Using Online Faculty Directories: Faculty Concerns Along With

Benefits

Kathryn Baker Parks

Director of Academic Information

Sam M. Walton College of Business

University of Arkansas

Walton College Directory Visibility

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Advising Directory GPA CalculatorBusiness Major Details Current Student Page Career ServicesD

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Walton College Page Views (September 2013-2014). Excludes home page.

The Traditional Approach

Department of Music | J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences | University of

Arkansas

Update My Profile Page!!!

Faculty Web Developer

Sure, once I get to the rest of the requests.

Where does the data come from?

Directory

Research Interests

Teaching Interests Bio

Photo

Education

Links

Social Media

Articles

Honors

Modern Directories

Solution: Web Services

User Controlled Data

A Better Way

Faculty (and staff) can update directory information in real time by logging into Activity Insight.

Benefits: Instant Updates, Time Savings For Administrative Staff, Up-To-Date Information

Giving Users A Choice

Cons of User Controlled Data

Typos! Consistency Unenthusiastic Users

Solutions

Typos Periodic Review of Data

Consistency Clear College Branding Document Plan Your Database Structure Add Formatting Consistency With Code

Solutions – Unenthusiastic Users

I don’t do data entry!!!

“Don’t persuade, defend or interrupt. Be curious, be conversational, be

real. And listen.” –Elizabeth Lesser

Solutions – Uncooperative Users

Find energetic new users. Let them share their excitement and knowledge with colleagues.

Listen to user concerns. Be flexible. Be conversational. Share your excitement. Provide one-on-one training.

What’s Next?

Future Online Directory Updates

Single Data Source: Eliminate Deans Office Database and incorporate into Activity Insight

Add Staff to Activity Insight for online directory purposes

Export Additional Data: current classes taught, office hours, secondary contact, additional social media links.

Kathryn Baker Parkskbaker@walton.uark.edu(479) 575-6090kbakerparks (twitter)

Don’t persuade, defend or

interrupt. Be curious, be

conversational, be real. And listen.”

-Elizabeth Lesser