A new electronic portfolio system allows students to upload assignments, graphics and videos
(-- The Beacon)
By Corey Fawcett Staff Writer fawcett13@up.edu
After holding numerous "town hall" meetings and focus group sessions, UP's IT team implemented changes that affect the way students use PilotsUP.
"We not only changed the design, look and feel but we completely inverted the architecture of the system," Jenny Walsh, web and administrative systems director, said.
All UP resources can now be found in one place with customizable quick link icons.
"That's what the umbrella means," Walsh said. "PilotsUP has got you covered."
The new dock bar – which stays on your page as you scroll – gives users "Quick Access" to frequently used features like Moodle, email and SelfServe.
The directory and announcements are now targeted towards users based on demographics and preferences. The Resources tab makes these resources more accessible.
In addition to these efficiency-based changes, other modifications allow for more creativity.
"Students can now customize their profiles," Walsh said. "They can put things like a KDUP link or their favorite YouTube channel on their homepage."
Moodle underwent a few significant changes as well.
"The look and feel is different," Tony Box, academic applications specialist, said. "It hadn't been updated for three or four years."
One of the biggest changes is the addition of the Mahara E Portfolio Tool, an electronic portfolio system with social networking features. It allows students to create groups and use message boards to collaborate more efficiently on group projects. Users can put assignments, graphics, videos and more in the portfolio, according to Box.
"(Mahara) is very multi-media rich," Box said.
Moodle is also easier to work from an administrative standpoint, according to Box. It allows faculty to drag and drop files into their browsers, among other modifications.
"It's been simplified a bit," Box said.
Feedback from the UP community is integral to the PilotsUP updates, according to Walsh.
"We want to know, did we get there? Did we almost get there? What more would people like?" Walsh said.
A survey will be sent out this fall to see how students like the changes.
