Introduction to Ensemble CMS
Virginia Tech's Web Content Management System provides a centralized solution to maintain your unit’s Web presence. Participants will learn the basics of Web content management, gain an understanding of how Ensemble works, and become familiar with the Ensemble interface.
Workshop Assumptions
- Participants are actively involved in maintaining their unit’s Web presence.
- Participants need to find more efficient ways to create and maintain Web content.
Workshop Objectives
- Provide an overview of Web content management and CMS software.
- Discuss how Ensemble can benefit the university and its employees.
- Outline the key concepts and technology behind Ensemble.
- Provide a demo of Ensemble and its basic functionality.
- Present the Ensemble CMS Migration Guide and the steps required to move your unit's website to the CMS, either partially or completely.
- Outline training opportunities and other Ensemble support resources.
- Facilitate a general discussion about Ensemble.
Instructional Outcomes
- Participants will know what a CMS is and how it works.
- Participants will be familiar with Ensemble and its functionality.
- Participants will have the necessary knowledge to decide if Ensemble would be a good fit for their unit’s Web presence.
- Participants will know the process and steps necessary to migrate their unit’s website to Ensemble.
- Participants will be familiar with the standard designs available in Ensemble, and the process for implementing custom designs.
- Participants will know where to go for Ensemble support.
Using Ensemble CMS
Your unit has decided to use Ensemble CMS to manage its Web presence. The next step is to learn how to create and maintain content and Web pages within Ensemble. In this two-hour course, participants will progress from an overview of Ensemble key concepts, to a series of hands-on production tasks using Ensemble. At the end, participants will understand the different tools that Ensemble provides and how they can best apply them to their respective sites.
Workshop Assumptions
- Participants have a working knowledge of basic word processing.
- Participants have viewed Web pages on the Internet.
- Participants have performed basic searches for information on the Internet.
- Participants should be able to point and click with a mouse.
- Participants will understand what a Web CMS is and how it works.
- Participants are familiar with Ensemble key concepts and functionality as a result of attending the “Introduction to Ensemble CMS” course, or through other means.
- Participants have a working knowledge of photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.
Workshop Objectives
- Review Ensemble key concepts introduced in the “Introduction to Ensemble CMS” course.
- Give a demonstration of some basic Ensemble production tasks.
- Facilitate a demonstration of key content items within the CMS, and how they can be applied for content maintenance and site production.
Instructional Outcomes
- Participants will know what a CMS is and how it works.
- Participants will be familiar with Ensemble and its functionality.
- Participants will be familiar with the standard designs available in Ensemble.
- Participants will know where to go for Ensemble support.
Navigation within the Ensemble CMS
Your unit has decided to use Ensemble CMS to manage its Web presence. In addition to learning the key concepts within the CMS, you may also be tasked with developing your site’s architecture and navigation. In this two-hour course, participants will learn how to categorize content and develop navigation within the CMS that reflects their site’s structure. Please note that this course is intended for designated web administrators or editors specifically tasked with developing the navigation plan for their unit’s site.
Workshop Assumptions:
- Participants have viewed Web pages on the Internet.
- Participants understand the importance of site navigation.
- Participants will understand what a Web CMS is and how it works.
- Participants have a working knowledge of photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.
- Participants have been designated as editors or web admins in their Ensemble CMS community.
Workshop Objectives:
- Review Ensemble key concepts
- Develop a content plan and architecture for a site
- Use the tools provided within Ensemble to create navigation for site with multiple levels.
Instructional Outcomes:
- Participants will understand how to construct navigation within the CMS.
- Participants will be familiar with the CMS publishing schedule.
- Participants will be familiar with the standard designs available in Ensemble.
- Participants will know where to go for Ensemble support.