ICML 2009: Meeting Room 1 Session 41

Theme: ICAHIS-International Conferene of Animal Health Information Specialists

Time:11.00-12.30
Date: Friday 4th September 2009
Chair: Friedhelm Rump

Before the NetGen
Professor Judith Licea de Arenas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico

Abstract:
When the training of vets started in Mexico in the 19th century the country was perhaps not thinking of the need to develop intellectual capital for its transformation. Science and technology literature were not widely offered given the characteristic stagnation of teaching during that century. Therefore, it is our impression that 19th century vets were trained based on lectures and notes, practices of colonial universities still current today in the 21st century.

Objective: to identify the degree of technological and digital literacy of vets who started their studies 50 years ago and concluded them in 1962.

Methods: vets of class 1958-1962 with e-mail addresses were surveyed via e-mail.

Results: the majority of those surveyed are between 68 and 74 years of age: they manage their own ranch or private practice and own a personal computer. They use their internet connection for e-mail and Skype. The information resources available on line are not used, including open access journals. Finally, they stated that during their time as students they rarely used the library and available printed resources.

Conclusions: intellectual capital is achieved when there is a wide offer of science and technology literature, mainly printed in the 20th century but widely available in electronic format in the 21st century. But, should those who are aging let go of themselves and instead dedicate themselves to distracting activities such as playing chess or dominoes, ballroom dancing or making stained glass windows?

Use Intute Integration tools to personalise your Intute experience! How to ensure you retrieve relevant Web content for academic studies and research in veterinary medicine Presentation
Ms Laurian Williamson, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Laurian is the Content Coordinator for Intute: Health and Life Sciences a free online educational service providing access to the very best Web resources for education and research.

Abstract:
This paper explores the role of Web 2.0 tools and services in veterinary education, and in particular Web 2.0 developments by Intute, a free UK Higher Education Internet service providing access to the ‘Best of the Web’ for students, academics, researchers and practitioners. Web 2.0 technologies are changing the way veterinary students and academics access educational content on the Web and the Intute suite of Web 2.0 tools can help students and academics “make sensible and considered use of Web 2.0.

Using the Internet for academic study raises many issues, including accuracy, relevant content, the plethora of information, not enough time to find the ‘information rich’ Web resources, yet at the same time academic standards must not be compromised. For some, the Internet is the way forward for teaching and learning and delivering academic content on the Web. Web 2.0 technologies are a useful way of exploiting student’s enthusiasm for interactive and online tools, whilst at the same time we need to ensure that the Web resources are relevant and authoritative.

This paper discusses the Intute integration project and how it allows users to exploit its resources and services within the context of their own websites and Virtual Learning Environment (VLEs). Discussed is the technical functionality supporting the project, Intute personalisation and integration options and tools (which include embedding the Intute search box, and RSS feeds), project results (including take-up and institutional exemplars), and conclusions on the use of this sort of Web 2.0 tool within an educational environment.

Advancing Communication of Animal Health Professionals: A Transition in a Veterinary Curriculum from Paper Notes to Paperless Notes and TabletPCs
Ms Cindy L Logan, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States

Cindy Logan manages the Digital Instruction, Support, and Creative Services unit of the Veterinary Medical Library. This is a new unit of the library, being in existence since July 2007. Ms. Logan has been at the Veterinary Medical Library since 1995.

Abstract:
Objectives: Using new technologies and software, K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine implemented an electronic notes initiative into the veterinary curriculum. The goal is to create improved lifelong learners who are able to adapt to new technologies as veterinary professionals.

Methods: Implementation began August 2007 with the freshman class and continues each fall with the freshman class. The students received the same tabletPC model and preloaded software. Hardware and software instructional sessions were held prior to the start of classes and initially DISC instructors were in the classroom. Surveys were given throughout the academic year to determine the strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvements on the initiative. The attitudes of the students and the teaching instructors will be measured over time and after student graduation.

Results: Positive attributes were: ease of transporting notes, ease of the search feature, and ability to search the Internet to supplement class discussions. Requested needs were: earlier distribution of tabletPCs during Orientation Week, more instructional sessions prior to classes, larger backup drives, more memory, and the need for notes in original format to allow students to choose how to organize them.

Conclusion: The paperless curriculum initiative was well received by the students and faculty of the freshman class. The collaborative effort of the computer support staff and DISC instructors can be recognized as leading the way for the success. Students will continue to be surveyed to gauge their attitudes and concerns as well as to determine if the objectives of the curricular transition are met.

The Heritage of American Veterinary Medicine is Being Lost
C Trenton Boyd, University of Missouri, United States

Abstract:
In the United States, there are currently 28 schools of veterinary medicine; 10 were established since 1973.  Forty-one veterinary schools are no longer in existence.  Only a handful of veterinary schools have libraries that contain the early publications and paper ephemera relating to veterinary medicine in the U.S.  Many types of literature have been lost forever.  This presentation will examine the several types of literature that has been lost over time.  It will illustrate the need to locate, catalogue and preserve what still exists.

Objectives:  The objective is to illustrate the types of materials that have been lost, the need to rescue those that are extant and emphasize the importance to preserve them.

Methods:  To assess the possible loss of publications and ephemera, WorldCat and the LC Union Catalog were searched to see if any library has holdings from any of the 41 closed schools.  In addition, a sampling of holdings of veterinary supply catalogs and patent medicine companies was examined.

Results:  The extant primary source materials for the history of veterinary medicine are not widely available.  Nearly half of the 41 closed schools have no recorded publications in libraries.

Conclusions:  A proactive action plan must to be designed to locate, catalogue and preserve the primary source materials of veterinary medicine for posterity.  In addition, veterinary librarians need to archive present day publications from their institutions.