Open Archive for Research Launched
Grenoble (CH), December 2006 - The Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence (NOE) has launched TeLearn, the world's first internationally available Open Archive for technology-enhanced learning
TeLearn takes research results from across Europe drawn from diverse and converging disciplines such as computer, social, and education sciences and puts them in one place. This contributes to one of the overarching drivers of Kaleidoscope - to reduce duplication, thus shaping the scientific evolution of the field.
TeLearn will benefit not only researchers, but also teachers, policy makers and the public, offering insight into up-to-date research in the field of ICT-supported learning.
Dr. Nicolas Balacheff, scientific manager of the Kaleidoscope Network sees the establishment of the Open Archive TeLearn as an important contribution to the further development of research in the field. "Thanks to TeLearn, scientists from extremely diverse fields have the opportunity for easy access to current research on this topic at any time", explains Balacheff.
"This will make research more transparent and more effective." Furthermore, the systematic archiving of scientific works, which will make possible the direct comparison of results, will stimulate scientific competition in a positive way.
The TeLearn archive accepts material in any language, and the resources found here include not only publications but also audio and video presentations. Users can search, browse, and submit by date, author, and content.
Moreover, the materials uploaded to TeLearn bear reference information including date of publication, ownership, and content, thereby protecting the intellectual property rights of researchers. In the longer term, TeLearn will be established as a sustainable service with the supporting infrastructure required to support the needs and concerns of researchers and publishers.
According to Dr. Balcheff, the free availability of the research offers even further advantages. For example, the open archive on technology-supported learning can help bring research more prominently into the view of decision makers and the public. "TeLearn can give a new boost to cooperation between science and industry", Balacheff adds.