PVSTEMNET Website Development Project Plan Website Development Sub-Committee Larry Martin Mort Sternheim Kathy Wicks Michael Baines Page 1 of 8
Background At the April 9 th, 2012 PVSTEMNET executive committee meeting, an in-depth roundtable discussion on the need to update our website to a more modern look with increased functionality took place. Other website discussion points were: Identifying our target audience Increasing the ease of navigation Increased functionality and the ability to use Web 2.0 tools Updating the graphical user interface (GUI) A more attractive presentation Adding more visual content to a text-based website At the end of the discussion, it was decided to form a website development sub-committee to take on the task of recommending website updates within the allocated budget to the executive committee. Development Intial Sub-Committee Meeting The first sub-committee meeting was convened on April 25 th, 2012 at the Hamden County WIB offices. The following agenda was set: 1. Overview and site evaluation 2. View other relevant websites 3. Define Website goals 4. Map Existing Website Structure 5. Layout 6. Current website technical details Page 2 of 8
Host Software tools Do we need to contract this work out? An open dicussion occurred about the existing website that revolved around the six agenda goals. The group also researched other STEM network websites with an emphasis on layout, ease of navigation and content. The group agreed that the PVSTEM network should strive to be the primary resource in the Pioneer Valley for STEM content and that the website should be the primary tool to accomplish this mission. The target audience was identified as academia, business and industry, school districts, legislators, students and parents. The goals for the website are defined as: Create a vibrant attractive site that will draw users to our incredible content Increase interest in STEM subjects and careers Provide Resources for Teachers / Educators Top 10 K-12 web resources Students & Parents School Administrators College and University Faculty Define STEM Help Industry Sectors understand how they can interface Connect to TAA grant at Community Colleges Showcase STEM careers Connect to WOW program Clearer definition of state goals and objectives Monthly featured website Provide Monthly flashes Theme related books, apps driven by regional expertise Page 3 of 8
Database support Occupations Businesses Regional Legislators Funding Sources Next steps action items were also created that would be followed-up at next sub-committee meeting: Investigate open source web software Define budget Develop current site map Interview creators/owners of other stem network sites (e.g. Stematters http://nestemnet.org/index.htm) Summarize, approve and distribute to executive committee Sub-Committee Follow-up Communications Research on website layouts and open-source alternatives was continued by the team members and several sample websites were presented for review, with a common theme of the use of a web development platform known as Drupal. Investigate Open Source Web Software Drupal is an open source content management platform powering millions of websites and applications. It is built, used, and supported by an active and diverse community of people around the world. Drupal is used to build everything from personal blogs to enterprise applications. Thousands of add-on modules and designs let you build any site you can imagine. What makes Drupal a viable option is that it uses what is known as distributions, which are a collection of pre-configured themes and modules for feature-rich web sites giving you a head start on building your website. Build your own online communities, media portal, online store, and more! 1 1 Http://Drupal.org Page 4 of 8
Another option for an open source platform is Joomla. A meeting was held in January 2012 with a web developer experienced in creating websites with Joomla for a similar type of web project. Joomla has many of the same strengths as Drupal but does not have the same level of support, themes and distributions as Drupal. In addition, the cost to have our website redesigned in Joomla would exceed our budget. Develop Current Website Map A current website map has been createded and has been provided to the team members. In the document s electronic version, the drawing can be expanded and the active links can be utilized. This map will be a useful tool to the web developer and the web subcommittee as we make recommended website revisions. Define Budget A budget of $1500 has been allocated for the purpose of website updates Interview other STEM Network Website Content Managers This step was not necessary since the team did a thorough job of reviewing five websites, their content and their layouts. The majority of the website goals we developed were based on the review of our partner s websites. Second Sub-Committee Meeting A second meeting was convened on May 18 th at the UMass-Amherst STEM-Ed. Offices. Due to scheduling conflict, only Mort an Larry were able to meet with Matthew D. Mattingly,Multimedia Director for the Center for Educational Software Development was invited to provide a presentation of the Drupal development platform. Several websites were reviewed that Matthew has created using the Drupal software platform and have been listed below: DEFA ecommerce site: https://newumwebdev.oit.umass.edu/defa_commerce/ MAEEP: http://maeep.org In addition, the www.whitehouse.gov website is an example of a well-developed website utilizing the Drupal platform. Although these websites are examples of simple builds, they have a clean look and utilize a lot of white space for readibility. Other, more complex websites were shown that Matthew can design and build within the costs of our budget. Matthew s presentation was impressive and I am confident he can work with us to design the website the PVSTEMNET requires. In addition, since Matthew is already within the UMass system, this greatly simplifies the logistics of meetings and payments. If approved, Matthew can begin work in early July, 2012. Page 5 of 8
Recommendation The website development sub-committee recommends Matthew D. Mattingly as the website developer for this project. Project Implementation It is recommended that the website development project be implemented over three phases over the next year, beginning with Phase 1 in July 2012. Phase 1 July 2012-September 2012 Website Basic functionality with new look Create contract with contractor goals and responsiblities Determine a phase 1 website map layout with web developer Finalize the theme for the visual look of the website Validate that all core documents from the previous version of the website are transferred Validate State goals and objectives are clearly defined Minimize new feature additions but add the following: o o o o Calendar of events Database dashboard Basic events page Bi-weekly or Monthly Flashes on events, professional development and grants Review website and database user interface functionality Reconvene Web development sub-committee to discuss and finalize new resource additions, social networking options and present to executive committee Phase 2 October-December 2012 Add new resources to website Career Showcase Theme related books, apps driven by regional expertise Page 6 of 8
Monthly featured website Top 10 K-12 web resources Review website and database user interface functionality Improve Industry page Facebook, Twitter or blog features Reconvene Web development sub-committee to discuss and finalize new resource additions and present to executive committee Phase 3 January-March 2012 Add new resources to website for Teachers / Educators Top 10 K-12 web resources Students and Parents School Administrators College and University Faculty Page 7 of 8
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