the contents is probably too complicated, contents is probably too complicated, in comparison with management of a classical in comparison with management of a classical WWW site.WWW site.

»Link-checking is not well supported.Link-checking is not well supported.

Assessment / evaluation Assessment / evaluation of of OceanTeacherOceanTeacher

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Assessment / evaluation ofAssessment / evaluation ofOceanTeacherOceanTeacher

• Assessment of Assessment of the product developed during a project the product developed during a project or during a phase in a longer, ongoing project, or during a phase in a longer, ongoing project, is of course desirable.is of course desirable.

• How to evaluate a product like How to evaluate a product like OceanTeacherOceanTeacher that is still evolving fast?that is still evolving fast?

• Up to now, the system has already been an Up to now, the system has already been an essential component of several training courses essential component of several training courses on marine data management and on marine data management and on marine information management.on marine information management.

Invitation to contributeInvitation to contribute

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UNESCO-IOC-IODE UNESCO-IOC-IODE invitation of authorsinvitation of authors

• You are invited to contribute documents You are invited to contribute documents to the to the OceanTeacherOceanTeacher digital library digital library on information management on information management for library and information staff.for library and information staff.

• Why contribute?Why contribute?

»High visibility of the WWW siteHigh visibility of the WWW site

»Prestigious, due to quality control by the editors Prestigious, due to quality control by the editors and the international characterand the international character

»Probably long term stability of the system, Probably long term stability of the system, due to international supportdue to international support

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Questions and suggestions Questions and suggestions are are

welcomewelcome

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• You are free to copy, distribute, display this You are free to copy, distribute, display this work under the following conditions:work under the following conditions:

»Attribution: Attribution: You must mention the author.You must mention the author.

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»No Derivative Works: No Derivative Works: You may not change, modify, alter, transform, or You may not change, modify, alter, transform, or build upon this work.build upon this work.

• For any reuse or distribution, you must make For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. clear to others the license terms of this work.