Date:         Fri, 24 Sep 2004 11:30:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Discussion List for issues related to cataloging & metadata
              education & training <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion List for issues related to cataloging & metadata
              education & training <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Cheryl Boettcher Tarsala <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Web Clearinghouse for Metadata Materials
Comments: To: [log in to unmask]
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Heidi and All--
    As a kerfluffler on Jesse, I heartily endorse the ethical statement.


I'd also add the suggestion that there be a mechanism to post
variations/comment on the materials--So, if I would be sharing my
most excellent OCLC derived search key exercise, Heidi could submit
her variation of it and it would be posted next to the original. (All
in a FRBR-like display of related works, of course ...) Then maybe
there could be a message area that would allow posting of snippets of
experience: "I've found the world's most clever derived search
problem"--or "watch out--students tend to misinterpret this aspect of
the assignment!"

I realize that kind of functionality might not be possible for a
first version of the clearinghouse site, but I think it could open
the possibility of continuous improvement/update on the posted
materials. Creating good cataloging/metadata materials is so very
time-consuming that the idea of a space where we could communally
work toward a set of "best practice" exercises (particularly on key
topics) is very attractive.

Very few cataloging assignments have reached near-universal, iconic
status (I've met no cataloger who cannot recall "Eighteenth-century
Swedish devotional poetry" as a DDC problem--but what was the answer
to that one???), but I think that there are a few areas where a
reliable, shared body of educational experiences could benefit
students moving into the profession and those who provide their
on-the-job training afterwards.

Cheryl


>
>THE ETHICAL ONE:
>
>My questions have more to do with ethical questions than with
>organization of the site itself.  Part of this arises from concerns
>about self-preservation and part from watching the recent kefluffle
>on JESSE about using the teaching materials of another.
>
>[clipped]
>I suggest we draft a short statement of what is or is not ethical
>use of this material.  For example, many of us must place
>information representing evaluation of our teaching in our review
>files.  Certainly use of our teaching materials by a colleague at
>another institution represents affirmation of our performance in
>this area.  What about a simple ethical statement like "It is
>expected that those who use materials linked to this website, either
>verbatim or as a model for their own materials, will notify the
>original author of the materials."  A simple email would do the
>trick.   Those who needed more for their files could ask the user of
>the information for something on letterhead or whatever.
>
>Another guideline may expect that we cite our sources for teaching
>materials of this type just as we cite the sources of quotes we use
>from the published literature.
>


--
Cheryl Boettcher Tarsala
Adjunct Assistant Professor
LEEP program, Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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The views expressed here are my own and not those of UIUC or GSLIS.