[Dspace-general] The RSP launch 'The DSpace Course' - a suite of DSpace training modules

[Stuart Lewis]

[Apologies for cross-posting...]


Today the JISC-funded Repositories Support Project (http://rsp.ac.uk/) have
formally launched a modular training course for DSpace - "The DSpace
Course". The course materials have been published with a Creative Commons
licence in order to facilitate their re-use.

The course is suitable for DSpace administrators and developers, with the
choice of modules being dependent on the people taking the course. The
course tutor can mix-and-match the modules to create a custom course. Each
module comes with a set of PowerPoint slides, and an associated student
workbook. The course has been successfully taught in the UK and Italy.

There are 20 modules in the course, with more modules due to be added soon.
The modules include:

 - An Introduction to DSpace
 - How to Get Help
 - Repository Structure
 - Identifiers
 - DSpace Configuration
 - User management and authentication options
 - Metadata Input Customisation
 - Look and Feel Customisation
 - Language Customisation
 - Item Submission Workflows
 - Import and Export
 - Configuring LDAP
 - Upgrading from 1.4. to 1.5

In addition to the course materials the RSP has released a DSpace 'Live CD'.

The CD allows any PC to be used as training machine with a copy of DSpace
pre-installed, along with all of the files required to perform a new
installation. 

The CD is inserted into a computer upon boot, and will load a live version
of the DSpace software without installation to the hard drive. Upon
completion of the training course, remove the CD and the normal operating
system will be loaded upon restart of the PC.

The course materials can be downloaded from:

 - http://hdl.handle.net/2160/615

The Live CD can be downloaded from:

 - http://hdl.handle.net/2160/563

The course has been written by Stuart Lewis (DSpace committer, developer and
trainer), Chris Yates (DSpace developer, support provider and trainer) and
has benefited from input by Claudia Jürgen (DSpace committer, developer and
trainer).

For help and support, please direct all enquiries related to the course to
support at rsp.ac.uk. 

In addition, the support team may be able to put you in touch with suitable
trainers who could teach the course in your area.