Using Gopher as a Learning Resource Server
Presentation Overview
GopherCon 1994
Matthew J. Stuve
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Abstract
The UIUC Learning Resource Server (located at lynx.ed.uiuc.edu) contains
information related to the instructional, research, and service missions
of the College of Education. The server runs on a Macintosh computer
using the University of Minnesota's GopherSurfer software. It was one of
the first Gopher servers to address the needs of pre- and in-service
teachers as well as K-12 schools in general. The relevant K-12 resources
of the server will be demonstrated. In addition, our server is composed
of resources provided by numerous staff, faculty, and students within
the College from local K-12 schools. This form of "distributed server
management" will be explained in the context of Macintosh file sharing
on AppleTalk networks. Finally, guidance on the design, setup, and
management of Gopher servers in K-12 settings will be provided.
What is a Learning Resource Server?
A Learning Resource Server (LRS) is a repository of information
pertaining to teaching and learning. That information can come in many
forms, such as text, images, sounds, databases, and links to other
relevant servers. An LRS can be thought of as a "window" on a community
of teachers and learners. Our Learning Resource Server represents the
realization of a suite of desktop server technologies that are feasible
and scalable in a K-12 environment.
How does the UIUC LRS serve and represent K-12 teachers and students?
In addition to the practical functions a Gopher server can provide a
school district, virtual communities of teachers can set in motion
powerful learning activities that make use of networked resources. Kids
can share the artifacts of their learning with their peers from other
countries and cultures. Teachers and College faculty and can pool
relevant materials on a university-run server.
Distributing server responsibilities on a "composite desktop server"
The UIUC LRS represents a community of teacher educators, graduate
students, administrators, in-service and pre-service teachers, and K-12
students. We have enabled access to the server via AppleShare and other
server technologies so that files can be added and deleted remotely
without always having to go through a single system administrator.
Creating K-12 Gopher servers
The Macintosh provides and easy to use operating system upon which
teachers and administrators can create their own information server.
They can decide what resources are important for their intended
audience.
For more information, contact:
Address: Office of Teaching TeleAppreticeships
Department of Educational Psychology
1310 S. Sixth St.
Champaign, IL 61820-6990
Phone: (217) 244-7005
E-mail:
[email protected]
Documents from this presentation are available on the UIUC Learning
Resource Server. Connect via Gopher to lynx.ed.uiuc.edu. The Teaching
TeleApprenticeships project is supported by National Science Foundation
grant no. RED-9253423
