Project Progress

Methodology: How are we conducting the research?

Currently research is being conducted by an online survey located at the following link:
http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?survey_ID=KKILGK_3ad4109d
and face-to-face interviews of current ATEC and EMAC students.

Summary of what we have learned:

Although research is still being gathered and analyzed, we have learned that ATEC and EMAC students have an overwhelming desire to have a place to view career opportunities. Out of the seven respondents who have taken the survey all of them have given the highest possible score (five out of five stars) to the question “How interested would you be in ATEC providing a site where you can view career opportunities?”.

75% of students surveyed gave five out of five stars to both of the following questions: “How interested would you be in ATEC providing a site where others can view your portfolio?” and “How interested would you be in ATEC providing a site where others can view your resume?”

What are we planning to do with the information?

Due to the interruption of Spring Break, the results of the face-to-face interviews have not been analyzed. However, the results of the online student survey are confirming the information gathered during the in class student driven brain storming session conducted on February 23.

The next steps in the project will be to develop a collaboratec site map based on a decision matrix that is a culmination of both student needs and ease of creation. We will also complete a timeline that illustrates what elements of the project we plan on accomplishing and setting goals and deadlines for the established tasks.

How are we using social media in our project?

From the research gathered we have determined that all respondents participate in some kind of social networking. Specifically, Facebook and Twitter were unanimously participated in. We will create a Facebook fan page and a Twitter account for Collaboratec to increase project awareness, support, and continued research and suggestions.

What Now? What Next?

Thanks Christie, for writing up the project update! Could you repost it as a New Entry please?

We have about a month and a half when we come back from Spring Break. That gives us about 5 or so class sessions before we present our final project. Here are my thoughts...feel free to add to it.

We are not designing a website. We are proposing an online platform where people can collaborate. (Yes...I have been reading Futuretainment :D ) In the next few weeks, we are going to come up with the information architecture and possibly a wireframe of the platform.

We need to map out our needs and research possible technologies that can meet those needs. Could we use existing content management systems to solve the needs? Eva, would you be interested in taking the lead in researching the technologies (seeing how much you are already into tech research?)

Christie is in the process of analyzing the surveys, and the credit goes to her for originating the survey. Instead of all four of us dedicating our time to the survey results, it might be more efficient if Christie takes the lead in this arena of collecting data and researching our target audience.

Meanwhile, all of us in the group, and anyone else who is interested, will be contributing to the technology and demographic research efforts.

I am not 100% sold on the name "collaborATEC" although I came up with it. We need a simpler brand that is memorable. I am very interested in brand development and marketing, and would like to take on this challenge. In the next month and a half, I would like to develop a complete identity package for this platform.

These are just some suggested paths we can take in the following weeks. We can modify and finalize our plan next week when we meet.

TAKE THIS SURVEY

If you'd like to help with our research, TAKE THIS SURVEY!
http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?survey_ID=KKILGK_3ad4109d

Due by Next Monday: 3/15/10

We need to email Dan the following info:

1. Methodology: how are we conducting the research
2. Summary of what we learned
3. What are we planning to do with the information?
4. How are we using social media in our project?

Who volunteers to compile the info?

Questions for Dan

• Do we have University backing? ATEC backing? Faculty backing? Will they fund the actual development of the site partially/fully?
• Who will develop the site? Can we employ a professional web developer or would it be student work?
• Can we employ a web designer? How much should the site adhere to the university's web design guidelines (orange/green)?
• Is it part of UTD's site or independent?
• Who will maintain the site once it's developed? Would the department hire somebody full time/part time to keep it updated? The advisers clearly don't have the time to maintain the current website/online social networks.
• What is our timeline?

Mission

Mission (will need to be refined): To provide a platform for the ATEC community to connect and collaborate with each other. It is a place where people can share their ideas and works, and find others with whom they can collaborate in order to create bigger and better projects.

Namewise: I am thinking ATEC connect, or ATECollaborate ... or something that reflects the collaborative spirit ...

Mission

Sumaya....do you have a mission statement for this site yet? I'm trying to brain storm some ideas for a name and want to get as much info as possible so I can come up with some good, on-target ideas. I love coming up with names and taglines.

Thanks,

Carol