1. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ Parallel Session A2 Presented by: Greg Newton-Ingham Justine Kitchen Pete Cliff Report by Clare Rogers, JISC

2. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ What are the issues for the joined-up Web? Need to improve communication of needs, of experience and of evaluation across the community Cultural change is needed at some levels Need for cross-searching across a range of dispersed databases/ data providers Need to join up the real world of students e.g. Hotmail with the academic world of information provision, assessment and administration

3. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ What are the issues for the Joined-up Web? (contd.) Technical issues for joined-up systems include plug-ins, software versions, operating systems User feedback tells us: –multiple sign-on is a turn-off –users don’t want or need to see the ‘workings’ of joined up systems. Prefer invisible, seamless interface. –however, user choice, familiarity, brand loyalty, direct access are still desirable, need parallel routes. –branding = quality?? - seamless interface could render resources ‘brandless’

4. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ DNER - Distributed National Electronic Resource - managed information environment Agora - eLib project - bringing together traditional library collections with new technologies and resources RDN - Resource Discovery Network - subject gateway offering links to described, quality assessed resources. Also RDN-include. MARTINI - managed learning environment - joining up information services, administration, student services etc.

5. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ So what does Brian need to do? Circulate information on relevant projects to mail lists create web pages linking to projects, initiatives, case study, examples etc. disseminate findings of projects

6. ‘Towards a Joined-up Web’ What does JISC need to do? –Continue development of Sparta –Join up with other initiatives with similar aims –Disseminate information to the community about developments in joined up technology via web and mail lists –Continue with development of cross- searching mechanisms –Expand work on moderated resource lists like the RDN

7. …….Joindyupness