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SU – Semantic Web March 26, 2010

Posted by afoote in : Information Systems, Knowledge Management , add a comment

In a recent book, Pull: The Power of the Semantic Web to Transform your Business, by David Seigel, the author looks at the future of the web. The author presents a future where the web is built around the individual and starts from the individual having a personal data locker site. The personal data locker site contains the relevant information on the individual including name, address, family and work. The web site would also contain friends, work interests and hobbies. This sounds very similar to Facebook and other social networking sites, but instead of the user searching to make connections, the web would make connections with the user. Such as if the user indicates that there is an interest in computer programming in Java, the web would offer to connect the user with others interested in Java. If the user indicated on her personal data site that she was looking for a new Microsoft PC, the web would connect her to companies selling PCs. Instead of the user searching for companies that sell PCs and possibly missing some very good deals, all PC sellers would be connecting with her. This style of web is referred to as the semantic web or web 3.0. It does not appear that the complete internet will magically change to this organization next week, but there are changes occurring that are pushing the web in that direction.

 From a Stevenson University perspective, the idea of creating a personal data locker and permitting users (students) to have all the needed information from that site could begin with Blackboard. Currently all students have accounts on blackboard and from that site they access their class information. Everything from the course syllabus to submitting assignments is on blackboard. This includes tests, discussion boards, calendars and powerpoint presentations are maintained on blackboard. What is not on blackboard are the tech connection, library services, career services, student advising, registrar services and registering for courses. Those applications are on the college website and as commented in previous blogs are very difficult for students to access. The new version of blackboard presents some valuable options for the application, but it is also an opportunity to change the information that students have available.

Another option for the idea of a personal data locker is a new data portal application that is being discussed. This data portal provides a dashboard configuration so that students can access course information from blackboard, needed student services from the university website and email. Hopefully access can be obtained without having to login in to the various applications. One login that will pass security information between all the interfaces would be very useful. This data portal application is being considered for next school year. If students could get a connection with course information, the library, tech connection, career services, registrar services, course scheduling, advising and email from one starting application, it could be the beginning of Stevenson moving towards web 3.0.

Virtualization – Spring 2010 March 22, 2010

Posted by afoote in : Information Systems, Virtualization , add a comment

 As commented in previous blogs, in the Fall of 2009, we started using Virtual lab manager for a number of our Information Systems course at Stevenson. We had some challenges such as very slow response times, but the idea seemed to work. Providing students with a virtual lab area for developing programs and networks has been very positive experience. This semester I am using the virtual environment in one class, IS251 C# Object Oriented programming. The environment has worked extremely well for us. My class is at 8:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This time slot does not have a large number of other students trying to use the environment and that may be why it is working so well for my class this semester. The benefits of a stable environment that is available to students all the time is very clear. Everything that the student needs to complete the coursework is in one location and the student does not need to worry that another student has altered the environment.

Some of the other classes that are using this environment this semester have not had the same experience that my class is having. They are experiencing the slow response times that we had last semester.  The office of information technology (OIT) and Phil Desroiser have been working on the problems. The resolution to this situation may have to wait until this summer when more hardware and disk drives can be added to the system. 

At the spring faculty/staff meeting, Mr. Steve Engorn demonstrated the system to the entire school. I am not sure people outside the information systems area could understand the importance of the environment, but they were supportive. The administration at Stevenson has been very supportive of the program and its future use. All of us seem to see the possibilities for this environment and opportunities for the school.