12298

12298© 2015 ELLUCIAN. CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY | Session ID

Degree Works, Business Intelligence & Google Charts

Josh Whitlock

East Tennessee State University

April 10, 2015

Session ID: 12298


Session rules of etiquette

• Please turn off your cell phone/pager

• If you must leave the session early, please do so as discreetly as possible

• Please avoid side conversation during the session

Thank you for your cooperation!


1 Introduction

2 Why Use Google Charts?

3 Selected Google Charts

4 Final Details

5 Summary

Agenda


Introduction

• Purpose of this Presentation

• Examine the use of Google Charts as a low-cost method of presenting data in context-rich ways

• Benefits of Attending this Session

• Learn more about Google Charts and if they’re right for you


Why Use Google Charts?


Google Charts

• Google Charts API (Application Program Interface)– Bubble Chart– Word Trees– Word Clouds– Geo Charts


Google Charts

• Why use Google Charts?– Business Intelligence

• Identify and communicate importance of trends in data

– Cost• Numerous alternatives to Google Charts

– Argos, SAP, iDashboards, Excel

• Google Charts are free


Google Charts

• Why use Google Charts?– Ease of use

• Well documented • You do have to know how to write some code

– Cost• There is still a lot of work to do with the API• It is not as robust as more robust alternatives• It is free though


Argos

• ETSU uses Argos for functional user reporting• Argos allows you to create graphics and

dashboards– Difficult / time consuming to build complex

dashboards• Better to build queries in the Report Query window first, so

you can test it, but this is time consuming if you have multiple graphics on your dashboard


Argos Chart

• Degree Works Notes by Program


Google Chart

• Same report data with a Google Pie Chart


Excel Chart

• Same report data with an Excel Chart


Google Charts

• Google Charts is on a spectrum of tools that you can use to present data

• You must decide:– What do you need to present?

• Data ≠ Information

– Who needs to see it?• Excel is fine for interoffice communication, but perhaps not for

displaying on the web?

– How much are you willing to spend?


Possible Uses

• Advisement– What are the problems most students encounter?– Are there geographic differences in student groups?

• Management / Control– Which advisors / colleges are using notes?– Why are there so many exceptions in a given

program?


Selected Google Charts


More Advanced Google Charts

• Geo Chart• Word Tree• Word Cloud• Bubble Chart


Geo Chart


Geo Chart


Geo Chart - Code


Geo Chart Notes

• Possibilities:– Map Other Institutions that Have Degree Works

• Transfer Students that are used to Degree Works

– Where do students with most substitutions come from?

• Caveats: – Large result sets = long load times– Outliers can skew the presentation


Word Tree


Word Tree – Second Try


Word Tree – Third Try


Word Tree – Code


Word Tree Notes

• Possibilities:– Department review of curriculum

• Courses that have to be articulated– Should we offer them?

– Identify common advisement issues• Commonly substituted department “requirements”


Word Tree Notes

• Caveats:– Use implicit words to narrow your focus– Strip out punctuation and any filler words that

you may not care about• Be careful you do not change the underlying

meaning of the text


Word Cloud


Word Cloud – Code


Word Cloud Notes

• Possibilities:– Similar to the Word Tree

• Caveats:– Clunky data table format

• The number of cells has to be consistent, even if you have no data for a cell


Bubble Chart


Bubble Chart – Second Try


Bubble Chart - Code


Bubble Chart - Notes

• Possibilities:– Correlation between:

• Notes & Plans per department / college• Notes & GPA per department / college

• Caveats– Make sure you think through your x & y axis


Final Details


Pulling it all together


FAQ

• Where does the data come from?• How long does this take to build?• What should be displayed / avoided?


Summary

• Google Charts are one tool out of many

• Degree Works collects unique data points that could provide insight on students

• You have to decide what information is relevant


Questions & Answers


Thank you!

Josh [email protected]

Evelyn Roach

[email protected]

Please complete the online session evaluation form.

Session ID 12298

Documents

12298