Virtual Organization and Collaboration

By Jodie Hemerda

Instructional DevelopmentNeed collaboration

Instructional Technology ManagerInstructional Development ManagerContent ExpertInstructional DesignerProgram Faculty LeadDean of AcademicsLibrarianInstitutional Research DirectorRegistrar

Need data management and organization

Traditional Data ManagementIn a traditional

grounded office, people used files and file cabinets to organize their paperwork.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/student-file-color.html

http://www.oodlesofpartsplus.com/multi_locks.htm

Virtual Data Management

http://www.hannonhill.com/products/benefits.html

http://www.commodore.ca/windows/vista/windows_vista.htm

In a paperless office, files are located on computers, oftentimes a public computer is used to share files among a company.

OrderTraditionally, a

person physically walked to the file cabinet to add or remove paperwork or files to the file cabinet.

In the virtual file cabinet, a person is not limited by space or physical constraints that helps them manage where to place the paperwork.

DisorderWhereas the

traditional, physical space limited the organizational confines of data storage, the virtual, limitless option leads to disorganized chaos.

Collaboration Software and Data Management Processes ResearchMeans (2010)Mehr and Kruse (2008)Pancerella, Rahn, Didier, Kodeboyina, Leahy,

Myers, Oluwole, and Schuchardt (2007)Tiwari, Snape, and Field (2005)

Means (2010) noted a need for:Consistent visionSoftware use support

Need for best practice observationOpportunity to practiceCollaborative feedback and suggestions

Collaboration around software useTech support for software

Mehr and Kruse (2008)Presented a study of SAS software

implementation for data management that found a need for careful planning. With careful forethought, create space for planned files and/or folders.

Pancerella et al (2007) Evaluated the Knowledge Environment for

Collaborative Science (KnECS), an open-source tool with a “Web portal with team and data collaboration tools” (p. 1).

The workflow includes discrete steps performed to secure pre‐existing information.

During each stage of the workflow, data (and metadata) is either automatically generated or entered by users to document a project.

Rather than overwrite files, add files to a public site at will, the workflow project utilizes middleware to organize the information.

Tiwari, Snape, and Field, (2005) Bioinformatics and data management system

(EGTDC):Helps researchers more easily collect, store,

and interpret their data. To maximize the collective value of this data,

theEGTDC has recently developed a public data

catalogue. Therefore, the data catalogue is a way for

users to “spider out” to the digital datasets. (p.2)

Virtual File CabinetCNET, open source software,

offers: the ability to store computer

files with the same categories, headings & indexes as your paper files,

retrieving information on your computer network can now be as organized and simple as retrieving files from your filing cabinet.

http://download.cnet.com/The-Virtual-Filing-Cabinet/3000-10743_4-10880061.html

Virtual File Cabinet OptionsBrett Sterling’s The Virtual Filing Cabinet,

http://www.sterlingdigital.com.au/File Guru,

http://www.fileguru.com/downloads/virtual_file_cabinet

Brothersoft, http://www.brothersoft.com/downloads/desktop-virtual-file-cabinet.html

Content Management SolutionsAccording to Andersson,

Greenspun and Grumet, (2005), there are two fundamental elements to content management:

(1) storing stuff in a content repository, and

(2) supporting the workflow of a group of people engaged in putting stuff into that repository.

Blackboard’s Content Management SystemBlackboard technology

offers you an elegant way to handle the challenge of growing educational content.

University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers An institution transitioned from its traditional

manual process to a Web-based tool to collect and share residency application materials in a more streamlined fashion.

Oracle Internet File SystemIFS enables users to

store all data in one central, Web-accessible repository. Oracle sees this new system as useful for everyone who uses a file system.

http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/dept/facil/guides/oracle_9i/doc/ifs.901/a81197/usingifs.htm

Collaboration and Data ManagementWith the use of Virtual

Filing Systems and Content Management Systems, virtual collaboration and data management becomes much more manageable.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Student_Data_Management.gif

ReferencesAndersson, E., Greenspun, P. , and Grumet, A. (2005). Content Management. Retrieved from

http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/content-management

Blackboard.com (nd). Content Management. Retrieved from http://www.blackboard.com/Solutions-by-

Market/Higher-Education/Blackboard-Learn-for-Higher-Ed/Capabilities/Content-Management.aspx

Brothersoft.com (nd). Brothersoft. Retrieved from http://www.brothersoft.com/downloads/desktop-

virtual-file-cabinet.html

Clark, J., Khalidi, N., Klein, K., Streetman, D., McGregory, M., & Johnston, J. (2010). Using a novel

approach to collect, disseminate, and assess residency application materials. American Journal of

Health-System Pharmacy, 67(9), 741-745. doi:10.2146/ajhp090124.

Computer Desktop Encyclopedia (2010). Oracle Content Management SDK. Retrieved from

Computers & Applied Sciences Complete database.

References continuedCostanza, A. (2010). "Oracle's iFS Finally Arrives - Product Announcement". ENT.

FindArticles.com. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FOX/is_10_5/ai_63507091/

FileGuru.com (nd). File Guru. Retrieved from

http://www.fileguru.com/downloads/virtual_file_cabinet

Means, B. (January 01, 2010). Technology and education change: Focus on student

learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42, 3, 285-307.

SterlingDigital.com (nd). Brett Sterling’s The Virtual Filing Cabinet

http://www.sterlingdigital.com.au/

Tiwari, B., Snape, J., & Field, D. (January 01, 2005). Bioinformatics and data management

support for environmental genomics. Plos Biology, 3, 8.