Design principles for the information architecture of a SMET education digital library

ABSTRACT

This implementation paper introduces principles for the information architecture of an educational digital library, principles that address the distinction between designing digital libraries for education and designing digital libraries for information retrieval in general. Design is a key element of any successful product. Good designers and their designs, put technology into the hands of the user, making the products focus comprehensible and tangible through design. As straightforward as this may appear, the design of learning technologies is often masked by the enabling technology. In fact, they often lack an explicitly stated instructional design methodology. While the technologies are important hurdles to overcome, we advocate learning systems that empower education-driven \ experiences rather than technology-driven experiences. This work describes a concept for a digital library for science, mathematics, engineering and technology education (SMETE), a library with an information architecture designed to meet learners and educators needs. Utilizing a constructivist model of learning, the authors present practical approaches to implementing the information architecture and its technology underpinnings. The authors propose the specifications for the information architecture and a visual design of a digital library for communicating learning to the audience. The design methodology indicates that a scenario-driven design technique sensitive to the contextual nature of learning offers a useful framework for tailoring technologies that help empower, not hinder, the educational sector.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Benchmarks

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Management, Measurement, Performance, Standardization, Theory

Keywords:
education, engineering, learning technology, mathematics, science, technology