Training and Events
If you would like to suggest speakers or subjects for future training sessions please contact our training officer.
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Available to book
Digital Preservation Roadshows, 2009-10
A series of roadshows is being held around the UK to raise awareness of digital preservation tools and techniques. These are being run by the Society of Archivists in partnership with the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC), The National Archives, the Planets project and Cymal.
The events aim to raise awareness of the issues, to demonstrate that there are solutions that don’t involve spending large amounts of money, and to show how to take the first, small, incremental steps in this field.
The first roadshow was held at Gloucestershire Archives on 29th April. Subsequent road shows in 2009 will be held in York, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Manchester. There will also be two further roadshows in Wales during 2010.
The exact programme of speakers will vary from event to event, but will cover strategic issues and practical first steps, with at least one local speaker to provide a source of ongoing regional advice and support.
Further information about the roadshows.
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Previous Courses
Web usability for archivists
Thursday, 11 June 2009, 10:00-16:00
Oxford University Library Services
How much time and effort do you spend making sure that your online presence works for your users? Would you know where to start? Evaluation and user testing of e-learning resources, websites and on-line catalogues are critical for their success, but we don't always do it. If you are interested in learning how you might improve your online presence based on how your users really engage with it, then this event is for you. You might be surprised by what you discover!
The event is for beginners, and will start with an overview of the variety of techniques that can be used, offering lots of practical advice. You will also hear three case studies, which tell the story of how such techniques have been applied to specific websites and what was learned as a result. Finally, you will be able to draw on some of what you've learned in a practical 'critique' session. If you're feeling brave you can even submit your own website for scrutiny by your peers...
Speakers include:
Martin Bazley, ICT4Learning.com
Gillian Sheldrick, English Heritage
Robin Urquhart, National Archives of Scotland
Kate Lindsay, First World War Poetry Digital Archive
Costs are £55 for SoA members and £70 for non-members (including lunch and refreshments). Please book using the online form.
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An Introduction to EAD
12 March 2009, 9:30-17:00, Trinity College Library, Dublin
or
13 March 2009, 9:30-17:00, Trinity College Library, Dublin
Course description:
This course offers a great opportunity to learn about the basics of Encoded Archival Description, which is an implementation of XML. Even if you are not creating EAD descriptions as part of your job, it may be useful to gain a practical understanding of what EAD looks like and why XML is of benefit for cross-searching and interoperability. The ability to import and export data as XML is likely to become increasinly important, even if you store your data in a proprietary system.
Course aims:
- An understanding of the syntax of XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
- An appreciation of the benefits of using XML
- An understanding of how to encode documents in EAD (Encoded Archival Description)
- An understanding of well-formed and valid EAD, with reference to Document Type Definitions and Schemas
- An understanding of the main issues surrounding implementation of EAD
- To assist delegates in deciding whether EAD is appropriate to their needs
Programme:
09:30-10:00 Registration
10:00-10:15 XML syntax, validating XML, displaying XML, reasons to use XML, introduction to EAD
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-12:15 EAD Documentation; EAD Structure; EAD & ISAD(G)
12:15-13:00 Exercise: creating a basic EAD record
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:15-15:15 Exercise: creating a multi-level record
15:15-15:30 Break
15:30-16:00 Aspects of Implementation - a look at some of the issues relating to the use of EAD
16:00-17:00 Exercise in groups: A look at publishing with examples on the web
Course leaders:
- Jane Stevenson
Jane worked at the Warwickshire County Record Office for 18 months before attending the University of Liverpool to gain her M.A. in Archive Administration. She then became the project archivist and subsequently Curator of Manuscripts and Archives at the Royal Institute of British Architects. She moved on to gain more technical experience by working at the University of Leeds on a Research Publications Information System and Virtual Science Park. She now works for the Mimas National Data Centre at the University of Manchester, which hosts a whole range of online services for the UK higher education, further education and research community. For the last 6 years Jane has worked for the Archives Hub service, a gateway to descriptions of archives held in UK higher and further education. Jane is currently responsible for co-ordinating activities and managing the work programme and maintenance of the Archives Hub. Jane is a tutor on the University of Dundee M.Litt in Archives and Records Management for a course on Cataloguing in a Digital Age. - Bill Stockting
Bill Stockting is currently managing the development and introduction of an integrated archives and manuscripts collection management system at the British Library. Previously, while at the National Archives of the UK, he was responsible for the management of the online catalogue and Access to Archives (A2A). An internationally recognised expert in standards for archival cataloguing and its online dissemination, Bill is also a member of the International EAD and EAC Working Groups.
Pre-course experience:
This is an introductory course and delegates do not need to have any previous experience of using XML.
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Sharing Made Simple: a practical approach to social software
10 March 2008, 10.00 - 16.30, University of Manchester
Organised by Jane Stevenson (Data Standards Group) and Brian Kelly (UKOLN).
[See below for more information on course content and feedback from delegates who attended the previous Web 2.0 training day.]
Feedback
11 feedback forms were received:
8 felt that the course was very relevant to them
8 felt that the level of information provided was good
5 felt that the length of the course was completly appropriate, 6 felt that it was reasonable
7 felt that the presentations were completely useful, 4 felt that they were reasonably useful
8 felt that the learning objectives were met completely
9 felt that the technical level was about right
11 felt that the course should be repeated
Quotes from delegates:
'This was a good value-for-money introduction that did for me what was advertised'
'This was an excellent course and I would definately recommend it to others. I hope to implement some of what I have learnt in the office where I work.'
'Knowledgable and enthusiastic presenters'
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Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Subject Indexing!
28 June 2007
The University of Manchester in Manchester Computing (Kilburn Building, Oxford Road)
This was a one day course looking mainly at subject indexing, with some references to practical approaches for name indexing. It provided an overview of issues relating to indexing, with hands-on exercises.
Tutors: Keith Trickey, Liverpool John Moores University; Martin Locock, Welsh Journals Online Project Manager; Jane Stevenson, The Archives Hub
Sessions covered benefits and limitations of indexing; use made of data while functioning and when archived; decisions on how data should be approached to make it accessible; Library of Congress Subject Headings, including notable features and possible pitfalls; UNESCO and UKAT thesauri; hands-on navigation exercises; the process of identifying the desired index concepts and selecting the correct LCSH terms; a look at how indexing works in the Archives Hub and the benefits to users
Feedback Summary
Percentages based on those who gave us feedback and who marked a 5 or 6 out of 6 (very good or good):
78% of delegates felt that the course relevant or relevant to them and to their organisation.
78% felt that the level of information provided was right.
78% felt that the content of the programme was good.
78% felt that the learning objectives were met.
Comments from delegates
Hands-on activities were useful
This course provided exactly what I was hoping for – very thorough and informative
A very good introduction to a complex topic
I’ve learned a lot and have lots of new ideas about implementing subject indexing
Some delegates felt that they would like to hear more about UKAT (UK Archival Thesaurus) and have more practical exercises. Something similar for CALM users and maybe also something specifically targetted at county record offices would be useful.
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Sharing Made Simple: a practical approach to social software
5 June 2007
Organised by Jane Stevenson (Data Standards Group) and Brian Kelly (UKOLN).
This course gave a practical introduction to 'Web 2.0', which encompasses social software such as blogs, wikis and rss, and also encourages a culture of collaboration, sharing, user-generated content and openess. Presentations were given on a number of case studies, including the National Archives wiki, Moving Here, the Archives Hub blog and the EYE project (a wildlife interactive site). There was an opportunity for hands-on exercises, using a number of worksheets covering various Web 2.0 services.
Speakers were: Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus, UKOLN), David Thomas (The National Archives), Suzannah Baccardax (The National Archives), Ian Thilthorpe (Tyne and Wear Museums), Amanda Hill and Jane Stevenson (Archives Hub).
Feedback
Percentages based on those who gave us feedback and who marked a 5 or 6 out of 6 (very good or good):
80% of delegates felt that the course relevant or relevant to them and to their organisation.
90% felt that the level of information provided was right.
95% felt that the content of the programme was good.
94% felt that the learning objectives were met.
Quotes from delegates
'Exceeded my expectations'
'As a novice in this area it was pitched at the correct level for me'
'an excellent overview of what is available'
'particularly appreciated the opportunity to have a ‘hands-on’ go at some of the software discussed'
'superb, informative and a good start'
'should be compulsory for all Society members!'
There was a feeling that perhaps more information could have been provided beforehand and that a glossary of terms would have been useful. Also that the discussion session could have been more focussed. However, the overall feedback was very positive and all delegates felt that it would be useful to run the course again.
More information can be found on the UKOLN site
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Last modified 06/11/2009
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