University of Leeds Academic Services
How I learned to stop worrying and love
the e-strategy
Tracey Stanley
Head of E-Strategy and Development
Leeds University Library
University of Leeds Academic Services
The E-Strategy conundrum
“I know who I was when I got up this morning
but I think I must have been changed several
times since then” (Alice in Wonderland)
University of Leeds Academic Services
An E-Strategy might include...
External content (eg: RDN)
Campus intranet
E-prints
Virtual Learning Environments
University web site
Portals
Collaborative
working tools
Management Information
Systems
Electronic library services
Student information systems
Managed learning environments
Grants management systems
University of Leeds Academic Services
Challenges for an e-strategy



The strategy requires accompanying
changes in working practices, attitudes and
organisational behaviour.
The key challenges are organisational and
political NOT technical.
There are many routes to get to the same
place!
University of Leeds Academic Services
Guiding principles





Information held on campus needs to be fit for its purpose
(accurate, current, consistent, complete).
Information should be accessible.
Information should be collected in electronic format
wherever possible
The institution needs a commitment to reviewing it’s
processes in order to use resources and information more
efficiently.
Interoperability between systems is required (avoid the
‘data silos’ mentality).
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (1) - the campus
intranet

Need for single sign-on and integration of
systems across campus:
– business solutions systems
– virtual learning environments
– virtual working environments


Increased demand for tailoring, personalization
etc.
Should we be using commercial ‘portal’ tools or
developing our own solutions?
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Nottingham
University of Leeds Academic Services
University of Nottingham




Using U-Portal (open source) to develop a
campus portal.
Includes tailored news, access to VLE,
links to modules, library link, external
content, links to academic records etc.
Single-sign on to all resources.
Demo available at
http://sulser3.nottingham.ac.uk:8080/uPortal2/render.uP
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (2) - VLEs and MLEs




Develop your own in-house system or buy
‘off-the-shelf’?
Levels of local customisation?
Integration with other systems on campus?
(eg: student information system, library
management system)
Increased demand for personalisation
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Leeds




Home-grown VLE Nathan Bodington.
Developed and run by
Flexible Learning
Development Unit.
Well-established - all
departments have a
presence.
Small development
team.
University of Leeds Academic Services
Key challenges (3) - research
environment



Increased need for managing research
outputs (publications and other evidence of
esteem).
RAE driving increased monitoring culture.
Need to improve impact and visibility of
research outputs and expertise by making
available to a wider audience.
University of Leeds Academic Services
Case Study: University of Leeds



University Publications Database
Commercial links supported through the
Virtual Knowledge Park
Contacts management and expertise
capture through the Kimera system
University of Leeds Academic Services
Discussion sessions


Work in groups to discuss topics.
Choose someone to take notes and report
back.