A Collegial Web Site for Australian University Web Site Managers

Karey Patterson, School of Social Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 2480. Email: kpatte10@scu.edu.au

Ellen Kronen, Web Site Manager, Southern Cross Online, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 2480. Email: ekronen@scu.edu.au

Abstract

This short paper discusses issues arising from the research undertaken by Patterson into the management of Australian University Web Sites. The research identified the desire of university Web site managers to communicate with each other and to share information relating to their work and technical environment. It is proposed that a collegial Web Site be set up to facilitate the sharing of information, research and resources amongst the interested parties. The short paper offers some suggestions and ideas for how this would be done and the presentation will encourage the audience to suggest ways (both technically and adminstratively) to get the Web site underway.

Background

The data in paper by Patterson and Ellis (2003), described a series of interviews with the Web Site managers of Australian degree granting institutions, which was collected from February 2002 to April 2003. During the study undertaken by Patterson and Ellis (2003) one hundred percent (100%) of interview subjects stated that they would be interested in reviewing the proposed collegial Web site and 79% stated that they would contribute to the Web Site if it was worthwhile.

The collegial Web site [HREF 1] was seen as a means of furthering the research into Australian University Web Sites and to encourage the ongoing discussion and information sharing amongst the sites membership (initially the survey respondents but it is possible that the topic area may also prove of interest to a wider audience).

We ask that during the presentation that interested parties discuss and provide input into the way they would like the site to operate and the various content and format options.

Our initial ideas for the site include the following:

Online Forum - both moderated and moderated areas
Section devoted to University Web Site usability and accessibility policies
Section devoted to design and testing of Web sites
A members list (only available to members?)
Research in progress and papers - submitted by particiants and members for review and comment
Whether the Web Site becomes a body such as an institute (or similar) to further the aims of the research and member Web site managers
Restricted areas for both public and private (member) access

References

Ellis, A. & Patterson, K. (2002) The World of the University Web Site Manager – Issues and Environment, Proceedings of AusWeb03, Southern Cross University Press, Lismore,

Hypertext References

HREF1: http://unisites.scu.edu.au

Copyright

Karey Patterson and Ellen Kronen, © 2003. The authors assign to Southern Cross University and other educational and non-profit institutions a non-exclusive licence to use this document for personal use and in courses of instruction provided that the article is used in full and this copyright statement is reproduced. The authors also grant a non-exclusive licence to Southern Cross University to publish this document in full on the World Wide Web and on CD-ROM and in printed form with the conference papers and for the document to be published on mirrors on the World Wide Web.