Project Overview
- Client: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- Industry: State Government / Public Education
- Web Site: readyornotwriting.org
About the Client
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students and customers have a wide array of programs and services from which to choose. Our online programming and cooperative agreements with other colleges and universities provide students with exceptional opportunities with our more traditional learning opportunities. Communities and businesses count on our college for responsive, customized training and education. Still, we keep asking - because we want to know - 'what do you need?', and 'how can we make it happen?' As your regional resource for training and education, we're committed to abundant learning, creativity and responsiveness, and diversity and global readiness.
The Situation
Design and develop an online portal for high school students in rural Minnesota to submit essays and receive assessment on their writing abilities. The site was created to help assess secondary student writing preparedness before entering post-secondary education, and to suggest manners of refining student skills.
The Solution
Create an intuitive Web interface to facilitate submission, routing, and management of essays and reader feedback. Must be highly usable by participating high school students, teachers, readers from university English programs, and site administrators. Include data reporting to justify project expenditure and on-going public and private funding of program.
The Result
Successful implementation of the portal saw usage by 450 high school students in first year, with structured, facilitated assessment managed smoothly through the custom Web-based writing center. Strongly positive user feedback, accompanied by professional accolades received by sponsoring professor and university for a thoughtful, well-executed and usable system.
Their Voice
"Perhaps the greatest benefit from working with LearningChange has been the genuine interest they bring to the table. LearningChange is more than a very successful a web design company; LearningChange understands and respects the complexities of learning. I recall my amazement during some of our planning meetings when Samantha presented me with a detailed list of questions and concerns that I hadn’t anticipated but should have. The company possesses a vast knowledge of and training. Because of the company’s vast knowledge of distance learning and learning, the highly trained staff was aware of and sensitive to each unique user’s needs, expectations, and proclivities.
The successful development and implementation of Ready or Not Writing can be attributed to clear, constant communication. One of LearningChange’s many strengths is its habit for timely responses to my questions and concerns. Rarely, if ever, did I have to wait more than 24 hours to receive a thorough, precise response to my inquiry. Throughout the entire development process, they were always in the loop, anticipating potential challenges or providing solutions.
We have just entered an extended two-year contract with LearningChange, and I look forward to seeing our program improve and expand while guided by the company’s professionalism and expertise. I appreciate the company’s unique ability to see the “big picture” while also realizing that the “devil is in the details.”
Paul Carney
Ready or Not Writing Program Coordinator
Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Fergus Falls
www.readyornotwriting.org
