Institutional Web Management Workshop 2005: Whose Web Is It Anyway?
Full Details Of The Parallel Sessions

Workshop Session A1: "Hey! You! Get Offa My Web! Hidden Desires and Unforeseen Circumstances in Web Management"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Hey! You! Get Offa My Web! Hidden Desires and Unforeseen Circumstances in Web Management".

Title:

Hey! You! Get Offa My Web! Hidden Desires and Unforeseen Circumstances in Web Management

Facilitators:

Iain Middleton and Mike McConnell, University of Aberdeen

Abstract:

Have you ever watched in apoplectic, impotent horror as a new Web development at your institution:

• broke accessibility guidelines
• did not comply with the corporate style
• was outsourced at great cost to an external company
• was entirely written in Java or used a non-joined-up proprietary solution
• ignored or trampled all over your department's interests
• considered users as an afterthought, if at all?
• was delayed, diluted or rendered pointless by everyone & their dog sticking their oars in?
• was given a trillion pounds by management when you're struggling to cover your staff costs?

(Tick all that apply)
Of course you have!
All too often new Web developments are given to one particular group of 'players' in the University arena. No matter how well-intentioned, such developments inevitably have consequences beyond their perceived scope, often drastic ones!
How can you shape developments in your favour if they are outside your immediate sphere of influence?
This highly participative workshop will help delegates identify the players who might help or hinder their progress and enable them build alliances with those who have the desire, capability and authority to make it happen.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session participants will be able to:

• Identify the major players who influence the Web development process at their institution
• Identify steps and strategies for building alliances with these players
• Consider the impact of their own Web developments on others

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector and 5 flipcharts.

Venue:

Cockcroft Room, 6th Floor (capacity 15/30). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Iain Middleton Learning Technologist Directorate of Information Systems and Services University Of Aberdeen Edward Wright Building Dunbar Street Aberdeen AB 24 3UF Email: I.A.Middleton AT abdn.ac.uk Web sites: <http://www.imiddleton.com/> <http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~ltu008> Phone: +44 1224 273338

Mike McConnell Web Team Manager Directorate of Information Systems and Services University Of Aberdeen Edward Wright Building Dunbar Street Aberdeen AB 24 3UF Email: M.McConnell AT abdn.ac.uk Web site: <http://www.abdn.ac.uk/web> Phone: +44 1224 27 2602

Workshop Session A2: "Conducting User Needs Analysis: Tips On Gathering Requirements People May Have For The Systems You're Developing"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Conducting User Needs Analysis: Tips On Gathering Requirements People May Have For The Systems You're Developing".

Title:

Conducting User Needs Analysis: Tips On Gathering Requirements People May Have For The Systems You're Developing

Facilitator:

Grace de la Flor, ILRT, University of Bristol

Abstract:

This session presents an overview of techniques used to build an understanding what user want from the systems you are building. Users can give you insight into the types of functionality, content, site structure and interface design. An overview of requirements gathering techniques will be presented. Including tips on one-to-one interviewing, observation of current practices, facilitating focus groups and developing questionaires.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will:

• Have gained an understanding of several techniques used for gathering end-user requirements.
• Have explored how to conduct data gathering exercises and how to analyse and make use of the data.
• Have considered the role your end-users can play in systems development.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 1 (capacity 30). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 8^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Grace de la Flor
Institute for Learning and Research Technology (ILRT)
University of Bristol
8-10 Berkeley Square
Bristol
BS8 1HH
UK

Email: grace.de-la-flor AT bristol.ac.uk
Web site: <http://www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/aboutus/staff?search=cmgrdlf>

Workshop Session A3: "How to Find a Needle in the Haystack"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "How to Find a Needle in the Haystack".

Title:

How to Find a Needle in the Haystack

Facilitator:

Adrian Stevenson, University of Manchester

Abstract:

Higher and further education provide a wide range of high-quality Web sites and services but the sheer range and number of these services can often be confusing to users, who may have to search across a number of resources, with different interfaces, search criteria and formats. The move towards the development of cross searching capabilities provides a means to simplify the users' experience, which should encourage take-up and allow institutions to provide one interface to a whole range of services. This session will look at the technologies that can be used to achieve cross searching capabilities, covering Z39.50, XML, OAI and the development of Web Services. The session will concentrate on looking at real life implementations of these technologies within the e-learning, bibliographic and archival domains. This session will argue that XML is the key enabler for the growth of a distributed searching environment.

Learning Outcomes:

This session is intended to provide a non-technical explanation of Web-based distributed searching applications and to show attendees that real progress is being made in implementing solutions for distributed searching. It will help people to appreciate the real-world benefits of XML.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Time:

Venue:

Conference Room 3 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Adrian Stevenson
Senior Technical Development Officer
Manchester Computing
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

Phone: +44 161 275 7044
Email: adrian.stevenson AT manchester.ac.uk

Web sites:

<http://www.mimas.ac.uk/>
<http://www.jorum.ac.uk/>

Workshop Session A4: "Future-proofing for Collaborative Tools"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Future-proofing for Collaborative Tools".

Title:

Future-proofing for Collaborative Tools

Facilitator:

Emma Tonkin, UKOLN, University of Bath

Abstract:

In the years since computer-mediated communication first became a reality, a bewildering variety of collaborative tools have become available, not all created equal. Some modify existing technologies, e.g. extension of browsers to permit collaborative use. Others are monolithic, such as the CAVE virtual environment. In some cases, multiple approaches exist to achieve the same result - for example, an electronic whiteboard can store work created during a meeting for later retrieval, but a basic whiteboard can be augmented relatively cheaply to permit its contents to be stored. This workshop will introduce a number of collaborative technologies. Participants will consider the benefits of each approach through discussion and group work. Finally, the group will discuss approaches to future-proofing (networks, buildings, infrastructure) for the next generation of collaborative tools.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will have:

• Gained an understanding of the uses, benefits and limitations of collaborative tools.
• Considered the use cases underlying various choices of system with respect to a variety of tasks and needs.
• Been encouraged to explore the various tools available and to consider the advantages, if any, to their groups or organisations.
• Considered the infrastructure needs for collaborative tool use and how these needs may vary according to the evolution of technology and user needs.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Syndicate room in Weston Building (capacity 10). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 8^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Emma Tonkin
UKOLN
University of Bath
Bath
BA2 7AY
Email: E.Tonkin AT ukoln.ac.uk

Workshop Session A5: "Community Building - Open Source and Open Content"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Community Building - Open Source and Open Content".

Title:

Community Building - Open Source and Open Content

Facilitator:

Randy Metcalfe, Universiy of Oxford

Abstract:

Successful open source projects tend to build substantial communities of users and developers. These communities are often facilitated by collaborative software perhaps best exemplified by SourceForge. Open content sites such as Wikipedia also generate substantial communities of user/developers. Here the remarkably low barrier to becoming a contributor helps create a related kind of community. This workshop explores key features of community development in the open source and open content world. It considers how these could be put to use by institutional Web sites.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session participants will:

• Be aware of key features of community development
• Have an understanding of some of the differences between open source and open content communities
• Have reflected upon what learning points are transferable to the institutional Web environment

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 3A (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Randy Metcalfe
Research Technologies Service
Oxford University
13 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 6NN

Phone: +44 1865 283 416
Email: info AT ox.ac.uk

Web sites:

<http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/>

Workshop Session A6: "Whose Work Is It Anyway?"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Whose Work Is It Anyway?".

Title:

Whose Work Is It Anyway?

Facilitator:

Andrew Savory, Luminas

Abstract:

Dealing with external agencies for your web needs can be a frustrating experience - for you, as well as for them. Whether you're dealing with institutional IT services or a third-party company, there are many common problems that can occur.
This workshop will take a look at the issues involved in getting the job done, including:

• how to efficiently specify your work
• how to pick an external company
• how to check on and measure progress
• how to sign off and quantify achievements
• liaising between external companies and internal IT services
• dealing with ongoing support and maintenance

Learning Outcomes:

The outcomes of this workshop will be a set of recommendations that anyone can use when commissioning Web development work.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 4 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Andrew Savory
Managing Director
Luminas Limited
7 Webster Close
Norwich
NR5 9DF

Email: andrew AT luminas.co.uk
Phone: +44 870 741 6658

Web sites:

<http://www.luminas.co.uk/>
<http://www.orixo.com/>

Workshop Session A7: "Embedding Third Party Services in Web Sites and Portals - From Links to WSRP the Pros and Cons"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Embedding Third Party Services in Web Sites and Portals - From Links to WSRP the Pros and Cons".

Title:

Embedding Third Party Services in Web Sites and Portals - From Links to WSRP the Pros and Cons

Facilitator:

Tom Franklin, Franklin Consulting

Abstract:

Institutional portals and Web sites are beginning to make use of third party sources in systematic ways. There are now an increasing number of ways in which this can be done including:

• Linking to external sites (or channels)
• Linking to external sites with customisation information in the link
• Linking to external sites using single sign-on techniques
• Embedding stand alone channels
• Embedding sites through the use of CSS
• Embedding sites through the use of HTML fragments
• SOAP / JSR168
• WSRP

The workshop will help you to explore the issues in using these, and other techniques, to include third party channels, exploring the advantages and disadvantages (for instance in the degree of customisation available) and the effort involved.
Connects, the Learning and Teaching Portal, will be used as a case study as it offers most of these techniques - see <http://www.connect.ac.uk/>

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will have gained an understanding of the wide variety of techniques which can be used to embed external sites and channels within their own Web sites or portals. They will also have an idea of the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques and the skill and effort required to implement them, which can then be used to decide what channels and sites to include within their own portals or web sites, and where multiple methods are offered to choose the most suitable.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 5 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Tom Franklin
Franklin Consulting
9 Redclyffe Road
Withington
Manchester
M20 3JR
Email: tom AT franklin-consulting.co.uk

Workshop Session A8: "Managing Stakeholders with PRINCE2"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Managing Stakeholders with PRINCE2".

Title:

Managing Stakeholders with PRINCE2

Facilitator:

Stephen Emmott, LSE

Abstract:

PRINCE2 is a standard for project management that has been widely adopted within the UK public sector, including higher education. It centres on the need for a valid business case to justify projects not just at the outset but through to closure. It provides a simple framework for representation of and consultation with stakeholders through a project board composed of an Executive (who represents the 'business'), a Senior User, and a Senior Supplier.
This workshop will convey the essence of PRINCE2 using the participants' own projects as well as experience at LSE as working examples. By avoiding the mistake of focusing on the bureaucratic aspects of PRINCE2, participants will learn to approach the management of projects not just in terms of 'those below' but also in terms of 'those above' and 'those to the side'.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session participants will:

• Understand PRINCE2 and how it can be applied effectively within public sector institutions.
• Have assessed the relevance and potential value (or not) of PRINCE2 to their own institution.
• Have gained a starting point to investigate PRINCE2 further.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 4A (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 8^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Stephen Emmott
Head of Web Services
LSE
H810
Houghton Street
London
WC2A 2AE

Email: stephen.emmott AT lse.ac.uk

Workshop Session A9: "Lies, Damn Lies, and Web Statistics (Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts)"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Lies, Damn Lies, and Web Statistics (Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts)".

Title:

Lies, Damn Lies, and Web Statistics (Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts)

Facilitators:

Mike Lowndes, Natural History Musuem and Ranjit Sidhu, Nedstat

Abstract:

Web usage analysis by web server log analysis are known to be rough estimations, and useful in general terms only. There are many sources of error, such as the activity of search engine robots and spiders, proxy caching, and the dynamic nature of IP assignation by many ISPs. A newer type of analysis that tracks users in their browser claims to remove many of these problems, giving us a clearer picture of 'real user' activity. Such services are also in near-realtime -whereas previously, most institutions have downloaded logs weekly/monthly for analysis and then spent considerable resources preparing reports etc.
In this session two different log analysis tools are compared, followed by a comparison of log analysis and browser-based analysis. As a result of this work, a consortium of national museums are considering moving to a hosted external service as a consortium. A consortium of universities have already moved to browser-based recording. Results from this work and issues raised by its implementation at several sites, will be presented.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will:

• Have gained an understanding of the differences between log analysis and browser-based usage recording.
• Have explored the sources of error in both types of analysis.
• Have considered a hosted service as an alternative to in-house analysis (perhaps via a consortium approach).
• Have gained an insight into the issues surrounding the implementation of browser-based analysis and the advantages it may bring.
• What has been learned? Experiences from implementation and usage of browser-based tagging system. Overall trends and individual cases.
• What for the future? What are the possible future implications and possibilities from browser based analysis.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 2 (capacity 30/60). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Wednesday 6 July 2005.

Contact Details

Mike Lowndes
Interactive Media
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5SW
Email: mikel AT nhm.ac.uk
Tel: 0207 9425821

Workshop Session B1: "Whose Web Do You Think It Is? Considering Web Accessibility And Usability From The Perspective Of Different User Groups"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Whose Web Do You Think It Is? Considering Web Accessibility And Usability From The Perspective Of Different User Groups".

Title:

Whose Web Do You Think It Is? Considering Web Accessibility And Usability From The Perspective Of Different User Groups

Facilitator:

Jenny Craven, MMU

Abstract:

Drawing on findings from an EU-funded project (the European Internet Accessibility Observatory), this workshop session will start with a presentation on accessibility and usability, focussing firstly on the different ways end-users access the Web and some of the problems they are faced with, particularly if they are accessing in a non-standard format or using assistive technologies. The session will then consider some of the tensions that may arise between different user groups when striving to embrace an 'access for all' approach. For example, the Web designers who may want to have unrestricted creativity, without having to adhere to strict accessibility guidelines or rules; the Web managers who may have to implement institutional accessibility policies and guidelines relating to the Web and e-learning; the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) who want to widen access to the Web through use of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Learning Outcomes:

The aim of this session is to demonstrate the need to take different user requirements into consideration in order to properly inform accessibility related development, policy and management decisions, and how a more informed approach can help to address the possible tensions between different groups.
Participants will gain a better understanding of the different needs of user groups. This will help provide them with a more informed approach to Web accessibility and usability.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 4A (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session will place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Jenny Craven
Research Associate
Centre for Research in Library and Information Management
Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: j.craven AT mmu.ac.uk

Workshop Session B2: "From the Ridiculous to the Sublime? Lessons from implementing a corporate CMS at the University of Southampton"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "From the Ridiculous to the Sublime? Lessons from implementing a corporate CMS at the University of Southampton".

Title:

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime? Lessons from implementing a corporate CMS at the University of Southampton

Facilitator:

Julie Burrell and Colin Work, University of Southampton

Abstract:

Within any institution there are numerous individuals with a desire to publish on the Web, and have often been free to do so, free from such concerns as accessibility, usability, standards or what anyone else in the organisation might be doing. CMS offers the opportunity to present audiences with a more coherent view of the organisation, but only if the content providers are willing to accept guidance on how best to prepare their material, and service providers are willing to listen to the needs of the various individuals and departments.
The importance of spending time and effort on preparation before migrating to a corporate CMS cannot be overstated. In order to find out our customer requirements and equip ourselves with a thorough site specification, we have developed a practical workshop/workbook model. Departments and services are guided through a site analysis process that leads to the production of a site 'blueprint' - essential for a successful CMS migration. In this workshop we will provide a brief summary of the CMS implementation project at Southampton, then, working in groups, participants will be asked to complete a section of the workbook for a hypothetical Web site.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will:

• Have made use of a tested methodology and toolkit that can be used within their own institutions
• Have gained a better understanding of the requirements necessary for CMS driven Web sites.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 1 (capacity 30). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005 (NB facilitators only available on this date).

Contact Details

Julie Burrell Information Systems Services University of Southampton Southampton Email: J.Burrell AT soton.ac.uk Phone: 023 8059 4855

Colin Work Information Systems Services University of Southampton Southampton Email: C.K.Work AT soton.ac.uk Phone: 023 8059 3090

Workshop Session B3: "Democratising the Web: The Revenge of The Non-techie"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Democratising the Web: The Revenge of The Non-techie".

Title:

Democratising the Web: The Revenge of The Non-techie

Facilitator:

Giles Couzin and Urfan Ali, University of Bristol

Abstract:

The Web has become a key medium in the way organisations communicate with their customers and how they are perceived by them. However providing quality Web content consistently in an organisation the size of a university is, to say the least, a challenging proposition. As the amount of information that is published on the Web and user expectations increase, the publishing process requires stricter control. At the same time the only way this process can be managed effectively is to enable content owners to become Web publishers.
Drawing on our experience at the University of Bristol over the past three years, this workshop session will explore ways of addressing this challenge.
The session will also include a live demonstration of the through-the-Web, Zope-based Web publishing solution we use at Bristol.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will have:

• gained an understanding of the challenges of large scale Web publishing
• explored a possible strategy to meet these challenges
• developed an appreciation of a Web publishing system based on Zope as used at the University of Bristol through a live demonstration

Room Requirements:

Networked PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 2 (capacity 30/60). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Gilles Couzin Information Services University of Bristol Computer Centre 8 Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1UD Tel: +44 117 928 8326 Fax: +44 117 9291576 Email: Giles.Couzin AT bristol.ac.uk

Urfan Ali Public Relations Office University of Bristol Senate House Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TH Tel: +44 117 331 7032 Fax: +44 117 929 2396 Email: urfan.ali AT bristol.ac.uk

Workshop Session B4: "Folksonomies: Metadata or Mess?"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Folksonomies: Metadata or Mess?".

Title:

Folksonomies: Metadata or Mess?

Facilitator:

Marieke Guy and Emma Tonkin, UKOLN

Abstract:

A folksonomy is a decentralised, social approach to creating online metadata for digital assets. The result is a flat namespace with no hierarchy or control. This new practice, used on sites like del.icio.us and Flikr, has sparked off a lot of debate between those eager for a user-centred Web and others in favour of more formal classification systems. This workshop will look at the history of folksonomies and the issues involved in their use. Participants will have a go at personalised classification (tagging) and then through discussion and group work will consider its advantages and disadvantages. Finally participants will reflect on whether folksonomies have a role in an interoperable future.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will:

• Have gained an understanding of what folksonomies are, how they are being used and their evolution.
• Have explored how personal classification is carried out and the issues involved when choosing terms.
• Have gained an understanding of when and why users might prefer to use a dynamic set of classifications rather than a static set and the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
• Have considered the role folksonomies can play in an interoperable Web.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 3 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Marieke Guy UKOLN University Of Bath Bath BA2 7AY Email: M.Guy AT ukoln.ac.uk Phone: +44 1225 385105

Emma Tonkin UKOLN University Of Bath Bath BA2 7AY Email: E.Tonkin AT ukoln.ac.uk Phone: +44 1225 384930

Workshop Session B5: "Inter-institutional Authorisation using Shibboleth: Myths, Lies and the Truth"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Inter-institutional Authorisation using Shibboleth: Myths, Lies and the Truth".

Title:

Inter-institutional Authorisation using Shibboleth: Myths, Lies and the Truth

Facilitator:

John Dowland, Newcastle University

Abstract:

Managing access to restricted web resources is a complex problem. It is hard to find a generalised solution for a given institution due to the wide variety of infrastructures and procedures that might be employed. Inter-institutional sharing, which is becoming more and more in demand, introduces further problems. Shibboleth technology is touted as the ideal solution for both.
This workshop and will take a look at the complex problem of managing access to restricted content, including asking participants about their specific situations. We will introduce Shibboleth technology and how it tackles these problems, and provide materials including an executive summary of challanges to help you explain Shibboleth to coworkers and policy makers at your institution.
No prior knowledge of Shibboleth is needed - this is a strictly non-technical workshop.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session participants will:

• Be aware of the size of the authorisation problem and what challenges inter-institutional authorisation brings
• Have an understanding of Shibboleth technology and the decentralised approach to Web access management
• be provided with support materials to help explain Shibboleth to co-workers

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector. Also flip charts

Venue:

Conference Room 3A (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

John Dowland
IAMSECT Project Officer
University of Newcastle
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 7RU

Email: Jon.Dowland AT newcastle.ac.uk
Phone: +44 191 222 7938

Workshop Session B6: "Avoiding the Legal Obstacles in Web Management"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "Avoiding the Legal Obstacles in Web Management".

Title:

Avoiding the Legal Obstacles in Web Management

Facilitator:

John Kelly, JISC Legal Service, University of Strathclyde

Abstract:

This session will address various legal issues including Freedom of Information, privacy, ownership of project deliverables, sharing resources, Creative Commons and the UK General Public Licence

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session delegstes will have gained a better understanding on how to avoiding some of the legal obstacles associated with Web management activities.

Room Requirements:

PC and data projector.

Venue:

Conference Room 4 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

John X Kelly
Legal Information Service
Learning Services
University of Strathclyde
Alexander Turnbull Building
155 George St
Glasgow
G1 1RD

Email: john.kelly AT strath.ac.uk
Phone: +44 141 548 4939

Workshop Session B7: "WHS WEB S IT NEWY? - Including Mobile Phone Users in the Loop"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "WHS WEB S IT NEWY? - Including Mobile Phone Users in the Loop".

Title:

WHS WEB S IT NEWY? - Including Mobile Phone Users in the Loop (aka Developing SMS/MMS/Web/Email Interfaces)

Facilitator:

Adrian Tribe, Birkbeck College

Abstract:

Everyone knows that text messaging is hugely popular, particularly among 18-24 year olds. But to what extent are we making use of this technology in our institutions, whether as a marketing tool, or in communicating with our students and staff and allowing them to interact with the institution using this medium? The purpose of this workshop session is to highlight some of the useful facilities that are now cheaply available to enable institutions to make use of text messaging, particularly where the start or end point is a web interface, hence its relevance to managers of institutional Web services. We'll be looking at such things as:

• conducting text polls with the results being shown on a Web page in real-time;
• administering news alert services and "subscription groups" via a simple Web interface;
• enabling students to text in their questions during a lecture ready to be displayed and answered at the end;
• managing a text messaging marketing campaign via the Web;
• developing SMS/MMS to Web interfaces;
• and more.

Come with your mobile phone and some credit so that you can participate fully in this workshop.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session participants will have gained an understanding of some of the services available to institutions that will enable them to exploit the immense popularity of text messaging as part of their corporate strategies (marketing, communication, web, teaching and learning, information etc). Having had an opportunity to take part in various demonstrations during the workshop, participants will be able to return to their institutions with first-hand experience of the potential for such systems.

Room Requirements:

Networked PC and data projector. Mobile phone signal reception across all networks must be available in the room.

Venue:

Conference Room 5 (capacity 14/25). See venue details.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005.

Contact Details

Adrian Tribe
Web Manager
Birkbeck
University of London
Malet Street
London
WC1E 7HX

Email: A.Tribe AT bbk.ac.uk
Phone: +44 20 7631 6291

SMS Messaging Service

Participants on this session are encouraged to subscribe to an SMS messaging service which will be used during the session (and in advance of the event.

Text 'iwmw2005 sms start' to 60300 if you would like to receive further information about this workshop in the run-up to the event. Your network's standard text send charge applies - i.e. this is not a premium rate service.

Workshop Session B8: "JISC Service and Vendor Presentations"

This page provides details for the workshop session on "JISC Service and Vendor Presentations".

Title:

JISC Service and Vendor Presentations

Abstract:

We will be running a 'JISC Services and Vendor Slot' in which vendors of commercial software will give brief presentations of their products. In addition several JISC services will also participate and will describe the services they provide.

Time:

This session took place from 16:00-17:30 on Thursday 7^th July 2005 in the Weston Lecture Theatre.

Length of Presentations:

Each of the speakers will talk for up to 10 minutes, with 5 minutes for questions.

Details Of Presentations

Nedstat, Ranjit Sidhu

What do you know about your Web site visitors? How do they find you? How do they navigate? Do they find the right route? Do they come back? Sitestat gives you a direct insight into your Web site that enables you to optimise your online communication. Sitestat is a service from Nedstat, European leader in Web site analytics. We aim to make Web site analytics straightforward and accessible. So, our products are easy to use, reports are clear and fast to access and the support we offer is personal and high quality. Nedstat employs 115 people in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.

TERMINALFOUR

TERMINALFOUR is a leading provider of highly functional Enterprise Content Management Systems, eForms & Self Service software and associated professional services. Our software enables organisations to improve the creation, flow and delivery of information through various channels including Web sites, personalised portals, intranets, extranets and utilising emerging technologies. The company has a strong presence within a wide variety of sectors including eGovernment, education, advertising, publishing, healthcare and finance.
Rather than giving a sales pitch, TERMINALFOUR, a sponsor of this year's event, will offer some insights into best practises and possible pitfalls to be aware of before, during and after installation of a CMS.

Contensis

The Contensis content management system enables both technical and non-technical staff to edit, manage and publish web, intranet or extranet content with ease & flexibility.

RDN, Caroline Williams

Are your students and staff frustrated with trying to find the "good stuff" on the Web? The Resource Discovery Network (RDN) selects catalogues and delivers high-quality Internet resources for further and higher education as well as providing essential Internet training for students, educators and researchers. The RDN offers reliable quality assured Web sites (100,000 plus) i.e. the best of the Web, to specific subject communities, either directly through its Web sites or via its Z39.50 targets, RDN Include facility and its work on technical interoperability.

It is a collaborative network of over seventy educational and research institutions. As well as a central Web site (available at <http://www.rdn.ac.uk/>) it offers eight subject services, whose work is coordinated by the Executive based at MIMAS, the University of Manchester.

OSS Watch, Randy Metcalfe

OSS Watch is a JISC-funded advisory service that provides unbiased advice and guidance about free and open source software for UK further and higher education. What can OSS Watch do for you? Whether the subject is national policies, open source licences, software development methodologies, institutional IT strategies, or practical comparisons of open source versus proprietary solutions - OSS Watch can help.

JISC infoNet: Providing resources for use in planning and implementing information systems, Andrew Stewart

Whether you are a senior manager leading institutional strategy or you are working in the field of systems, processes or e-learning, JISC infoNet has resources that can help you improve the support for, and quality of, learning and teaching in your institution. As a JISC advisory service these are freely available to institutions and individuals in the UK further and higher education sectors, with our Web site forming the main access route to our services.

Your Place or Ours? ... On-site Training from Netskills, Chris Young

Netskills is part-funded by the JISC and has been providing high-quality training - to both individuals and whole organisations - since 1995. As well as delivering a programme of public workshops at venues across the UK, Netskills can also provide on-site training specifically for your organisation.
This session will introduce you to the wide range of training services, workshops and materials we can offer - covering a range of topics from web development skills & tools to technologies such as XML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP & ASP (as well as Information Skills, e-Learning, e-Assessment, Mobile Learning and online plagiarism detection and deterrence.....).

There will also be an opportunity to find out how we can customise our workshops for you and build flexible training programmes to meet your specific needs - this might include training needs analysis, nationally recognised BTEC accreditation for participants and licenced materials for cascade training.