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Por que ETDs?
Esta é, certamente, uma pergunta que muitos se fazem, nas mais diversas instituições. Há inúmeras razões para que as universidades iniciem seus programas de ETDs. Leiam o que diz o Prof. Edward Fox:
"Perhaps the most novel and reliable source of funding of technology is the most obvious. Maybe that explains why it is so often ignored.
We see similar things in other contexts. Maybe the common pattern is that discipline is required, and the establishment of new habits, along with self-confidence and focus on outcomes - as opposed to desire for fanfare and reliance on outside agents. One of the most obvious examples has to do with health - where focus on good nutrition (and avoidance of
substances that have ill effects), suitable exercise, adequate rest, and prevention could resolve most of the health care problems faced globally.
With regard to funding technology, this novel approach is to automate some activity, that must and will occur anyhow, in such a way that all parties benefit, and where the savings are more than the costs of making the change.
Following is a specific example in the context of universities. Hundreds of universities have found this to work, but thousands more have yet to reap the benefits that are ready at hand. All are encouraged to harvest this "low hanging fruit". Many have said it is a "no brainer". Most say it is an inevitable change. It has no downside. Alas, excuses abound for not proceeding, but from my perspective the given reasons are all silly, or based on laziness, or a lack of interest in students, or the arrogance that underlies the "not invented here syndrome".
In particular, all universities are encouraged to require that all theses and dissertations are submitted electronically by students in a form that is suitable for long-term access and preservation. The technology shift is from submission of paper copies to electronic documents. Students save the costs of printing, binding, and in some cases shipping the copies. Universities save the costs of handling, shelving, and of long-term maintenance of both accessible and archival copies. Transport costs to third party organizations like ProQuest are eliminated since they are willing to collect files electronically.
Running such a program for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) has been shown to make sense in hundreds of universities in scores of countries. National programs in places like Australia and Brazil have demonstrated that widespread change is possible in a few years. An international non-profit, the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (www.ndltd.org), with origins back to 1987, ensures that a wide range of added-value services continue to arise, and provides support and assistance, including through networking, online or at an annual international conference.
ETD programs fit well at universities, since students are supposed to be prepared for the emerging Knowledge Society anyhow. This is an effective way to ensure that they develop crucial skills that they will need when they prepare documents for publication, or proposals for funding, or online multimedia for Web 2.0 sites. And what better document to learn
with than one that has required months or years to prepare, and which one hopes will be widely read? (Almost nobody reads a paper thesis or dissertation stuck on a library shelf, but thousands may read one that is freely accessible, possibly after a short "embargo" required for those few who might file a patent or are waiting for the appearance of a related
publication.). Furthermore, universities are often frustrated about what to put in their own local digital library or institutional repository, and ETDs are an obvious source. Encouraging innovative ETDs, such as those that incorporate multimedia/hypermedia content, or that have simulations, visualizations, or data sets, can further help advance technology adoption
on campus. Here some outside funding has been shown to be motivational; Adobe and Scirus both provide awards to innovative students who find new ways to effectively communicate their discoveries and results.
So, start an ETD program, helped by NDLTD or its member universities, and see how self-funded technology change can save money and provide benefits to all!"
Prof. Edward Fox, PhD
Diretor Executivo
NDLTD
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