OK, Just so we don't add to the plethora of misunderstandings, let's use "VO.edu" as our starting point. So long as we agree that (disciplinary centric) researchers are trying to let their communities of interest into their virtual labs (occasionally), while educators are attempting to compile OE materials in various language specific sites, which can be shared between institutions, we should be able to identify the common features of a VO.edu . We can use LIGO as an example of the former, and WE as an example of the latter.
If you accept this conception of the evolution of VO.edu's then the first thing we can determine is that they need to choose a fixed spot in cyberspace - a domain - which can be used as the hub for a disciplinary centric group. The aim is to use the domain, not only as a place to aggregate materials and support a community's communications, but also to act as the community's long term archive. The next step is to consider the tools which a particular community will prefer. These will need to be aggregated at the domain. We are fortunate to see this evolving in the WE space, where we have seen http://moodle.wikieducator.org/login/index.php added recently. Like most domains,* the primary tool* - a wiki in this case- is used as the domain's index, so it's unlikely that you'll see wiki.wikieducator.og/login/index.php, even if it is the logical approach to standardizing the domain's tool directory. It's more intutiive this way as the community has evolved around the domain's *primary tool's logic*. Once the tools are agreed the community can commence work. There is a plethora of what is considered "the primary tool" but in the edu space this will likely be an open source application. I'll also note that if a VO.edu is coming from the Research space, then the primary virtual tools won't even be seen - they are on a network which spans the partner institutions - although the domain(s) hub(s) will normally provide access to them. E.g. lsc/internal (top right) on http://www.ligo.org/ takes you through to an access point which is being run out of uwm.edu. So it seems uwm are providing the access services to the virtual labs. You can also see the two institutions which host the "grunt" are MIT and Caltech. And no, I've have little idea about what LIGO is all about. But I have had a play:) http://www.ligo.org/students_teachers_public/activities.php I hope I have have made three things apparent with this rave. 1. The absolute starting point is choosing *the language's* domain/archive, and it seems logical that this would be the same in different country domains. So, E.g., wikieducator might host an English version at wikieducator.edu, but wikieducator.edu.in would be in Urdu/Hindi(?), and so on. 2. The second point is in choosing the *disciplinary group's*domain/archive. We're beginning a talk amongst the National R&E network engineers about coming up with a directory which can point at, in the WE community's case, the disciplinary groups (domains) which span OER physical institutions - where the domains can aggregate content and provide access to various tools; some real time, some asynchronous. The domain can stay in situ even after a project finishes/takes a break. 3. The third point, which isn't apparent, is the idea of using institutional credentials as a sign on to (all applications at) shared VO.edu domains. This is a "Level of Access" issue where, as we can see from the LIGO example, "insiders" will be allowed deeper access than "outsiders". Let me finish off by mentioning one more thing, especially as you are aiming to "compile content so that potential virtual institute stakeholders have a *starting poin*t in such a wide world of jargon paradoxes". To be blunt (as usual), *you can't*. There's a lot of jargon out there, which is why I've been pedantic and elaborated on *VO.edu*, if only to separate the concept from VO.gov, which is a "parrallel universe" contending with the same issue of reinventing publicly-funded institutions. We're in danger (by just compiling content) to end up teaching where WE are trying to encourage those who want to share their learning "out of the woodwork". (which comes down to including learners, as you've suggested) The wonderful thing about what Wayne has inspired is that both an institutionalist (one who considers themselves just an employee of a National institution) and ex-institutionalist (0ne who considers themselves a member of an Global VO.edu) are offered a starting point. If one is an institutionalist then the aim is to encourage their institution to join the OER partnership. Here is the starting point. http://wikieducator.org/OER_university/2011.11_OERu_Anchor_Partner_Meeting If one has a larger perspective, then the starting point is in advertising, or participating in, the events which *an individual* must experience in order to understand the institutional habits of an evolving VO.edu. Here is the starting point. http://wikieducator.org/Open_content_licensing_for_educators/Home I can't see any paradoxes anywhere here; just a long (and indulgent) time lag between the outmoded, publicly-funded institutional habit of "delivering a service" (e.g teaching) and the now-entrenched "self service" (i.e. learning) habits of private groups/communities. Enough! Happy New Year. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "WikiEducator" group. To visit wikieducator: http://www.wikieducator.org To visit the discussion forum: http://groups.google.com/group/wikieducator To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]
