and the introduction of sponsored links, has resulted in the common scenario of millions of 

results returned from a search, with a rating system based on commercial gains. As a result 

online catalogues of web based resources have emerged that offer access to just educational 

resources and provide a more valid rating system such as peer review and star rating. 

Examples of these online catalogues of web based learning resources include MERLOT

1

, the 

Resource Discovery Network

2

 and EdNA Online

3

 (also see Section 2 of this report). 

1.5.5 Supporting a community 

There are at least two scenarios regarding the creation of a learning repository to support a 

community. 

The first is that a community exists and has a requirement for repository functionality. It may 

be the core functionality such as storage and retrieval, or it may be the additional functionality 

found with (most) learning repository initiatives such as discussion forums, mailing lists and 

authoring tools. 

The second scenario is that a learning repository is implemented with the intention of building 

a community of users. 

Repositories are created in the hope that a community of practice will arise 

around them and that this community of practice will use the materials made 

available to it and, in many cases, improve the collection of those materials.  

[ADL 2003, p.5] 

1.6 User Expectations of a Repository System 

It is often the case that technology can drive the requirements, articulated as a solution in 

search of a problem. It is very important that learning repositories are built with a focussed 

strategy and purpose in mind. One of the most effective methods for this is awareness of the 

community that the repository aims to serve and support. By establishing the expectations 

and requirements of the users the intended goals and objectives of the repository can be 

established. This is not to suggest that users always know what they need; it is often stated 

that users didn't require Google before it was invented. However, establishing a community's 

expectations and their needs is a valid and important starting point. 

In 2004 the Academic ADL Co Lab conducted a series of informal surveys, surveying 

partners, project representatives, and interested parties regarding the functionalities they 

expected and preferred to find within a repository system [ADL 2004]. This section draws out 

the expectations of users resulting from this research and examines the associated issues 

arising from these requirements in relation to feasible implementations. 

1.6.1 Main Requirements 

The main user requirements covered in this section are metadata management, content 

management, interoperability and community support. Additional requirements are listed but 

form the subject of separate reports. 

Metadata Management 

1

 Merlot website at 

www.merlot.org

2

 Resource Discovery Website at 

www.rdn.ac.uk

3

 EdNA Online website at 

www.edna.edu.au

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