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Online Course Evaluations

The increase in student participation and number of evaluations completed may be attributed to the spring strategic communication plan. This plan targeted online students and Pioneers on all three campuses through a variety of media. TWU Technology created a strategic marketing plan that included a detailed approach to both digital and physical marketing materials.

Spring 2017 introduced new physical marketing materials such as yard signs, posters, table tents, sidewalk chalk illustrations, and a banner for the Bell Avenue bridge. The department also refined the social media approach, increased email correspondence, and designed a digital “countdown” campaign that advertised daily prize drawings and the number of remaining days to complete evaluations.

48% increase in percentage of eligible students who completed course evaluations in spring 2017 over fall 2016

Whenever possible, TWU Technology will deliver custom applications to meet the unique needs of the University. In fall 2016, such a solution was delivered in the custom course evaluation system. While meeting the standards set by TWU’s Faculty Senate, the system allows flexibility for instructors to adjust the start and end dates of their evaluations, as well as to add their own questions to their course evaluations. The system also delivers for TWU students: it is mobile-friendly.

The Students Advisory Committee for Technology (StudentsACT) promoted the new system to TWU students in the fall and spring of this academic year. Promotions included a communication plan featuring emails, digital signage, social media, flyers, and posters, plus a daily prize drawing and tables in high traffic areas where students could complete course evaluations onsite.

TWU Technology worked closely with academic leadership, faculty, and students to collaboratively build and improve upon this custom system. In its second semester, spring 2017, graphics were added to the instructor view so that section completion percent was viewable on demand.

Student Self-Service

Student success drives much of TWU Technology’s efforts. Relationships play a critical role in the department’s ability to support students. Strong partnerships facilitate transformation. Such results were achieved this year through further implementation of and modifications to Colleague’s Self-Service module.

A paradigm shift in academic advising and degree planning, Student Planning consolidates several processes for students and advisors with the goal of increasing retention and graduation rates, supporting the University's strategic objectives. To date, there have been 36 modifications and customizations made to Student Self-Service and Student Planning; examples range from small changes (e.g., changing the color of items displayed) to complex changes (e.g., custom Registration To-Do List and Express Registration replacement).

In preparation for a live rollout of the registration portion of Student Self-Service, the Students Advisory Committee for Technology (StudentsACT) members beta tested the system. During this testing period, TWU Technology staff resolved issues that would have affected the thousands of students who would register following the beta test. Further, the StudentsACT members made suggestions and recommendations to the Registrar’s Office about the system and how best to make students aware of the change.

One of the StudentsACT recommendations was to develop a set of how-to videos. The Registrar’s Office partnered with TWU Technology to develop a brief, explanatory video for students who attended new student orientations in the summer. Registration is the highlight of orientation, so having information in a format familiar to students significantly increases their satisfaction with the process.

This diagram shows the status of each PC in the Megalab and was taken during the first new student orientation this summer. The tool allows Technology staff to rapidly diagnose PCs with issues and to see how many seats are available. Through this tool and applied best practices, the department supports the essential and technology-dependent registration process.

Paperless Workflow for Today's Students

The dual enrollment program in Dental Hygiene allows students from community colleges to attend TWU to complete a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. Previously, the application was a paper form. Amy Teague, associate clinical professor, worked with TWU Technology to develop a system that automates the application process. The result was an online form, which includes workflow notifications. Because the system is online, Teague can work from anywhere to provide more immediate responses to applicants. Automating this process also allows for data collection, which Teague will use for research.

Supporting Students with Google Suite

When Hurricane Harvey hit, many students in the Houston area were affected. In the time of uncertainty and upheaval that followed, TWU faculty and staff made use of Google Suite to coordinate efforts and share information.

Occupational Therapy (OT) students that had been scheduled to complete internships in the Houston area were unsure if they would be able to fulfill their requirements. The School of Occupational Therapy’s faculty and staff contacted students to communicate plans to accommodate their internships.

Tesse Scott, coordinator of field work administration, contacted internship sites across the nation to see if they could place extra students. OT staff used a Google Sheet to keep track of the sites, how many extra students they could take, and what type of internships could be accommodated. The Google Sheet has served many purposes: team collaboration, access from anywhere at anytime, and a way to store information in a usable form. Scott utilized skills she acquired through attending the School of Technology training, where she learned about Google Suite.

Likewise, Mary Beth Daugherty, coordinator of allied health applications, administered two surveys of the Houston incoming class. One of these forms was to account for all of the students. A four-person team communicated with the students and added information to the Google Sheet to coordinate and streamline information. The other form was used to identify students’ immediate needs. In both cases, Google Sheets allowed for a coordinated effort to maximize aid to students in need.

Repurposing Technology to Improve Learning Outcomes

The Music department worked with the classroom and labs team to move computers from one location to another which necessitated a room layout, furniture quote, negotiation of funding, and move of the computers with software and mini keyboards. The change better serves students in music courses, assists in their education, makes better use of existing space, and complies with accreditation recommendations.

52% increase in wireless access points (APs) on the Denton campus when 376 APs were installed in Stark & Lowry Woods in the summer of 2017

Welcoming New Students with Wifi

University Housing is committed to providing its residential students with equal or better service on campus than they receive in their homes. They recognize that the world is now wireless and that most students come to campus with two or more wifi-enabled devices. As such, they worked with TWU Technology and a vendor to significantly increase the wireless access points (APs) in both Stark and Lowry Woods. Following installation, Technology staff have responded to requests for service when APs aren't working as expected.

Classroom, Lab, and Conference Room Upgrades and Improvements

CFO

104

MCL

502

503

612

651

MUS

223

OMB

110

203A

PH

105

SH

307

308

digital media lab

Dr. Gretchen Busl, assistant professor in English, Speech & Foreign Languages, received a TARGET grant from the Office of the Provost last year to create an innovative classroom space. The CFO 104 classroom lab enhancement was a collaboration between TWU Technology, Facilities Management, and the English department to develop the department-driven design for a digital media classroom lab. The result is a learning environment that encourages collaboration and creativity.

Divided into three zones, each with a specific purpose, the lab is a high-tech space in which students maximize learning potential. There is a collaboration zone with flexible seating; a computer lab zone; and a recording booth zone.

The classroom features a wireless touch panel that controls all displays, sources, and audio in the room. Each display can be assigned a source individually, and audio can be assigned to each zone. The sources include a PC, document camera, Apple TV, and two Solstice Pods. There is also an Interactive Flat Panel Display that is connected to the PC. TWU Technology enjoys working with departments to create innovative learning spaces.