HWDSB Receives Award of Excellence
July 8, 2010
What originally started as an iPhone themed booklet to promote HWDSB’s Programs of Choice and Specialist High Skills Major programs, later became an online tool that’s functionality and design garnered HWDSB’S Corporate Communications team the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA) Award of Excellence.
By Matt Minty, Communications Intern
First, Apple introduced the iPod. Then came the iPhone , and later the iPad.
Most recently, it has been Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s (HWDSB) iGuide that has been catching people’s attention.
What originally started as an iPhone themed booklet to promote HWDSB’s Programs of Choice and Specialist High Skills Major programs, later became an online tool that’s functionality and design garnered HWDSB’S Corporate Communications team the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA) Award of Excellence.
“When the idea was first introduced to create the iGuide, it was something that we were all very much behind,” says Communications Officer Shawn McKillop. “The booklet was well received, but it wasn’t until we were able to make it online and interactive that we noticed more interest.”
The goal was to create a product that students could use to help them find the program that would lead them on their pathway to graduation. Information on HWDSB’s Programs of Choice initiative and Specialist High Skills Major were reflected in the electronic iGuide. Curriculum was also created to support teachers in grades 7 and 8 who were helping prepare students for high school.
The iGuide and iPhone inspired booklet was a collaboration between HWDSB’s Corporate Communications Department, Programs of Choice and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) consultants. McKillop oversaw the project and notes that the project would not have been feasible if not for the skills of HWDSB Web Designer Sarah Lennox.
“The idea to have the iGuide as a digital and interactive product was our intention from the start, but it wasn’t until Sarah joined the Corporate Communications team that the idea became a reality. A lot of hard work went into the design of the iGuide and without Sarah’s expertise, it wouldn’t have happened,” admits McKillop.
HWDSB’s iGuide has an iPhone look, with each icon linking to a Program of Choice. Lennox designed the Flash website to be easy to use, while keeping the iPhone’s visual appeal at the forefront.
“I was really happy with how the iGuide turned out. Parents and students have commented how easy it is to use, and I think that students really appreciate it when you take something they are familiar with, like an iPhone, and use it as a tool to relay information,” Lennox explains.
HWDSB’s Programs of Choice and SHSMs are offered across the Board and they encourage students with a certain interest or aptitude in a specific area to gain more experience in that field. The programs have been well received by students and the broader community.
HWDSB’s iGuide entry titled: Student Resource Guide received their Award of Excellence among the 583 entries in the Publications category. The NSPRA is a public relations association that has been offering communication training and services to schools throughout the United States and Canada since 1935.
http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/media/news/details.aspx?id=1132