Workshops

Details of the parallel workshop sessions are given below. These sessions will take place from 16.00-17.30 on Thursday 17 July 2014. Participants can choose to attend one of the parallel sessions.


Rapid Development: Analytics reporting powered by Google Apps Scripts

Facilitator: Martin Hawksey, Association for Learning Technology (ALT)

Abstract: Like many other organisations the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) has a presence in multiple spaces beyond its own domain. YouTube channels, social networks including Twitter and Google+, JISCMail Listserv lists and more make up the rich tapestry of services used by ALT. All these services vary in access to analytics data if data is available at all. In this workshop we demonstrate how the Association has used the free Google Apps Script service which is part of Google Drive to rapidly develop a custom reporting dashboard. We demonstrate some of the easy wins achievable through Apps Script’s integration with other Google APIs as wells as other options for API data wrangling as well as guerrilla tactics such as direct web scraping and well as using web scraping services and APIs.

Session code: A1 Room: CCE1-007


Reframing Content Strategy

Facilitator: David Cornforth, University of Northumbria

Abstract: As content becomes more interconnected across different channels and devices, it is increasingly critical to understand your content and embrace it as part of a websites design and user experience. This workshop will explore content strategy and how the elements of strategy, editorial, design, production and technology work together to support content across the project lifecycle.

The structure of the workshop will be a mix of shared insights, examples and group activities, using participatory approaches to facilitate discussion.

This workshop session is aimed at people responsible for the content of their websites (information architects and content strategists), but also designers, developers and product managers wishing to make sense of their content.

Session code: A2 Room: CCE1-025


Making Personas Work

Facilitators: Neil Allison and Bruce Darby, University of Edinburgh

Abstract: Lots of project teams have tried out personas. Not all succeed.

In this session, I’ll outline a range of projects (both system and website development) over the past 5 years in which I’ve used personas to bring consensus and user focus to the team delivering. I’ll run through some challenges I’ve faced, and the techniques I’ve tried to overcome them.

The session will be interactive, with the group getting to know the University of Edinburgh CMS user personas through a series of familiarisation exercises.

Session code: A3 Room: CCE1-012


Learning to COPE (Create, Once, Publish Everywhere)

Facilitator: Richard Prowse, University of Bath

Abstract: In the last five years we have seen a massive increase in the number of devices and platforms and a change in the way users consume content. This creates a number of challenges for organisations, including universities, in creating and re-using content to meet this demand. One solution to this problem is COPE – Create, Once, Publish Everywhere.

In this workshop you’ll learn more about the concept of COPE, structured content and examples of COPE in practice. You’ll also learn about the challenges of delivering this approach and why editorial processes are the key to success.

Session code: A4 Room: CCE1-024


Google Analytics For Beginners

Facilitator: Helen Sargan, University of Cambridge

Abstract: In this session I’ll give an introduction to setting up and using Google Analytics (GA), showing how you can access useful information and how you could utilise the tools available to a greater extent, were you to have the time. I don’t profess to be an expert – there are many parts of GA I never use – so don’t come expecting a masterclass. The examples shown will be from reports to which I have access – if you have existing Google Analytics accounts you may wish to work with them through some examples. There will also be mention of cookies and privacy issues, both in the context of the Classic code and the beta Universal analytics code, and what to do if you inadvertently delete an account or view.

Session code: A5


How to Buy Free Software

Facilitators: Mark Johnson, OSS Watch

Abstract: Most procurement processes in universities and colleges are geared up to purchasing software solutions from vendors, and can have an inherent bias against selecting open source solutions even where they provide better value and are a better fit to user needs. In this workshop we’ll look at some of the common problems in institutional IT procurement at a policy, process and practice level, and how to fix them to offer a level playing field. We’ll also cover some of the techniques that can be used to evaluate open source solutions for sustainability and readiness.

Session codeA6


Working with data.ac.uk, Creating your Institution’s OPD (Organisational Profile Document)

FacilitatorChris Gutteridge and Andrew Milsted, University of Southampton

Abstract:
Building on the ideas discussed in the plenary talk on “What Does The Data Tell Us About UK University Web Sites?” this workshop will enable some hands on experience in creating the all important OPD, Organisational Profile Document, for your institution.

An OPD is a simple data file which authoritatively describes your organisation, contact details, web pages, official social media links and importantly open access documents.

In the work shop we will explore the:

  • Basics of data driven services
  • Understanding basic principles of linked open data
  • Enabling autodiscovery

The workshop will be using a series of web tools so all you need to have is a networked device.

Session code: A7 Room: CCE1-008


WordPress as a CMS

Facilitator: Mike Nolan, Edge Hill University

Abstract:
Wordpress is widely acknowledged as a powerful open source blogging platform. But as well as its role for blogging WordPress is starting to be used as a content management system (CMS) for institutional Web sites, as can be seen from  a Google search. In this session Mike Nolan describes how the open source WordPress platform has been used to develop a variety of solutions which go beyond WordPress’s roots as a blogging platform.

Session code: A8 Room: CCE1-021