As was commented there are some menu points missing. EDUCATION and RESEARCH as top level menu items really belong to the department site. And it is as if the commentator could travel through time because at a meeting today with the other faculties we discussed exactly this. The first guidelines concerning the 'basisnavigatie' were being presented today and contain exactly what most of his comments where about. I like the example of Tilburg University and think we should aim for something similar.
"Database" was the most used word in the comments. Well, and there we have to look into solutions.I had a talk today concerning how an interface between the Digital UM Library could look like. In fact it looks very promising that we can connect the content with the system managing the department website. However, this is a longer process but possible in principle. A personal publication list can be created as easily as a repository of a single department's written output.
Concerning "thesis topics" I am aware that this refers to topics proposed by professors to students. Such a list including the thesis's title, short description, date, contact details, professor, etc. should be available somewhere for interested parties to consult. But should it be on the department website? I don't know what do you think?
Another thought about the staff page and personal pages. There will be a style guide coming up on the horizon for this and the images. Since this is something that will change, I am thinking of not putting to much effort in it and keep it simple. Ideally we put this information into a database, make a website where everyone can login and update his/her details which gets then presented on the website. At least in an ideal world this would be the case. But this takes more time to think. Everybody who has ideas on how to come up with a simple and good solution is welcome to share it here!!!
In two other meetings today the issue of weblogs kept popping up. Some people want to blog for marketing purposes or to strengthen their ties with exchange students. Again others want to have more training on how to use Social Media to engage with their audience in a new and exciting way. I promised to post some videos in the future that concern the later point. Well, and thanks for the many comments :)
thanks for your reply and all your considerations.
ReplyDelete> I like the example of Tilburg University
> and think we should aim for something similar.
Great.
> I had a talk today concerning how an
> interface between the Digital UM Library
> could look like
Awesome! I didn't know such a repository existed! Looks very promising. Of course I understand that integration is a longer process. Take your time to realize the link.
Btw: do all articles, etc. have to be uploaded or is it possible to also just have a reference to a journal? The menu structure looks more like it manages only UM-internal publications and not those made at external journals (for us that would be the majority). Just wondering...
> Such a list including the thesis's title,
> short description, date, contact details,
> professor, etc. should be available somewhere
> for interested parties to consult. But should
> it be on the department website?
> I don't know what do you think?
You're right. Doesn't need to be on the webpage necessarily. Should be a well-accessible spot somewhere though so that students can locate theses easily. Any suggestions where that could be?
> [...] There will be a style guide coming up
> on the horizon [of the staff pages] and the images
Also good!
> I am thinking of not putting to much
> effort in [the new staff pages] and keep
> [them] simple.
> [...] Everybody who has ideas on how to come
> up with a simple and good solution is welcome
> to share it here!!!
Simple is fine with me. Maybe anyhow add the possibility for staff to upload a CV?
One solution to the database is to simply go with the Access-DB we have at the Marketing Department. Backend is programmed with VB Script. Pages are generated on-the-fly (let me know if I use the wrong term here) ;).
> In two other meetings today the issue of
> weblogs kept popping up. Some people want to
> blog for marketing purposes or to strengthen
> their ties with exchange students.
Maybe personal blogs can do with links on the staff pages?
> Again others want to have more training on
> how to use Social Media to engage with their
> audience in a new and exciting way. I
> promised to post some videos in the future
> that concern the later point.
Looking forward to the videos.
> Well, and thanks for the many comments :)
Thanks for your extensive reply and thoughtfulness. Cheers.
>Btw: do all articles, etc. have to be uploaded or is it possible to also just have a reference to a journal? The menu structure looks more like it manages only UM-internal publications and not those made at external journals (for us that >would be the majority). Just wondering...
ReplyDeleteWhatever you are willing to share is fine I assume. Do journals prevent you from publishing your articles f.e. on your personal blog once they select it in their edition? I don't know this.
>Maybe anyhow add the possibility for staff to upload a CV?
Why does the staff not maintain their own CV online using a service like linkedIN or Researchgate? Services like these offer a free and easy way to maintain your CV in a concise format. From the staff profile I can easily link or embed this information. This would give every person the ability to have control over their profile information. This would be my preferred option. It is the one visualized in the mockup I will upload today.
Especially for the profile pages I would like to use a database vs. "hard coding" approach. There is a possibility utilizing iframes.
Cheers,