The Web in Turbulent Times

Abstract

This talk will look at turbulent times from the perspective of an IT Director. What challenges are we as IT departments facing, what challenges are HEIs facing that we can help with, and what impact on our services are these challenges going to have?

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/cloggingchris/iwmw10-plenary-talk-from-chris-sexton A video recording of the talk is hosted on Vimeo and embedded below. https://vimeo.com/13542753 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available.

Are web managers still needed when everyone is a web ‘expert’?

Abstract

While most senior managers would agree that the web is mission-critical, at a time when budgets are tight it becomes increasingly difficult to persuade them that employing skilled web professionals is vital. With devolved publishing models in many institutions and the increasing use of social networking, senior managers might be forgiven for assuming that managing a website is easy. Surely everyone is a 'web expert' now that 74% of the UK population spend an average of 13 hours a week on the web? So are web professionals really needed? No senior manager would disagree that web professionals with technical skills are essential; it's those with the 'softer' skills that are in danger of being overlooked. Yet these are the very people who make the web work for the stakeholders with their knowledge of writing content for the web, content management, metadata, taxonomies, the user experience, usability, and search: the list goes on. These are the skills which are being undermined by the web 'experts'. The key is to show what we can do beyond 'just' managing the website. The web is at the heart of business efficiencies through its use in streamlining processes, making tasks quicker to perform, connecting business applications, and enabling fast access to resources, so use of the web is key in the battle for the future of higher education institutions. As web managers we need to promote our roles, and those of our teams, showing what we have to offer the long term future of the organisation. But we are not helped by the lack of recognition for our profession. What is a web professional? This term covers a range of skills and experience but it is not one that is necessarily recognised by recruiters and managers. Web developers are recognised as being IT professionals, but if you have the 'softer' skills it becomes more difficult for recruiters and managers to know how to describe what is required and where to find suitable candidates. Is it because there are no recognised qualifications (except technical ones), and no professional body, that we have these problems? Are we currently running the risk of our skills being absorbed into other roles therefore jeopardising the quality of future web management and the importance of the profession? How should we promote ourselves so that the benefits of employing web professionals are recognised? This presentation will consider how and why web professionals should actively fight for recognition so that they can ensure there is a more certain future during turbulent times.

Resources

The slides are  available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/farrell A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13542698 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available.

Parallel Sessions A

Delegates could attend one of the following parallel sessions: A1: RDFa from theory to practice Adrian Stevenson, Mark Dewey and Thom Bunting. See abstract for session and Adrian Stevenson's, Thom Bunting's and Mark Dewey's biographical details. A2: A Little Project Management Can Save a Lot of Fan Cleaning Peter Barnes and Matt Jukes. See abstract for session and Peter Barnes' and Matt Juke's biographical details. A3: Location Based Services Without the Cocoa Ben Butchart and Murray King. See abstract for session and Ben Butchart's and Murray King's biographical details. A4: 'Follow us on Twitter'...'Join our Facebook group' Joanna Blackburn. See abstract for session and Joanna Blackburn's biographical details. A5: Usability and User Experience on a Shoestring Stuart Church. See abstract for session and Stuart Church's biographical details. A6: Sheffield Made Us - using social media to engage students in the university brand Dave Stanley. See abstract for session and Dave Stanley's biographical details. A7: FlashMash Owen Stephens. See abstract for session and Owen Stephen's biographical details. A8: Stylesheets for mobile/smartphones Helen Sargan. See abstract for session and Helen Sargan's biographical details. A9: Getting Awesome Results from Data Visualisation Rich Kirk. See abstract for session and Rich Kirk's biographical details. A10: My superpower is content curation. What's yours? Relly Annett-Baker. See abstract for session and Relly Annett-Baker's biographical details.

HTML5 (and friends)

Abstract

There is currently a lot of buzz around HTML5, the next evolutionary step of the very foundation on which we build our websites. New markup constructs, new JavaScript APIs, and the prospect of powerful functionalities built right into modern browsers to make our lives as developers that much easier. But with new technologies also come new challenges: when will all these features be available in all browsers? And what about older browsers? Is it safe to start using HTML5 now, or should we wait until the specification is final? Do we have to re-learn everything we know about HTML? In this talk Patrick will take us on a whirlwind tour of HTML5 (and other associated technologies often lumped together under this term), addressing the most common concerns that developers may have about it, and offer a glimpse of the new possibilities offered by this exciting new web standard.

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/redux/html5-and-friends-institutional-web-management-workshop-2010 A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13542925 In addition the video is also available in WebM format on the Archive.org. An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available.

Mobile Web and Campus Assistant

Abstract

Web use by mobile devices has increased dramatically in the past three years. Mobile-specific zones, once neglected corners of our web sites, have become vital points of presence. Although the mobile web uses the same technologies (html, css, javascript) it presents both unique challenges, as a constrained device with limited input, and opportunities, as an ever-present browsing assistant. This talk will provide an introduction to the mobile web. We will examine the capabilities of current mobile phones, how they are being used, and who is using them. Native iPhone and Android applications will also be covered. We will use the Mobile Campus Assistant as a case study. This was created by the Institute for Learning and Research Technology (ILRT) to make time and location sensitive information available to students via their mobiles and location-aware smart phones. For example, where is the nearest available PC? When is the next bus to the hall of residence? Which library is open now?

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository. http://www.slideshare.net/shellac/mobile-web-and-campus-assistant-4704370 A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13571473  

‘So what do you do exactly?’ In challenging times justifying the roles of the web teams

Abstract

Many for-profit industries have found that, even in these challenging times, the one area that has been resilient to large expenditure cuts is the internet and web services. Often this expenditure is supported due to every pound being accountable and transparent, therefore justified. Are there lessons that web teams can take from the for-profit sector to stop what they are doing becoming a vague proposition to those who set the budget? Also, do the web teams need to claw back roles given away freely in the past or would this require a complete change of mindset?

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. https://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/what-is-it-you-do A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13543523 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available.

No money? No matter – Improve your website with next to no cash

Abstract

With government funding being slashed many Higher Education institutions are reducing the budget assigned to web development. However, it is more important than ever to attract new students and the website is a key tool in this battle. How then, can you do more with less? Paul answers this question with 5 powerful techniques.

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/no-money-no-matter-improve-your-website-with-next-to-no-cash A  video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13542443 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available and is embedded below.

It’s all gone horribly wrong: disaster communication in a crisis

Abstract

How do you communicate with your staff and students and the wider world when it all goes horribly wrong? Is your IT/Web related response aligned with your institutional Major Incident and Disaster Recovery policies? Over the past few years a number of experiments have been undertaken by various institutions to address these issues. Externally hosted websites are one solution and some have used SMS messaging and third-party services such as Twitter. This talk covers ways in which communications can be disseminated via as many channels as possible while allowing simple access to tools for those in MI teams who need to make announcements. One day it will of course go so wrong that the only solution is a walk around campus with the megaphone - short of that we owe it to our users to provide information in as coherent and effective a manner as possible.

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/its-all-gone-horribly-wrong A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13542975 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available and is embedded below.

BarCamps

Abstract

Building on the the success of last two years delegates will once again be given the opportunity to run their own BarCamp. A board will be provided for people to post up ideas for slots, rooms will then be allocated. Screen projectors will be available in rooms for people to use. Some ideas for topics include:

• 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

Resources

See the accompanying Ideacale list of suggestions for the barcamp sessions.  

Parallel Sessions B

Delegates could attend one of the following parallel sessions: B1: Mobile Apps vs Mobile Web Mike Nolan and Mark Power. See abstract for session and Mike Nolan's and Mark Power's biographical details. B2: Designing, developing and testing a location aware learning activity using QR Codes Andy Ramsden. See abstract for session and Andy Ramsden's biographical details. B3: Wordpress beyond Blogging Joss Winn and Chris Goddard. See abstract for session and Joss Winn's and Chris Goddard's biographical details. B4: Developing Your Personal Contingency Plan: Beat The Panic Keith Doyle. See abstract for session and Keith Doyle's biographical details. B5: Taxonomy: Creating structure across content using metadata Matthew Hoskins. See abstract for session and Matthew Hoskins' biographical details. B6: Engagement, Impact, Value: Measuring and Maximising Impact Using the Social Web Brian Kelly. See abstract for session and Brian Kelly's biographical details. B7: Course advertising and XCRI Scott Wilson and Alan Paull. See abstract for session and Scott Wilson's and Alan Paull's biographical details. B8: Looking at Linked Data Chris Gutteridge. See abstract for session and Chris Gutteridge's biographical details. B9: Inside the Pantheon: A Dreamweaver framework for managing dynamic content John Ennew. See abstract for session and John Ennew's biographical details.  

Replacement CMS – Getting it right and getting the buy-in

Abstract

Sheffield University are doing a major upgrade (replacing) their CMS, this talk will be sharing that experience, and talking about how we've managed the process. The broad themes will be:

• Designing a user experience
• Catering for the majority
• User requirements, not user requests
• How much flexibility is too much flexibility
• Selling CMS to your users for the second time
• Support and training
• Making the web team visible
• Getting your users on your side
• How to deal with the troublemakers

Resources

The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/replacement-cms-richard-brierton-p8 A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13543746 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available and is embedded below.

StudentNET Portal

Abstract

Inspired by Let the students do the talking... presented at IWMW2007 our StudentNET portal concept has been worked from the initial idea to full deployment, with a go-live in Februrary 2010. A barcamp session was held on this subject at IWMW2009 with a good attendance and positive feedback. This subject has also been chosen as a showcase at this year's UCISA Conference in Harrogate. StudentNET V2 is the new highly personalised Canterbury Christ Church University student portal. Combining cutting edge web technology with robust data structures, it provides students with online administrative and academic services in one place. What sets our portal apart is that it is completely managed by the University's client management system, and is fully integrated with the University's active directory for all authentication needs. There is, therefore, no manual maintenance of users' accounts or access to services, and any updates are applied to the portal in less than 30 minutes. Resources The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/czechman/student-net-iwmw-2010-presentation-upload An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available and is embedded below.

The impact of SharePoint in Higher Education

Abstract

Microsoft's SharePoint has seen a massive uptake in UK Higher Education Institutions. The vast majority of institutions are making some use of SharePoint to some extent. Some have used it for their website, some for their intranet, some as a student portal, many for team collaboration and document sharing. A small number of HEIs are even using it as a VLE. This upsurge in usage has occured relatively suddenly. The HEI community has had little opportunity to reflect on both the opportunities, and the threats, that the rise of SharePoint poses. In this session James Lappin and Pete Gilbert will answer questions on the nature of SharePoint, its strengths and weaknesses, and the uses that HEIs have been making of it. James researched the usage of SharePoint in UK Higher Education in a Northumbria University research project (funded by Eduserv). Pete has led an innovative SharePoint implementation at the University of the West of England.

Resources

No slides were used  

Conclusions

Abstract

What have the highlights been of the IWMW 2010 event? What have been the main talking points and what new ideas and insights have inspired participants? Brian Kelly will facilitate the final session at IWMW 2010 and, in what is intended to be a highly interactive session, will invite feedback and discussions of the various issues raised during the event.

Resources

There were no formal slides used although the slides hosted on Prezi summarised the structure of the session. A video of the session is available on the Vimeo video sharing service. http://vimeo.com/13542259 An experimental service called ITitle developed by Martin Hawksey, RSC Scotland North and East which provides a video of the talk with Twitter captioning is available and is embedded below.

RDFa from theory to practice [A1]

Abstract In this session we will:

1. provide an introduction to what's happening now in Linked Data and RDFa
2. demonstrate recent work exposing repository metadata as RDFa
3. explain how integration of RDFa within a content management system such as Drupal can enrich semantic content - and in some cases help significantly boost search engine ranking.

Location Based Services Without the Cocoa [A3]

Abstract The increasing popularity of (smart phone) mobile devices with location sensors such as GPS, compasses and accelerometers has generated an explosion of new location based services ranging from simple navigational maps to augmented reality. Many of the new devices incorporate touch screen inputs heralding new forms of user interaction based on touch gestures. Many web managers will see great potential for enhancing the value of existing content through location aware services, making the content more relevant to the user and bringing together otherwise unrelated pieces of information. New types of interaction afforded by touch screen interfaces will further open possibilities for making content more accessible in a mobile context. A major barrier to institutions creating location based services is the fragmented technology base and lack of standards in the mobile application market. The arrival of new platforms and languages such as Android, Cocoa Touch and Objective C has complicated an already diverse technology landscape. It is hard for institutions to obtain the necessary skills to support such a heterogeneous range of platforms, especially when budgets are under increasing pressure. In this workshop we will examine the approach to implementing location based services using more familiar web browser technologies such as HTML5 and AJAX, based on our experience evaluating how EDINA services could be brought to mobile devices as part of the JISC funded geo mobile scoping study. We will explore both the advantages and limitations of delivering applications through mobile browsers rather than native app stores. We will give an overview of implementing a native location app using Cocoa (not as hard as you might think) and show the advantages of "going native". Then we will explain techniques for building rich user interfaces for mobile web browsers using HTML5 technologies such as the W3C geolocation API, Local Storage and Canvas.

A Little Project Management Can Save a Lot of Fan Cleaning [A2]

Abstract What is project management, how can it help you? This session will look at:

• common misapprehensions about project management
• nightmare situations when dev work goes pear shaped
• how project management can save your sorry ass
• the 'light' project management approach
• is agile a better model for the fast paced work of the web?
• are agile and traditional project management complimentary or mutually exclusiver
• sexy web based tools to avoid the dreaded MS Project
• 100% death by PowerPoint free, guaranteed!

 

‘Follow us on Twitter’…’Join our Facebook group [A4]

Abstract While the use of social media tools is now recognised as an important medium to communicate with our audience, many institutions are still in the dark as to how best to use these tools to support recruitment, build brand and reputation, and facilitate better internal communications. There are pockets of good practice out there, but also dismal failures due to the lack of understanding of the nature and premise of social media. This session will explore how institutions should approach the use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs. Participants will have the opportunity to develop guidelines on using social media for their areas of work. There will also be opportunity to discuss how best to respond to negative comments and how to deal with awkward postings. Learning Objectives At the end of the session, participants will:

• understand how to effectively integrate social media tools as part of their communications and marketing strategy
• learn the dos and don'ts of social media
• be in a position to develop guidelines on effective use of social media for their area of work
• gain understanding on legal issues associated with having an official presence on social media websites

 

Usability and User Experience on a Shoestring [A5]

Abstract Even in a positive economic climate, investing resources into usability or user experience (UX) work is often seen as an expensive luxury by organisations. With public sector budgets likely to face a major squeeze over the next few years, how can we continue to ensure that our websites are as effective and engaging as they can possible be? In this interactive workshop, we will explore ways in which user experience methods can be made more cost-effective yet still provide tangible benefits; for example, by adopting low-cost 'guerilla' methods for user research and evaluation and adopting a more user-centred philosophy within an organisation.

Sheffield Made Us – using social media to engage students in the university brand [A6]

Abstract Branding online is much more than getting the right logos, fonts and colours on to your website. It is an opportunity to engage audiences at an emotional level with the personality of your institution. User-generated content can be powerful, persuasive and engaging. But how do you encourage users to supply the content in the first place? And can you ensure that the content fits your brand? Between April and October 2009, the University of Sheffield ran a competition encouraging students to upload videos to Youtube with the incentive of a £3000 prize. The aim was to get the students to express in their own words what they thought of the University, and how Sheffield had made them. Join us for this marketing-focused case study and find out what we learnt, what worked and what didn't work. We'll share a few of the films with you - these range from those that are moving to those that are funny, and some that are downright bizarre.

FlashMash [A7]

Abstract Suitable for all levels of experience, this hands-on session will involve all participants in building a mashup which merges two or more sets of information already available on the web. Whether you can contribute as an expert user, a designer, or a developer, you can help decide what we build by participating in online discussions beforehand, and contribute to the process on the day. By the end of 90 minutes we will (believe it or not) have a working mashup demonstrating how easy it is to 'just do it'.

Stylesheets for mobile/smartphones [A8]

Abstract There are several strategies with stylesheets that will give a better experience for users of mobile devices (and also netbook-size devices). This session will look at what these strategies are and how they work and whether they help enough people and are robust enough to be worth pursuing.

Getting Awesome Results from Data Visualisation [A9]

Abstract Data visualisation is one of the hottest trends in online and offline marketing at the moment. By the time the workshop comes round we will have been through a general election; anticipated by many to be an event that ensures data visualisation or infographics really come of age online. As a tactic, data visualisation lends itself to further/higher education institutions that generate or store large datasets naturally. With the launch of data.gov.uk, data visualisation is also becoming a rare marketing sphere in which the public sector appears to be setting the agenda. If, as an institution, you feel frustrated that you cannot put across complex arguments to interested parties, or that your communications are dull and uninteresting to your key stakeholders, then data visualisation could be just the thing to stimulate debate, comment and creativity amongst your target market. Learning Objectives At the end of the session, participants will understand:

• Why data visualisation is so popular
• How you can use data visualisation as content for straight acquisition, or for softer campaigns e.g. online PR/brand, SEO or even offline marketing
• How data visualisation can be integrated into mobile content and social campaigns
• Free tools for putting together visualisations

 

My superpower is content curation. What’s yours? [A10]

Abstract: So many websites have content that is mismatched, mismanaged or a plain old mish mash and they need nothing short of a superhero to sort them out! Well, good news! In this session become the superhero of your website content and start a ruckus against that villain ROT (redundant, outdated or trivial content)! Your training will include a superfast rundown of content curation and strategy, with supertools and heroic tasks to take away. Learning objectives: By the end of the session participants will be able to:

1. assess good content vs bad content against set goals
2. create content of all kinds to meet user needs
3. try out tricks of the content creation trade, including writing exercises to take back home
4. wear their content pants outside their tights with pride

Resources A video interview with Relly Annett-Baker, the workshop facilitator, is available on the IWMW 2010 blog.

Mobile Apps vs Mobile Web [B1]

Abstract How is the Mobile Web shaping up to deliver critical institutional information? Where does Teaching and Learning come in? ...and do we need an App for that? This discussion workshop will begin by introducing a range of approaches UK HEIs have taken towards establishing their provision for Mobile devices and the content and interactivity they facilitate - from news alerts, library and location services through to course content delivery. We'll look at home-grown solutions as well as examples from third-party providers, compare native application capabilities with HTML5 and the Mobile Web and review current thinking on how these devices are used within the Higher Education context. The session will then call upon attendees to examine the issues presented and discuss their own approaches - planned or realised - to mobile provision, looking at aspects of:

• Update and maintenance
• Online privacy
• Data retention and sharing
• Freedom of Information (FOI)
• User support considerations

Resources A video interview with Mike Nolan, one of the workshop facilitators, is available on the IWMW 2010 blog.

Designing, developing and testing a location aware learning activity using QR Codes [B2]

Abstract This workshop will embrace a problem based learning approach to enable the attendees to design, develop and test a location aware learning activity around the building in which the workshop is based. This applies QR Codes as a very low threshold technology to create interactive, location aware learning activities. Some obvious applications include campus or building induction tours, health and safety tutorials in labs, and off campus learning activities. There is a growing interest in developing location aware applications for learning, teaching and marketing. Most of these augment the physical reality through providing additional online materials and interactions. This interest has tended to focus on the use high specification solutions, including the use of location aware mobile devices, RFID tags, Bluetooth and further connecting with Google Maps. Although these solutions provide a very high level of user satisfaction, they also include a number of significant barriers. Include, cost of entry, high levels of technical skills to create and modify the tours, and rely on providing the hardware or software. However, the emphasis of this workshop is to try to achieve the benefits of location aware learning activities through using a very low technology solution; QR Codes. A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two dimensional barcode. Which when scanned using a mobile phone enables you to complete a task. The most common tasks include accessing a web resource, sending a pre-written SMS or accessing more text information. The unique selling point is they enable the mobile learner to effectively and efficiently connect to a electronic resource or activity from a physical object. This workshop is divided into the following parts.

• Overview of what is a QR Code and how to access one on your phone
• Design a location aware learning activity based around the building the session is being run in (using a number of design activity templates)
• Creating the QR Codes, printing the QR Codes and testing the learning activity with other groups in the workshop
• Do people have the technology to use them now?
• What might stop you implementing a QR Code based location aware learning activity in your own institution

At the end of the workshop the products and processes, including collective lessons learnt will be collected and disseminated through the University of Bath's QR Code Project Blog for the wider community to access. Learning Outcomes: By the end of this session the attendees will be better enabled to identify the potential of using QR Codes to deliver location aware learning activities. The small group problem based learning approach will ensure that people of all experiences will benefit from the session. Resources The sides are available on the Slideshare repository http://www.slideshare.net/andyramsden/iwmw10-b3-ramsdenqractivities  

WordPress beyond Blogging [B3]

Abstract This workshop will provide a technical introduction to managing a large multi-site WordPress installation and provide a number of real-world examples that demonstrate the versatility of WordPress as a Content Management System (CMS). Attendees will be asked to think 'beyond blogging' and consider WordPress as a popular, low-cost, cutting-edge technology platform serving the needs of research, teaching and learning and institutional web managers. Resources The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/josswinn/wordpress-4738003

Developing Your Personal Contingency Plan: Beat The Panic [B4]

Abstract Turbulent times means uncertainty, so let's get positive about your future! Maybe you've dreamt of developing your career, or maybe you've been forced to think about your future. Whether or not you see yourself staying in your field of work or staying in education, what can you do today to prepare for your future? Keith has experience in further education, higher education, local authorities, industry, as a contractor and running a VAT-registered limited company. He has experienced being made redundant, of finding work and of providing work. In this session, he will share some of his experiences and then work with the participants to build their ideas. This will include: making the most of where we work now; portfolios and interviews; setting up a business. Learning Objectives

• Exploring career options
• Thinking about you Personal Contingency Plan

Resources See slides hosted on Slideshare and embedded below. https://www.slideshare.net/iwmw/personal-contingency-plan-beat-the-panic A video interview with Keith Doyle, the workshop facilitator, is available on the IWMW 2010 blog and embedded below. http://www.vimeo.com/13312862  

Taxonomy: Creating structure across content using metadata [B5]

Abstract: The use of a taxonomy in creating structured content allows emergent patterns in content to drive navigation. By using a taxonomy to create novel tags for content it is possible to produce strong navigational effects and use this to encourage investment in metadata in your content. Using metadata to produce front end effects, allows richer content that is easier to exploit in novel ways and gives a positive feedback process to encourage metadata production. On the other hand this approach risks polluting your taxonomy with meaningless tags that are so specific they have no meaning unless otherwise explained. At Leeds this approach is paying dividends in allowing flexible navigation and content reuse. Resources A video interview with Matthew Hoskins, the workshop facilitator, is available on the IWMW 2010 blog and embedded below. http://www.vimeo.com/13312297  

Engagement, Impact, Value: Measuring and Maximising Impact Using the Social Web [B6]

Abstract The Social Web is now widely accepted as having an important role to play in supporting institutional activities. Many (if not all) universities will now have a presence on Social Web services such as Facebook and Twitter. In addition services such as iTunes and YouTube are now becoming used to provide delivery channels for institutional content. It is therefore timely to seek to identify emerging best practices in use of such services. This session will review institutional approaches to use of the Social Web services. Participants will explore the reasons for using such services and also discuss possible concerns and dangers in such usage. This session will also explore ways in which usage of such services can be measured in order to provide evidence of their effectiveness. Ways in which such metrics can be used in order to enhance the impact of institutional activities will also be explored. Resources The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/lisbk/engagement-impact-value-measuring-and-maximising-impact-using-the-social-web-4612948#

Course advertising and XCRI [B7]

Abstract This session will look at the embedding of good practice in the management and exchange of course advertising information across the education sector for the benefit of learners seeking the right opportunity and providers recruiting students through the use of XCRI. The focus of the session would be introduce the emerging new facility, XCRi Knowledge Base (working title), incorporating an XRCi Self- Assessment Readiness Tool. These will be at near final stage then, and the workshop will give the opportunity to introduce the facility and seek views on final tweaks to ensure the facility is able to reach its maximum potential. The facility aims to:

• provide a single point of information for (UK) decision makers, influencers and implementers about good management and exchange of course advertising information across the education sector for the benefit of learners seeking the right opportunity and providers recruiting students.
• provide an attractive and easily accessible information point for policy makers, managers, administrators and technical staff to explore, so that they can find relevant information quickly, gain a deeper understanding of courses information management from their own perspective and assess the issues within their own institution.
• explain to the target audiences how XCRI acts as an effective and sustainable means of managing course advertising information, and to provide sufficient information for informed decisions to be made about implementation of XCRI, so that the institution can publish its information more widely and more effectively.
• provide sufficient information that self-assessment work can be undertaken by an organisation to determine its state of readiness for XCRi. implementation, and to enable it to track progress towards XCRI usage.
• through the provision of the facility, to enable and embed good practice in the management of course information and enhance take-up of XCRI across the sector.

 

Looking at Linked Data [B8]

Abstract Linked data is a buzzword right now, but what does it mean to university web teams? In this session we'll cover what people are likely to come to expect from a university website over the next couple of years. The message is Don't Panic. You will come away from the session with an idea of what is and is not practical, and some of the technical and political issues involved in providing useful Linked Data. This session will avoid overlapping content with the RDFa from theory to practice session. Resources A blog post about this session is available which was written by Chris Gutteridge, the workshop facilitator.  

Inside the Pantheon: A Dreamweaver framework for managing dynamic content [B9]

Abstract Using Dreamweaver as a publishing interface may not have been considered for institutions who want to manage their dynamic web content as its traditional focus has been on editing static web pages. However, at Kent, time and resource issues required an intermediate solution to roll out a new branding across our websites. In the process we developed a framework (codenamed Pantheon) for pulling in and managing dynamic content using static pages and a series of tools which integrate with Dreamweaver giving departments great flexibility in creating good looking web pages. Although initially intended as a temporary solution, the package was very well received by the University web publishers, so much so that a version 2 was approved and recently built and deployed. This talk will look at the project, the relative merits and drawbacks of the approach and how it has altered our approach to the development of the final CMS. At the end of this session, delegates will have investigated and discussed a new take on old technology and discussed the possibility that maybe this is another stepping stone on the path to a full content management system. Take a look at some online resources about Pantheon before the workshop at the following links:

• Details on the Pantheon system: http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/services/university-template
• A list of the 'snippets' - tools that are available to web publishers using Pantheon: http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/bacchus-snippets/snippets/index.html
• Gallery examples of different website designs hosted by Kent: http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/services/portfolio

Resources The slides are available on the Slideshare repository and embedded below. http://www.slideshare.net/johnennew/iwmw-b9-insidethepantheonuploadversion