Evenin' all,
An article published in last season's SCONUL Focus describes the University of Warwick's experience of re-modelling their web site.
http://www.sconul.ac.uk/publications/newsletter/41/16.pdf
Already some interesting similarites, I particularly like the bullet pointed list at the end of what to do/what not to do !
Monday, 23 June 2008
Friday, 20 June 2008
Feedback part 2
One of the other big things to come out of the meeting was that students wanted more personalisation of services. We discussed the subject pages, and the group felt that much more could be made of those areas. (which we are planning to do with the idea of micro sites, owned by the subject information advisors)
Looking at the Hi web site, group members felt we could 'borrow' the '10 things you wish you'd knew' and adopt it for Learning Services. http://hi.edgehill.ac.uk/latest/10-things-you-wish-you-knew#t-tip-1
Also, it was felt that not enough was made of the online reading lists facility available through the library catalogue. http://library.edgehill.ac.uk/search/g
In short - the group didn't seem to be asking for stuff that was out of reach, it is stuff that we already have, we're just not seeing it from a learner point of view, and not making it as accessible as the students/staff would like!
Looking at the Hi web site, group members felt we could 'borrow' the '10 things you wish you'd knew' and adopt it for Learning Services. http://hi.edgehill.ac.uk/latest/10-things-you-wish-you-knew#t-tip-1
Also, it was felt that not enough was made of the online reading lists facility available through the library catalogue. http://library.edgehill.ac.uk/search/g
In short - the group didn't seem to be asking for stuff that was out of reach, it is stuff that we already have, we're just not seeing it from a learner point of view, and not making it as accessible as the students/staff would like!
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Feedback from students and staff
We had a small focus group last week of students and staff, only about 7, and it took quite a lot of effort to get that many (posters, appeals in Fastrack sessions, leaflets on helpdesks) and bribery in terms of a £5 lunch voucher!
We began (Mike and I) by showing the current Learning Services web pages at http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/ls and asking for feedback.
The audience had a range of different levels of experience with the site, with some members having only just started studying at Edge Hill, some moving from first to second year, and some staff members from the enquiries unit dealing with student questions about the web pages.
The main criticism of the site was that it had 'too much information' and seemed outdated. One student described it as 'blah' (which I really liked!) Some key points are made on the homepage and can be found here: http://awurl.com/fcdxhg92474
The opening hours page also has some comments: http://awurl.com/lvkjav92534
Next up was a demonstration of the corporate site www.edgehill.ac.uk and the award winning Hi site http://hi.edgehill.ac.uk to see if we could pinch any ideas or good practice to use in our new version.
Some tips to borrow were:
(There is more, so i plan to finish this later - I got sidetracked by changing some of the really out of date pages on the current site)!
We began (Mike and I) by showing the current Learning Services web pages at http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/ls and asking for feedback.
The audience had a range of different levels of experience with the site, with some members having only just started studying at Edge Hill, some moving from first to second year, and some staff members from the enquiries unit dealing with student questions about the web pages.
The main criticism of the site was that it had 'too much information' and seemed outdated. One student described it as 'blah' (which I really liked!) Some key points are made on the homepage and can be found here: http://awurl.com/fcdxhg92474
The opening hours page also has some comments: http://awurl.com/lvkjav92534
Next up was a demonstration of the corporate site www.edgehill.ac.uk and the award winning Hi site http://hi.edgehill.ac.uk to see if we could pinch any ideas or good practice to use in our new version.
Some tips to borrow were:
- Virtual tour of bookends (and updated LRC)
- Excellent use of imagery (of campus)
- 10 top tips features
- Clean look and feel
(There is more, so i plan to finish this later - I got sidetracked by changing some of the really out of date pages on the current site)!
Friday, 30 May 2008
Audience consultation
I've been thinking... I know, dangerous, but someone has to do it!
Rather than stick out a very linear survey trying to guage audience perceptions about a web site that some may know well, and others not at all, I thought we might try and get some more qualitative data by conducting short (3 minute) interviews or gathering data via discussion boards.
The two target student groups I was thinking of was Fastrack (new to EHU, possibly new to study, mature and enthusiastic, Undergraduate) and distance learning students at all levels, Undergraduate and Postgraduate. With Fastrack, we could follow their study in that they start next week and will be introduced to the LS pages as part of induction, and then interview the same students again at the end of the course, asking what it was that was missing from the pages (when they've got more of an idea of what they need).
In addition we could post to the GO discussion board.
Does anyone have any questions that we could use to start a conversation with our audiences?
Do some of you have an hour or two spare next week to hold a clipboard and ask?
Rather than stick out a very linear survey trying to guage audience perceptions about a web site that some may know well, and others not at all, I thought we might try and get some more qualitative data by conducting short (3 minute) interviews or gathering data via discussion boards.
The two target student groups I was thinking of was Fastrack (new to EHU, possibly new to study, mature and enthusiastic, Undergraduate) and distance learning students at all levels, Undergraduate and Postgraduate. With Fastrack, we could follow their study in that they start next week and will be introduced to the LS pages as part of induction, and then interview the same students again at the end of the course, asking what it was that was missing from the pages (when they've got more of an idea of what they need).
In addition we could post to the GO discussion board.
Does anyone have any questions that we could use to start a conversation with our audiences?
Do some of you have an hour or two spare next week to hold a clipboard and ask?
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Are You There?
Poor 'Walter' has been a bit neglected so attention all!
I thought that once you dipped your 'toe' into the 'blog water', you might perhaps consider posting a thought or two on the subject of the LS website. So by way of an 'ice breaker', all you have to do is reply to this thread...
What type of 'blogger' are you?
Do you read any? Do you write your own? Do you comment on other people's? Or, is this your first interaction with a blog?
You don't need to write much. It's a register really to make sure you can all find 'Walter' before we really get going!
PS. If you need any help email me.
Meg.
:-)
I thought that once you dipped your 'toe' into the 'blog water', you might perhaps consider posting a thought or two on the subject of the LS website. So by way of an 'ice breaker', all you have to do is reply to this thread...
What type of 'blogger' are you?
Do you read any? Do you write your own? Do you comment on other people's? Or, is this your first interaction with a blog?
You don't need to write much. It's a register really to make sure you can all find 'Walter' before we really get going!
PS. If you need any help email me.
Meg.
:-)
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Project Rationale
One of my action points following the last meeting was to 'Champion the Blog'. So, faced with trying to encourage you all to use it, I guess I'd better set an example and get started!
I thought I'd start with a quick recap.
I thought I'd start with a quick recap.
What are the current problems with the LS website?
The LS site is:
· Inaccurate
· Incomplete (information gaps)
· Difficult to navigate
· Outdated (appearance)
What do we want to achieve with the LS website?
The LS site needs to:
· Inform
· Direct
· Promote
and needs to be:
· User Focussed – Appropriate presentation & style
· Solution Centred - Appropriate information structure
· Current & Dynamic - Regularly updated
· Accurate & Accessible - Regularly reviewed & user friendly
What we know (or think we know!):
· The site will be public facing
· The audience are:
- Staff
- Academic
- Support
- Prospective Students
- Current Students
- Access/ Foundation
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate
- Professional Development
- Alumni
What are the confines or pre-requisites of the re-modelling?
The LS site should:
· Utilize the corporate website template
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Great meeting
Thanks everyone for your involvement this morning. I'm really excited about this project and moving it forward, and feel that Mike's involvement will be crucial to the long term success of the project.
It's great to have a team that are so vocal and come up with ideas without being prodded too hard!
I can't wait to see the finished product.
M
It's great to have a team that are so vocal and come up with ideas without being prodded too hard!
I can't wait to see the finished product.
M
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