Dear GEM and list members
I know this message was sent a while ago, but reading Paul's
Editorial in GEM News reminded me that, unless I have missed it,
there has been no response to Jocelyn's enquiry (see message below) -
nor to mine, which was admittedly embedded in a long email:
>Incidentally, having just looked at the GEM website, I also
>question the thinking behind the proposal to restrict GEM News,
>notes from training days etc to a Members only area. Having to
>enter a username and password would put me off flicking back through
>past copies of GEM News, JEM etc online, rather than encourage me to
>do so. In any case, why restrict access? Shouldn't GEM be aiming
>wider than its own membership anyway, in spreading best practice
>notes, etc? Currently, Google searches probably constitute the
>largest source of new visitors to the GEM site. This would cease if
>this policy were implemented. I would be interested to hear others'
>views on this point.
My question in a nutshell: what is the rationale behind creating a
members only area of the websites, and were any relevant successful
examples in mind when this idea was proposed?
Currently, my impression is that the review contained several rather
unexpected changes, the detailed reasons or rationale for which I
have not seen. Is there somewhere a full copy of the review, in
which the research/justification behind the assertions made therein
are presented?
Martin
Jocelyn's original enquiry follows:
>From: Jocelyn Goddard <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>While we list-users are no doubt happy that we can continue to benefit
>from it - and also have been helpfully reminded of the ways we can make
>the most of it, would it be possible for GEM to share with us a few more
>details on your comment that:
>
>there were a number of criticisms of the list which need to be addressed
>- and ways of doing this are being considered at the moment?
>
>I was just thinking that the passionate advocates of the list might be
>likely to have some good ideas about how to improve things.
>
>Jocelyn
>
>< Jocelyn Goddard
>< Access and Learning Adviser
>< SEMLAC - South East Museum, Library & Archive Council
>< The Garden Room, Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TE
>< Tel: 01634 405031
>< www.semlac.org.uk
>
>
>
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>-----Original Message-----
>From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Group for Education in Museums
>Sent: 20 April 2006 08:26
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [GEM] The list is safe!
>
>Dear GEM List Members,
>
>First, let me reassure you that the LIST IS SAFE and there are no plans
>to close it! With so many enthusiastic and passionate subscribers who
>find it so useful it would appear that now is not the time to do so.
>
>Although, one of the recommendations of GEM's independent review was
>that this list should be replaced with an online discussion forum, the
>Trustees, mindful of some members' enthusiasm love for the list, have
>suggested that we try out an online discussion forum on the GEM website
>and evaluate its success or otherwise before taking any decisions on the
>future of the list and forum.
>
> From the review questionnaires which were returned we know that many
>members use this list - some very enthusiastically as is clear - and
>many rated it as an important function of GEM. However, the list does
>not suit everyone and there were a number of criticisms of the list
>which need to be addressed - and ways of doing this are being considered
>at the moment.
>
>We shall of course continue to involve members in planning and
>development - through the list and forum! By the way, is there a brave
>soul out there who would like to moderate a trial forum?
>
>Also, were there any other points in the review which struck a nerve or
>a chord!
>
>Best wishes
>
>John
>
>
>Dr John Stevenson
>Director
>Group for Education in Museums
>Primrose House
>193 Gillingham Road
>Gillingham
>Kent ME7 4EP
>Tel/Fax: 01634 312409
>www.gem.org.uk
>[log in to unmask]
---
Martin Bazley
ICT4Learning
15 Margin Drive
Wimbledon
SW19 5HA
07803 580 727
www.ICT4Learning.com
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