Hello fellow meta groupies.
Am glad to see the discussion turning to resource types, which, with the
format element has seemed a bit neglected. I'm part of a team developing an
Internet directory to accomodate educational resources (yet to be unveiled).
Our challenge is to make it quick and easy for teachers using our directory
to log resource descriptions themselves (and so keep our admin to a
minimum), but at the same time allow our database to map to Dublin Core so
our records can be harvested or shared.
With resource types, the particular challenge was to come up with a concise
list that covers all the options and is both meaningful and useful. Have
copied below our list of 12 types with definitions and DC mapping.
Basically I've included all of the first-level types, selecting one as a
default (text or "document"); I've added subcategories most likely to be of
use to our user group; and then re-named most of the types to make them
appear more discrete. In producing metadata or in the event of exporting our
records, we will bump everything up to the appropriate top level category.
I'm aware I've not only mixed apples and oranges but also included whole
trees and branches alongside each other! Still, have had no complaints from
the select group currently trialing the directory and will certainly check
in the process of evaluating our formal pilot.
Am interested in how others are implementing the "type" element in practical
settings.
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Resource Types:
Audio
Definition: An individual sound recording, or a resource devoted primarily
to these.
Dublin Core Mapping: sound
Data Set
Definition: A collection of data, such as a set of statistics.
Dublin Core Mapping: data
Dictionary
Definition: An organised list of terms and definitions, such as a
dictionary, glossary, or encyclopedia.
Dublin Core Mapping: text.dictionary
Directory
Definition: Listing or database providing links to other resources.
Dublin Core Mapping: text.index or data.structured-text - prefer text.index
Discussion Group
Definition: Email- or chat- group
Dublin Core Mapping: text.correspondence.discussion or interactive.chat -
prefer text.correspondence
Document*
Definition: Usually dependent on text, though will often include other
resource types, such as graphics and directories.
Dublin Core Mapping: text
*Note: This is the default resource type.
Graphic
Definition: A photograph or illustration, or a resource devoted primarily to
these.
Dublin Core Mapping: image
Homepage
Definition: Front or top page of an official or personal site.
Dublin Core Mapping: text.homepage
Interactive
Defintion: Document that employs multimedia or interactive elements, such as
virtual reality modelling, java applets, or forms-based tutorials.
Dublin Core Mapping: interactive
Journal/Magazine
Definition: Ongoing serial publication, issued in parts over time.
Dublin Core Mapping: text.serial
Software
Definition: Executable program or source code, or a resource devoted
primarily to these.
Dublin Core Mapping: software
Video
Definition: A film or animation, or a resource devoted primarily to these.
Dublin Core Mapping: image.moving
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Grant Young -
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World ORT Union SORT Project -
http://www.campus.ort.org/Library/Docs/about.htm
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