The online experience of University members is currently highly fragmented. The two most important fragments are the University Website (UWS) and MyEd.
The University Website (UWS)
Unauthenticated end-users
Hosts a large amount of support information for University services
The University Portal (MyEd)
Authenticated users – University members
Access to online services, personalised information, and notifications
A clear vision for online student experience has been set out in a recent report on the Student Experience Project by Sheila Green:
Students have easy access to consistently high quality online information and services, which meet or exceed their expectations at a place, time and in a way that meets their individual needs.
There is a major opportunity to create a consistent user experience between the UWS and MyEd, because:
The University now has Global Experience Language (GEL) including
Recommended approaches to a range of common UI patterns
A reference implementation in Twitter Bootstrap
The theme of the new UWS applies the GEL implementation of Bootstrap
The latest version of uPortal, the platform MyEd is based-on, has a responsive theme based on Bootstrap
Grasping this opportunity would address the problem of the current mismatch between the user interfaces of the UWS and MyEd:
In 2015 the University Website (UWS) will:
Be fully responsive
Conform to the University GEL
The University Portal (MyEd)
Has a new mobile interface, but is not yet responsive
Does not conform the University GEL
The project also seeks to better integrate MyEd and the UWS by:
Designing and implementing a shared information architecture
Showing key information in MyEd to authenticated users of the UWS
Providing an unauthenticated view of MyEd, using uPortal “guest” layout
The ultimate aim is making MyEd into “the part of University website you log-in to”.
Other contributors:
Paul Johnson, Neil Allison, Stratos Filalithis
What would happen if the project did not take place?:
If the project did not take place, the University’s online experience would remain fundamentally fragmented
This is an inferior experience to that which most people are likely to get from their bank, utility provider, member organisation, local government etc.
Additional information:
Known dependencies
Development required within EdWeb in Y2 (see complimentary proposal by Neil Allison and Stratos Filalithis, University Web Programme)
Known risks
Fundamental incompatibilities between EdWeb and uPortal (Respondr) implementation of Twitter Bootstrap
Assumptions
EdWeb becomes the single corporate CMS, with the current Polopoly service being decommissioned from early 2016.
Who does it affect?:
MyEd Users
Receive a user experience more consistent with the University website
University members (staff, students, applicants, alumni, visitors) using the UWS
Easier access to MyEd functionality
Richer, more personalised experience
IS Applications Division
Year 1
Upgrade MyEd platform to latest version of uPortal (e.g. 4.1 or 4.2)
Authenticated REST web services for exposing key MyEd feeds to the UWS
Open to any University domain using CORS
Year 2
Implement agreed changes to MyEd layouts and groups
Implement agreed enhancements to EdWeb platform (separate proposal in UWP programme)
IS LTW Division
Year 1:
WGI: Apply the GEL implementation of Bootstrap to MyEd
Proof-of-concept integration with EdWeb distribution
Year 2:
WGI & UWP: Design cross-service information architecture (IA)
Navigational elements which integrate the two services
Revised layouts for MyEd which align with overall IA
UWP: Integrate personalised information into relevant contexts of UWS
Why is it needed/What are the benefits?:
Because applicants, students and staff will have one place to go for all their academic-support content, service-support content, personalised information and status information, and will have consistent user experience for all of these, there will be:
Reduced support effort from IS for applicants, students and staff
Reduced support effort from Student Systems for applicants and students
Simpler communications
Less dissatisfaction with online services amongst students and staff
BI/MI requirement?:
N/A
External costs?:
N/A
Compliance justification (if relevant):
N/A
Fit with University strategy:
Goals – Excellence in Education
Select appropriate option(s) and provide brief explanation including reference/link to directional statement where appropriate
From the University’s Strategic Plan (2012-2016):
· Intrastructure Objectives- to meet our aim we will
o Pursue consistency and continuity in quality and experience across all elements of our …. information technology infrastructures.
o Achieve greater integration of information technology infrastructure …
· Infrastructure Strategies – we will achieve our objectives by
o Putting in place information and communications technology … to support individual and group study and working, both on-campus and mobile.
· Outstanding Student Experience Objectives - to meet our aim we will
o Combine our recognised teaching excellence with an outstanding student experience both on-campus and online.
o Take a cohesive, inclusive and individualised approach to enhancing our student experience that encompasses all ... student services …