So far we have submitted two resources to the OER Commons which are now indexed on Google’s search engines. I recently searched “guide for tutors in humanities” and our recent addition came up third.
We intend on building up a large repository of assorted content to be made freely available. We do plan to use OER Commons as a cataloguing service; however, we do not intent to add each resource one by one.
Things change, life rearranges, documents get updated and material gets refreshed. We do not want to micro-manage each and every document and link that the OER Commons has for UCT. Therefore we intend to use automation in keeping our links and material up to date with the commons and other directories.
Our contacts have suggested either using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) or the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) Or maybe a combination of both? I am having a hard time distinguishing the difference between the two protocols. I have some familiarity with RSS and its ability to push key elements of content to external sources.
The basic need is that we maintain and curate our repository of OER locally, but international directories can regularly access and catalogue the content of our repository to add to their listings. This needs to be an ongoing and active process which will keep the directory in sync with our OER materials.
I am sure that I can get some feedback on this from our Library. From what I can tell, the OAI initiative is very much related to the open access movement. I would love to here their thoughts and previous experience with OAI.