Design and development projects from the College of Lake County web team

About the Survey

We are in the process of redesigning the college website. This survey was used to gather feedback about the content and features our students use as well as their opinions about some changes to the website that we are considering.

Over 600 Responses in 19 days!

On April 28, the website redesign survey was posted online. As of May 17, we have received 628 responses! We have reviewed over 600 completed surveys and THOUSANDS of comments. We appreciate all of the helpful feedback.

Here is a quick snapshot of the results:

• The look needs to change
  The colors are dull. The design is boring and outdated. The layout is cluttered. Photos should be updated frequently and include more shots of the campus.
  “It’s under the impression a beige-brown is an appealing color; it’s not.”
• Website should be more unified/cohesive
  The main website, library, Blackboard, myStudentCenter, portal, calendars and email are all maintained by different departments, and it shows.
  “Layout is disjointed and look and feel is not consistent.”

• General information is great; hard to find specific info
  The website is used as a resource. Navigation paths should be more clear. It’s hard to know where to start. Some content is outdated, confusing and wordy. It is easy to navigate after you learn how it is organized.
  “While all of the information is on the website, it seems to be hit or miss when it comes to actually finding it.”
• Class search tool needs improvement
  Students want to find classes by time, date, location and instructor. When searching for a class, for the first time through the student system, they are greeted by a corporate looking Oracle pop-up window. Finding a class is difficult for new and prospective students. Current students typically log in to find detailed course information.
  “Enrolling for classes can be a pain if you don’t have the catalog by your side. Searching the database, filtering and visual presentation all need to be redone.”
• Better way to browse the college catalog
  PDF’s are slow to download and not very user friendly. There should be an easier way to view requirements for degree and certificate programs.
  “There should be an easier way to browse the catalog.”
• More information about full-time and adjunct faculty
  Students would like easy access to contact information as well as bios (e.g. college they graduated from, professional experience), for both fulltime and adjunct faculty. Before taking a class, students are interested in knowing who the teacher is and what they look like. Also, they would like to see specific course information (e.g. syllabi, required textbooks).
  “I would like to see more information pertaining to instructors. I would like to see a list of faculty members and their experience level to help me choose my classes.”
• Easy access to academic calendar and campus events
  Semester information, athletics, performing arts, info sessions, campus events and student activities should be easily accessible from one place.
  “Events aren’t attractively shown.”
• Mobile friendly site, smart phone apps
  Current students would like access to email, blackboard, and other personalized information on their mobile devices. In addition, it is a great way to keep students up-to-date on college news and campus events. Side note: Flash does not work on mobile Apple products.
  “I would Blackboard to be compatible with the iPhone and iTouch Blackboard App. I check blackboard daily, and being able to do it from my iPhone would make it much easier for me and for others.”
• Online tools: make more, improve or expand existing
  Our students are tech savvy. They prefer to do as much as possible online, without having to call or visit. The search tool can be frustrating and doesn’t always take you to where you want to go. They want to make appointments with counselors or advisors online. If they have a specific question (financial aid, course requirements, registration problems etc.) they want to chat live and online with someone knowledgeable.
  “Live counselor chats would be GREAT!”
• More student life and student-generated content
  Campus life could be shown through student-generated content (on the official college website). This includes: updated information on clubs and organizations, videos and photos of student activities, an online version of The Chronicle, and providing “campus corkboard” announcements online.
  “A section dedicated to student’s work, a song from a music student, a painting or anything that would encourage the students who want to present their work. It might encourage others to try new things.”
• Suggestions related to ‘the process’
  Students made suggestions that relate to the process. Suggestions include: list required textbooks earlier, simplify the complicated login procedures, easier way to get approval to take a class when you have work experience, easy way to set-up a payment plan, make definitive decisions when closing the school for bad weather, provide a way to evaluate faculty, ability to look up student ID numbers.
  “I do not like that the books for classes are not listed early enough for me to look for them online.”

This snapshot does not represent all views. It recognizes trends, similar opinions and suggestions for selected comments.