Hi all,
 
Are you aware of the Moodle Repository system named MrCute?
 
MrCute1 is currently available as an add-on module through http://moodle.org 
 
We have funding for further development of MrCute and aim to be beta testing 
by January.

MrCute is an acronym for Moodle Repository Create Upload Tag Embed, and is 
intended as an optional Moodle module and block which allow direct and 
straightforward access to institutional and other repositories of online learning 
materials. MrCute 1 was released as a Moodle extension at the end of March 
2008. Phase 2 will be released at the end of March 2009 but it is hoped that it 
will be available for testing some time before that.
MrCute has been funded by JISC and is a project of Worcester College of 
Technology and Learning Objectivity. Subject to confirmation, we will work in 
cooperation with Xtensis (custodians of the National Learning Network 
Repository) and Jorum (the UK National FE/HE Learning Materials Repository). 
Information on phase 1 of the project can be found at 
http://www.learningobjectivity.com/moodle182 
MrCute2 will be broken down into two modules a 'find' option and a 'put' 
option. 

Repositories are usually a separate system to the VLE. The 'finding' process 
usually is to search or browse the repository, then download the materials and 
be able to upload and use these on your VLE. And the 'putting' usually means 
you are uploading to the repository, maybe as well as already uploading to the 
VLE.
 
MrCute does not work this way, currently all the finding and putting is all done 
through just one interface in Moodle. We are aiming in MrCute2 that the 
repository options should be as simple as uploading a file to the VLE, so you 
simply upload once and you can select to add it to the repository.
 
Many people store the NLN materials in their repository, but with MrCute2 we 
are aiming to directly link to the materials on the NLN website, a massive 
saving on storage. We are also in talks with Jorum to see if it is possible to 
include searching their collection of materials as well.
 
We have recently surveyed our teaching, library and management staff on the 
use of the repository system, and many of the MrCute2 changes and 
improvements are based on this feedback. We want as much information as 
possible from the end users so please feel free to add yourself to our MrCute2 
Moodle site http://www.learningobjectivity.com/mrcute to see our progress 
and complete the 'repository user survey'
 
After Christmas we will be looking for colleges to use and test MrCute2, so if 
anyone is interested please get in touch.
 
Kind regards
 
Helen Brady
Senior ILT Developer & Advisor
Worcester College of Technology