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Windsor
Software
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Project descriptions
from our portfolio of successful client projects
in the Education Sector |
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| Feasibility Study and Data Conversion Plan |
US Department
of Labor |
| Market
needs were defined through a feasibility study that guided development of
strategic planning for maximizing the number of training providers in a
national database of training resources, America's Learning eXchange (ALX).
As a major provider of workforce development training, 1,200 community colleges
were surveyed regarding their interests in ALX and regarding the information
systems used to manage their course catalog data. The study findings and
recommendations led to confirmation of ALX's perceived value and a plan
for capturing and converting training provider data into a standard format
compatible with the national database. [www.alx.org]
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| Data Conversion Software Development |
US Department
of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org) |
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The Department of Labor wanted a software application that would allow colleges
to extract their course offering catalog data and convert it into a structure
and format that could be easily uploaded to the America's Learning eXchange
(ALX) database. A feasibility study had revealed great variety in the formats
of institutional data, from major ERP systems to spreadsheet and desktop
publishing formats. A relatively low common denominator solution was developed
using Visual Basic, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. The solution
allowed training providers to easily transfer all the pertinent information
to the national database. This software tool, ALX CourseLink, was distributed
on a CD-ROM and given to collaborating colleges and other training providers.
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| Promotional CD-ROM Development |
US Department
of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org) |
| With the release of the America's Learning eXchange web site, the
Department of Labor wanted a promotional CD-ROM designed and produced to
explain the mission and goals of America's Learning eXchange (ALX). Windsor
Software created the CD-ROM, collaborated on the content development, and
added the ALX CourseLink software. Development and production of the CD-ROM
were managed for an on-time launch of the promotional campaign. |
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| Market Channel Development |
US Department
of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org) |
| America's Learning Exchange was looking for a way to reach out to
the nation's 1,200 community colleges to facilitate transfer of course catalog
data to the ALX database and keep it current with minimal effort. While
most colleges wanted their course information accessible on this national
website, most did not have the time or resources to get the job done. Based
on market research, recommendations were prepared to work with Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) software vendors to persuade them to build a course
offering extraction and conversion capability into their software. Successful
presentations and negotiations led to vendor agreement to develop and fund
this capability. All aspects of project implementation were managed effectively,
including relationships among multiple representatives of the Department of Labor, ERP vendor, and six college beta sites across the country. Development of written promotional materials was coordinated and presentations were conducted at professional and vendor user conferences. |
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| Virtual Learning Portal |
US Department
of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org) |
| Working closely
with a steering committee of CEOs from six statewide virtual universities,
a website and a database of online courses and programs were designed and
implemented. Data transfer protocols were developed with individual universities
and with the database manager for the U.S. Department of Labor's America's
Learning eXchange (ALX). The project ended with transfer of the website
and database to the American Council for Virtual Education (formerly the
Lexington Group of Virtual Universities). www.acve.org. |
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| Education Technology Webcast Site Development |
America's Kids Connect
www.amkids.org |
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Website and program development for America's Kids Connect, a national foundation
for advocating effective use of technology in K-12 education. Business partners
have seen that they can make positive educational differences through their
products and services. Consultation occurred from conception through production
of the first webcasted hour-long event, which was simulcasted over satellite
TV. Youth from participating schools submitted contest responses through
the website where contest winners were selected and technology prizes were
awarded. Over 700,000 website viewers participated in this event and over
$3.5 million in prizes were awarded. Continual web development has been
maintained and the next event will be produced in 2003. Website design,
testing, and operations were the main focus during this project. |
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| Educational Program Evaluation |
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| Conducted program evaluation
with Hezel & Associates (www.hezel.com)
for a Technology Innovation Challenge Grant program conducted by Twin Cities
Public Television and the Richard R. Green Institute of Augsburg College.
The Learning Park program used technology (television and website) to help
teachers and parents work together more effectively in teaching children.
The two primary program delivery vehicles were television programs
www.tpt.org/learningpark/tv.html and community classroom gatherings
of parents, teachers, school administrators, and other community professionals
serving children and families. With the project directors, designed an evaluation
plan that met Department of Education requirements, provided formative consultation
throughout the project, and completed the final evaluation report to the
Department of Education. [www.ed.gov/technology/challenge/] |
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| Online Marketplace for Customized Training |
Internet
System for Education & Employment Knowledge www.iseek.org
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Needs assessment and usability testing were designed and conducted for a
state-of-Minnesota website designed to give training managers and other
seekers of customized training access to qualified public and private providers
from across the state. www.iseek.org/sv/
Training managers from major companies were introduced to the website and
interviewed regarding its usefulness to them and the usability of the site's
design. The final report summarized company feedback and contained more
than thirty suggestions for improvement. |
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| Business Development & Performance Improvement |
International Assessment
www.assessment.com |
| International Assessment's
Motivational Appraisal of Personal Performance (MAPP) is a powerful instrument
for organizational performance improvement and for individual career development.
Employees doing work they are motivated to pursue are productive and likely
to be retained and promoted, thus reducing the high costs of turnover. Consultation
provided newly identified prospective clients and refined the business case.
Specific marketing and sales strategies were developed. Face-to-face meetings
were orchestrated and sales proposals crafted. |
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