re:sourceThe Council for Museums,

Archives and Libraries

A Best practice examples

NOF Digitise Seminars

September & October 2001

David Dawson, Senior ICT Adviser

People’s Network Development Team

Ancient Egypt

• British Museum• aimed at Key stage 2

• use of two contrasting points of view• use of interactive games and activities

• virtual senet game• demonstrates through technology

• more effectively than print• more economically than face to face sessions

• adults learn through games too!

• www.ancientegypt.co.uk

Comqass

• allowed for lots of piloting• still underestimated• started evaluating with a text only version

• use of trails to introduce the unexpected• key lesson

• the nearer the site is to being completed, the more costly it is to change

• costs include enthusiasm, commitment, design ethos

• www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Romans in Sussex

• many ideas similar to Compass• low cost development

• aimed at different audiences• themes developed

• link to predetermined database searches• eg objects found in a Saxon cemeteries or a burial

• discussion forum• integration of a project with existing website

• shop on main website• www.romansinsussex.co.uk

Darwin Country

• theme driven approach

• places• simple GIS system

• low cost• creative thinking vs budget constraints

• www.darwincountry.org/

Digital Powys

• communities and places

• a platform for further development

• community content

• http://history.powys.org.uk/history/intro/entry.html

Knowsley

• relevant to people using local ICT learning centre in library

• sense of place

• using famous local people to introduce interesting ideas

• http://history.knowsley.gov.uk/

Westalls War

• story led approach• people• local author• unrecognised or undervalued stories

• community led content

• asks for feedback

• www.westallswar.org.uk/

Digital Bach

• single topic

• depth of material• manuscripts, biography, portraits, signatures,

instruments …

• effective use of sound

• www.bachdigital.org

Stories from the Web

• clear target audience

• clear objectives

• fun design

• boring stuff for adults ….

• http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org/

Benwell

• Centre of the Universe!!!

• involving local community

• alternative views

• use of free or open source tools

• http://www.ncl.ac.uk

Lascaux

• innovative approach

• unable to see the real thing!

• presenting cave paintings and interretation side by side

• perfect Dublin Core metadata in 4 languages!• www.culture.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/index.html

Contact details

david.dawson@resource.gov.uk

www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/team/dawson

www.resource.gov.uk