Virtuous learning environments with Project ANGEL

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Virtuous learning environments with Project ANGEL

• John MacColl
• Co-Director, Project angel
• SELLIC Director, University of Edinburgh
• Sub-Librarian, Edinburgh University Library

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Structure of presentation

• Project ANGEL
• VLEs and lack of integration
• ANGEL model and mechanisms
• What it means in practice
• Conclusions

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ANGEL

• Authenticated Networked Guided Environment for
  Learning
• Funded by JISC under Programme 05/99, Developing
  the Distributed National Electronic Resource for
  Learning and Teaching
• 30-month project, due to end February 2003

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Project Team

• Lead site London School of Economics
• University of Edinburgh
• De Montfort University
• South Bank University
• EDINA
• Sheffield Hallam University

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A middleware project
Powell, A Lyon, L. The DNER Technical
Architecture scoping the information
environment, May 2001
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Digital libraries and online learners

• How relevant are digital library services to
  undergraduates?
• Are abstract and index databases peripheral to
  the needs of most undergraduates?
• e-reserve is growing
• Similarities between HE and FE?

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VLEs are here

• Off-the-shelf packages (e.g. WebCT, Blackboard)
• Open source packages (e.g. IVLE)
• Bespoke packages (e.g. EEMeC)
• Hand-crafted course web-sites

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But integration may not be

• Readings copied by tutors directly into VLEs
• No connection between VLE and Library e-reserve
  (see the following example)
• Let alone anything else!
• Danger that liaison may even be weakened by
  arrival of VLEs

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angel three-layer model
protocol servers
Resource Manager(AN/GEL)
Scheduled Services
angel servicemodules
User Manager(AN)
protocol clients
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Metadata-based middleware components

• Resource Manager
• Provides resource descriptions
• Holds licence information
• User Manager
• Holds information on rights groups
• Ensures authentication and authorisation
• Scheduled Services Module
• Push functions, e.g.
• Alerting
• Link-checking
• Licence expiry warnings

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angel inside?

• VLEs are potential portals
• Creeping portalisation is a consequence of
  increasing user sophistication
• angel converts existing VLEs into thick portals
• Interoperates with a range of commercial and
  open-source VLEs
• Prototypes new Sparta system for access
  management

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With an angel inside WebCT as a tutor I can

• Embed dynamic information from the library
  catalogue or e-reserve system
• Embed a search which is run afresh each time the
  student clicks on it
• Refresh a resource or database description with
  current metadata
• Use patron data from existing databases

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With an angel inside WebCT as a learner I can

• Click to see descriptions of resources and
  databases directly in the VLE
• See the library status of items on reading lists
  without going into the library catalogue
• Connect to third-party databases and full-text
  services without inputting my ID and password

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Conclusions

• VLEs are changing the way learning and teaching
  are delivered, and will soon be ubiquitous
• Libraries must reclaim their traditional role as
  resource managers through a new emphasis on
  collaboration
• Technical solutions will stimulate organisational
  solutions
• Vendors are coming on board
• Virtual learning environments must also be
  virtuous learning environments

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Thank you!www.angel.ac.uk