The Road to RedesignTHE EFFECT OF UX IN RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

Meghan Hatalla, Century College

What you need to know about Metropolitan State University

The University Without Walls

• Founded in 1971• Centered around adult, working students• Committed to community involvement

What does that mean in today’s terms?

There is no typical entering student

32 65 32Average age Average credits transferred in Average hours worked

per week

Basically, Metro State is in a prime position

to scoop up adult learners.

Once you get in.”

“Metro is great…

Prospect

Applicant

Admitted

Registered

Credit evaluation

New Student Orientation

Online Orientation Redesign Group

LeaderStudent Affairs Veep

Technical peopleStudent Affairs Web Strategist (me)

Academic Affairs Web StrategistCenter for Online Learning

Subject matter expertsAcademic Advisors (3)

Didn’t we just redo

orientation a few years

ago?

Task 1: Burn the old site

©Mike Monteiro, aka @Mike_FTW

And Internet Exploreris the worst, right?

Students don’t have a problem with

the current site.

Task 2: Define our users

• Library shadowing• Students can navigate web sites• But not troubleshoot why a .docx won’t open

• Recent online new student orientation survey• 11% response rate• Loud & clear…

To what extent did Online Orientation help you contact your academic advisor or advising center?

43%

39%

18%

Not helpfulHelpfulVery helpful

I generally...

Skim over details & dig deeper into important

details

Return and read things when I need them

Like to know the big picture0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

15%

3% 6%12% 15%

6%

73%82%

88%

Not trueNeutralVery true

On a scale of 1-4 (1=easy, 4=difficult), how easy was it for you to complete orientation in D2L?

33%

6%

27%

13%

21%

1 = easy2 = Ok3 = a little difficult4 = very difficultDidn't complete orientation

Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks.

But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works.

- Steve Jobs

Answer Me These Questions Three

1.What is this site for?

2.What do you like or dislike about this site?

3.What do you do next?

We don’t have the money or time for a redesign.

How have browsing habits changed?

According to Pew Research, from 2007 to 2012...

Broadband at home Using Internet Explorer Own tablet / smartphone0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

20072012

- Ethan Marcotte

...the web’s moved beyond the desktop, and it’s not looking back.

We need to tell them

EVERYTHING they may ever

need to know.

You will have to deal with new platforms that you haven’t yet heard of, and being agile with your content is more important than picking a platform or two and building for them.

- Karen McGrane

Didn’t we just design

orientation 5 years ago?

I don’t see a problem.

There are too many competing priorities.

Why do we need to do things differently?

Desktop ViewLandscape iPad View

Portrait iPhone View

What students need to

know

What students

need to do

user

empowerment

Questions?

Thanks =]

Meghan Hatalla, Century CollegeTwitt er: @megtalla | Linkedin: /meghanhatalla