Student Virtual Portal

To meet a growing need for technology based tools to address student enrollment, academic learning and socialization the division of Student Affairs developed and uses an online, interactive virtual portal. This portal is designed to mature as the student progresses through the university academic experience providing resources appropriate to the student. The portal does not act as a replacement for face to face encounters with students but rather encourages active student participation from all learning communities. The portal serves to address the needs of a large commuter student population. Traditionally programmed services are readily available with easy access for residential students however the commuter population is often disconnected. The portal resolves this problem in that access is available anywhere internet access is available.

Purpose The Student Virtual Portal (SVP) was developed and implemented to serve as an informational, social, and academic online environment providing students greater access to resources in support of successful academic experience both in and out of the classroom. The SVP boasts: 24/7 student access to administrative resources including financial, academic, technical support Single point of entry to vast university online resources Safe internet environment for both academic and social interactions Collaborative content throughout portal system from student, faculty, and staff. Progressive, multi-stage environment

Design Multi-stage, progressive content whereby students have access to information based on their student status. Level 1: Entry Geared to address high school seniors who have either accepted enrollment to the university or students seeking to learn more Level 2: Freshmen – Sophomore Geared to address student access to information to Level 3: Junior – Senior Geared to address student information that moves toward: Social Justice issues Advanced research for academics Career Services access; job placements, resume building Collaborative, multidisciplinary team of administrative staff, information technology services, academic deans, faculty and student Customizable view Communication access to AIM, chat, video, audio and other

Pedagogy The portal promotes active learning from all aspects of online experience for both online classes and out of classroom experiences Social justices issues Guest online speakers Private and anonymous conversations with health and counseling, advising, and other Career Services Virtual gaming to provide experience and experience to multiple and varied activities challenging student Online tutoring Online writing center

Assessment Assessment: Ongoing, daily, periodic assessment is gathered through the portal: Surveys Qualitative assessment through iChat, asynchronous and synchronous dialog, conversations, threaded discussion Academic testing Faculty evaluations Forums

Service Learning Online Service Interest Form - Via the portal, students can submit a form where they list what areas of service they are interested in (i.e. working with children, senior citizens, the homeless, etc.), their availability, and other pertinent information - Student is then contacted via with various volunteer opportunities Database of Agencies - A database of non-profit agencies looking for volunteers is also available, which allows students and faculty to search on their own for opportunities that would be a good match - This allows for a greater volume of students to be connected to service opportunities, in a smaller amount of time Online Reflection - Students have access to an online blog, where they post reflections from their service experience for others to view

Student Health and Counseling “McApple MD” - Via the portal, a student can use this chat area where he or she can post questions (anonymously) regarding physical health, i.e. symptoms or pains, or ask advice for minor health issues. - A staff member is then responsible for answering questions by posting responses for students to see AIM - Similarly, during a certain time of the day, a doctor can be online to answer questions from students immediately in a real-time chat - Both programs eliminate a great deal of unnecessary visits and student traffic, as many problems can be solved via the internet. This frees up staff to devote more time to serious health issues that arise in students.

Career Services Job Database - Via the portal, a link is provided to an employment opportunities database, where both students can search for jobs by area of interest, and employers can post/update any available openings - Additionally, this area provides a space for students to post their resumes for review by potential employers Podcasts - Students can view real-time podcasts of employers giving a presentation on their company or organization, what types of applicants they are looking for, etc. - This allows the employers to reach a larger population of students, as well as giving the students flexibility to view them on their own time.

Student Organizations and Activities Online Calendar –Provides access for students to view all events, programs, or activities hosted by student organizations –Viewable by day, week, month, and year –Student organizations can add or edit events online as well, via approval from staff Database of Organizations –This search engine allows new students, or students looking to get involved, an easy way to locate a student organization that fits their interest, as groups are divided into categories (Social Justice, Multi-Cultural, Social, etc.) –Also provides a web profile on each organization, listing contact info, a mission statement meeting times and locations, and membership guidelines. –Member only access would also allow these student organizations an area to post minutes from their meetings. Online Applications –Students who are interested in forming a new organization can apply online, and get approval.

Diversity Hot Topics –The Portal provides headlines about issues in diversity, whether racial, cultural, religious, etc., as well as information about upcoming events. –A chat room is also available where students can discuss these or other issues in a safe, staff-monitored forum. Disabilities Services –An online form is available for students with disabilities to submit, requesting certain services or accommodations for a class, event, or program. –This allows students with disabilities to make their needs known from the comfort of their home, and reduces any potential embarrassment that could come of physically going to the office to make a request

Challenges Possible replacement of interpersonal relationships: Student affairs focuses on the importance of interpersonal relationships between Student Affairs staff and various members of the campus community. There are immeasurable benefits associated with human interaction between student affairs staff and students. Thus, technology should not replace this face-to-face interaction, but serve as an alternate means of communication that students can access if they choose so. Learning is a socially grounded activity. Thus, technology should strive to foster, not stifle, social connections within the learning community.

Challenges: Electronic Communication Insecurity of electronic communication: –Possible miscommunication due to misinterpretation of message. –Breaches in confidentiality may occur due to the trail left by electronic communication. Several pending lawsuits have suggested that once received, electronic communication becomes a public document, whose redistribution can not be over seen by the author. –May cause personal-professional workplace issues and increase workplace interruption. –May disturb traditional communication protocols and administrative practices. For example, questions and concerns maybe sent directly to deans, board members, vice-presidents and presidents instead of being addressed by a particular staff member who has the most knowledge of a problem. –May foster a reactionary, rather than a proactive, work environment. –Electronic communication may obscure the distinction between work hours and after hours for already overworked employees.

Challenges: Implementation Process Implementation Process: –Increased need for computer literacy of all employees. –Must determine what technologies are most advantageous for each employee. –New technological software and programs are continually being built, thus universities must be savvy in determining the most beneficial products. –Increased costs of new technological products, repairs, and upgrades for both students and universities.

Challenges: Entertainment Technologies Entertainment Technologies: –Student venues will need to adapt to new technology. For example, student recreational centers will be called to have more electronic games and simulation activities, while residence halls will need to have wireless internet access. –Due isolation of personal computers, students may “cocoon,” in which the individual detaches him or herself from the greater campus community. Thus, Student Affairs must compete with the increase in solitary electronic options available to students.

Benefits: Internal Member Through the transformation of informational disseminations, transactional interactions, communication applications, as well as the entertainment and educational technologies, technology allows student affairs to assist two types of members of the university community: –The “internal” member: who is the individual bound by traditional work hours, for example university staff and faculty, purchasing counterparts, and other university colleagues. Establishes a twenty-four hour domain with the most up to date information instantaneously, thus, aiding in informational disseminations by decreasing the strain on office hours and staff availability. Lowers the costs for the university. Assists in communication applications, by diminishing human error rate.

Benefits: External Member The “external” member: are those individuals that seek access to services after traditional work hours, for example, students, who are overwhelmed with class, work, research and other daytime obligations. –Transactional interactions become more convenient and instantaneous. For example, through , websites, text messages, and electronic voic , a twenty-four hour domain is established with the most up to date information. –Establishes easily accessible life-long student records. –Fosters learning through new virtual reality games, such as MOOS (Multiple Object Oriented Structures) that serve both entertainment and educational functions. Thus, staff and faculty can engage students through simulation exercises with little risk. –Most importantly, nurtures a student centered environment by: Appealing to the interests of the technology savvy student. Lowering overall costs for students. Allowing student organizations and departments the capability to communicate more effectively with their members via listservs, discussion groups, online agendas and calendars, as well as websites.

Recommendation: In order to create an environment that successfully embraces technological advances, the university should Become up to date with emerging technologies. Recruit employees who are willing to embrace new technology. Continually evaluate the technological initiatives within the university. Save funding for experimental applications in technology. Create campus committees and partnerships between departments that address and incorporate new initiatives in technology. Fine-tune staff size and organization to reflect the needs of the technologically altered environment. Expand professional development training for staff members. Regulate personal and professional technology use on campus. Involve students in determining what technological advances are most beneficial to the campus. Foster student learning with the assistance of technology. Create a set of policies that outline the proper usage of university technology. Maintain that the mission of the university is reflected in all elements of the new twenty-four hours domain.

Participants Tanya Griffin, Academic Advisor – School of Professional Studies Bobby Wassel, Program Manager for Community Outreach Dale Ellen O’Neil – 1818 Advanced College Credit Program Tom Hanley, Technology Coordinator Student Programs and Services