LORE is a project that will provide a learning object repository for the Edinburgh University community. Typical content in the LORE repository will be bite-sized pieces of learning materials (for example, lecture notes, simulations) that are used to facilitate or enhance learning; these types of resources are sometimes referred to as learning objects.
A learning object repository is a collection of bite-sized learning materials (learning objects) that is accessible via a network or the Internet. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^The LORE repository will hold a wide range of learning and teaching materials; focussing on resources generated by staff (for example, lecture notes, lesson plans, simulations) and centrally provided resources (for example, generic support materials in transferable skills).
Digital assets (for example, images and videos) should be deposited in the Luna Insight system. Luna has image-specific functionality and is provided by Edinburgh University Library. To find out more about the Luna Insight Imaging system please contact Andrew Grout: Andrew.Grout@ed.ac.uk.
Research outputs (for example, theses and e-prints) should be deposited in the Edinburgh Research Archive (ERA - www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk). ERA is provided by Edinburgh University Library. To find out more about ERA please contact Theo Andrew: Theo.Andrew@ed.ac.uk. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^The LORE repository is available to all of the Principal's e-learning projects and a number of early adopters; all University staff will be able to access the LORE repository when the pilot phase ends, this should be in Winter 2005. It is still under discussion whether LORE will be open to students. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^LORE is in pilot phase at the moment; registered users of the LORE repository are members of the e-learning project teams (www.lore.ed.ac.uk/community/ELP/) and a number of early adopters who have been identified in the Schools and Colleges of Edinburgh University. Contact lore.support@ed.ac.uk for further guidance.
When the pilot phase ends the LORE repository will be open to the wider Edinburgh University Community. EASE authentication (www.ease.ed.ac.uk) is planned for the LORE repository. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^Users can search the LORE repository in two ways: using keywords or browsing the resources. Performing a keyword search simply means that the system searches for the keyword (s) a user has specified in the descriptive information of each resource; this is similar to how people search for resources on the Internet using search engines like Google (www.google.co.uk). Users can also browse the resources in the LORE repository; resources are organised in a standard way similar to a traditional library. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^The resources in the LORE repository are organised in a similar way to a traditional library; resources are grouped in a standard way. Users of the LORE repository can browse resources using a subject-specific hierarchy, or using the College / School hierarchy. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^A training guide for the LORE repository will soon be available on the LORE website that describes depositing resources in LORE. A series of short guides will also be available to users. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^Contributing your resources to the LORE repository has a number of benefits:
You can contribute resources to the LORE repository if you are a member of staff at Edinburgh University. However, you must be the creator of the resource or have secured the right to deposit the resource in the LORE repository. More information will soon be available in the LORE Contributors' Guide scheduled for publication in Oct 2005. [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^To make sure as many people as possible can find your resources. Users are asked to describe their resources as fully as possible by adding a description to each resource. This is similar to the catalogue record for a book in a library; if it was not well described you would not be able to find it. Each resource in the LORE repository has a minimum set of descriptive information (title, description and copyright information). [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^LORE Policy on Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights is currently being developed. The timescale for this work to be complete is Winter 2005. More information is available on request contact lore.support@ed.ac.uk [13 Jul 05]
Back to top ^Comments / queries to lore.support@ed.ac.uk