IMARK is pleased to announce the release of the newest Information Management Resource Kit e-learning module entitled Digital Libraries, Repositories and Documents. The seventh in a series, this e-learning module offers learners the essentials for creating and managing their own digital libraries and repositories. The module covers the processes relevant to the creation and management of digital libraries and repositories and considers the latest technologies and trends, including digital file formats, metadata management, database management and the preservation of digital information. This module supersedes and combines elements of modules Management of Electronic Documents and Digitization and Digital Libraries and was developed by FAO, with support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP).

IMARK is pleased to announce the release of a new IMARK module entitled Web 2.0 and Social Media for Development. The module illustrates how organizations can benefit from the opportunities provided by the Web 2.0 and social media to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The module consists of 11 lessons, ranging from approximately 15 to 60 minutes duration, grouped into two units, for a total of about 6 hours of self-paced instruction. The course illustrates how social media tools can support knowledge sharing and collaboration in the context of rural and agricultural development.

IMARK announces the release of the Spanish version of its e-learning module on "Building Electronic Communities and Networks" entitled "Construyendo Redes y Comunidades Virtuales". The module is designed to help users develop the strategic, interpersonal and technical skills required to establish and sustain electronic communities. This module provides an overview of the benefits and opportunities offered by online communities for facilitating knowledge and information exchange. The module provides learners with guidelines for the design of an online community or network; and the criteria for selecting appropriate online tools. IMARK wishes to acknowledge Sulá Batsú for adapting the module into Spanish. For more information visit http://www.imarkgroup.prg/moduledescription_en.asp?id=10

IMARK is pleased to announce the release of the French version of the e-learning module "Investing in Information for Development" to help managers in international development address the challenges of the new information environment. The module looks at the changes resulting from the new information environment and describes how information and communication technologies affect information operations within organizations. The module addresses the needs of managers for increasing awareness and developing new skills related to development and implementation of strategies, policies, structures, and procedures for effective management of information. (Read the CIRAD and UNESCO articles)

IMARK is pleased to announce on behalf of the Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK) Steering Group, the release of a new IMARK module entitled Networking in support of development, the fifth in a series of e-learning modules being developed as part of the Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK). The module describes how information and communication technologies (ICT) act as a medium for communications and helps the learner understand the policy and regulatory issues that will help facilitate ICT's use as a communications media. The module also covers the cost issues involved in implementing ICT networks. For more information visit www.imarkgroup.org/moduledescription_en.asp?id=42

IMARK launched the Spanish version of the e-learning module "Investing in Information for Development" to help managers in international development address the challenges of the new information environment. The module addresses the needs of managers for increasing awareness and developing new skills related to development and implementation of strategies, policies, structures, and procedures for effective management of information. The module was developed by FAO, with support from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), and the Spanish version was produced with technical support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The IMARK Steering Group is pleased to announce the release of the second IMARK module in Spanish entitled "La Digitalización y las bibliotecas digitales" which offers 31 lessons concerned with the creation of digital libraries and the preservation of materials in digital format. Also included are lessons covering copyright issues, electronic formats for text and images, metadata and subject indexing, as well as a comprehensive overview of the creation and management of digital documents.

IMARK Steering Group is pleased to announce the release of the second IMARK module in French entitled "Numérisation et création de bibliothèques numériques" which offers 31 lessons concerned with the creation of digital libraries and the preservation of materials in digital format. Also included are lessons covering copyright issues, electronic formats for text and images, metadata and subject indexing, as well as a comprehensive overview of the creation and management of digital documents.

IMARK is lauded again as the Asian Development Bank's CD-ROM review programme awards the IMARK module "Investing in Information for Development" a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in all categories. While noting that the module continues the IMARK tradition for excellence established by its predecessors, the reviewer also applauded IMARK for using illustrated characters to "bring the content to life and surprise and stimulate learners as they make their way through the lessons". (Read the full review)

The IMARK Steering Group announces the release of the newest Information Management Resource Kit e-learning module Building Electronic Communities and Networks. This latest IMARK offering provides learners with guidelines for the design of an online community or network, criteria for selecting appropriate online tools, and tips and techniques for online facilitation. The module was developed by FAO and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).

IMARK launches the e-learning module "Investing in Information for Development" to help managers in international development address the challenges of the new information environment. The module addresses the needs of managers for increasing awareness and developing new skills related to development and implementation of strategies, policies, structures, and procedures for effective management of information. The module was developed by FAO, with support from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

FAO is pleased to announce on behalf of the IMARK Steering Group, the release of the Spanish language version of the IMARK E-learning module "Management of Electronic Documents". The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) worked with FAO on the adaptation of the module into Spanish.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is pleased to announce on behalf of the Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK) Steering Group, the release the new IMARK website located at: www.imarkgroup.org. The new website now offers online access to self-paced e-learning modules which have previously been available only on CD ROM. Learners can now register and take the IMARK module "Management of Electronic Documents" in English or in French and the module "Digitization and Digital Libraries" in English. Other language versions and modules will be available in due course.

The first IMARK module entitled "Management of Electronic Documents" has been adapted to French by CIRAD, the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development with support from the Agence universitaire de la francophonie (AUF). The module is available on CD and the Internet. (Read the full article in French).

The second IMARK module was rated a "Perfect 5" by the Asian Development Bank's CD-ROM review programme. "In every possible way, the Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK): Digitization and Digital Libraries module is another best-in-class example of computer-based learning," said the ADB's reviewer. "If users are serious about learning and applying the content delivered in this module, their success is assured." (Read the full review).

As part of an ongoing e-learning initiative known as the Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK), FAO has released the second in a series of training modules aimed at improving the management and sharing of agricultural information. The "Digitization and Digital Libraries" module was developed in collaboration with UNESCO to teach librarians and non-specialists how to digitize documents and put them online to create virtual libraries. (Read the full article).

UNESCO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization are launching the "Digitization and Digital Libraries" module to teach librarians and laymen how to digitize documents and put them on line and create virtual libraries. "This teach-yourself module will contribute greatly to the ability of people in the developing world to digitize information and share it on-line," declared the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura. Because it can be used both by librarians, information specialists and laymen in developing countries, it should help make cyberspace more inclusive and help promote diversity on the internet. (Read the full article).

The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) has established a CD-ROM review program to promote the use of development-oriented CD-ROMs in the Asia-Pacific region. IMARK's module entitled "Management of Electronic Documents" is the first to rate a 'perfect 5' in the review program. The review notes "The developers of the CD-ROM are to be applauded on providing a world-class learning resource that exploits all of the power of modern day information and communications technology." (Read the full review).

FAO announces the release of the first in a series of modules being developed as part of IMARK (Information Management Resource Kit), a partnership-based e-learning initiative to provide continuous capacity building and on-the-job training for agricultural information management professionals. The first module, entitled Management of Electronic Documents, deals with the collection, archiving, management and dissemination of electronic documents and associated images. The module consists of 27 lessons on electronic document management which are delivered in an interactive self-paced learning environment. (Read the full article).