For a long time now we have been using metadata to describe and classify resources so that others looking for then could find them. Our objective has been to create rich databases of quality resources, describe them well and provide both browse and search mechanisms for the end user to browse and search for resources around their interests. This model has served us well for over a decade now but as we know nothing stays static, technologies are improving and new tools and applications pop up daily.
The internet has enabled us to keep in touch with colleagues and friends all over the world – our connections are not purely social — we find that we can effectively communicate via the internet for professional purposes. As online beings we build online profiles and identities – people get to know us based on what we write, what we read, who we know and the networks we belong to. Although we rarely associate metadata with individuals this is exactly what is happening when we engage in online activities. We, human beings, are just as important as resources in the online environment. There is inferred value on the resources we tag, bookmarks we collect and expose to our online networks.
Networks and communities of practice provide us with the means to develop quality online collections of resources – they provide the resources, the subject expertise and the peer review capabilities. What we have to do is streamline who creates what metadata and for what purpose!
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