The need to provide more joined services in health and social care is now recognized by governments as a major objective, and technology is increasingly seen as the key to achieving it. This paper is based upon the authors' experience as research partners in a national project in England known as FrAmework for Multi-agency Environments (FAME). In the first phase of FAME (April 2003 - October 2004) six local "strands" led by local authorities worked in partnership with service providers and IT suppliers. Each partnership aimed to support collaboration and interaction between professions in a particular set of services (for example, to vulnerable older people or disabled children) through effective and appropriate exchange of information. This paper examines the literature on partnership and collaboration in public services in order to contextualize and reflect upon IT-enabled multi-agency partnerships.

No abstract

Modelo ontológico basado en web of confianza para analizar el uso de recursos en entorno de aprendizaje Resumen-Los recursos utilizados dentro de un entorno de aprendizaje virtual son de vital importancia para el desarrollo de actividades y formación de estudiantes. Actualmente existe una gran variedad de recursos den-tro de plataformas virtuales de aprendizaje; sin embargo , se desconoce si todos estos recursos pueden ser utilizados por todos los participantes dentro de un pro-ceso de formación de acuerdo con sus estilos de apren-dizaje. El siguiente artículo tiene como propósito definir un modelo ontológico que facilite el análisis estructural del uso de herramientas como blogs, foros, chats, así como diferentes tipos de objetos de aprendizaje, dentro de plataformas Learning Content Management System. Para facilitar el estudio se utilizó Pajek como herramien-ta de análisis de redes sociales. Se pretende con este modelo analizar el comportamiento de participantes dentro de plataformas virtuales, así como la interacción que ellos tienen con las herramientas y contenidos den-tro de una plataforma de aprendizaje LCMS. Palabras clave-Análisis de redes sociales, e-learning, methontology, ontologías, pajek. Abstract-Resources used in a virtual learning environment are of crucial importance for the development of activities and training students. There is currently a wide range of resources within virtual learning platforms , however is unknown if all of these resources can be used by all participants in a training process according to their learning styles. The following article aims to define an ontological model which promotes structural analysis using tools such as blogs, forums, chats, as well as different types of learning objects within Learning Content Management System platforms. To facilitate the study, Pajek was used as a tool SNA Social Network Analysis. It is intended with this model to analyze the behavior of participants in virtual platforms, as well as interaction they have with tools and content within a learning platform LCMS.

No abstract

Support systems are vital for university entrants and one established means of support is peer mentoring, which has the potential to improve student engagement and retention. Peer mentoring models are generally based on face-to-face contact. However, given the increasing number of higher education institutions using social media, might online models be beneficial in a peer mentoring context? This article describes a literature review and case study that considers the advantages and disadvantages of three potential virtual models to facilitate a peer mentoring scheme. The case study, undertaken at Northumbria University, UK, involved an investigation of mentoring needs and current usage of electronic media where special attention is afforded to a diverse student body. The three models discussed are virtual learning environments (VLE), social networking sites and virtual worlds. We find that the VLE is established within institutions but lacks excitement; social networking is popular particularly with younger students but there may be resentment if this appears to be appropriated by the institution; whilst virtual worlds are unfamiliar to many students and require advanced skills to use successfully. Based on these findings the social networking model is now being run as a pilot study by business programmes at Northumbria University.