Linked and Open Data in Higher Education: a driver for change
| Dates: | 15 February 2012 |
|---|
| Times: | 14:00 - 15:30 |
|---|
| What is it: | Seminar |
|---|
|
|
Speaker: Dr Su White. University of Southampton
Host: Stephen Pettifer
Abstract:
There have been rumblings about the future benefits of linked data for higher education in the UK since the JISC commissioned a report into the potential of Semantic Web Technologies back in 2005. As the collective understanding of what is meant by the term linked data has increased, so has the number of proof of concept implementations, and further formal investigations by funding bodies. The evidence of the potential gains of exposing data have been supported in the popular understanding by everyday applications of mash-ups on web sites and in mobile apps and interesting and useful implementations by early adopters.
High profile campaigns (and behind the scenes lobbying) are succeeding in persuading organisations to place raw data in the public domain. For computer scientists, linked and open data is proving an attractive research area for some colleagues whose careers began in Artificial Intelligence. For administrators, it can offer savings of time and cost.
Research groups are finding ways of building alliances with colleagues which alongside contributions to education or management agendas are also providing data for papers and further investigations.
The presentation will consider ways in which the emergence of new practices using linked and open data is being harnessed to transform education, interconnecting administrative data, enriching and embellishing teaching resources while providing tools and resources for learners and researchers.
Dr. Su White is a Senior Lecturer in the Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton based in the Web and Internet Science Research Group. With a first degree from the London School of Economics, and a grounding in the social sciences along with computer science, Su is a deputy director of the university’s recently established Centre for Innovation in Technologies and Education. This institution-wide initiative’s objectives include working to establish a digital fabric for living and learning across the university. She is a
co- author of the JISC report into Semantic Technologies for Learning and Teaching, and was a member of the JISC Infrastructure and Resources Committee before its untimely demise following government review. Su’s research is focused on the interactions between technology and society and the change which technological innovations can support or bring about. She has more than 90 publications in the area of curriculum innovation and technologies and learning. On a day-to-day basis Su works closely with colleagues from central and ECS system support teams including the university’s Open Data Evangelist to initiate and build novel solutions to everyday problems in Higher Education.
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Lecture Theatre 1.4
Kilburn Building
Manchester
