Solving the OER “discovery problem”: the DiscoverEd prototype Ahrash N Bissell and Nathan Yergler

Statement of the “problem” Smaller audience sizes -> smaller auto-generated datasets (e.g., via links). Many valuable metadata fields are ill suited to automatic discovery. Problem of authority. Who says? Scalability. The OER movement is a global effort. No universal standards for ontologies, and probably never will be.

Smaller audience sizes -> smaller auto-generated datasets (e.g., via links).

Many valuable metadata fields are ill suited to automatic discovery.

Problem of authority. Who says?

Scalability. The OER movement is a global effort.

No universal standards for ontologies, and probably never will be.

One view of the current “licensing landscape”

Structured data requirements for enhanced search and disocvery

Different curators. Different types and numbers of structured data (if any).

RDFa as a core element of a solution Independence and extensibility Human- and machine-readable formats are the same (“don't repeat yourself”) Visual locality Remix friendliness

Independence and extensibility

Human- and machine-readable formats are the same (“don't repeat yourself”)

Visual locality

Remix friendliness

Key attributes of the DiscoverEd prototype Built on the basis of “curators.” Populated using feeds. Integrated full-text and structured data indices. Open for any querying and data export. Refinements are extensible. Highly customizable on both front and back ends.

Built on the basis of “curators.”

Populated using feeds.

Integrated full-text and structured data indices.

Open for any querying and data export.

Refinements are extensible.

Highly customizable on both front and back ends.

The DiscoverEd prototype

Where do we go from here? Tracking “provenance.” Streamlined customization templates. Widgets for community-acquired metadata. Personal search and communities of practice.

Tracking “provenance.”

Streamlined customization templates.

Widgets for community-acquired metadata.

Personal search and communities of practice.