integrating library resources into desire2learn courses susan mee: rit demo denise kreiger: monmouth...
TRANSCRIPT
Integrating Library Resources into Desire2Learn Courses
Susan Mee: RIT Demo
Denise Kreiger: Monmouth University Demo
Jonathan Jiras: RIT - Technology Overview
Wendy Savoth: Monmouth University Details
Presenters:Presenters:
Susan MeeRochester Institute of Technology
• Library Resources Link Server
• Campus wide implementation
• Customized Library resources available in every course – from Physics to Phys.Ed.
• On campus, Online, Distance and Blended Courses ~ whether using D2L or not
Library Resources Link Server
• Modular Web Based Application
• Is not a widget – avoids limitations of widgets – provides customized resources based on college, dept, or course
• Link from main navigation bar of D2L – available from every screen
• Integration of all reserves + customized library resources
• Added to default course shell – appears in all courses – campus wide and beyond
• myLibrary link branded for RIT’s myCourses
Three Levels of Content
1. Course-specific content– reserve material
2. College or Program-specific content– contact info, database lists,
subject guides, and website lists
3. Neither (common to all courses, colleges, and programs)
- research tools, library account, books tab
Summary of Benefits
• Modular, web based application. Resides outside of D2L
• Links to existing systems – pages on web server, IIIreserve module
• Does not require library staff to edit course shells or duplicate processing
• In every course Nav Bar by default – no privacy or permission issues – library staff does not need course access
• Decreased reserve processing by at least 25%
• Encourages librarians to participate in the success of D2L
• Customizes the library experience for users
• Makes the library and library resources important D2L assets
• Easy migration from quarter to quarter
Why Integrate?
• Investment: MU Guggenheim Library has undergone extensive renovations to benefit university community and preserve historical value
• Challenge: Library is physically separated from main campus. Bring Library services & resources to forefront with greater visibility.
• Goal: Better service students & faculty, both on campus and remotely.
eCampus Solution
• Successfully deployed in Fall ’05 with course shells created for all teaching faculty in Monmouth University.
• Available 24/7, with virtual access for students and instructors on-campus and remote locations.
• MULibrary link added to eCampus NavBar as “portal” to Library website.
• MULibrary page contains links to general Library services & resources, as well as school-specific, department-specific, and course-specific resources.
LMS eCampus (D2L) offers an enterprise-wide solution for integrating Library services and resources:
Jonathan JirasRochester Institute of Technology
Technology Overview
• Big Picture
• RIT details are presented elsewhere (check handout for URL)
• General solution is the same for both RIT and Monmouth
• Cooperative project
• Enriches both the library and courseware
• Work with your librarians
Library Website
Typical Academic Library Resources
Library Reserves
Library Reserves
• Electronic course reserves (class specific PDFs)• Traditional print reserves (books and photocopies)• Library handles all work and tracks/clears copyright• April 2006 e-reserve stats for RIT:
- 11,527 electronic files - 710 courses supported - accessed 130,335 times - 381 traditional reserves
Librarian-authored web pages• Subscription databases for each discipline/subject• Library services and research tools• Help guides on using the library• Subject specialist contact information• Services for specific patrons (faculty, distance learners…)• much, much, more….
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
The Library Resources Link Server
Library Resources Link Server
Library Reserves
The Library Resources Link Server
Library Resources Link Server
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Library Reserves
Separate system – outside of all three systems
Takes URL parameters
Links to pre-existing content
Trivial logic – parses course numbers
Very simple integration solution
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Step One – Pass URL Variables
Library Resources Link Server
cou
rse
nu
mb
er
role
Library Reserves
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Step Two – Get Library Reserves
Library Resources Link Server
cou
rse
nu
mb
er
role list of reserves
Library Reserves
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Step Three – Dynamic Web Page
Library Resources Link Server
cou
rse
nu
mb
er
role list of reserves
DynamicallyGeneratedWeb page
Library Reserves
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Links to Library Reserves
Library Resources Link Server
cou
rse
nu
mb
er
role list of reserves
DynamicallyGeneratedWeb page
links
to re
serv
esLibrary
Reserves
Library Website
Desire2Learn
CMS
Library Resources Link Server
cou
rse
nu
mb
er
role list of reserves
DynamicallyGeneratedWeb page
links
to re
serv
es
Links to Relevant Library Content
links to program, department, or college specific librarian-authoredweb pages
Library Reserves
Possible Future Development
Library Catalog
• More content when-and-if specific librarians develop it
for additional programs/departments
• Make it a database driven application
• Integrate with additional courseware packages
• Integrate with faculty authored websites
• Library systems changes
- electronic resources management system
- database driven library website
Details on RIT Implementation
http://library.rit.edu/desire2learn/
Flash video summary (6 minutes)
PDF handout:
Screen shots
Live URLs
Sample code
Web accessible presentations (with audio)
Wendy SavothMonmouth University
• MU Library web pages already contain pertinent information
• Librarians collaborate with faculty members to define school-specific, department-specific and subject-specific existing web pages
• Information will be entered via a web form by the Librarians
• MULibrary link clicked, one page of code will generate dynamic information
Why Database Driven
• Information always up-to-date
• Reports can be generated easily
• Maintenance of links can be done by the library personnel thus assuring data integrity
• Target information from general to specific levels:– School– Department– Subject– Course– Section
Architecture
• PHP server side scripting well-suited for Web development
• SQL Server database
• Access database (eReserves)
• Web form for data entry
Web Form
• Filters on each of the data fields
• Searchable
• Easily enter new data
• Easily change existing data
Data Diagram
_Schools
PK School_ID
School_Name
_Academics
PK,FK2 School_IDPK,FK1 Department_IDPK,FK3 Subject_ID
_Subjects
PK Subject_ID
Subject_Name
_Categories
PK Category_ID
Category_Name Category_Order Is_Tab
_Departments
PK Department_ID
Department_Name_Liaisons
FK2 Librarian_IDFK1 Department_ID
_Librarians
PK Librarian_ID
Librarian_FirstName Librarian_LastName
_Links
PK Link_ID
Link Link_Name
_Roles
PK Role_ID
Role_name
_RolesLinks
FK1,U1 Category_IDFK4,U1 Role_IDFK3,U1 Link_IDFK6,U1 Subject_IDFK2,U1 Department_IDFK5,U1 School_IDU1 Section_IDU1 Course_ID
Link
• http://its.monmouth.edu/web_factory/wsavoth/mylibrary/mylibrary.php?RoleId={RoleId}&OrgUnitName={OrgUnitName}&OrgUnitCode={OrgUnitCode}
Link
Variables being used:
– {RoleId} – differentiate Instructor/Student
– {OrgUnitCode} – parse this for:• Semester• Subject/Department/School• Course• Section
– {OrgUnitName} – not being processed
SQL Code
$query = "select rl.category_id,
rl.role_id,rl.link_id,rl.subject_id,rl.department_id,rl.school_id,l.link_id,l.link,l.link_name,c.category_orderfrom _roleslinks rl left outer join_links l on
l.link_id = rl.link_id left outer join_categories c on
c.category_id = rl.category_idwhere (rl.school_id = '".$schoolID."' or rl.school_id = 'ALL')and (rl.department_id = '".$departmentID."' or rl.department_id = 'ALL')and (rl.subject_id = '".$subjectCode."' or rl.subject_id = 'ALL')and (rl.course_id = '".$courseCode."' or rl.course_id = 'ALL')and (rl.section_id = '".$sectionCode."' or rl.section_id = 'ALL')and (rl.role_id = ".$roleId." or rl.role_id = 0)order by c.category_order;";
Lessons Learned
• Importance of orientating Librarians to concept of linking to existing library web pages (i.e., “link server”) not creating new pages
• Librarians’ role is to make and maintain connections between existing Library web pages and related courses, subjects, departments, etc. using a custom web form
• eReserve information will be automatically integrated into the MULibrary page (no additional work required)
Future at MU
• ITS will finalize requirements needed for the data input web form
• Library will continue to identify and develop library web pages for resources at the department and course level
• Library staff will continue to liaise with faculty to develop eReserves and Subject Guides
Leave Blank for MU
Note: The slides that follow are “screen shots” of MULibrary that will only be shown if Internet access is not available.
A hyperlink from the “Demonstration” slide will link to the next slide automatically.