Successful Solution
FileMaker Pro is used for a variety of essential tasks around the campus. "We use FileMaker Pro for both internal recordkeeping and for web–enabled services that drive our course management system and various faculty and advisor evaluation systems," Andrew continues. "One of the main 'internal' database systems is our course management tracking. Our campus uses both WebCT and BlackBoard course management systems and with over 700 courses each semester, our team needs a good recordkeeping system for knowing which faculty has which class, and so forth. We use FileMaker Pro for that, as well as for providing our faculty with a 'sign up' form to request a course site and start the whole process."
The old paper–and–pencil version literally took weeks to compile and subscribe. With a web–enabled form and FileMaker Pro behind it, we are able to create feedback reports to faculty, save those summaries in PDF format and email them to faculty as soon as their students are done providing feedback. This gives faculty access to the information faster and more time to improve teaching.
— Andrew White, Director, Educational Technologies, University of Missouri—Columbia
One new application the University has adopted is the "Early Feedback" Teacher Evaluation system. "The key to doing 'early feedback' evaluations is that the teaching staff need to get the results back quickly so that they can implement any changes in their courses before the semester is over," elaborates Andrew. "The old paper–and–pencil version literally took weeks to compile and subscribe. With a web–enabled form and FileMaker Pro behind it, we are able to create feedback reports to faculty, save those summaries in PDF format and email them to faculty as soon as their students are done providing feedback. This gives faculty access to the information faster and more time to improve teaching."
