30.09.08
Participants
- Jim, EUN, Aspect
- Tore, Oslo University College, iCoper
- Manuel, U Vigo, Aspect
- Juan, U Vigo, Aspect
- Marc, EIfEL, Aspect
- Serge, EIfEL, Aspect
What is dissemination about?
The main question raised during the meeting was (Jim): what is dissemination about?
- documents - e.g. project deliverables?
- discussions - e.g. tracing community activities related to domain topics?
- community of non-experts meeting experts—to support adoption?
Probably the 3 altogether, then it is important to define the requirements for the different dimensions of dissemination. For example (Jim), it is important to go beyond the simple compilation of public meeting documents (c.f. Eredne), and that we need to put an effort in editing documents that are understandable by a wider constituency. One solution in another project was to (1) hire a journalist who did some rewriting of the proceedings. Another solution (Serge) could be to encourage project partners to (2) keep a reflective journal or contribute to a project's reflective journal. Still another solution (Tore) would be to (3) monitor micro blog activities, blogs, scientific publications and other community member contributions through feeds aggregations, mashups, live searches, etc.
We also need to explore and provide advice on the use of podcasts, the reuse of FlashMeeting records, the use of tagging (see Tagging specification for building our Best Practice Networks) etc. to enhance the dissemination effects of our project events and activities. This might be done as a Best Practice Guideline written up in the C&D Strategy document.
We should also have a better idea of the resources that could be exploited by the different partners of the 2 projects. For that we should extend the informal survey (Manuel) that was done during a learning café at the kick-off of iCoper. This should be done when we have a better understanding of the needs through the design of the dissemination plan (Tore).
A first draft (section template) of the dissemination strategy has been produced (Tore) and we should complete it to have a clear vision of the dissemination strategy and how we should address the different constituencies —e.g. there are probably differences between schools and HE sectors and the way to involve them.
What does the information system look like?
In order to be efficient, we need to have a clear understanding of the components of the information system we will be using, and how they should relate to each other and to the other communities at large.
Here is a table (to be edited) listing the different components and their function.
* RSS stands for RSS and/or Atom
During the next months, in parallel to the writing of the dissemination plan, we will experiment with the different components of the information to establish the most effective way to store, publish and publicise the project outcomes.
We need to discuss if the Best Practice Network (4th column above) so different from the Informal Network (5th column above) that this justifies another channel/portal; in other words: Will "experts" and "people" as different target groups need different channels and means of communication?
As first step, we would like to try the following scenario:
1) make public a document in EducaNext for Aspect and iCoper and make them available through an RSS feed—in the absence of real deliverables, a simple standard presentation of the project will do
2) display the RSS feed in the different project and partner websites
If the test is conclusive, this means that we will be able to publish all the deliverables in one place only — but that will not prevent copies, if needed by partners.
Also, EducaNext should be able to provide an XML feed -- like Google Calendar (iCalendar format - RFC 2445) -- for all the meetings and activities of the 2 projects—one for each project and one common. This feed should be published on the different partners website.