Inside this Issue
- Focus on E-learning
- E-learning website and blog
- Resource guide to e-learning software and resources
- Sympodcasting
- Instantly Collaborative Spaces
- RSS Feeds and Public Health
- SPH Podcasting Update
- E-learning Guide
- PHLI Summer Schedule
- E-learning Bibliography
- Annual User Survey
- Announcing Merit Online
- Posters and Public Health
- PHLI Technology Update
- New Web Statistics Software
- New Staff Bios
- Librarian Exchange
- Staff Notes
- A Day in the Life
Announcing Merit Online
Public Health Library & Informatics is pleased to announce the launching of an additional resource in the series of online accessible databases for the School of Public Health. The merit database and online application, known as Merit Online, allows the annual performance evaluations to be converted from print to online processing, thereby enabling many uses of the collected data for communicating the teaching, research, and service contributions of the faculty beyond the annual reporting period.
Performance evaluation data covers a diverse range of faculty activity such as teaching, publications, presentations, and grants. Once this data is in Merit Online it can easily be used in many beneficial ways. For example, the School's website can be dynamically populated with faculty profiles and research projects; reports can be generated for School-wide and department accreditation self-studies; and faculty members can generate personal curricula vitae for grant applications.
Screenshot of the Merit Database
Work on the merit database and online application began as part of an earlier iteration of the Informatics and Information Technology Committee, chaired by David Mendez. Development of a prototype was approved by Jeff Alexander, then Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and an advisory committee was formed to guide the development process. Members of the Advisory Committee are Jeff Alexander, Mike Boehnke, Lori Bowden, Jean Cunningham, Dean Girbach, Rich Lichtenstein, and Patrice Somerville.
Merit Online showcases the expertise of Patty Bradley, Web Administrator, who had primary responsibility for capturing the process and procedures involved in merit review and translating them to an online operation. A series of focus group sessions for obtaining input and feedback on the prototype were held with members of the Advisory and Informatics & Information Technology Committees, Deans & Department Chairs, Department Administrators, Student Administrative Coordinators, and other assistants.
Merit Online creates a centralized information repository and allows for standardized, streamlined processing of data. Data can be entered on an ongoing basis throughout the year, not only during the merit review period. For subsequent years, data from the preceding year can be imported and edited. Pilot testing has been completed, training sessions for users are in progress, and the online application is now in use for this year's merit review.
Merit Online is accessible to affiliated users (SPH faculty and staff) at the following web address: http://www.sph.umich.edu/merit/.
UM login and password are required. Questions about the merit database and online application can be sent via email to Patty Bradley at: sph.web@umich.edu.
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