On-line service keeps students on track

A new technology program being implemented by the university will help students know for sure how close they are to graduation.
The Degree Evaluation Module, also known as CAPP (the Curriculum Advising Planning Program), is now available at the PAWS Web site for students. Georgia College & State University Chief Information Officer Jim Wolfgang said the program is, in itself, an online module located in the secure area of the PAWS Web site, which allows students to go into PAWS, click on degree evaluation and then compare the courses you’ve completed or transferred in against the requirement for your degree program. The output will tell you what you’ve met and what you’ve not met.
“It will tell you what you have satisfied and what you have not satisfied,” Wolfgang said. “It allows students to better plan their schedules.”
The degree evaluation benefits students by allowing them to evaluate where they are in relation to graduating, therefore eliminating any surprises near the completion of their degree. It also helps with planning registration for next semester.
“We will have something online that will let them know whether they’re on track for graduation or not,” said University Registrar Sarah Scott. “It really starts with the students when they come in for admission.”
Other required aspects, such as the Regents Test and Georgia Government Exam, are also tracked by the degree evaluation program. Another helpful component is the “what if component,” which tells a student who may be considering changing majors if classes from one major count towards another major. For example, the student can find out what courses for an English degree count towards a rhetoric degree.
According to Wolfgang, the degree evaluation module is “not an official evaluation.”
“It’s a planning tool,” he said.
Wolfgang said this is an unofficial evaluation, and students shouldn’t panic if mistakes are made. He said students should see their advisor or the Registrar’s Office if they find that they have not received credit for something they have actually taken. Many times, it just does not show up for a variety of reasons, even though they do have credit for it.
“In most cases it works out,” he said.
Letticia Williams, sophomore nursing major, thinks the program is a good idea. She said it would be easier than having to go talk to someone to find out what a student has or has not fulfilled every semester.
“It makes sense to put it on there,” she said.
Several faculty members and a small group of students have been testing out the system for about a year.
“Every student we’ve had look at it in small groups thinks it’s good,” Wolfgang said.
The evaluation is currently available through the PAWS Web site. Students can go to PAWS and click on PAWS Information for complete instructions.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 31 2003. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry