CoFHE/UC&R Fifth Joint Conference – Day 2 (Pt. 2)
Workshop Three: The bright and dark sides of the web
Linda Jones (the dark) and Timothy Collinson (the bright) from the University of Portsmouth ran this unusually interactive tag-team extravaganza to showcase practical examples of their creative engagement with web 2.0, whilst highlighting some of the pitfalls/dangers of web applications. Participants were also encouraged to share our experiences and some of the innovations happening within our own institutions.
On Wikis
Uses:
- Subject specialist/scholarly material (e.g. Scholarpedia; Northstar; Lawbore – although this is more of a portal);
- Procedure manuals (see Huddersfield University’s Library Info Desk);
- Project database;
- Staff directories.
Remember that a wiki doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘free for all’! Tim illustrated this point with a short anecdote about an edit he submitted to Wikipedia… turns out there is such a thing as ‘wiki police’ who revert changes if they don’t like them. I thought it was just the offensive stuff that got taken out so that’s me told.
The issue of copyright or ‘the dreaded C word’ was also referred to during this short discussion to warn us that material available via Flickr or YouTube for example are not permanent public works of art. They have dubious copyright rules and can be removed at any given point. Including a YouTube video in a presentation only to have it removed for copyright restrictions would be embarrassing in any situation.
On Lifehacks
Examples:
- Make use of mobile technology by producing smart-phone compatible tours for open day attendees (a time when library staff might not be able to offer guided tours);
- Introduce Delicious to students as a way of sharing bookmarks between the class and each other;
- Try out Doodle to schedule events;
- Create themed information with tailored RSS feeds through Yahoo Pipes (e.g. ticTOCs).
But be warned about the darkside of mobile apps, the ‘rouge apps’. One example Linda used within the discussion was that of a College of Law student providing a free app for iPhone users looking for current/up-to-date law (iLegal). Sounds great in theory but it wasn’t actually true as the content was neither current nor up-to-date (what a waste of three months work).
On Induction
Examples:
- PrepUP (log-in required) used to offer pre-entry students virtual tours of the library;
- Facebook pages introduced as a space for students to meet other students before their arrival at university;
- Interactive PowerPoints to bring resources together (link to follow);
- The Body project – helping distant learners to get to grips with eresources.
The key message is to use materials that are engaging but blindingly simple, interactive but not over the top! Apply creative synergy:
- Get involved with the Freshers’ Fairs – dress up as pirates if you have to (the University of Sheffield did, so did Portsmouth);
- Artistic reuse of material – MASH UPS (of the non-Glee kind) – e.g. ‘The Google, the Bad and the Ugly’;
- Design plasma screen rotating visuals (if you’re lucky enough to have a plasma) and drive home the key message.
Conclusion
It must be great to work at the University of Portsmouth given there’s so much creative energy. But according to Linda ‘not everything is lovely’! Concluding with the Sophos Identity Probe Linda leaves us feeling rather more suspicious about everyone around us. Where are the fraudsters? Take a look at the dude next to you… it could be them!
Remember all conference tweets (minus a few of mine for some reason) are being collected by Twapper Keeper and you may also want to check out the darkbright #tag used during this particular session.
That's me... Lex Rigby
