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Computing Corner Leo Online Web Reporting Menu enhances data accessibility |
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A "Web Reporting Menu" has been added to Leo Online, making it possible to quickly generate student information reports using data stored in Banner. The program was developed in response to recommendations from a subcommittee formed by the Administrative Oversight Group, which has responsibility for the university's Banner system. The subcommittee, composed of representatives from the Office of Computing and Communications Services and the Registrar's Office, as well as college deans, faculty and advisers, was tasked with determining how Banner could better serve the administrative support functions of the university academic community. The group identified a serious need in the area of information reporting. Several parameters were established - the reporting function must be secure, provide quick and seamless access, and must be intuitive to the end user. The project team determined the best solution to be a Web interface into Banner that would allow direct access to operational data. David Kozoyed, assistant director of database administration for OCCS, developed a prototype based on class roster reports, which were being delivered to instructors each semester via campus e-mail. He utilized the existing framework for data access via Leo Online - individuals are assigned a role (faculty or adviser) and, through the role, are then permitted access to specified data. To provide the option of editing the report after it is created, the data are loaded directly into an Excel spreadsheet or comma delimited text file that can then be saved by the user as a new file. After evaluating the prototype, the subcommittee recommended that two additional online reports be developed in what would be Phase 1 of the Web Reporting project. The product is now available via Leo Online to all current-semester faculty and advisers of record by accessing the Faculty and Adviser main menu. The link to the Web Reporting Menu (located at the bottom of view) opens a list of available Web reporting options. The options will vary according to the user's assigned role and will expand as new report capabilities are developed. To generate a report, the user simply makes a selection from the menu and enters the required information. This information includes current term (selected from a drop-down menu) and report type, either Microsoft Excel or comma delimited, which allows the data to be imported into other spreadsheet applications. The three reports currently available include Class Roster, which has been enhanced to combine all TELETECHNET courses into one group and to provide call numbers for easier course identification. Also available are a Test Score report, which allows advisers of record to access the test scores for all students they currently advise, and Enrollment Tally, which allows deans and associate deans to access enrollment data by college. The subcommittee is currently discussing which additional reporting needs will be addressed through the Web Reporting Menu. There are also plans to tie the Web Reporting process directly into the Old Dominion Decision Support System, a reporting system that captures and uses data from Banner's operational database. The Administrative Oversight Group believes that implementation of the Web Reporting Menu is a significant step forward in addressing the Banner reporting needs of the academic community. The deans and associate deans who have been using the product have responded favorably, specifically noting the value of having easily accessible data in a usable format. |
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