JISC

Start date: 1 January 2001

End date: 31 March 2002

Funding programme: Building MLEs in Higher Education

Project website: http://www.rave.ac.uk/tisr/

This project is part of the Joined up System for Institutions project cluster in this particular programme. Projects in this cluster intend to integrate a variety of different types of information systems to support learning and teaching (for example joining up the student record systems with the institution's VLE).

Background/Context

The difficulty of transferring data across information systems (e.g. attendance records, library management, enrolment-assessment-progression-conferment and billing) often results in inaccurate data and inefficient use of the main systems. The lack of a single, universal way to identify students means that different educational institutions use different enrolment networks and do not have the capacity to transfer student records across institutions. This project aims to join up disparate systems by developing a generic model for student records.

Aims and Objectives

The project's main aims are:·

• To provide integration of disparate systems through an object model for student records
• To provide access to this through a Web gateway to a virtual database which abstracts all information (and acts as a meta-directory)

Project Design

The project is using an iterative model, moving between problem definition and user needs (consultation) and problem solutions and user experience (consultation at the development and prototyping phase). These stages involve both quantitative and qualitative methods of research, for example in the information audit and security/access review, which will inform the selection of appropriate technology.

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

The outcomes of the project will include:

• A Web site which will both provide the front end of the system and a dissemination route for findings
• Consultation with the wider academic community (especially through CADISE, the consortium to which Ravensbourne belongs) at each stage of the project
• Development and implementation of an internal staff development programme, designed to optimise staff understanding of the Web site
• A conference and open day at Ravensbourne, where key issues arising from the project will be addressed