Author Archives: digitaldevelopment

Fighting the fear of copyright with the GCU Online UK Copyright Advisor.

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Logo for GCU online UK copyright advisor

Hi, I’m Marion Kelt and I’m the Copyright Advisor at GCU. Over the last year I’ve noticed a rise in the number and types of copyright enquiry. In one way, I’m glad to see this as most of us have a general fear of copyright and licensing issues. They are the elephant in the room, we all know it is there, but nobody wants to admit it exists!

Our team developed an online copyright advisor to help staff and students to quickly answer the most frequently asked questions on commonly used resources. It is available 24-7 to help you with the more straightforward copyright questions. It answers FAQs on seven types of resource: Continue reading →

Free open access publishing for GCU authors in over 2000 journals

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Through the library’s subscription with the publisher Springer, GCU authors can benefit from the Springer Compact open access agreement. This allows staff and research students at GCU to publish articles open access in over 2000 journals, at no cost.

GCU authors can gain from publishing open access in a number of ways. These include increased visibility of your research worldwide, compliance with funder and REF open access policies, and enhanced impact and public engagement of your work.

The list of eligible journal titles can be found here. Once an article is accepted for publication in a journal from this list, the publisher will contact the corresponding author to confirm the institutional affiliation.

The Springer Compact agreement is available to staff until December 2018.

For further information please contact: repository@gcu.ac.uk

edShare update: embeddable HTML5 player

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edShare@GCU, the University’s educational resources repository, has now been updated to include an embeddable HTML5 player for all video and audio content. An example record can be accessed via this link: https://edshare.gcu.ac.uk/873/.

This means that instead of embedding a specific derivative, staff will now be able to embed an HTML5 player which selects the correct derivative to play depending on what browser or device is being used. To facilitate this update the abstract page for video and audio files has changed, specifically the tabs located under the player. The system now generates three tabs for each file. Continue reading →

Introducing edShare@GCU

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edShare@GCU is the University’s new educational resources repository. It allows staff to store, share and preserve a wide variety of learning and teaching materials in one central location. Staff can upload and manage their own resources and have the option to share them openly on the internet, with all members of the University, or with a select group of students or staff. The repository accepts any permanent resources created by GCU staff and provides a point of contact for copyright and intellectual property rights (IPR) advice within the GCU community.

Where do I start?

The repository can be accessed at https://edshare.gcu.ac.uk. You can log in with your domain username and password.

Why has this new repository been built?

The repository will enhance learning and teaching by enabling staff to manage, store and share a greater variety of digital resources, providing broader and deeper learning opportunities for students. It also supports flexible learning by allowing Continue reading →

New research support resource available on the library web site

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Pilot is the library’s online information literacy, research and communication skills resource which supports postgraduate researchers. Pilot is on the Subject Help menu on the library web site. It has been updated to run on mobile devices and has a new easier to use menu structure.

Pilot covers:

  • communication skills
  • copyright
  • data management (including plagiarism and referencing)
  • publication
  • research skills
  • searching (including systematic reviewing)
  • using information (including ethics)

If you are a lecturer and would like a detailed set of links to the sections of Pilot, we can add them to your blackboard module for you – just contact us on ddil@gcu.ac.uk

If you are a researcher and you have questions or feedback on Pilot, you can contact us on ddil@gcu.ac.uk and if you would like to arrange further support for your research please contact your librarian.

Make cash payments using our self-service machines

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issuemachine

Our library self-service machines on Level 1 can now be used to pay cash for outstanding fines.  All you need to do is:

  • Touch the screen to select ‘My Library Account’
  • Place your student/staff card on the reader icon
  • From the options displayed, choose ‘Pay charges’ and follow the instructions to pay your fine
  • Select ‘Finish’ to end the session

To find out more about the library self-service machines, read this blog

New library self-service machines

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We are pleased to introduce our new library self-service machines. A total of 6 machines have been installed throughout the library:
• 2 on Level 1
• 1 each on Levels 0,2,3,4

The new library self-service machines have more functionality than the old models, you can now:

• Borrow and return books in one easy transaction – you can stack all your books on the machine shelf, there’s no need to place one book at a time as the improved functionality scans all of your books.

• Check your account details – gain immediate access to your account and renew books there and then, check and change any items you have on hold

NB: Staff who want to use the new machines please visit the Library Desk for further instruction.

Continue reading →

Smart tables

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In May we tweeted about our newest tech resource – the smart table, available on Level 1 of the Library.  We’ve just taken delivery of our second search table which can be found on Level 4 and expect the final two search tables delivered before the start of the new semester.

What are they?  Smart tables are a new digital tool to help you make better use of your library by providing instant access to library information and resources. Continue reading →

GCU approves Open Educational Resources (OER) policy

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The University Executive recently approved an Open Educational Resources (OER) policy. This policy places GCU among the key players in open practice in Scotland and the UK. You can view the policy on the university website.

What are OERs? OERs are digital materials that are made available online to be used or re-purposed for teaching, learning and research. They can include images, audio, video, animations, content modules and other digital resources. Continue reading →