ARK2200 Digital recordkeeping and preservation II Course description

The course is a combination of theory and practice allowing students to develop a comprehensive understanding of how electronic records can be preserved. It addresses relevant aspects regarding the use of migration as a preservation strategy for electronic records with a strong focus on the use of XML and the development of XSD. Students will also gain an understanding of various file formats and how they pose a challenge for preservation. The course also addresses the issue of integrity and authenticity of digital material by examining Public Key Infrastructure.

No prerequisites

Knowledge

The student should have

• a good knowledge of how to develop of a specification for an electronic records management system
• a good knowledge of the processes and challenges faced when dealing with conversion and migration of electronic records
• a basic knowledge of XML / XSD
• a good understanding of relevant file formats for long term preservation and on what basis these selected
• a good knowledge of the methods and principles that are applicable to the extraction of information from records management systems for the purpose of long term preservation
• a good knowledge of methods and principles that underlie the use of PKI

Skills

The student can

• through analysis describe the various challenges related to the preservation of electronic records
• explain the principles underlying preservation of digital information
• analyse and explain the use of metadata contained within an extraction of information derived from a records management system and how metadata can be further developed if needed
• design strategies / methods for generating extraction from records management systems
• explain how PKI can be used to maintain the authenticity of electronic records

Teaching and learning methods alternate between lectures, discussions, student presentations, individual study and group work.

Students must submit three obligatory assignments. An individual assignment on a given topic and two practical assignment on given topics. If assignments are not approved, the student will have one opportunity to submit a new version. Coursework and assignments must be completed within the stipulated time and approved by the teacher before the student can submit the portfolio exam.

The learning goals the students have achieved will be assessed by a portfolio exam consisting of four individual assignments. Each assignment of the portfolio should be about 5-7 pages (11.500-16.000 characters, including spaces). The portfolio will be assessed and assigned a single grade for the entire portfolio.

Students who have failed or have a valid absence from the regular examination are entitled to resubmit the portfolio. In the event of a fail grade, a student is entitled to submit a revised version of the portfolio once.

No restrictions in use of materials or equipment

Students are awarded grades on a descending five-point scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.

Each portfolio will have an internal examiner. A selection of 25 % of the portfolios will have an external examiner. The grades assigned to the portfolios that have been assessed by an external examiner forms the basis for determining the level of assessing the other portfolios.