Conceptual structures for STEM data: Linked, open, rich and personal

Abstract

Linked and open data is increasing being used by governments, business and administration. Awareness of the affordances and potential utility of open data is being raised by the emergence of a host of web-based and mobile applications. Across the educational and research communities applications applying the principles linked data principles have emerged. Systems developed and used by researchers and academics are most likely to be predominantly in the hands of the early adopters and current developments found in higher education tend to be atomized, yet there is potentially considerable advantage in associating and integrating applications for organisational, educational and administrative. This paper presents an argument for how we can move from early adopters to early majority, and at the same time presents a roadmap which will outline some of the significant challenges which remain to be addressed. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.