Working Draft, October 11, 2010

Delgado College Compass Style Guide

Contents

Purpose of this Guide ......

College Compass Overview ......

College Compass Architecture ......

Architecture Definition ......

Architecture Model ......

Page Layouts and Content Areas ......

Content Areas: College Compass Landing Page ......

Content Areas: Stage Landing Page......

Stage Steps Page Bridge Page ......

Bridge Page ......

General Content Criteria and Guidelines ......

Content Area Criteria for Each Stage ......

Content area definitions and examples ......

College Compass Stages and Guidelines for Content ......

Stage components: explanation and purpose ......

Stage 1 – Deciding ......

Stage 2 – Starting ......

Stage 3 – Completing ......

Stage 4 – Graduating ......

Stage 5 – Continuing ......

Content Area Criteria for MyCompass ......

Process and Procedure ......

Purpose of this Guide

This guide is written for those who are designing, writing or submitting content to be available for students in Delgado’s College Compass.

  • provides a general explanation of the College Compass and its components
  • defines content areas within the Compass so that designers are able to identify the appropriate area for new content to be added or updated
  • explains the organization of content within the Compass
  • provides general criteria for the different types of content, including format, size specifications, language and purpose
  • explains what kind of support is available for content development and provides a directory of content resources
  • explains the process and procedures for submitting or uploading various content to College Compass

College Compass Overview

The College Compass is a product of the Title III Grant objectives required of Delgado’s Student Affairs Division. These objectives included establishing an educational/learning plan to help students map progress towards achieving academic goals, a learning style inventory to help students understand how they learn, a self-advising instrument for students to better understand and plan their own educational journey, an eportfolio to demonstrate learning and record achievements, a career planner to help students understand where to apply their skills, a web-based orientation for new students, and a method for assessing learning outcomes in new-student orientation and freshman seminar (Delgado’s CCSS 107 course).

These objectives were to influence Delgado’s overall student retention rate, completion rate, achievement of learning outcomes, student and faculty satisfaction. The College Compass brings together these objectives in a web-based application where they are integrated into a system of shared resources and services designed to help students succeed throughout all phases of their educational experience at Delgado.

The College Compass is based upon a “developmental advising model,” which is a student-centered approach for developing relationships among students, faculty and other college professionals. Developmental Advising is an ongoing growth process which assists students in the exploration, clarification, communication, and implementation of realistic choices based on self-awareness of abilities, interests, and values. The College Compass is designed to facilitate this process.

The College Compass model is “learner-centered” in that it’s designed from the perspective of how students experience it, with the overall objective of managing that experience for students throughout each phase of their educational journey at Delgado. The model represents five-stages with specific learner-outcomes and indicators of success for each stage.

College Compass Architecture

Architecture Definition

The College Compass product is launched from an icon prominently displayed on the homepage of Delgado’s web site From that action, students are linked to the Compass Landing Page. In the compass landing page, students get a welcome, introduction, and instructions on how to use College Compass. Pop-out graphics on each stage/MyCompass in the compass link to a page with an introductory audio and the steps/tools within each stage. Hyperlinks from any page will go to Internal DCC web pages, external web pages or intermediary bridge pages within the compass. Bridge pages are comprised of text, internal and external web links and, in some cases, another bridge page within the compass. MyCompass pages begin with a landing page and then move into a login page for the Education Plan that Global Synergies built or a login page for one of the other MyCompass tools in Career Cruising®.

Architecture Model

Page Layouts and Content Areas

The layout and content areadesigns for each level of the College Compass Architecture were a collaborative effort. They’re based on discussions, existing deliverables, and a rationale that has developed over the course of this project.

Page Layout: College Compass Landing Page

Pop-out Box Text for Each Stage

This is the text that appears alongside the Stage Graphic when it pops out as the mouse hovers over it and it spins to the top of the CC Graphic.

Deciding...Everything you need to know and do to make the right decisions about college and applying to Delgado

Starting....Everything you need to know and do to start off right and succeed in the first semesters of coursework

Progressing.Everything you need to know and do to stay in school and complete your educational plan

Completing.Everything you need to know and do to prepare for graduation and using your education to achieve your goals

Life-long

Learning...Everything you need to know and do to continue to develop the skills and knowledge for your life goals

Page Layout: Stage Landing Page (In separate file)

Page Layout: Stage Steps Page (In separate file)

Bridge Page (In separate file)

Content Criteria and Guidelines

Types of content include text, graphics, video, links, and interactive material, tools, or applications.

  1. Purpose – the purpose of all content in the Compass is to draw students/users into experiencing a program, service, resource, tool, initiative, or project that helps achieve the outcome(s) at any stage in the model. Example:
  2. Student-centered language – content should be student-directed, engaging, simple, friendly, and welcoming. Define terms that might be unfamiliar or use terms more familiar to students instead. Example:
  3. Voice – Use of 2nd person is appropriate for instructions to students/users or to attract students/users to a particular area. Example:
  4. Length and size – used whenever possible to attract students to important text they have to read or should replace text altogether where appropriate. Example:
  5. textual content
  6. 4 lines per paragraph
  7. use sub-headings, bullets, or numbering if text exceeds one paragraph
  8. (determine font, size, and color)
  9. audio, visual, graphical, and interactive content should
  10. videos should average 30 seconds per stream. Example:
  11. graphical content, (provide dimensions and dpi?)
  12. navigation
  13. external web page links – open to maximized new window
  14. internal DCC web page links – open to maximized new window
  15. CC Bridge pages – open in same window, “Back” arrow available to navigate back to previous page

Content Criteria for Each Stage

In the College Compass, students experience each stage of their educational journey by interacting with content that’s relevant to success at each particular stage. If there is a resource, a service, an event, a contact, a tool, an instrument, an initiative, a program, or other information that would facilitate a student’s success in any stage of his or her educational experience, there is a place to include it and a way to present it in a Content Area.

Content areas are defined by the purpose of the content they contain. For instance, the landing page for each stage has 4 content areas.

From the CC Landing page, students access a sequenced guide that takes them through each stage of their college experience, the steps in each stage, the resources, and services to successfully complete each stage of their education at Delgado. So, content areas become more detailed within the pages of each stage.

Content area definitions and examples

  1. Tabs– these are the text links across the top of every page in College Compass. The links in this content area specifically lead out of College Compass to other important application log-in pages, and internal web pages. They each have a “tool-tip” feature that defines the link when the mouse is hovered over each one.

Tab Name From Left to Right / Tool-tip
Email( / Login to DCC email
Blackboard( / Login to BlackBoard
Self-Service (
%5btserve_host_code%5d&tserve_tiphost_code=%5btserve_tiphost_code%5d) / Student/Faculty records, payment, registration
DCC Alert ( / Sign up for emergency messages
Library( / Library home page
DCC Home( / DCC Home Page
DCC Live!( / Ask questions 24/7
Directory( / Campus directory home page
  1. WWWWH (Who? What? When? Where? How?) – these are the text and sub-text links across the bottom of every page in College Compass. They represent important resources, services, quick links and information that in some cases is duplicated in other areas or stage steps in the Compass. Each have a “tool-tip” feature that defines the link when the mouse is hovered above it.

From Left to Right Text w/ “tool-tip” text:

WWWWH Name From Left to Right / LinkBelow WWWWH Name / Tool-tips
Who? / (Who am I?)
* / First Time College / I’ve never been to college
* / International/English Second Language / I’m from another country or speak English as a second language
* / Non-Degree Seeking / I’d just like to take a course
* / Special Needs / I have special needs
* / Transferring / I’m transferring in or out
* / Veterans / I’m a US Veteran
What? / (What DCC has to offer)
* / Campus Life / What’s it like to be a Delgado student?
* / Course Catalogs / What courses do I need to take?
Divisions/Programs( / Information/Contact
The Dolphin( / Delgado student newspaper
News Center( / Delgado in the news
* / Student Resources / Resources for success in school
Tuition & Fees( / How much does it cost?
When? / (What’s happening when)
* / Calendars / All Delgado dates, events, and schedules
* / Class Schedules / Credit, Non-credit, Online classes
* / Important Dates / Upcoming deadlines
Student Handbook( / Everything important for this semester
Where? / (Delgado locations and maps)
* / Campus Police / Contact & services
* / Locations / Important information on each campus
* / Parking/Transportation / For each location
* / Bookstores / For each location
Around town( / Local happenings
How? / (Important instructions)
Admissions( / Apply before you register
* / Employment/Scholarships/Aid / Information & applications
Forms( / List of student forms
* / Registration / Credit, non-credit registration
Transcripts/Records( / Registrar requests
* / Contact / For each location
* / Technical Support / Ask questions 24/7
(social networking icons) / Facebook/Twitter/2nd life/YouTube

*Bridge pages

  1. Sidebar – this content area contains thenavigation bar for College Compass. It also contains resources and services particular to each stage. Content in this area includes text links to the particular people and places students will need to accomplish the goals of a stage as well as the list of College Stages and features pertaining to College Compass in general. Each of these has a “tool-tip” feature that defines the link when the mouse is hovered over each one.
  2. What’s College Compass? (only on CC Landing Page)
  3. Video link/Camtasia guide – Introduction and Guide to CC – Sample text:“Delgado’s College Compass is a guide to figuring out "what to do when" in order to complete your career and education goals.
    In each stage, you’ll find links to all of the components of Delgado that make up your educational experience. This is your personal roadmap to getting what you need and deserve from you college experience.”
  4. Links to each stage of the college experience take you into the Compass Guide to steps and resources for each succeeding at every stage of your education.
  5. MyCompass provides planning tools to develop and implement educational and career plans.
  6. Compass links at the top and bottom of each page provide important resources you’ll need to navigate your experience and make smart choices for your future.
  7. People to Know (not on CC Landing Page sidebar) – this is the heading for a list of links that appears below it
  8. the list of links here represents titles or types of people that are key advisors for learning about and successfully completing a particular stage. i.e. Who would I go to for advice on completing any step of this Compass Stage?
  9. Places to go (not on CC Landing Page sidebar) – this is the heading for a list of links that appears below it
  10. the list of links here represents departments, offices, special areas or programs of the campus that are key for learning about and successfully completing a particular stage. i.e. Where do I need to go to complete any of the steps in this Compass Stage?
  11. College Stages – these are links to the Steps page for each College Stage (skips the Landing page and intro.)
  12. Compass Tools – these are links to other features of College Compass
  13. MyCompass – link to site that contains educational plan, financial planning, and career planning (must have login)
  14. Compass Feedback – email that goes to (see Provost) to provide feedback on the College Compass site.
  15. User fills out name, email (confirms email), and types in a text box. Field names are:
  16. Name
  17. Email
  18. Confirm Email
  19. Feedback and questions about College Compass
  20. Auto Text that appears after “Submit”: “Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on Delgado’s College Compass Site. We’ll send your feedback to the person it needs to go to. If you need a reply, we’ll try to get back with you within 3 business days.”
  21. Compass Search – function to search College Compass
  22. Technical Support– bridge page to online and other support specific to locations
  23. Language – function that changes language of College Compass

Tab Name From Top to Bottom / Tool-tip
People to Know (on stage, bridge, MyCompass pages) / Assistance along the way
Places to Go (on stage, bridge, MyCompass pages) / Resources I’ll need
College Stages
Deciding / Choosing Delgado
Starting / Getting in school
Progressing / Staying in school
Completing / Finishing school
Life-long Learning / Continuing school
Compass Tools
MyCompass / Planning and Tracking Goals
Compass Feedback / Email Feedback
Compass Search / Search College Compass
*Technical Support / Ask questions 24/7
(Language Function) / Change language of College Compass
  1. Main content area – the information in this area should be compelling and should draw the student into engaging with the content in that area. Minimal text, maximum use of faculty, student, and staff testimonial or what they do at Delgado.
    Like the Sidebar, the main content area is unique to each College Stage. Here are the guidelines for the Main content area of each page type:
  2. Compass Landing Page – the main content area of this page includes
  3. Compass Title in banner above and CC Graphic,
  4. Animation on page load:
  5. First, College Compass title flies in from right, then sub-title flies in from right, underneath title
  6. CC Logo spins to put at the top whatever stage your mouse is over and then a pop out of that stage flies out to the side w/ brief text defining what happens there and video introduction to that stage
  7. Click on the tiny Compass Guide icon to go to Stage Landing/Steps Page
  8. What’s College Compass?
  9. Video introduction
  10. Tutorial – link below What’s College Compass? to Camtasia Tutorial
  11. Stage Landing/Steps Page – the main content area of this page includes
  12. Special Stage graphic, same as from CC logo, photo specific to that stage with people in it. Large as it can be in center of main content area
  13. Click on Stage Graphic for:
  14. video introducing the most compelling aspect of the stage, MyCompass tool
  15. audio provides a “Definition,” “outcome,” “success factors,” what to expect, for each stage and MyCompass tool
  16. audio describes what you have to do in this stage or MyCompass tool the,guides students to go into the the Compass Guide
  17. Animation on page load:
  18. Stage Graphic flies in from right,
  19. followed by the stage name,
  20. followed by the definition,
  21. The text “Click on each important step….,” which flies up from below, is followed by each step one by one.
  22. List of steps (with list of collapsed links for each one) of what students are supposed to do at this stage
  23. Each step is numbered, begins collapsed, and can expand when the + sign is clicked
  24. expandable list – resources, services, forms, guidelines for successfully completing each step
  25. MyCompass Landing Page – the main content area of this page includes(In Progress)

Guidelines for Content

Stage components: explanation and purpose

What follows is a guideline for the kind of content that appears in each stage. Each stage has been designed with the following components. These components can be in text form, audio, or visual media.

  1. a definition: this explains what it means to be in this stage, usually in terms of a timeframe or of a particular process like graduating
  2. sets the perimeters for each stage
  3. suggests areas of the college that would be involved with student success at that particular stage
  4. an outcome: this explains the importance of the stage, why it’s important to successfully complete this stage, it’s value to the student
  5. as a result of learning what they need to learn in this stage, students should be able to achieve this
  6. this is what the college assesses to determine effectiveness and to make decisions for continual improvement in student learning/success at this stage
  7. this is used also for strategic planning and for coordinating the goals of the college, every unit at Delgado contributes to the outcomes of each stage in the College Compass
  8. performance indicators/steps: these are the specific steps or tasks or actions that we know a student must learn about and “get right” at this particular stage in order to achieve their goals
  9. the college has to set up systems, processes, resources, and services so that students are set up with whatever they need to execute each step or action in the particular stage--completely, accurately, and mindfully
  10. these are indicators of how the college is performing at each stage
  11. they can be measured and tracked to indicate how productive the college is at any stage
  12. guiding principles: these are guidelines for what we need to do at the College to be effective at the particular stage (if we’re effective, it’s more likely that the students will be)
  13. based on experience and beliefs about what it takes for students to succeed at Delgado
  14. lays out criteria for how we need to operate at each stage, how we need to behave
  15. lays out criteria for making decisions for special initiatives, allocating resources, and solving problems particular to each stage

Stage 1 – Deciding