Association for Learning Technology launches Open Access Repository

Dec. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- The repository represents a long-awaited development in ALT’s work and services as it allows users to contribute assets and make them available via the repository. Since it went online the repository has had about 10,000 visitors, browsing, searching for and downloading journal articles, conference presentations, links to webinar recordings and similar content.  

Built using EPrints software, the repository conforms to the minimum standards of the OpenDOAR policy supporting the aims of the Open Access movement and has been designed with its wider development in mind, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource in the long term. Currently the repository can be browsed by Library of Congress subject divisions or an evolving learning technology-based subject tree which ALT is developing in accordance with user requirements. This allows the repository to reflect the different user communities which become involved in it or use it to make their output widely available. Furthermore the repository is fully indexed by internet search engines thereby enabling users to find items without having to be on the repository itself.

The ALT Open Access Repository was developed as part of the wALTer project in conjunction with the project partner Cranfield University, under the JISC Repositories and Preservation Programme, and it now exists as an independent freely available service hosted and run by ALT.  

The repository currently contains post-prints from the ALT’s peer-reviewed journal ALT-J from its inception in 1993 to Vol. 16 (2007) and will be updated periodically with new volumes 18 months after publication by Routledge. The repository also contains items relating to:
•   ALT-C conference
•   ALT events and webinars
•   Learning Technology topics, events or publications
•   ALT Members
•   ALT’s Certified Membership Scheme – CMALT
•   ALT Special Interest Groups such as the recently established Learning Environment Review SIG (LERSIG)

It will be extended further to cover:
•   exemplars of best practice
•   guides for good practice in design & use of education technologies
•   research papers
•   sector reports related to e-learning
•   wiki-based content that can be added to and extended by practitioners

For further information or if you would like to contribute assets, contact repository@alt.ac.uk or visit   http://repository.alt.ac.uk .You can also create your own user account on the repository homepage.
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Notes to editors:

wALTer Project Manager
•   Katie Janota, Cranfield University
wALTer Project Team
•   Bernard Scott, Cranfield University
•   Piers MacLean, Cranfield University
•   Seb Schmoller, The Association for Learning Technology, Oxford Brookes University
•   Maren Deepwell, The Association for Learning Technology, Oxford Brookes University


Photo shows left to right: John Slater, Maren Deepwell, Seb Schmoller (High res available on request)

About ALT
ALT (the Association for Learning Technology) is a professional and scholarly association which brings together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. There are over 230 organisational members from higher and further education institutions, private and public sector organisations and over 650 individual members. Sponsoring members include Becta, JISC, HEFCE, Sun, the Scottish Funding Council, Adobe, and the Learning and Skills Council.

ALT organises an annual conference. In 2010 the theme will be: "Into something rich and strange" - making sense of the sea-change. It will take place in Nottingham, UK from 7-9 September 2010 and will discuss the structural and pervasive shift in the nature of the Internet and its impact on education.

Association for Learning Technology, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP
Tel: +44 (0)1865 484 125    Fax: +44 (0)1865 484 165   Email: admin@alt.ac.uk      
URL: http://www.alt.ac.uk/

ALT is a Registered Charity in the UK, number: 1063519

For media information on ALT, images, or to apply for a press pass for ALT-C 2010, please contact:
Catherine Dhanjal, TheAnswer Ltd
Tel: 01883 650434 or 0794 166 9925
Email: Catherine.dhanjal@theansweruk.com

Ref: TA583       2 December 2009

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