Connecting with the Customer –Opportunities and Challenges

Call for Papers

Closing Date: 20th January 2006

Topics

The 2006 IUISC Planning Group welcome proposals, in abstract form, for short papers on a variety of topics under the following strands. Examples of topics are listed below but submissions on other subjects suitable for inclusion in these strands and of current interest to IUISC members are encouraged.

Strand 1 Broadening Access

This strand addresses the new audiences that universities are engaging with and their requirements. There are new approaches to learning, which are being developed across Ireland , the UK and Europe , some aimed attracting interest from low- or non-users of education; here international students, those with disabilities or special needs and distance learners assume particular importance. This entails a need for speedier responses by service providers and changes in the way the IT and learning materials infrastructure is managed; there are changes, in particular in libraries and in computer services, changes that are now accelerating. At the same time, there is a need to cater for those with traditional demands.

Strand 2 The Digital Native – user trends

This is a term popularised by Marc Prensky, who points out that “our students have changed radically” and “they are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” He goes on, “t oday's average college grads have spent less than 5,000 hours of their lives reading, but over 10,000 hours playing video games (not to mention 20,000 hours watching TV); computer games, email, the internet, cell phones and instant messaging are an integral part of their lives.” Students may never have experienced other forms of learning. They adapt to new technologies more quickly than those in universities who are providing support services and than teachers; indeed they impact on technical development, more than the other way round as their choices in a mass market divert manufacturers and service providers into their preferred devices. Given this background, Digital Natives do not like to hear “no” for an answer when they arrive at university.

Strand 3 Connectedness

Students, staff and others in universities now expect all systems and services to be seamlessly integrated and services which have been previously quite distinct must now inter-connect. Managers in this environment seek to ensure that users can identify themselves and are only allowed to use resources to which they are entitled. On the other hand, users expect services and systems to protect them from being inundated with information and communications, much of it unwanted; additionally, legislators are imposing burdens on managers which further complicate their lives. And, at the end of the cycle, it is increasingly expected that material and data will be archived and curated effectively.

The emphasis of proposals should be as much on evaluation as on describing what has happened. Proposals encouraging active participation by delegates will be given preference.

Most sessions at IUISC 2006 will be one hour sessions in workshop form, though there may be some spaces for presentations to larger groups also lasting one hour.

Abstract Submission

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 20th January 2006 . These should be sent to Christine Lynas via email at ca.lynas@ulster.ac.uk (tel +44 (0)287032 4245)

Acceptance Process

Each proposal will be reviewed for acceptance at the conference against the following criteria:

Acceptance of Abstract

You will be advised as to whether or not your Abstract has been accepted by 27th January 2006 . Your paper/presentation will be due by 24th February for inclusion on the conference website.

You are also asked to submit a brief paragraph detailing your own background and experience.