Starfish Troy University
What is Starfish?
Starfish is… A Student Success CompanyA Student Retention System
Starfish believes... The campus community engaged with a student will lead to that student’s success.
Starfish helps…Identify. Which students are at risk now?Guide. Where do I go to get/offer help? Connect. When can I get help?Optimize. How are services performing?
“I made a difference for
that one.”
Starfish Solutions
Early Warning & Student Tracking System
• Student concerns can be manually flagged when observed or through periodic surveys.
• Automatic flags are raised based on information in Blackboard.
• Recommendations can be communicated to the student.
• Appropriate personnel are informed of flags raised and cleared.
Educational Support Networking System
• Each student has personal My Success Network of instructors and advisors.
• Online scheduling for individual and group appointments.
• Appointment confirmation by email.
• Documentation of contact with students through private and shared notes.
• Success Network of available support resources.
The Home Page
• Recent Changes - shows you the recent flags that have been raised for your students.
• Flags I’m Managing - shows you the flags that are active for your students.
• Appointments - shows you the appointments that have been scheduled with you.
• My Success Network - shows you the resources that are available for your students.
• Courses I’m Taking – shows you the courses you are enrolled in as a student.
The Appointments Page
• Add Office Hours - allows you to set up office hours for students to schedule appointments with you through Starfish.
• Add Appointment – allows you to enter appointments with students yourself.
• Add Group Session – allows you to set up a group session for students to participate in.
• Reserve Time – allows you to reserve time that you are unavailable for appointments.
• Scheduling Wizard – allows you to map out your availability for an entire week or the entire term.
The Students Page
• MY STUDENTS – within this tab you will find a list of your students. You can raise flags for students, send students a message, add notes to student folders, or download a file of students. Click the box next to the student name and click Raise Flag, Send Message, or Add Note. To view a student’s folder, click the name of the student. When you raise a flag for a student, the student and the student’s advisor(s) will be automatically notified via email.
• TRACKING – within this tab you will find the flags that have been raised for your students. You can resolve or clear flags, add comments or notes to student folders, send students a message, or download a file of students. Click the box next to the student name and click Resolve, Add Comment, or Send Message. To view a student’s folder, click the name of the student.
• ATTENDANCE – within this tab you can track the attendance of your students.• PROGRESS SURVEYS – within this tab you will find the surveys that are available
for you to complete and submit. You will receive an email reminder when there is a new survey available for you to complete and submit. When you raise a flag for a student using the survey, the student and the student’s advisor(s) will be automatically notified via email. You will not see this tab unless you have a survey available.
The Services Page
• The Starfish Services page shows you the resources that are available for your students.
• A link is provided to the website of each resource. • Your students will also see this page in Starfish. For the students,
this page is called the Success Network page.
The Profile Page
• To access the Profile page, click your name in the top right corner of the Starfish screen.
• INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE – within this tab you may enter additional contact information, your time zone, a general overview about your course or services, and your biography. You may also upload a photo of yourself. Recommended file formats for the photo are JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Click the Save button once you have entered information.
• APPOINTMENT PREFERENCES – within this tab you may enter preferences regarding your appointments and office hours. Click the Save button once you have entered information.
• EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS – within this tab you may enter preferences regarding your appointment notifications and tracking item (flag) notifications. Click the Save button once you have entered information.
System-Raised Flags
Flag Name Description Email notification goes to…
Inactivity for 7 Days
The student has not accessed course in Blackboard during the last seven days.
• Student• Instructor• Advisor(s)
Inactivity for 10 Days
The student has not accessed course in Blackboard during the last ten days.
• Student• Instructor• Advisor(s)
System-raised flags initiated from data in Blackboard – for fully online courses only
System-Raised Flags - continued
Flag Name Description Email notification goes to…
Instructor Notification – 3 Days
The instructor has not accessed course in Blackboard during the last three days.
• Instructor
Instructor Notification – 4 Days
The instructor has not accessed course in Blackboard during the last four days.
• Instructor• Academic Supervison
System-raised flags initiated from data in Blackboard – for fully online courses only
System-Raised Flags - continued
Flag Name Description Email notification goes to…
First Time Student
This flag is raised for students who are taking an online course during their first term with Troy University.
• Student• Instructor• Advisor(s)
Online Courses Have Begun
This flag is raised for students who do not access their online course(s) during the first 3 days once the term begins or once they have registered.
• Student• Instructor• Advisor(s)
System-raised flags initiated from data in Blackboard – for fully online courses only
Instructor-Raised Flags
Flag Name Description Email notification goes to…
Low Grade Concern
The student has a grade average in the course that is not meeting the instructor’s expectations for success.
• Student• Advisor(s)
Poor Participation
The student’s participation in course activities is not meeting the instructor’s expectations for success.
• Student• Advisor(s)
Flags available for instructors to raise for students – for all courses in Blackboard
Instructor-Raised Flags - continued
Flag Name Description Email notification goes to…
Incomplete Assignments
The student is not completing assignments as the instructor expects for success.
• Student• Advisor(s)
Outstanding Academic Performance
The student’s academic performance in the course is outstanding.
• Student• Advisor(s)
Flags available for instructors to raise for students – for all courses in Blackboard
Progress Survey
• The progress survey is an easy way for instructors to raise flags for multiple students at once.
• Instructors will receive an email informing them that an optional progress survey is available for them to complete and submit for the students in their course(s).
• You will find your survey(s) by going to the Students tab and then choosing the PROGRESS SURVEYS tab.
• Open the survey, check the appropriate boxes, and click Submit to raise flags for your students.
• Students and their advisor(s) will automatically receive an email notification of the flags you raise.
Example Email to StudentSubject: Low Grade Concern: ETROY-PSY2200XTIA-11T1From email address: [email protected] email address: [email protected] Dear Jane, Your success is important to Troy University! Your instructor for ETROY-PSY2200XTIA-11T1 is concerned about your grades in the course. Please contact your instructor if you need assistance with your course.
This notification is part of a student success initiative provided by Troy University called Starfish. Resources for help, instructor contact information, and advisor contact information can be found in Starfish on the Home page under My Success Network. To access Starfish, login to Blackboard and click the Starfish link at the top of the page.
Again, if you have questions about this notification or need assistance, please contact your instructor. Sincerely, Troy University eTROY Student Success Team
Specific Expectations
Instructors
• Review email notifications of system-raised flags
• Submit survey as necessary
• Follow up with students as necessary
• Raise/Clear flags as necessary
• Add notes
Advisors
• Review email notifications of system-raised and instructor-raised flags
• Follow up with students as necessary
• Add notes• Schedule
appointments with students as necessary
Students
• Review email notifications when flagged
• Contact instructor and/or advisor when assistance is needed
Everyone
• Complete your Profile so everyone will know more about you
• Consider using online appointment scheduling
How To…
• Access Starfish• Find your student list• View a student folder • Configure your profile• Set appointment preferences• Set email notification preferences• Add office hours• Schedule an appointment• Use Scheduling Wizard• Find resources for questions/help
Access Starfish
• Login to Blackboard• Click the Starfish link at the top of the page
Find Your Student List
1. Click the Students tab. Click the MY STUDENTS tab.
2. Search for a student by entering the student’s name into the Search field, choosing your Connection, and choosing the Term.
3. To organize your student list by flag, select the TRACKING tab.
1. You can sort the list by using the View, Student, or Connection boxes or the Advanced Search button.
2. You can resolve flags, add comments, or send messages to students.
To clear multiple flags at once from the Tracking tab:
Check the boxes to the left of the flags you want to clear, then click the
Resolve button at the top.
View a Student Folder
1. Click the Students tab. From the MY STUDENTS tab or the TRACKING tab, click the hyperlink of a student’s name.
2. This brings you to the student’s folder. Depending on your level of access, you will find…
a) Overview (summary)
b) Courses (past/current)
c) Tracking (summary of flags)
d) Appointments (past/upcoming)
e) Notes (you added/shared with you)
f) Network (contacts for students)
Anywhere you see a student’s name as a hyperlink will take you to their
student folder.
Configure Your Profile
1. Click your name in the top right corner of the Starfish screen.
2. Edit your contact information.
3. Upload your photo to help a student put a face to your name.
a. Select the Upload Photo link.b. Browse for a photo on your desktop
(JPEG, GIF, PNG).c. Click the Upload Now button.
4. Complete the General Overview and My Biography sections so students can learn more about you.
5. Click the Save button.
Students will see your profile information when they click to view your
online appointment calendar.
Set Appointment Preferences1.Click your name in the top right corner of
the Starfish screen and click the Appointment Preferences tab.
2. Select your Minimum Appointment Length.
3. Select your Scheduling Deadline – e.g., if appointments must be made by 5 p.m. the day before.
4.Establish My Locations so students know where they can meet with you.
5. Delegate Calendar Managers – colleagues who can see your calendar and make any edits/deletes.
6. Click the Save Button.
When students sign up, they see time slots for the
appt lengths you allow.
If you check the box to allow walk-ins after the deadline, students will see this noted in your calendar.
Set Email Notification Preferences
1. Click your name in the top right corner of the Starfish screen. Then, choose Email Notifications.
2. Under Appointments Notifications and Tracking Item Notifications, set your preferences for if/when you want to be notified of appointments and flags.
3. To receive iCal attachments, check the boxes to receive an individual email every time there is a new or cancelled appointment.
4. Click the Save button.
You can change your email notifications settings
at any time.
Add Office Hours
1. Click the Appointments tab. Then, choose Add Office Hours.
2. Give your block a title. Indicate which day(s) of the week this block occurs.
3. Specify the start and end time.
4. Set the location. You can set up multiple locations by clicking your name in the top right corner of the Starfish screen and selecting Appointment Preferences.
5. Enter any special instructions, or specify a Start/End Date if it is part of a series.
6. Click the Submit button.
How do I edit or delete?
Click the icon to see options for managing your office hours blocks.
Schedule An Appointment
1. Click the Appointments tab. Then choose the Add Appointment link.
2. Search for a student name in the “With” field.
3. Complete the fields to specify the date, time, and duration of the appointment.
1. You will receive an email confirmation for this appointment.
2. As the calendar owner, you can add appointments at any date and time, regardless of whether they occur within available blocks.
4. Click Submit.
Students can never see other students’ information. If a time slot is taken, it is marked as
unavailable in your calendar.
Use Scheduling Wizard
1. Click the Appointments tab.
2. Click Scheduling Wizard.
3. The Scheduling Wizard makes it easy for instructors and advisors to schedule multiple office hour blocks for multiple days in a single week.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Resources for Questions/Help
2/1/2012
Contact:Cindy Peel at [email protected] or [email protected]
Find Help Online:Starfish now offers built-in help. Simply go toStarfish and click help in the upper right cornerof the page.
