Class creates interactive viewbook as tool for prospective students

The Daily Inter Lake

Michele Hagadone was floored when she found out what her final project was in her Interactive Media for the Web class at Flathead Valley Community College.

Throughout the semester, she'd learned how to design interactive Web sites using Adobe Flash software. She'd progressed from drawing stick figures on her computer to creating a full-length music video.

But designing an interactive viewbook - something the college actually planned to send prospective students - was the class' most challenging assignment yet.

"I think when they first told us what our final project was, we gasped," Hagadone said.

But once they'd caught their breath, she and her four classmates got to work. In three weeks, they designed and created an electronic viewbook that will allow future FVCC applicants to explore the college from their computers.

On the CD, students can read about the college's various degrees, programs and departments. They can hear testimonies from current FVCC students. If they like what they see, they can print an application.

It's a project Beth Kelly is particularly grateful for. Kelly, student admissions representative and Running Start coordinator, currently sends prospective students a one-page sheet with limited information about the college. If students are still interested, she mails them a bulky catalog.

With an electronic viewbook, she can send all that information on CD. Rather than printing catalogs and information sheets in bulk, the college can simply burn CDs as needed - making them cheaper and easier to update than paper versions.

Kelly had considered an electronic viewbook before. Many colleges - although none in Montana - use them, and she constantly received ads from companies across the country. Unfortunately, they charged upwards of $25,000 to develop a CD.

"As a small community college, FVCC just doesn't have that kind of money," she said.

So Kelly turned to Dawn Rauscher's Web-design class for help. She and Rauscher came up with the project outline, and the class presented them with three designs from which to choose.

Once Kelly and Rauscher approved a design, the class forged ahead enthusiastically. Rauscher gave them about 300 photos to work with, and some departments supplied their own photos and text. For the most part, however, the students designed everything themselves.

Each student had a specific role in the project. Hagadone was the content manager. Her daughter, Kristi, was the graphic artist. Dayton Gomez was the project's developer.

Brendan Hardy was in charge of video. He filmed students answering questions about their college experiences and put the edited interviews on the viewbook.

Luke Wisher was the project manager. The class worked well together and the project "flowed well," she added. "Everyone in the class has their own strong points."

Everyone also was extremely dedicated, Rauscher said. On the first day of the project, they all stayed an hour and a half after class to work on it. She estimates they've spent a combined 300 hours on the project.

With the exception of a few last-minute tweaks, the viewbook is finished. It lacks only approval from the board of trustees. If approved, the CD will go to prospective students this spring.

The viewbook looks every bit as professional as those that cost thousands of dollars, Kelly said. In addition to supplying prospective students with information, she hopes the project will draw attention to the college's computer applications program.

"I think even if we had the money here, I think this approach is better," she said.

Despite some initial skepticism, "everyone seems really excited about it," she said - including FVCC President Jane Karas, who approved the project last week.

Other staff members are also impressed. Rauscher grinned when she talked about showing the CD to a fellow professor.

"He was astounded," she said, imitating his wide-eyed reaction. "Your students made that?"

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com