An easy to read index to the entire learning program content, to read or print
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The majority of readings listed are freely available on the web. Alternate readings are listed for each topic.
Our participants are likely to be in the middle-ground of early adopters. They are enthusiastic about new technology and keen to learn more, but may not have found the time (or motivation, or practical hands-on project to practice skill-building) to examine RDF, OWL and other aspects of the Semantic Web in detail.
They are likely to be in work roles involving technology, at all types of libraries. Level of technology involvement in the workplace is likely to vary widely from ERM specialists, to reference/techie staff, to web developers, to cataloging department staff without any technical experience beyond following detailed step-by-step procedures for cataloging with the local ILS.
They will participate in online discussions to share ideas and knowledge, see examples of concepts in practice, get hands on practice by completing a project, and learn how to apply what they've gained in this program to their work.
Signup
Follow along each week
Post your thoughts and responses to your blog and the discussion forum
Participate in a project
Metadata: Does metadata matter?
Overview of evolution
Where we are now (e.g. semantic web patterns)
Where we might be in 2-3 years (need for killer app?)
Why is it important - what can you do with the semantic web?
What libraries are doing about it
Standards
Concepts (overview)
What's special about RDF?
Linked Data uses HTTP URIs to connect different pieces of data together. This makes it easy to identify when different people are describing the same person, book, or place. Many data sets have already been published as Linked Data using URIs including photos, biographical information, and bibliographic records from library catalogues.
Linked data preconference at Code4Lib 2009
Includes links to presentations and overview of issues.
(Should we perhaps start people out with example of end-user applications that illustrate semantic web concepts, e.g. Twine, Freebase, Semantic Bible, Search Monkey support for hcard, Faviki, etc.)
XML, OWL and RDF concepts in detail (basic for beginners, intermediate for non-beginners)
Semantic search, SPARQL (basic for beginners, intermediate for non-beginners)
mashups/reusing data--SIMILE, Zotero, microformats, OpenCalais, Triplify, APIs
Dapper and Pipes might provide good examples of how APIs and even data harvesting tools work
Refer to the wiki for now until content filled in: http://semanticlibrary.pbwiki.com/Learning+Program
This week you will also sign up for a group project based on your particular area of interest. It will start this week and continue next week. While you work, you can take a look at what the other groups are working on. At the end, you will do an online presentation to share what you've developed and how you're going to use it.
Does the semantic web matter? Trends?
Ideas for how to use it in your work - supporting library users, researchers, and providing library services?