Online course: Introduction to the Semantic Web

Instructor: Robert Chavez Dates: Jan. 1 - Jan. 28, 2013 Credits: 1.5 CEUs Cost: $175 http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/020-intro-semantic-web.php One of the main goals the semantic web (sometimes referred to as Web 3.0) is to allow the web to be treated like a database through structured metadata, controlled vocabularies, and data linking. Simply put, semantics is the process of adding description and information to resources to help us understand the meaning of these resources. This is not a foreign concept to LIS professionals, the language and tools of semantic organization, however, are a new and evolving discipline. This course will provide an introduction to semantic web standards (RDF, RDFa, OWL, SPARQL) and their application. RDF is the foundation of the semantic web and most related standards so we will spend a significant portion of time learning the basics of the RDF framework and how to craft RDF in an XML format. In addition, we will explore how to create semantic models to link/share different types of resources, and how to create a basic ontology using the Web Ontology Language. Course outcomes will include: learning the RDF framework understanding the differences between RDF and XML learning how to create standard ontologies learning how RDF is published and queried understanding how the semantic web relates to library standards (such as MARC) understand how semantic technologies such as ontologies and SKOS relate to libraries efforts in the field of classification, indexing, and knowledge management understand how semantic technologies are changing the way we create and use library software systems Robert Chavez holds a PhD in Classical Studies from Indiana University. From 1994-1999 he worked in the Library Electronic Text Resource Service at Indiana University Bloomington as an electronic text specialist. From 1999-2007 Robert worked at Tufts University at the Perseus Project and the Digital Collections and Archives as a programmer, digital humanist, and institutional repository program manager. He currently works for the New England Journal of Medicine in as Content Applications Architect.