Day 122 July 2008
12.45 PM
Science in the YouTube Age
Abstract
Communication of data, results, and models is at the centre of research science. Yet while our understanding of our surroundings across a wide range of research disciplines has been transformed in the last 20 - 50 years the means of that communication remains trapped within the now centuries old convention of the published research paper (and the traditional stand and deliver presentation). In the initial phase of the development of the World Wide Web publishing practises remained fundamentally the same with the printed page being transferred online but remaining in fundamentally the same format. The advent of user-centred Web-based tools for information gathering, publishing, social networking, and collaborative working has challenged traditional models of publishing and archival. These tools have an enormous potential to make scientific communication more effective, timely and comprehensive. Examples of such approaches include tools for sharing of data and technique protocols via wikis, image, and video sharing sites, collaborative authoring of research papers using online office suites, and discussion of the published literature, research practise, and the life challenges associated with a research career through blogs. The availability of these tools is also associated with a growing interest in some sectors of the academic research community in adopting more 'open' approaches to research practice. The logical extreme of this 'Web 2.0' based open approach is to make the researcher's laboratory notebook freely available online or even to carry out the preparation of a research grant in public. While examples of the application of these approaches in academic research are currently limited they nonetheless raise serious questions about the future of both the traditional format of research publication and of peer review in its current form. Responses to the advocacy of 'Open Science' therefore, understandably, run the gamut from fanatical support, through amused tolerance, to derision and, in some cases, extreme hostility. In this talk I will discuss examples of Web-based and Open Science practices, including the experience of adopting these approaches within my research group, the state and usefulness of tools available to support these approaches, and the current position and future prospects of the Open Science community more generally.Resources
The slides are available on the Slideshare repository http://www.slideshare.net/CameronNeylon/science-in-the-youtube-age-527822/1.30 PM
Web 2.0 and Brand: Theory and Practice
Abstract
There are thousands of Web 2.0 technologies available online right now, from Twitter to Second Life, all with tangible marketing benefits but not necessarily to every organisation or audience. In the current climate of Web 2.0, marketers are being expected to prove their understanding of new technologies and demonstrate how their brand is using and responding to the changing environment by incorporating social media into their digital strategies. This challenge is particularly acute in large, devolved organisations such as universities where technology decisions are often made at arms' length from the marketing function by IT teams or individual departments, neither of whom may consider the implications that building an online presence in Web 2.0 may have on an audience's perception of the organisation's brand. During the talk,Resources
The slides are hosted on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/web-20-and-brand-theory-and-practice-james-souttar-and-dean-russell-precedent/2.00 PM
The 2008 Museum Landscape
Abstract
Mike Ellis, Eduserv described the 2008 Web landscape in the museum/heritage sector.Resources
The slides are hosted on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/dmje/the-2008-museum-landscape/2.10 PM
Use of Ning at the University of Bradford
Abstract
Claire Gibbons, University of Bradford described use of the Ning social networking service at the University of Bradford. Resources A brief video clip of Claire's talk is available on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVt0_4_FN242.15 PM
Discussion Groups
This year the discussion topic will be 'The Future of the Institutional Web Management Workshop'. Delegates will look at where the IWMW event should sit in the light of technological enhancements such as video streaming, immersive environments such as Second Life, 'amplified conferences', etc. and other factors such as travel costs, environmental issues etc.3.30 PM
Parallel Sessions A
Delegates could attend one of the following parallel sessions.- A1: Embracing Web 2.0 Technologies to Grease the Wheels of Team Cohesion Andy Ramsden and Marieke Guy, University of Bath. See abstract for session and Andy Ramsden's and Marieke Guy's biographical details.
- A2: Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Support a Brand Focused Marketing Strategy Helen Aspell, University of Southampton and James Souttar, Precedent. See abstract for session and Helen Aspell's and James Souttar's biographical details.
- A3: Coping with Forms: Implementing a Web Form Management Application Dan Jackson, City University. See abstract for session and Dan Jackson's biographical details.
- A4: Stuff what We're doing at Edge Hill University Mike Nolan, Edge Hill University. See abstract for session and Mike Nolan's biographical details.
- A5: The 'other' Accessibility Guidelines - the Importance of Authoring Tool Accessibility Evaluation in a Web 2.0 World David Sloan, University of Dundee. See abstract for session and David Sloan's biographical details.
- A6: Mashups: More than Maps Mike Ellis, Eduserv. See abstract for session and Mike Ellis' biographical details.
- A7: Introducing Socialearn Tony Hirst, Open University. See abstract for session and Hirst's biographical details.
- A8: Mind Mapping for Effective Content Management Stephen Evans and Gareth Saunders, St Andrews. See abstract for session and Stephen Evans' and Gareth Saunders' biographical details.
Day 223 July 2008
2.15 PM
Discussion Groups
This year the discussion topic will be 'The Future of the Institutional Web Management Workshop'. Delegates will look at where the IWMW event should sit in the light of technological enhancements such as video streaming, immersive environments such as Second Life, 'amplified conferences', etc. and other factors such as travel costs, environmental issues etc.9.00 AM
Web 2.0 – Whatever Happened to Web 1.0?
Abstract
At the start of the redevelopment of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) external Web site, there was initial enthusiasm for "Web 2.0" with many stakeholders using the term without actually knowing what it meant. Fancy, interactive interfaces, are no substitute for good information architecture, good navigation and good content - all of which should be underpinned by understanding the user and their goals. The session will look at how the Web 2.0 concept can be interpreted and will argue that it should be used with caution. Web 2.0 by any definition is likely to have its place within an organisation's Web strategy but should only be considered once we've got Web 1.0 right! And let's now forget about "Usability 2.0" and "Accessibility 2.0" either! The experience and lessons learned by BAS will be highlighted.Resources
The slides are available on the Slideshare repository http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/web-20-whatever-happened-to-web-10-david-hyett9.45 AM
Look Who’s Talking Now…
Abstract
Last year I delivered a plenary talk entitled "Let the students do the talking..." which stimulated lot of debate. I spoke of my experiences at Edge Hill University and the success we'd had as a result of a more 'open' approach to Web content and services. In general the community were encouraged by our approach and many claimed to find it inspiring yet others, from the larger and research-led Universities, suggested "... it all sounds very good but Edge Hill is a new University so it HAS to focus on marketing... it's different for us". So twelve months on and now sitting on the other side of the fence, working in a research-led institution at the University of Bath, I will reflect on my previous talk and report on whether or not my approach and vision has changed. I'll be answering the questions many of you wish to ask: Is it just 'easier' to get things done in a new University? Should your vision for the web be dictated by the type of institution you are? Having moved to a research-led University am I now eating my words?Resources
The slides are available on the Slideshare repository. https://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/look-whos-talking-now-23671370211.00 AM
Institutional Responses to Emergent Technologies – What JISC is Doing
Abstract
As users of all sorts become more familiar with new technologies (including both Web 2.0 type software tools and user-owned devices) and become used to, and expectant of, managing their own data through 'self-service' applications and systems, questions are asked of institutions as to how they will respond to these new demands. JISC has been investigating this area through strands within its e-Learning and Users & Innovation programmes which have been focussed in the main on the learners' and users' experience. JISC has recently funded a further series of projects that address the way that institutions are responding to these new challenges, looking at organisational policies, practice and strategies, as well as funding pilot projects that demonstrate actual institutional responses. This work is in its early stages but the scope of the responses to the call for projects and some of the early results of the landscape study will provide some interesting real life information about institutional responses from across the sector. This talk will describe the work that JISC is doing and relate it to the Institutional Web Manager world.Resources
The slides are available on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/seagreenman/rob-bristow-iwmw-200811.45 AM
The Tangled Web is but a Fleeting Dream … but then again …
Abstract
"Just a quick phone call to ask you if you could set up something to archive the University Web site, it should be pretty straight-forward for someone with your technical know-how." It is only a matter of time before someone in "Corporate Communications", the "Freedom of Information Office" or some similar department comes to you with this sort of request. How would you (have you) react(ed) to it? Many acres of virtual text have been penned on the subject of Web archiving (a fair proportion of them no longer available because the sites no longer exist:-) One of the major problems, which is well illustrated by the Wikipedia article on the subject, is that most authors have concentrated almost entirely on "How?" to do it and the (technical) difficulties that arise. The speaker will argue that "How?" is the least of your problems. What is your institutional web site for and what purpose is archiving it supposed to serve. To put it another way, the questions: "What?", "Why?", "When?" and "Where?" come well before deciding if the "Who?" is you, or trying to determine "How?". As usual Currall asks awkward questions and never seems to provide any useful answers, just turning seemingly simple problems in complex, issue-strewn minefields. He hasn't written the talk yet, but you can be sure that it will raise some very fundamental issues and give you something serious to think about and discuss and aside from manufacturing Shakespearean quotes, will probably quote from the most read book in the English Language, although you might feel the need to check that he isn't just making it up! On the other hand ... you could just leave it all to the Way Back Machine at the Internet Archive.1.30 PM
Institutional Repositories: Asset or Obstacle?
Abstract
The Institutional Repository had a meteoric rise to fame. In a brief blaze of glory, it was heralded as the facilitator of a free exchange of information within the academic research community - a faster, cheaper and more effective way to conduct scholarly communications in the twenty-first century. Then, just as quickly, fame changed to infamy. The technology, the ownership, and the very ideal of the IR has been called into question by many and varied voices in the wider academic community and beyond. I would like to explore the really controversial aspects of the IR, and ask my audience to consider that perhaps, just perhaps, there was something useful there all along.Resources
The slides are available on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/institutional-repositories-asset-or-obstacle-stephanie-taylor-ukoln2.15 PM
Barcamp 1
This year delegates will be given the opportunity to run their own BarCamp sessions. A board will be provided at IWMW 2008 for people to post up ideas for slots, rooms will then be allocated. Screen projectors will be available in rooms for people to use. During the 45 minute allocated slot there will be time for up to 18 sessions and each session will be 20 minutes long. It may be possible to run a session that spans the entire 45 minute slot. Some ideas for topics include:- Your entry to the innovation competition
- A technology you are currently working with (you could demonstrate the technology)
- A project you are currently working on
- A discussion area you feel strongly about
- "Sex, Lies and Microsites"
- "So What Is A Good Open Source CMS?
- "Stuff You Need To Know About iTunesU
- "How Can A WCMS Save £3.4 Million In 12 Months?
- "Tenish 5-Minute Ways To Improve Your Website
- "Web Analytics Guiding Web Development
- "Web 2.0 In Student Activism: What We Can Learn From Anonymous
- "How Qualified Do You Have To Be To Manage A Website?
2.40 PM
Barcamp 2
This year delegates will be given the opportunity to run their own BarCamp sessions. A board will be provided at IWMW 2008 for people to post up ideas for slots, rooms will then be allocated. Screen projectors will be available in rooms for people to use. During the 45 minute allocated slot there will be time for up to 18 sessions and each session will be 20 minutes long. It may be possible to run a session that spans the entire 45 minute slot. Some ideas for topics include:- Your entry to the innovation competition
- A technology you are currently working with (you could demonstrate the technology)
- A project you are currently working on
- A discussion area you feel strongly about
- "Canadian View On Life, Dearth and Social Software
- "DIY CMS - Building A Low Budget System, Getting People To 'Buy-In'
- "Immediacy WCMS In Action
- "T4 CMS / Sitestat / Redesign / Rambling Q&A / Discussion
- "Barriers To Making Things Work On Second Life
- "Simple Scriptaculuous
- "Forum: Feedback on Nedstat
- "Migrating Into A CMS - What Is Your Experience?
- "Live@EDU
3.30 PM
Parallel Sessions B
Delegates could attend one of the following parallel sessions:- B1: Approaches To Web Resource Preservation Marieke Guy and Brian Kelly, UKOLN, University of Bath. See Marieke Guy's and Brian Kelly's biographical details.
- B2: Web CMS and University Web Teams Part II - the Never Ending Story? Claire Gibbons and Russell Allen, University of Bradford. See Claire Gibbons' and Russell Allen's biographical details.
- B3: The Real Information Environment Dr Martin L Poulter, University of Bristol and Kwansuree Jiamton, King's College London. See Martin L Poulter's and Kwansuree Jiamton's biographical details.
- B4: Hands Up if You Haven't done Yours Yet... Debbie Nicholson and Keith Brooke University of Essex. See Debbie Nicholson's and Keith Brooke's biographical details.
- B5: Tactics to Strategy, and Back Again Stephen Emmott, LSE. See Stephen Emmott's biographical details
- .B6: Battling Bureaucracy Paul Boag. Paul Boag's biographical details.
- B7: What's the Point of Having Developers in a Web 2.0 World? Phil Wilson and Tom Natt, University of Bath. See Phil Wilson's and Tom Natt's biographical details.
- B8: Podcasting and iTunes U: Institutional Approaches to Scaleable Service Jeremy Speller, UCL and Nicholas Watson, Open University. See Jeremy Speller's and Nicholas Watson's biographical details.
Day 324 July 2008
9.15 AM
Engaging The Community
Abstract
In this session Paul Walk introduced the Innovation Competition. He provided a background to the competition and related activities within the HE and FE development community and expand on his blog post "The coolest thing to do with your data will be thought of by someone else". Paul introduced the submissions and coordinate the announcement of the prize-winners.11.00 AM
Unleashing the Tribe
Abstract
University and 'real life' are often seen as distinct entities by students, and employers. Outside academia huge changes in the way we interact and how knowledge is shared and analysed have been afoot for some time. A generation of Bebo Boomers are repeating the solidarity and participation witnessed by the baby boomers forty years ago. The net, gaming and mobile technologies are encouraging more collaboration across greater distances and cultures than ever before. Such stories should be encouraging rapid change in the nature of schooling. So what are the main routes down which educators could go and what are the main challenges to overcome?Resources
The sides are available on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/ewan.mcintosh/unleasing-the-tribeW/shop A22 July 2008
3.30 PM
Embracing Web 2.0 Technologies to Grease the Wheels of Team Cohesion [A1]
Abstract: This session will review how a number of Web 2.0 technologies that are both internally and externally hosted and can be used to future proof the way that teams in institutions can work effectively together. The sessions will make use of a case study based on the University of Bath elearning team. A pattern which is emerging over time is that members of the elearning team are increasingly working out of the office and a range of different projects and staff development initiatives. Also, in the future we may see further developments of our Hub-Spoke Model, where we may recruit more people to work at the local level in Faculties and Departments, to be located there and part managed. The new emerging model of fewer face to face meetings and greater diversity within the wider team creates considerable challenges, although it offer some potential. Some of these challenges include, how do individuals keep informed about what people are up to? How do we stop people becoming isolated and silos forming? who can we creatively harness the diverse talents within the team? At the University of Bath we have re-visited how we communicate and collaborate embraced the characteristics of "Web 2.0". In particular the use of Web 2.0 tools to harness the power of the crowd, create an accessible collective intelligence, democratised the way that content is created in the team and how our social network interfaces with our other social networks. This paper will discuss in practical terms how the use of social bookmarking, individual blogs, wikis and communication tools, such as twitter and skype has changed the way that we as a team interact. It will also include the views of different members of the team. The outcome is that we'd strongly encourage other teams re-visit how they communicate and then embrace the characteristics of Web 2.0, facilitated by tools such as Twitter, WordPress, Flickr, Confluence Wiki and Delicious. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees should:- The benefits and challenges virtual teams presents for the user and the organisation
- Possible ways in which these challenges can be met using Web 2.0 technologies
3.30 PM
Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Support a Brand Focused Marketing Strategy [A2]
Abstract During this session there will be an exploration of the use of Web 2.0 technologies in brand based marketing. The session will use the results of the recent collaboration between the University of Southampton and Precedent Communications http://www.southampton.ac.uk/isoton to demonstrate how developing a consistent approach to the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies can be acheived by considering your institution's corporate objectives and audiences. Discussion Groups will consider how the Web 2.0 technologies used in brand based marketing can be applied to their institution. This session will follow on from the Helen and James' plenary talk on Web 2.0 and Brand: Theory and Practice. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees should have an understanding of the Web 2.0 technologies used in brand based marketing.3.30 PM
Coping with Forms: Implementing a Web Form Management Application [A3]
Abstract: Creating good forms is a tricky business encompassing a wide range of disciples (accessibility, usability, security, etc). What's more, the development of bespoke online forms, and their back-end reporting interfaces, can be a huge resource drain for institutional Web teams. This session will tackle these problems by asking 'what do we need to know to make better forms, and how can we better manage form development processes'? As a case study, we will look at how the implementation of a form building and management application has aided the Web team at City University. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees will have a greater understanding of:- Issues arising from Web form development
- How a form management application can help
3.30 PM
Stuff what We’re doing at Edge Hill University [A4]
Abstract This session will go on a whistlestop tour of some of the new developments made for the March 2008 relaunch of Edge Hill's corporate Web site. See what a small, centralised Web team can deliver without a £1 million CMS! More buzzwords than you can shake a stick at and not afraid to get technical. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees should: (include brief description of what they will have learnt)- gain a better understanding of some technologies that can be integrated into a site
- see an alternative to deploying a "typical" CMS and the benefits/challenges this brings
3.30 PM
The ‘other’ Accessibility Guidelines – the Importance of Authoring Tool Accessibility Evaluation in a Web 2.0 World [A5]
Abstract Web content is increasingly produced by authors without extensive web design skills - whether by staff using CMSs, VLEs and courseware or by students publishing their coursework online. The challenge of making sure this content is as accessible as possible becomes much more significant, and inevitably a burden on the individual or institution. The quality of the authoring tool in supporting accessible content creation becomes critical - however support for the W3C's Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) by authoring tool vendors seems to be seen as a specific (and usually low priority) customer request rather than a fundamental quality of the tool. For institutions considering selecting a VLE, CMS or other tool that supports web content publication, how can they best express accessibility requirements so that the tool takes its share of responsibility for accessible output? And if existing tools fall short of ATAG conformance, how can the effect of this on the accessibility of content best be managed? Learning Objectives: Through discussions and case studies, attendees will become familiar with W3C ATAG and its importance in the field of web accessibility, examples of how current authoring tools fail to meet ATAG, how existing tools can best be assessed for ATAG conformance, and how shortcomings can be managed. We will explore how we can most effectively express requirements for tools to support authors of all technical abilities in creating accessible content.3.30 PM
Mashups: More than Maps [A6]
Abstract: Distributed computing - where data is consumed from external Web sites, sometimes 'mashed', or displayed in some other way on your own site, has become a powerful way of providing functionality, and requires little or no financial outlay or technical understanding. This workshop will look at some of the services available and examine some of the ways that they can be combined or otherwise used on your site and for prototype development. Learning Objectives: By the end of the workshop you will:- Understand the concepts behind distributed computing and what this can do for you
- Have looked at a few examples / case studies to illustrate the "mashup thinking process"
- Have seen a demonstration of Yahoo! Pipes, one of the three major "mashup editors"
- Have seen demonstrations of the three major mashup editors: Yahoo Pipes, Microsoft Popfly and Google mashup editor
- Be able to understand some of the issues around relying on 3rd parties, and some possible solutions
3.30 PM
Introducing Socialearn [A7]
Abstract For the past year, the Open University has been exploring the potential of an open 'social learning platform' that will integrate the power of a social network and third party tools and applications within a pedagogically sound architectural framework. The project - code named "socialearn" - has been developing along several parallel strands: the user experience within a potential 'social learning' Web site; the development of a set of core platoform services with open API that is congruent with other standard and de facto standard web service APIs; and a business model that allows individuals and instituions alike to use the platform to futher their own business goals, whilst securing a sustainable financial basis for the platform itself. In this workshop, we will review the progress of the socialearn project, and demonstrate the features of the platform that have been built to date. As the socialearn platform is intended to be an open platform, we will also run through a series of exercises exploring ways in which the socialearn aproach may be used to support institutional services in both the formal and informal educational sectors.3.30 PM
Mind Mapping for Effective Content Management [A8]
Abstract In 2007 the University of St Andrews Web Team (of two) was faced with the daunting task of managing the migration of 4,000+ web pages from 35 individual websites into one new Web site within a content management system. Having explored various methods we settled on using mind maps to successfully the complete the task within 4 months. In this workshop we will begin with an overview of mind mapping before sharing what we did and looking at how you can use this tool to efficiently organise and manage your own content. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees should have an understanding of what mind-mapping is and how it can be used to:- Optimise the information architecture of Web sites
- Manage Web site content
W/shop B23 July 2008
3.30 PM
Approaches To Web Resource Preservation [B1]
Abstract In a follow up to James Currall's plenary talk on The Tangled Web is but a Fleeting Dream ...but then again... this session will discuss the challenges of Web preservation (what should we actually preserve?; what about IPR? and how do we address the technical challenges?) and look at practical approaches your institution can take to preserve its Web resources. The session will review some of the approachs to the preservation of static content which were addressed at the first of the JISC PoWR workshops which was organised by the JISC-funded Preservation of Web Resources (PoWR) project. The workshop will go on to explore some of the additional challenges being posed by Web 2.0. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees should have learnt:- Why Web resource preservation is important.
- How you can embed Web resource preservation strategies in your institution.
- Ways of approaching the challenges of preservation of Web resources in a Web 2.0 environment.
- Video of talk hosted on Vimeo
3.30 PM
Web CMS and University Web Teams Part II – the Never Ending Story? [B2]
Abstract The University of Bradford Web CMS project began in October 2005 and by the time IWMW 2008 happens we will have purchased our Web CMS and have a new University Web Team in place (just!). "Crumbs - that's taken a long time," you may say! Well, yes - but we know that by the end of the project we will have a Web CMS that suits our organisational needs and is welcomed and accepted by the users, as well as a new resource to assist the University of Bradford in taking its Web presence forward - the University Web Team. So how did we do it? Following on from last year's IWMW 2007 session (People, Processes and Projects - How the Culture of an Organisation can Impact on Technical System Implementation) we will give some insight into why we think our project has continued to be successful - detailing the hurdles we met along the way and how we overcame them - and imparting the knowledge that we have learnt during the project which can help you take your organisation with you and enable you to implement a huge change management project successfully. Hint - it's all about the people! Learning Objectives: By the end of the session attendees will:- Have an understanding of 'change management' and the implications for the integration of new technologies within existing organisational and IT infrastructures
- Have a clear understanding of 'user-community' and other stakeholder engagement in practice
- Be able to identify the potential 'enablers' and 'blockers' of any change management project within their institution
- Have an understanding of specific project management techniques and when to use them appropriately
3.30 PM
The Real Information Environment [B3]
Abstract The workshop is an opportunity to consider the implications for university-based Web sites of the use of external, embeddable commercial services. As embeddable services and communities increasingly dominate, Web sites are evolving into Web presences, with implications for marketing, functionality and evaluation. We will look at some examples from Higher Education Academy Subject Centres' use of services such as YouTube, Google Books and PBwiki, consider some risks and benefits and invite participants to share their own attitudes towards these services, whether pro or con. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session attendees attendees will have:- discussed some of the opportunities and pitfalls of engagement with external commercially-run services
3.30 PM
Hands Up if You Haven’t done Yours Yet… [B4]
Abstract One year on and we are still scratching our heads, trying to work out just what we need a Social Networking Policy to cover, why we need it, and exactly who it needs to protect. Social Networking presents lots of opportunities in the areas of teaching and learning, student recruitment, alumni relations and collaboration, as well as exposing the University to a variety of risks and new challenges.. This session will explore the risks and opportunities we are faced with, and will try to establish some of the issues we need to safeguard against. It may even provide some answers for institutions who are still thinking about creating a policy, just starting the process, or those burying their heads in the sand...a bit like some senior management! Learning Objectives: This session will use case study examples, and will draw on the experience of the participants to establish the scope of a Social Networking Policy for an institution. By the end of the session participants will have:- Explored the risks and benefits in using Social Networking facilities within an institution
- Explored how a policy could be used to promote good use of Social Networking facilities
- Established areas that a policy needs to safeguard against
- Explored the different audiences a policy needs to target
- Explored ownership and priority issues
3.30 PM
Tactics to Strategy, and Back Again [B5]
Abstract Tactics tend to dominate the daily routine, limiting the time and space available to consider strategies. This workshop aims to explore the distinction between strategy and tactics to help web professionals identify the ends and manage the means by which they are achieved.3.30 PM
Battling Bureaucracy [B6]
Abstract Why is it that so many web projects within public institutions are delivered late and fail to stay within budget? In this session we discuss the challenges faced by institutional Web site managers and look at specific techniques to address issues such as design by committee, scope creep and internal politics.Learning Objectives:At the end of the session attendees should be able to use stakeholder interviews to defuse internal politics resolve conflicts over homepage and IA real estate focus stakeholders on user needs rather than personal preference assemble adequate background material to support your development approach.3.30 PM
What’s the Point of Having Developers in a Web 2.0 World? [B7]
Abstract With the ever-increasing quality of third-party tools lowering the barriers for enthusiasts to provide Web-based services for their teams and departments, what's the point in having an insitutional Web development team? Can they provide anything that someone with the time, motivation and a decent tool can't? Should Web Services just be innovating on top of these services (and if so, how?), or should they be disbanded in favour of outsourcing? A short introductory presentation will be followed by a roundtable discussion with sweets on offer to keep our energy up!3.30 PM
Podcasting and iTunes U: Institutional Approaches to Scaleable Service [B8]
Abstract The Open University and UCL have been pursuing projects to deliver on-demand audio and video podcasting recording and distribution services primarily via Apple's iTunes U service. In this talk, Nicholas and Jeremy will discuss how the different approaches of two very different institutions impacted on the nature of the two projects, how challenges were addressed and how solutions were developed. Learning Objectives: At the end of the talk participants will have:- Learned about practical integration technologies for podcasting
- Understood the cultural challenges involved in taking forward such a project
- Considered issues relevant to scaling such solutions to the enterprise Level