Report of the RACL / WebCT Working Group
Recommendations
for a USG Solution for
Integration of Library Resources
in USG WebCT / VISTA
Environments
GIL User’s Group Meeting
May 19, 2005
Topics and Presenters
Review of the Report
Caroline Cason, University of Georgia
After the Report, Campus Perspective
Sherrida Crawford, Valdosta State University
After the Report, GALILEO Upgrade
Lauren Fancher, Board of Regents
Review of the RACL / WebCT Working
Group Report
Environment and Background
Processes
Recommendations
Outcomes
Caroline Cason, University of Georgia
University System of Georgia Integrated
Learning Environment
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Purpose of
RACL WebCT Working Group
Review possibilities for integration of
library resources and services into WebCT
Vista Environment
Test authentication scenarios
Identify issues
Make recommendations
Group Members
Carol Bray, East Georgia College
Laura Burtle, Georgia State University
Caroline Cason, University of Georgia
Sherrida Crawford, Valdosta State
University
Kim Eccles, Atlanta Metropolitan
College
Lauren Fancher, Board of Regents
Scott Gillies, Gwinnett University
Center
Jeff Heck, Augusta State University
Chris Huff, State University of West
Georgia
Shirley Lankford, State University
of West Georgia
Mary Morris, Macon State College
Jan Ruskell, State University of
West Georgia
Sandra Stratford, Columbus State
University
Tammy Sugarman, Georgia State
University
Tyler Walters, Georgia Institute of
Technology
Phil Wetherington, Macon State
College
Resources
•Brian Finnegan - BOR
•Doug Hyche - BOR
Discussion Questions
What should the student’s and
faculty view of library resources
within WebCT look like?
What can we do now to get there?
Campus Portal Services
My WebCT (Student) View
File Manager (Faculty) View
Different Features and Functions
for Students, Faculty, and Librarians
Students: need links to library resources and
services at main page, as well as to particular
materials within courses and assignments
Faculty: need to be able to place durable links to
pre-selected as well as self-selected materials within
courses and assignments
Librarians: need to be able to create collections of
durable links to materials at the discipline, section,
course, and assignment level for selection by faculty.
Also provide services.
Authentication Issues
Working towards a single sign-on
environment for users across all campus
services from a single place (portal and or
course management)
Most licensed library resources require IP
authentication or separate user name and
password
Linking Issues
Access to linked library resources should
be as seamless as possible
Links to library resources need to be
durable over time so that as things
change, they stay current
Changes to links need to be easy to
manage
Solutions?
Proxy products such as EZProxy ensure that
links to IP-authenticated resources are
seamlessly available to users
Open URL link resolvers ensure that links are
durable and easy to manage
Content integration products provide ways for
libraries and faculty to collaborate in use of
library resources within online course
management systems
The Future?
My Campus Portal
My Email
My Portfolio
My WebCT
My News
Links to
Library Systems
and Services
My Course
My Course
My Course
My Assignment
Links to
EReserves,
Ejournals,
Pathfinders
Links to
Articles,
Learning Objects
My Student
Information
My Library
GIL
Link Resolver
EReserves
GALILEO
Ask a Librarian
Report: Recommendations
Preliminary recommendations focused
on what could be done immediately:
collaboration and strategies
Final report included additional
recommendations related to the
technical infrastructure: software and
technologies that are needed
Outcomes
Preliminary report provided to RACL
Executive Committee June 2004
Endorsement of initial recommendations
Libraries begin to implement
Final report produced in August 2004
Presentation to RACL Fall Meeting 2004
Endorsement of key software
recommendations
Initial Recommendations
Endorsed by the
RACL Executive Committee in June 2004
for Immediate Pursuit by USG Libraries
• Libraries should be included in the implementation of
campus portals and course management solutions.
• Links to GALILEO, GIL, the library website, Ask a
Librarian, the Online Library Learning Center tutorial, and
a citation style guide should be placed at the My WebCT
level for each student at every campus.
Initial Recommendations
Endorsed by the
RACL Executive Committee in June 2004
for Immediate Pursuit by USG Libraries
• Libraries should ensure that designated librarians are
trained in use of the WebCT VISTA course designer tools
and are familiar with both the student and faculty views
and tools in order to be of assistance to all.
•Librarians should ensure that they are available through
outreach, advertising, and service offerings to collaborate
with faculty in the development of their online courses.
Technical Architecture Recommended for
All USG Libraries
EZProxy
Shibboleth
Electronic Reserves
management software
OpenURL resolver such
as SFX
Course content
integration software
MetaSearch Software
Digital Repository
Software
Virtual Reference
Software
Bibliographic Citation
Management Software
Technical Recommendations Endorsed by
the RACL Group in November 2004:
• RACL / WebCT Working Group presented their report to
the Regents Academic Committee on Libraries (USG
Library Directors) in November 2005
•RACL endorsed pursuing SFX linking, metasearching,
EZProxy, and ERes solutions for the University System of
Georgia, as part of the centrally-supported virtual library
GALILEO.
After the RACL / WebCT Working Group
Report: Campus Perspective
Strategies
Processes
Progress
Outcomes
Next Steps
Sherrida Crawford, Valdosta State University
RACL/WebCT Working Group,
After the Report
Sherrida Crawford, Automated Systems Coordinator &
Functional Lead, VSU Campus Pipeline Luminis Project Team October, 2003
RACL/WebCT Working Group member in April, 2004
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
24
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
VSU portal – Luminis (Campus Pipeline)
Access protocols include LDAP Services
Single Login access for Library Services
Custom Access via
(Authentication Adaptor)
Custom Access
GALILEO
OpenURL
compatible
May 18, 2005
EZProxy
Access protocol –
LDAP directory
GIL Webvoyage Catalog
OpenURL compatible
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
ILLiad
Open URL compatible
Access protocol - LDAP
25
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
Authentication and resource management software works
together in combination to meet needs of faculty, students
and librarians
REALITY CHECK
May 18, 2005
Technology Architecture Requirements for Integration of Library
Services and Resources
Into Campus Portals and WebCT VISTA
(requires development and resources / possible now)
WebCT VISTA
Campus Portal
Links to GALILEO / GIL / OLLC
Additional Authentication Software
EZProxy for IP
authentication to
Library
Resources
GIL Patron
Account Log-in
History Course
Electronic Reserves
E-journals
Articles
Books
E-books
Digital Collections
GALILEO
Institutional Login via Password
or Cookie
Learning Objects
Web sites
Bibliographies
Pathfinders
Subject search
Subject metasearch
Metadirectory
Services for
Library
Resources as
well as
WebCT/Portal
Tutorials
Style Guides
Ask-a-Librarian
Additional Library Resource Management Software
Open URL Resolver
(SFX, etc.)
Electronic Reserves
Solution
(Eres, etc.)
Bibliographic
Management
Software (RefWorks,
EndNote, etc.)
MetaSearch Software
(MetaLib, WebFeat,
ENCompass, etc.)
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
Course Content
Integrator
(Sentient, ENCompass
CCI.)
Virtual Reference / Web
Sharing Software
(Question
Point/Convey, WebEx)
26
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
WEB Strategy
Business / E-commerce tool
(Enterprise systems like PeopleSoft and
Banner)
Marketing tool
(Institution’s public face)
Academic tool
(Learning Management Systems, i.e.
WebCT/Vista)
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
27
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
Some Functional Similarities & Comparisons
CP Luminis Portal
WebCT/Vista
Single Login for Banner &
WebCT/Vista & Single Sign-on
for other Applications as
developed (CPIP)
Secure / Authenticated Login
& Integrated Authentication with
other PowerLink Partners
Incorporates uPortal standard
uPortal Channel Utility
Content in Context
Portal pull and push (roll
based) Banner populated
trigger
MyCourses functionality
(Courseware Lite)
May 18, 2005
WebCT’s Learning Contexts
Institution/Group/Course/Section
Banner populated
Courseware Tools (Robust)
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
28
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
Report Summary Recommendation
Links to GALILEO, GIL, the
Library website, Ask a Librarian,
the Online Library Learning Center
tutorial, and a citation style guide
should be placed at the My
WebCT level for each student at
every campus.
VSU WebCT VISTA login
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
29
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
Three Cheers for the USG GALILEO Support Staff!!!
For making GALILEO single sign-on happen in the Portal!
GALILEO Password not necessary for remote users!
BlazeNet / GALILEO Demo
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
30
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
31
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
Other interesting factoids picked up...
Shibboleth: Enhancement suggestion for CP Luminis portal
WebCT Observations:
•Sentient Learning – inquired if shown at Rock Eagle or other conferences
IT staff attended? Used as an opening to explain Library’s interest in elearning tools that help faculty add library resources to Vista courses
•Fielded Faculty inquiry about Library purchased DVD’s and WebCT Vista
Horizon Wimba: Become more knowledgeable about web conferencing software
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
32
After the RACL/WebCT Report,
What I Learned
GALILEO Upgrade Metasearch Review Invitation
Observation: From working with the Luminis portal knew
needed to be asking vendors about RSS feeds and
uPortal compatibility
May 18, 2005
S.J. Crawford, Odum Library
33
After the RACL / WebCT Working Group
Report: GALILEO Perspective
Background
Processes
Progress
Next Steps
Lauren Fancher, Board of Regents
Background
GALILEO and review of metasearch and
linking products
GALILEO environment
Unique and complex
Consortial management capabilities are
addressed in some way by each of these vendors
Goals and features may not work equally well
within the technical constraints of the environment
• Authentication, rights management, menuing, SFX
linking, supported systems and servers
Goals and Features
Enhanced usability and ease of access for
users, including more intuitive searching
Interfaces with a customized look and feel for
each user community (academics, publics,
K-12)
More customization of menus for user
communities and individual institutions
Goals and Features
Cross-database searching opportunities, including
search sets that are customized per user community
Enable access to content and features from library
websites, online courseware, campus portals, and
other environments that better meet user needs
Provide enhanced opportunities for user
personalization
Presentations to the
GALILEO Steering Committee
December 2004 and February 2005
• December 2004: Proposal for GALILEO Upgrade in
order to provide SFX linking and metasearch capabilities
for all GALILEO communities (USG, DTAE, AMPALS,
GPALS, Public Libraries, K-12)
• February 2005: GALILEO Steering Committee
endorsed the Upgrade Proposal
Process and Next Steps
GALILEO Metasearch Process
Product review with public service and technical
representatives from all communities
Participation decisions pending per community
Possible RFP, pricing, contracts and licensing, assessing
costs, financing
Planning deliverables and multi-year implementation
schedule
Formation of working groups for review of audience
interfaces: academic, public, school
Next Steps
USG libraries continue to participate in
campus WebCT and portal projects
Implementation proposal for GALILEO
Upgrade to GALILEO Steering
Committee, June 2005
Multi-year collaborative implementation,
refinement, evolution
For More Information
GeorgiaView: The USG WebCT VISTA implementation http://alt.usg.edu/gaview/
"Interoperability between Library Information Services and Learning Environments
- Bridging the Gaps”
http://www.imsglobal.org/digitalrepositories/CNIandIMS_2004.pdf
Libraries and the Enhancement of E-learning, OCLC E-Learning Task Force White
Paper, October 2003
Report of the RACL / WebCT Library Working Group, August 2005
Report and Presentation available at: www.usg.edu/RACL
After the Report: What I Learned
http://books.valdosta.edu/~crawford/GUGM05/WebCTRACL_GUGM05_VSU.ppt