Monday, 2 April 2007

New IAT site - Feature Summary

Here's an abridged list of features of the new IAT website for staff to check out. These elements currently contain example content for demo purposes, so the major task for staff is to suggest ideas/preferences or provide actual content for use on the new, live site.

> Attractive, animated gallery for IAT to promote its key messages with an illustrative photo and concise description.

> Prominent promotional space for news, announcements or events that IAT wishes to highlight. Current examples: Summer school, Application deadlines, New Schools / Programs (e.g. Aviation College).

> Auto-generated presentation of latest news for each key audience on home page. E.g. Future Students, Current Students, etc. These are linked to the relevant News blogs (also auto-refreshed).

> On-site Media Gallery can display all types of pictures and videos which can be viewed in slideshows and integrated in content throughout the site.

> Fully-integrated IAT Google Calendar, allowing users to add individual events to their own calendar or subscribe to the whole calendar. They can then see these events or dates of interest in their calendar or Google home page and receive email reminders of them.

> Dynamic (auto-refreshes) ability to publish engaging content "libraries" that can expand over time. E.g. student or teacher profiles

> Sophisticated online applications form with ability to save applications and return, upload any required files, send automatic notifications, allow conditional questions and provide automatic, live graphical results.

> Development of much more informative, useful and attractive content and services.

> Full, flexible multilingual support allows the user to select their language only once and see any content that has been made available in their language while still seeing other content that hasn't been translated.

> Flexible Contacts directory listing both main contact points (e.g. admissions, feedback) and School listings. Includes online contact forms.

> Single, organised Downloads area allows any IAT area or school to make available any forms, documents or files for downloading. It is also possible to allow users to upload to these areas.

> Static and interactive maps provide visual details on our locations & how to get there. Virtual tours with Google Earth are useful for expatriate prospective staff or other non-local site users.

> Simple, web-based form creation tool allows all common types of forms to be published on the IAT site. E.g. For surveys, feedback, service requests, etc.

> Alternatively, for basic site interactivity and feedback, polls (with live results) are available.

> Dynamic content spaces can be used across the site to automatically refresh it, provide insights into IAT or publish content "nuggets". E.g. Education Quotes

> Gateway to all intranet services that are or will be available (webmail, HR system, student results). Secure content and services can also be published behind login access in client-specific portals. Separate application services can be easily integrated (e.g. Recruitment)

> RSS feeds allow users to receive relevant news on their home pages or using "live bookmarks".

> Best practice navigation including Quick Links visible at the top of all pages and a Keyword Search available in the left margin that automatically links all common searches with the relevant destination. E.g. Searching for "apply" takes you to the How to Apply page.

> Online visual representation of information that is efficiently linked with offline maintenance of it.

Sunday, 1 April 2007

New Website - Unresolved Questions

These issues need to be resolved by the end of April:

1. How should the new IAT website affiliate itself with the U.A.E. government and any other institutions or agencies? E.g. Simple government logo with link to government website.

2. How much of the site will be available in both English and Arabic? If not every page/content, then what process will determine new content creation or editing?

3. How will the new IAT site be associated with related but separate websites like Emirates Skills? Suggest provide in-context summary from "Projects" section and link.

4. All IAT schools & branches should at least have overviews on the main site. However, some may (now or in the future) have specific web needs that are more extensive. Capability exists to create associated individual sub-sites but the operation of these will need to be discussed.