RE: data collection forms

["Donald P. Carey" <careydp@hal.lamar.edu>]

Hi Scott,

I actually first heard about the tracking software on this list, so some of
the veterans will already know about it; it's called AccuTrack and is
produced by a company called Engineerica.  I think if you type in
htttp://www.engineerica.com, you should find their home page.  I writing
from home at the moment and don't have a verifiable address handy.

Thus far I'm quite happy with the software.  They will customize the
demographics area to suit your particular needs.  I bought the computer lab
version with several extra demographic categories than was offered in their
standard product.  When it was all over, I think I spent about $800.  The
only drawback that I have seen so far is that with the version I have,
students can only use one program at a time; i.e., it eliminates the
multi-tasking available in a Windows 95, 98, or NT operating system.
However, you can get around that by setting up two different user profiles,
one that forces student-clientele through the tracking system, launches the
individual program that a particular student wants to use, and keeps track
of that usage.  Completely exiting programs will sign-out students.  If the
student wants to use another program, he simply signs-in again and selects
the new program, and the software keeps track by student and activity.  A
second profile can be set up to allow certain individuals to have the
regular unrestricted Windows environment if they truly need to multitask,
but it circumvents the tracking system.
Hope that helps.  Write back with more questions.
Don

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu [mailto:owner-wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu]On
Behalf Of Scott Hendrix
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 12:55 PM
To: wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu
Subject: RE: data collection forms

Two replies in one!

Rebecca:
I recall a discussion on this list some time ago (maybe last winter?)
regarding various forms used for WC sessions.  A search of the archives
would probably yield several other past discussions as well.

I'll send you an e-mail attachment (in a sep. note) of the form we are using
here--which is  borrowed and adapted from the discussion that we had on this
list.

Donald:
Please post info on-list about the tracking software you use for your WC.
Others will probably also be interested in this (I am! --at our brand new
WC).

Scott


Scott Hendrix
Director of Writing
Albion College

>>> "Donald P. Carey" <careydp@hal.lamar.edu> 10/14/99 12:58PM >>>
Hi Rebecca,

If you will send me your fax number or mailing address, I'll be happy to
send you my consultant-writer critique session form.  I'm now working with
my fourth revision of the form; I think it gets better each time.

Regarding other data collected, I have tracking software that allows me to
see who is doing what and for how long.  The software collects demographic
information the first time the user logs on.  One demographic that I ask for
that I think will eventually be particularly useful is the user's college
major.  This hopefully will allow me to identify which departments that I
may not be reaching regarding the services we provide.  Also, at some point
I plan to compare retention rates among our clientele to the university at
large, hopefully to show that our clientele tend to stay in school longer
(graduate?) than non-writing center visitors.  If you are interested in this
type of tracking system, let me know in your reply; I'll give you the
particulars about where to find the software.

Donald P. Carey
Writing Center Director,
Lamar University


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu [mailto:owner-wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu]On
Behalf Of Rebecca Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 8:18 PM
To: wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu
Subject: data collection forms

I've been lurking on this list since last spring, when I was hired at a tiny
rural community college where I get to wear several hats including wc
director. Your discussions over the last few months have been incredibly
helpful and even at times comforting to me in facing the usual new-job
stresses--the advice for new directors was particularly wonderful. Thanks to
all!

I have a request related to the data-collection and analysis thread: The
only data that's been collected here at EAC in the past is a lab-user
head-count. Obviously, I need to put in place more extensive record-keeping.
Would any of you be willing to share, off-list, copies of the forms your
tutors or clients fill out?  Also, if anyone has anything to add to what's
already been said about the data you collect from clients and why, and what
types of analysis you do, I'd love to hear more about it.

Thanks,
Rebecca Jarvis
Eastern Arizona College