myCATS misconceptions cleared during forum
An open forum discussing the new myCATS web portal was held last Wednesday in the A&S Auditorium from 10 to 11 a.m. to help faculty, staff and students learn the secrets behind the information portal that will soon serve as the campus’s new communication link.
“The biggest misconception is that myCATS is a new E-mail system,” said Kay Graham, manager of Data Management Resources. “It is much more than E-mail. If students went and explored, they would see that it is a useful tool.”
The forum was open for suggestions from the university, but was missing two things- student turnout and helpful criticism. The portal that debuted in January has had little time to receive heavy feedback. The crowd that showed for the forum was mostly full of faculty and staff members trying to learn tips on how to operate the new system. The forum commenced with a brief demonstration showing the features of myCATS and how to use them. Assistant Professor of Psychology Noland White led the session and demonstrated how he uses myCATS to teach.
“The way I use myCATS is a supplement to WebCT,” White said. “I still use WebCT for administering quizzes but I use myCATS as a communication link with my students.”
White logged-in on a lap top computer hooked up to the auditorium projector and demonstrated how he applies myCATS to his teaching. He uses the new system to post assignments or files for students and start class discussions on message boards. Besides communicating to his students, White uses myCATS to stay organized. He customized the tabs on the myCATS menu to give him easy access to PAWS, the InfoPage, and even personal Web sites such as the J&R Cigars home page.
myCATS may also be used to plan daily schedules. White uses the calendar provided to schedule daily appointments with staff and students. On the day of the appointment, myCATS notifies each person scheduled through his or her account. After White gave a brief demo, Gina Peavy, executive assistant to the vice president of student affairs, reviewed how to form groups on myCATS. Only registered student organizations (RSOs) and faculty organizations can create groups.
“Groups are a really good communication tool,” Peavy said. “The best thing is the E-mail feature. It saves so much time. You can send an E-mail to everyone in the group in seconds.”
The university has covered every angle in incorporating the new system into the classroom. Managing tutorials are provided to students, faculty and staff to help them learn the system as quickly as possible. Some professors have already started to use it to teach their classes.
“On the first day of class, I orient the students on how to work myCATS,” White said. “I show my students how to use it and then I make them show me what they have learned.”
Much concern was brought up in the demo on how to get an account and whether or not PAWS and the InfoPage will become obsolete.
“Your myCATS account is connected to your Banner account,” Graham said. “You must have a Banner account to use myCATS.”
Graham also added that the InfoPage will eventually become a news channel for the school, and PAWS will remain.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 17 2006. Filed under News.
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