1. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 Power to the people: exploring the development of the Informs software tool through community engagement Diana Massam, Intute Executive

2. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 Questions, questions… How do you think Informs should develop in the Web 2.0 environment? Which social networking tools would YOU use to engage with other Informs users?

3. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 What is Informs? Flexible software tool for the creation of online tutorials Database of user created content for sharing, re-using and amending by other users: mainly in area of information skills development Community of practice and committed user community

4. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008

5. Background 2001 – 2003: Informs conceived and created as a result of JISC funded projects, based at the University of Huddersfield. 2003 – 2006: After project end, server maintained at Huddersfield through goodwill with limited technical and administrative support. 2006 – 2007: User community lobbied for safe future home for Informs: scoping project recommends Intute. JISC fund 6 month Integration Project to transfer Informs to Intute. 2007 – Informs an established Intute service.

6. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 Informs @ Intute User community still growing: now c170 –Mixture of HE, FE. Some other sectors represented e.g. NHS –Over 2000 learning objects: tutorials which can be shared and re- used Stakeholder engagement: –Key outcome of the Integration Project was recognition of community ‘ownership’ and potential for developing community of practice –Synergy with Web 2.0 environment Future development priorities (based on user review): –Customisation, Accessibility, Functionality –Community engagement & social networking

7. Tagging Web 2.0 What’s New Quality Ratings User comment s User comment s Awards Events Regional networks Regional networks Forum/ Blog Forum/ Blog E-mail newslette r RSS Feeds Sharing content Community building

8. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 Questions again: over to you How do you think Informs should develop in the Web 2.0 environment? Which social networking tools would YOU use to engage with other Informs users?

9. LILAC 2008 18 th March 2008 Further information? www.informs.intute.ac.uk Diana.Massam@manchester.ac.uk