Community College Research
As for the search criteria, I believe that using the following questions we could rate each website from 0 - 5 ( 0=N/A or horrible & 5=excellent). 1. Does it give useful directions and/or a map to the campus? 2. Does is outline what degrees/certificates they offer and what the course requirements are for each degree/certificate? 3. Does it give course descriptions? 4. Does it have a current course schedule? 5. Are there many broken links? 6. Can you easily register and pay for classes online? 7. Is there a useful bookstore online? 8. Can you email professors/counselors? 9. Overall ease of navigating through the website? 10. Overall design/look of the website?
I've attached my Excel spreadsheet that lists all of the Community Colleges in AL, GA and SC ranked from best to worst.
Out of all of the web sites I looked at I have ranked the web site for Floyd College in Floyd, GA as the best one. It's web address is www.floyd.edu if you want to check it out. I chose this one as the best because it is pleasing to the eye without being too flashy. It has all of the information one could ask for without being overwhelming. And, it's extremely easy to navigate.
The worst web site of them all is Denmark Technical College in Denmark, SC. If you check out their web page at www.den.tec.sc.us you'll understand why I feel it's the worst...
The three best Alabama Schools:My Criteria (Ak, HA, ID, MT, ND, SD)
I think the following criteria should be considered when evaluating community college websites: 1. Ease of navigation of the site. 2. Is information regarding courses (catalog, schedule) available ? 3. Is information about tuition and admission requirements included? 4. Can you register and pay fees online ? 5. Can you communicate online with faculty and staff ?
The following are my top 5 choices for the CC websites I visited.
The website I consider to be the worst I visited is for Cankdeska-Cikana CC (www.littlehoop.cc). Most of the tribal (Indian) college websites were not as well developed as the other colleges. This one had none of the basic information I was searching for although it did provide an interesting history of the college.
It was interesting to investigate colleges in the north midwestern states because some of their academic offerings were very different from what you would find here. Also, some of them include rodeo in their atheletic programs.
1) Must be able to check grades and transcripts 2) Online course catalog with descriptions 3) Maps and pictures of location with directions 4) Faculty e-mail and website access 5) Online registration 6) Must be visually attractive, creating interest
The criteria that use when searching colleges is as follows: 1. Ability to easily navigate the site 2. The availability of a complete and current course catalog 3. A breakdown of all tuition, costs, and fees 4. Contact numbers and or e-mail addresses 5. A complete listing of degree programs offered
The task of searching every community college in the state of California was quite a task to say the least but I was able to narrow it down the the 5 best based on my criteria.
#5 Contra Costa Community College http://www.contracosta.edu/ #4 Evergreen Valley College http://www.evc.edu/ #3 College of San Mateo http://gocsm.net/ #2 Citrus College http://www.citrus.cc.ca.us/ #1 West Los Angeles College http://www.wlac.cc.ca.us/
These top 5 community colleges were relatively easy to navagate and information was easy to access. They offered online catalogs that were easy to understand. All costs and fees as well as complete program offerings were available directly from their web-site. In the event that questions still went unanswered these 5 colleges had a complete telephone and e-mail directory posted for all faculty members.
Spreadsheet Results: CaliforniaThe worst community college website I researched was
the
Don Bosco Technical Institute http://netdbti.boscotech.edu/
It was a navigation nightmare. They offered a catalog
if you want to call it that but it was not very
helpful, the information contained very vague
information. I was unable to locate anything regarding
tuition, costs, or fee's. The sites contact
information was limited to a single phone number and
e-mail address, and the descriptions of their program
offerings were as limited as their catalog. Within my
criteria every school has the possability of me
granting up to 50 points, Don Bosco earned 6.
Some of the college web-sites listed were not evaluated for one of two reasons. One being, that the link to their website was a dead link. Additionally, any college with the title of college district was not evaluated because they were site for college districts and not the school itself. In any event, if the site was not evaluated, the site received a zero rating.
1. Navigation of site (is there a site map?) 2. Courses offered with description (cost/duration/credit hours) 3. Online registration and bookstore 4. Directions and maps to and around campus 5. Contact information (phone/email)
Here are my top 5 picks. Clark College made the number 1 spot for looks and information. Pikes Peak Community College came in a close 5th for Graphics and easy navigation. It was really easy to find information on almost anything about these colleges. Take a look for yourself and see what you think.
2 tie. Arapahoe Community College http://www.arapahoe.edu 38 pointsI'd have to agree with most of you but here's my input for criteria: 1) Must be able to check grades and transcripts 2) Online course catalog with descriptions 3) Maps and pictures of location with directions 4) Faculty e-mail and website access 5) Online registration 6) Must be visually attractive, creating interest
The college I chose as the worst for Florida was: Miami-Dade Community College http://www3.mdcc.edu this college has several locations with website addresses that did not work.
Spreadsheet Florida-North Carolina Summary
Winward CC (Hawaii - www.wcc.hawaii.edu) This site was fun to visit. It had inviting graphics. I was able to locate the desired information easily without having to spend a lot of time looking around. It made me want to attend this school.
Spreadsheet Results: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WyomingNorthern Idaho College (www.nic.edu) All the sites in Idaho weren't too bad considering there are only 4 in this state. This one just stood out from the others because of the information provided and ease of use.
Spreadsheet Results: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WyomingI think that we should judge the websites on: Navigation Clutterness Access of Information Interest Motivation Contact information Catalog Information Course descriptions Relative links Cost information Maps and Pictures Catalog information Relative links (faculty,counselors, campuses) I believe if we use these catagories to critique it will help us narrow down the search for the best web sites. The questions I looked to answer when I was looking at these college websites were: 1. Was it easy to navigate? 2. Was it too cluttered? 3. Was it easy to access information? 4. Did it create interest in the college? 5. Did it motivate to go to the college? 6. Could I find contact information? 7. Could I find catalog information? 8. Could I find course descriptions? 9. Could I find relative links? 10. Could I find cost information? 11. Could I find maps and pictures of the college? 12. Was I able to register online?
This website I ranked the best because it was designed very well and very organized. I was able to find every think on my list except for Relative Links. This website interested and motivated me to enroll in this college.
This website impressed me because there was an access of information and it was easy to find. In order to motivate the prospective students they have a quote on their homepage that says " To education we must look." The only things I could not find were cost information.
This website inspired me to enroll because of the access of information in a creative way. In order to motivate they has a separate page just to welcome students. They provided a virtual campus in order to view the campus and they provide five ways for there students to register.
This website was very well organized. It provide Parkland highlights and headlines in order to interest students. This website provide very good links to access information. The feature of online was you could register, get your grades, schedule, bookstore, and tuition. The only thing it did not provide was course descriptions.
Elgin's website was impressive in getting people interested in the college itself. There were good links for information. They also had links to interest people like open house, new programs and black history month. To motivate they told the values of the Elgin Community College. I could not find cost information or contact information though.
This website was the worst website I navigated. I did not find one good thing on my check list that provided anything I wanted to see.
My criteria for the CC are: 1) The web page is easy and user friendly. 2) Being able to check grades and transcripts, preferable on the same web site. 3) Class Descriptions. 4) Teacher Web Sites and e-mails. 5) Online registration.
1) Kansas City Kansas Community College. ( http://www.kckcc.cc.ks.us/ )
KCKCC has a nice web page that is easy to use. Most of my requirements can be found on the home page. This site features online registuration, Academic Calendar, Catalog, schedules, syllabi, and even creates a map from your location to the school using MapQuest. Very nice site, even has the current weather in Kansas City.
2) University of Kansas. ( http://www.ku.edu/ )
The University of Kansas's web page is easy to use and has nice features. The web sites includes a calendar of events and research help. Students are able to registure and check their grades online. The site even has a radio web page with information for students and links to certain web radios and once more you can check the weather in Kansas.
5) Johnson County Community College (Kansas). ( http://www.jccc.net/home/index.php )
A simple web page that is easy to use and looks nice. Students are able to registure online and view schedules online.
3) Springfield Technical Community College (Massachusetts). ( http://www.stcc.mass.edu/ )
A nice looking web page that is full of information with little pop-up windows over the hyperlinks that help you navigate the site. Students are able to registure and check their grades online. This school's web page features distant learning and a nice little web cam.
4) North Shore Community College (Massachusetts). ( http://www.northshore.edu/ )
A nicely designed site with several different Academic Opportunities including distant learning. This site has online enrollment and nice library resoucres including how to properly cite a resources.
I feel that we judge the college web sites on: 1. Navigation 2. Faculty information and email 3. Simplicity 4. User friendly 5. Catalog information 6. Course descriptions 7. Related links 8. Access to related information 9. Maps of the campus 10. Current course schedule
Good home page with pop up menus, which gives you easy access to a variety of information. Home page is done in a simple format, which I find easier to locate information.
3. Normandale Community College, Location: Bloomington, Minnesota.This site I would have to say is the best one. It not only gives you the information you want but it also gives information in more detail then most sites. The home page is very easy to follow. And navigation is a breeze.
4. Riverland Community College, Location: Minnesota with 3 campuses.This one is also done in a simple format with easy to follow links and good navigation.
5. Rodchester Community and Technicial College, Location: Rodchester, MinnesotaThis one also gives you a lot of information on the home page without all the clutter. Navigation is good and the information on other pages are set up in a simple format.
Spreadsheet Results: Minnesota, MontanaThis site has most of what a college student would be looking for on their home page. The navigation is easy and it is easy to find what you may be looking for. Their web site is done in a simple format leaving out most of the clutter most sites have.
Spreadsheet Results: Minnesota, Montanano Nevada college made the top 5
Spreadsheet Results: Coloado, Nevada, Utah, and WashingtonThe college I chose as the worst for North Carolina was: Randolph Community College http://www.randolph.cc.nc.us . I found this site to be very blah and not informative. I wasn't pleased with the setup or design. I found it hard to navigate.
Websites were ranked based on the following criteria: Page layout and design Online registration Online catalog Online course schedules Library Online bookstore Staff and faculty directories, contact information Each criteria was given a score of 0 - 3 points. If the criteria was not available, no points were given. If the criteria was not available but the site provided information on how to obtain the service, I awarded 1 point. For criteria met but difficult to find or use I awarded 2 points. If the criteria was met, easy to find and use I awarded 3 points. 1. Southwestern Community College 19 1. Forsyth Technical Community College 19 1. Central Piedmont Community College 19 4. Surry Community College 18 4. Coastal Carolina Community College 18 4. Davidson County Community College 18 4. Western Piedmont Community College 18 Ranking of All: North Carolina Worst Central Carolina Community College 10
Bismarck State College (www.bismarckstate.edu) This was an attractive website that would make one consider attending this school (consider the winters there!).
Spreadsheet Results: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WyomingI think we should judge the sites on Navigation : Is it easy to navigate? Catalog Info. Faculty: Can you get contact info and email for Faculty? Registration: Can you register on-line? Tuition: Can you pay tuition fees on-line?
These are my top 5 choices for Colleges in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, because of the small amount of colleges for Pennsylvania and New Hampshire; I combined the two states to pick the top five. I have highlighted (in red) the top 5 sites on the spreadsheet for easy access to view the sites
Navigation: Very easy to navigate ( It is a very simple eye pleasing web site as you navigate you get a slide show of pictures of the campus in several season changing pictures)
Catalog info : A page pops up to give you choices on which catalog you would like to download telling how much space it will use etc. also you can check the fees again without going back to the tuition page.
Faculty: I liked this page it was done by department so you go into that department and all the professors are there with their class info. Email room numbers and office hours.
Registration: you can register online also, and access a drop add program and others
Tuition: You can pay your tuition and other fees on line also you can check on student insurance and also any refunds that are due the student.
All of the services I was looking for I found on this site, this site would have to be #1 on my list on sites I have visited. It is a very, very detailed site answering all the questions I had and more. The Quick links was nice with a enormous amount of links Good appealing colors and fonts on this site not too big and not too small.
I have pick this at one of my favorites It has great color and arrangement Very pleasant to surf through, not bland like some of the other sites. I could find what I needed with ease.
I have found what I need with ease I enjoyed the pictures of students enjoying their classes they looked very natural not staged. With a free flowing look to the site.
I enjoyed this site It had much eye appeal and all of my questions were answered with ease. I like the interactive look of many of these sites.
The following two sites I choice only because they were not as bad as most, A lot of the site in these states are boring looking, no eye popping when the page comes up
Bucks County Community College / in Penn.I've attached my Excel spreadsheet that lists all of the Community Colleges in AL, GA and SC ranked from best to worst.
Out of all of the web sites I looked at I have ranked the web site for Floyd College in Floyd, GA as the best one (score 78). It's web address is www.floyd.edu if you want to check it out. I chose this one as the best because it is pleasing to the eye without being too flashy. It has all of the information one could ask for without being overwhelming. And, it's extremely easy to navigate.
For South Carolina check out Midlands which made the top 5:
4. Midlands Technical College (score 73) http://www.midlandstech.com/
12. Horry-Georgetown Tech College (score 66) http://www.hor.tec.sc.us/default800.htm
The worst web site of them all is Denmark Technical College in Denmark, SC (low scorte of 23). If you check out their web page at www.den.tec.sc.us you'll understand why I feel it's the worst...
Spreadsheet Results: Alabama, Georgia, South CarolinaSee Alaska for five choices, none of the nine schools made the top 5. The best in SD:.
Sisseton-Wahpeton CC (score 21) http://swcc.cc.sd.usMy suggestions: 1. Over all appearance 2. Navigation 3. Catalogs & Schedules 4. Course descriptions 5. Campus Map 6. Faculty Info.
3. Casper College (36 pts)(www.cc.whecc.edu) This was a good website even though there was no online registration. It had a lot of great information and was simple to navigate to find it.
Spreadsheet Results: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WyomingI also feel compelled to list a couple of the worst "HCC" college web sites.
(6.)Haywood Community College (NC)http://w3.haywood.cc.nc.us/hccflsh.htmlOn most of the sites I could find the current catalog; however, it takes a great deal of time to download in PDF format. In some cases, a link was provided from the current schedule to the course description which was a nice feature. In most cases, tuition and fees were easily accessible as were maps, addresses and phone numbers. Additionally, locating faculty by department was usually easy including links to their email or websites or both. Some faculty pages included syllabi with assignments. Did not find current schedules for most sites. Registering online was sometimes difficult to find or hidden under other categories. When included on the Home page it made more sense. Some sites had direct links to other campuses while some only had one campus. Unless I indicated below any difficulties, then the website was manageable.
For worst site I have a tie:
Hatyai Community College, Thailand (http//www.hcc.ac.th) (this one probably isn't all that bad, just can't read Thai)