2nd Annual Metadatathon

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We are so excited to be hosted our 2nd Annual Metadatathon this year on Friday April 21st!

Description: 

This year, teams will create classification systems for different types of games. Challenging SLIS students to come up with an appropriate metadata solution or strategy to classify different types of games, this year promises to bring fun to the metadata newbie and metadata wizard alike. In the tradition of last year, we will again be offering prizes for the team with the clearest and most comprehensive system!

We are also thrilled to have the talented and witty Candy Schwartz as our keynote speaker for this event. To learn more about her, you can find a brief biography here: https://www.simmons.edu/Faculty/Candy-Schwartz

How Does this work?

Participants will be divided into teams of three to four people and given a game-based data set. They will have three hours to develop a metadata solution for their game-based data set. During this time, teams may disperse throughout campus and are free to use available electronic and print resources. At the end of the three hours, each team must submit documentation of its solution to the SMIL judges. There will be a half hour dinner break before the reception to allow the judges to review the submissions, during which time teams should prepare to present their solutions. At the end of the presentations, the judges will announce the winning team and present them with prizes.

What’s the schedule?

12:30-1:15pm: Welcome, introduction to the day, and keynote speaker Candy Schwartz

1:15-1:30pm: Team assignment and challenge explained

1:30-3:30pm: Teams work on solution

3:30-4:00pm: Break

4:00-5:00pm: Teams apply solution, compare and contrast

5:00-6:00pm: Celebration, aware of prizes, and reception

Hope to see you there

We will keep this page updated with the results and we hope to see you there. If you are SLIS student that wants to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-metadatathon-tickets-32825084712

 

RiC-CM Discussion Group Holds First Meeting!

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The Simmons Metadata Inquiry Lab is excited to sponsor the RiC-CM Discussion Group this semester! This group provides students with a forum to discuss and submit feedback on the initial draft of Records in Contexts: A Conceptual Model for Archival Description (RiC-CM), a new archival conceptual model developed by the International Council of Archives’ Experts Group on Archival Description (EGAD). It is a great opportunity for students to have their voices heard and contribute to a standard during its formation process.

ArchivesThe discussion group had its first meeting on September 21st, 2016, led by faulty member Kathy Wisser. A big thank you to all the students and alumni who attended! During this meeting, we reviewed the developmental history of RiC-CM and developed a strategy to collaboratively discuss and create feedback on the conceptual model. Our next meeting will be held on October 5th at 6pm in the Collaboratory at Simmons College to discuss initial impressions of the RiC-CM draft.

Does this sounds awesome? Want to participate? Email [email protected] to learn more.

Spring 2016 datathon a success!

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A big thank you to all who came to SMIL’s first event: the Solve for X Datathon, which was held on April 15th. Thanks also to keynote speaker Kate Bowers, who gave a fantastic talk. Finally, congratulations to the students on the winning team!

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Have a great summer, and stay tuned for next year’s event!

Announcing the SMIL Datathon: Solve for x

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Date: Friday, April 15th, 2016
Time: 12:30pm to 6:30pm
Location: Simmons College School of Management, Room 501/502metadata

Join SMIL for its inaugural event: a team competition that will test your metadata mettle and your ability to adapt standards on the fly. Kate Bowers, Collections Services Archivist for Metadata, Systems, and Standards at Harvard University, will kick off the event as keynote speaker. The day will end with a reception, light refreshments, and the presentation of prizes to the winning team.

Background

Human beings have been generating data sets for hundreds of years, usually with some sort of implicit data structure that may not be easily recognizable. In the past twenty-five years, a proliferation of standards has developed to help regularize that data and facilitate its manipulation and exchange. Development is ongoing as different communities identify their own unique data needs. At the same time, competing values of aggregation and interoperability encourage data adaptability to more generic or universal standards.

This event challenges students to “solve for x,” i.e., to determine an appropriate metadata strategy or solution for a unique data set. Solutions should focus on the adoption of an existing standard or standards but can include any specific extensions allowed by that standard and dictated by the needs of the data set.

How will this work?

Participants will be divided into teams of three to four people and given a data set. They will have three hours to develop a metadata solution for the data set. During this time, teams may disperse throughout campus and are free to use available electronic and print resources. At the end of the three hours, each team must submit documentation of its solution to the SMIL judges. There will be a half hour dinner break before the reception to allow the judges to review the submissions, during which time teams should prepare to present their solutions. At the end of the presentations, the judges will announce the winning team and present them with prizes.

What’s the schedule?

12:30-1:15pm: Welcome, introduction to the day, and keynote speaker

1:15-1:30pm: Team assignment and challenge explained

1:30-4:30pm: Teams work on solution

4:30-5:00pm: Break

5:00-6:30pm: Presentations and Reception, prizes awarded, recap, summary of event (open to the public)

What should I bring?

While you are free to use the tech lab or the library, you may find that bringing your own laptop will be more convenient. Other than that, bring your game face.

How do I register? 

RSVP here.

If you have any questions, please email Kathy Wisser at <[email protected]>