Changes Coming to InsideMATC

Learner Development, Technology Services, and Marketing and Enrollment Development are working together to be compliant with the new logo standards and to update the look, feel, and function of the student portal, i.e. InsideMATC. These changes are prompted from collected student input and need assessments and from added functionality obtained in upgrading to a newer version of the software.

Effective immediately, please take this opportunity to look at all your existing web content and published information to update references to the new names. Over the next few weeks, you will see the navigation links on web page banners updated with the new names. Please try to have your pages updated to the new names by July 31, 2010.

More Changes Happening
In addition to the name change, myMadisonCollege, the student portal, will be programmed to appear as the “home page” students see when using a campus computer to access the Internet. Students have given feedback that their portal is a primary destination because of the functions it provides. Responding to these expressed needs, Internet Explorer browsers will be immediately redirected to the student portal page. Students will still be able to use convenient navigation to move to other spaces on the college website, but now what they need will be the first thing they get. The update for other browsers, e.g. Firefox, Netscape, Safari, etc. will occur over time as Technology Services refreshes the computer image on all college student labs and computers.

Note that faculty and staff will continue to see the primary Madison College home page when logging into campus computers, but students will see the updated student portal page. The change will not affect how faculty and staff access the portal to complete timesheets, access Faculty Center, or perform other portal functions. You can still visit myMadisonCollege to access all these functions.

Over the summer, myMadisonCollege will be updated with a new look and feel. Students have shared that the current layout and number of pagelets make the portal appear cluttered and difficult to use, plus they have asked for some content not currently provided. The new look will be streamlined and more customizable by students. Learner Development is leading the team to define guidelines for the new look, feel, and content of the updated portal. Once completed, all existing pagelets will be updated to the new design. The team will then reach out to college units and service areas to discuss development of new content for students. Look for more information about the guidelines in the coming months.

"askMadisonCollege" is a frequently asked questions knowledge base with quick answers to hundreds of common questions. Just click and type your question for fast answers. Additionally, staff and faculty can use the secure login (user ID = your Madison College email address and unique password) to access “staff only” information. Roxanne Zetzman in the Enrollment Center coordinates the posting of askMadisonCollege questions and answers.

Questions?
Contact mcrabbs[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (Learner Development).