Main Menu Session# DLNET: Creating a Digital Library for Learning Objects in Engineering Saifur Rahman, Yonael Teklu Peter Wiesner Alexandria Research Institute Institute for Electrical and Virginia Tech Electronics Engineers, Inc. Abstract Funded by the National Science Foundation, the DLNET project is developing a specialized collection of engineering and technology-related “learning objects” targeted at the practicing engineer and technologist so as to facilitate lifelong learning, i.e., education beyond the classroom, using digital libraries. DLNET will provide an easy and efficient way to collect, review, package, and deliver information from the knowledge developer to the end user. The DLNET portal is a web-based application that will enable content discovery through search and retrieval of local storage as well as repositories in federated libraries. It will also provide mechanisms for submitting, reviewing, ranking, updating and validating of new and existing contents. The DLNET architecture and its services will meet the core standards and specifications adopted by the NSDL-CIS for digital libraries, and will become part of a larger network of learning environments and resources for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education under the NSDL. DLNET is a collaborative effort of four institutions, namely, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the Institute of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Iowa State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). It is currently managed by the Alexandria Research Institute at Virginia Tech and will eventually be served by IEEE’s Professional Development Institute. I. Background The National Science Foundation under its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education initiative is establishing a digital library at the national level that will constitute an online network of learning environments and resources. The National STEM Digital Library (NSDL) is being structured as a gateway to a federation of digital libraries that will aggregate, manage and provide contents with coherent themes or specialties. As a partner in the federation of digital libraries, DLNET will field a collection of engineering and technology related contents targeted at the practicing engineer and technologist. DLNET is a collaborative effort of four institutions, namely, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the Institute of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Iowa State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). All come with extensive backgrounds and experiences in hosting and managing online resources for continuing engineering education and distance learning. Examples include ASEE’s www.learnon.org, IEEE’s www.ieee.org/pdi, as well as the joint Iowa State University and Virginia Tech PowerLearn project. The Alexandria Research Institute of Virginia Tech manages the overall project and is responsible for the development of DLNET’s architecture consisting of content receiving, management and delivery subsystems. Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education Main Menu