the student portal: a student-focused, collaborative project jude doble, project manager, student...
TRANSCRIPT
T H E S T U D E N T P O R T A L : A S T U D E N T - F O C U S E D , C O L L A B O R A T I V E P R O J E C T
Jude Doble, project manager, s tudent portal (SSO)
Pavol Chvala, porta l lead developer
( IST)
STUDENT PORTAL
STUDENT PORTAL
• Student communication tool• Aggregator of information• Responsive • Just-in-time information
STUDENT PORTAL
• It works well• It scales well• It looks cool• And students like it!!!
But this is not enough.
STUDENT PORTAL
Key audiences
• Students• Staff and faculty• Senior leadership
STUDENT PORTAL
Three key things need to happen
• Consult• Collaborate• Communicate
Rinse, wash, repeat.
STUDENTS
Consult• Gather information – not just to tick a box• Use suite of tools
Focus groups, booths, surveys, social/digital media
Feedback mechanism for users
• Feedback provides insights you can act on• It’s always about the users
STUDENTS
Collaborate• Identify best partners to help you achieve
your goals Student leaders, student governments
• More than feedback – work together on direction to get buy in
STUDENTS
Communicate• Know your audience
“Who” changes your
message and platform
Takes time and effort
but critical
• Timeline When does it make sense to share?
STUDENTS
Communicate• Email from Dean/SSO• Social media• Digital media• Imprint• Trusted sources – profs,
advisors & student societies
STAFF AND FACULTY
Consult• Can’t assume we know their area/work• Asking is critical
What info do your students need to know?
What do you struggle to tell students?
What have been your successes?
How could portal make communications easier?
STAFF AND FACULTY
Collaborate• Ask for insights • Identify project champions
Faculty/area insights
Help access key people
Support with planning and roll out
STAFF AND FACULTY
Communicate• Know your audience and platforms
Meetings/presentations
Daily Bulletin
• Timeliness• Can’t do it alone
If changing business processes, tell ‘em early, tell ‘em often
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Consult• Project sponsor key
Champions project, opens doors, political influence/savvy
• Identify the people who need to know and how to get in front of them
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Collaborate• Ask for insights• Get them interested and engaged
The best PR you could ask for
Offer time and resources
Trickle down effect can be powerful
“The portal is a very promising initiative that brings students together
and makes their lives easier in tangible, meaningful ways.”
Bill Chesney, Associate Dean, Undergraduate, Faculty of Arts
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Communicate• Know your audience
They are busy
Short, sweet, in person the best
Let them ask questions = engagement
CHALLENGES
• Resources• Technology • Timing • Long-term project• Inaccurate assumptions• Not a direct path• Lots of moving parts
SUCCESSES
• It works!• Students like it!• Have campus buy-in from audiences
Still lots to do but moving positive direction
• Have a plan that makes sense• Have fun
We have slogans!
“This portal. No words. So beautiful.” – Arts student“This doesn’t suck.” – Math student
SUCCESSES
• We have slogans!
YOUR PROJECT
• Consult• Collaborate• Communicate
• Rinse, wash, repeat.
