Ad Astra Schedule - Nothing but .Net

Program

Conference at a Glance
Conference Daily Schedule
Sessions
Customer Solutions Skybox

2008 Users' Conference Session Tracks

Sessions at the 2008 Users' Conference will focus on three different topics: Events, Academics, and Technology. These tracks are designed to guide users to sessions in which they may be interested. In addition, each track will have a blend of sessions focused solely on Astra Schedule 6.0 or Astra Schedule VII. Due to changing demand, we will not be offering sessions for Astra Schedule 5.2.

Note: Attendees will not be locked into one track or version. Please feel welcome to attend any sessions offered, regardless of track or version.

Events Track (This track will focus on event management processes and best practices. Users will learn how to create and manage hassle-free events from experienced users and be exposed to new and improved features in Astra Schedule VII. Intended audience: event coordinators and managers.)

Version VII

Event Management: Creating/Requesting events

Resource Management: Resource setup

Sharing the Value of Astra (Portal customization and managing calendar/grid filters: How to customize portal pages and manage grid filters.

Event Approval Process/Workflow: Event approver groups, event request forms, and workflow customizations.

Version 6.0

Managing Problem-Free Events Campus-Wide- Event Management (event Setup and roadmap): Pulling off a successful event requires effectively coordinating many pieces. Clearly communicating with contacts, arranging the equipment and services, and making sure the space is appropriate and does not conflict with other activities are just a few things that have to be done to avoid problems. See how the tools in Astra Schedule can make sure all the activities in all your facilities can go off without a hitch.

Managing Resources and Services: Very little happens at your school that doesn't involve either resources or services, and usually both are necessary. Knowing the condition and availability of equipment and service providers allows you to coordinate across campus. Astra Schedule gives you the visibility and control to give your faculty, staff and students what they need when they need it.

Academics Track (The academic track will focus on best practices in course scheduling. Topics covered will include capacity management, the Optimizer, data-driven decision making, etc. Intended audience: registrars and academic schedulers.)

Version VII

Putting Meetings in the Right Room - Preference Setting and Optimizer Basics: Whether you are using the Optimizer or the available rooms tool, the key to successfully matching sections to rooms is accurate section need identification. How well you set preferences and settings will determine the quality of your schedule. Attend this session to see how you can most effectively apply preferences to achieve an ideal schedule. The Optimizer is a powerful tool that can be used to schedule your sections in bulk. Attend this session to learn how to use the Optimizer to achieve a basic schedule in a fraction of the time it takes with other methods.

Getting the Information You Need - Reporting and Report Subscriptions: Data-driven decision making is only as good as the applications reporting tools driving the data. Astra Schedule can help you obtain the information you need in a way that makes sense. Attend this session to find out how to use Astra Schedule reporting to obtain key decision making information.

Platinum Analytics

Platinum Analytics Overview - What is it and how does it work: By analyzing students' course needs, schools can make better scheduling decisions that help both students and the bottom line. Attend this session to see how historical demand, student program analysis and student surveys can be used to improve retention and graduation rates and improve the effectiveness of space and faculty allocation.

Evidence-Based Decision Making for Increasing Student Persistence: The need to better understand student demand for courses in order to create a well-informed schedule, and to be prepared with appropriate faculty and classroom resources, is critical to effective enrolment management. Learn how Kwantlen University College is shifting institutional culture from a faculty-driven to a student-influenced schedule by 1) measuring over-supply and under-supply of course offerings and by 2) gathering student initiated course enrolment plans for upcoming terms. Kwantlen’s return on investment includes increased enrolment, improved persistence rates and more timely graduation. Client Presenter: Jody Gordon, Associate Vice President and Registrar, Kwantlen University

Platinum Analytics: Panel Discussion Client Panel: University of North Carolina Greensboro, Kwantlen University

Academic Planner: Demonstrate the Academic Planner and how it is used to track student success.

Timetabling/Section Creation: Demonstrate the Analytics scheduling tool and how it is used to schedule academic courses based on student and instructor demand.

Capacity Management

Erasing Scheduling Problems - Finding and Eliminating Bottlenecks: While it's tempting to want to add more space, scheduling problems are often due to the use of specific facilities at specific times. Analyzing scheduling problems can help you identify the source of your shortages and lets you do more with what you have. Come to this session to see how you can make everyone happier by making minor adjustments to constrained spaces and times. Client Presenter: Butch Stokes, Registrar, Mississippi State University

Version 6.0

Putting Meetings In the Right Room - Academic Preference-Setting and Optimizer Basics: Whether you are using the Optimizer or the available rooms tool, the key to successfully matching sections to rooms is accurate section need identification. How well you set preferences and settings will determine the quality of your schedule. Attend this session to see how you can most effectively apply preferences to achieve an ideal schedule. The Optimizer is a powerful tool that can be used to schedule your sections in bulk. Attend this session to learn how to use the Optimizer to achieve a basic schedule in a fraction of the time it takes with other methods. Client Presenter: J. Michael Thomson, Cuyahoga Community College

Finishing the Job - Exam Scheduling: Astra Schedule provides specific functions that address the needs of exam scheduling. Attend this session to see how Astra Schedules special capabilities can help you set up for midterms and finals. Client Presenter: Erica Gryctz, Stevenson University

Getting the Information You Need - Reporting: Data-driven decision making is only as good as the applications reporting tools driving the data. Astra Schedule can help you obtain the information you need in a way that makes sense. Attend this session to find out how to use Astra Schedule reporting to obtain key decision making information.

Technical Track (The technical track will uncover the technology behind Astra Schedule and show technical users how to support and implement Astra Schedule efficiently while making the smallest footprint possible on the IT support staff. Intended audience: IT staff or system administrators who are implementing or supporting Astra Schedule.)

Version VII

System Administration - Security setup/Master Lists: Setting the security for an application is never easy, but a poor security configuration will severely hamper the value of the application and result in frustrated users. This session will provide guidance in setting security in Astra Schedule appropriately.

SIS Integration - Hub and Spoke: Version VII utilizes completely new data integration architecture. Learn more about the power and configurability of the new data integration design.

Making Sure It Works - Test Script Panel Discussion: Part of the new process that we introduced in developing Version VII was the direct inclusion of customer Alpha Testers throughout the product lifecycle. The Alpha Testers provided valuable feedback that was fed directly back to our development team. This session will examine the testing process and explore ways to effectively include customer feedback on a continuing basis.

Moving to the Next Generation - Converting to Version VII: Astra Schedule Version VII is leading the next generation of scheduling software. Moving from a traditional client/server application to one that is web-based and uses an entirely new architecture requires technical and cultural change. Come to this session to see what is required to convert to the new scheduling platform. Client Presenter: Vince Miller, Johnson County Community College

Version VII Implementation Case Study: Implementing Version VII will be a significant milestone for your institution. Attend this session presented by schools that have Version VII up and running to hear about their experience, and to get tips and suggestions.