Data Modeling: The Translator that Makes it Easy to Be Accurate

Poor data modeling (or no data modeling at all) can lead to operational inefficiencies, registration emergencies, and headaches for staff and students. CourseLeaf’s Erin McCord Savidge explains how to keep things flowing with seamless data integration. 

Most people on your campus have no idea what data modeling is or how important it is to keep your operations running smoothly. That’s partly because when it’s working well, no one notices! 

Data modeling involves mapping data between various software systems to ensure that information like your inventory of courses, schedule of classes, academic requirements, and student registration data remains accurate and accessible. This is critical to achieving optimal efficiency, compliance, and a positive student experience. 

While data modeling is part of integration, it is just one piece of it. Integration refers to all the aspects of data transfer and data usage between systems. Data modeling is specific to how data gets mapped from one system to another.

An essential in academic operations 
We can’t talk about data modeling without talking about the student information system (SIS), which keeps your academic operations running. It manages student records, payroll, curriculum, and much more. 

The SIS does a lot, but it has help. To operate at maximum efficiency, institutions often rely on data systems external to the SIS for specialized functions such as academic scheduling, degree audit, curriculum governance, etc. It is imperative that these systems communicate well together. 

Here’s an example that might help you understand the importance of data modelling. CourseLeaf PATH (an external data system) is an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly tool for students to find and register for the right classes. PATH works in tandem with the SIS, but data must flow back and forth between them for both systems to remain up to date. 

CourseLeaf software modules CIM, CLSS, CAT, SYL, and PATH use data modeling to make sure data is published from the right sources, modified through the proper channels, and always kept accurate in your source of truth, the SIS. As a result, end users never have to worry about data mismatches between systems. 

Speaking different languages
A big piece of effective data modeling is knowing how to transform data (clean it up and reformat it) so it flows smoothly between digital environments. It’s a bit like employing a translator who speaks both the operational language of the SIS and the academic language of the faculty and students. 

Here’s another example. Let’s say a professor wants to create a new 4-credit chemistry course with both a lab and a lecture component. Simple, right? The registrars among us know that the course in the SIS needs to be set up with the right combination of variable credit hours and instructional methods to support proper scheduling of the lecture and lab. 

However, with data modeling built into CourseLeaf CIM, our curriculum software, the professor in our example doesn’t have to worry about variable credit hours and instructional methods. She enters her course information into CIM, and the data model knows how the course needs to be built in the SIS. 

When data flows effortlessly like this, faculty members can focus on curriculum design, and records office staff can be confident that the course has been built correctly and efficiently in the SIS to support operational needs. 

At the forefront of change
At CourseLeaf, we’re constantly expanding our knowledge of student information systems and the education technology landscape to better serve our clients. In the last few years, we’ve leveraged our SIS partnerships to add new data integrations for Workday Student and Ellucian’s Banner SaaS. 

When we keep up with data modeling trends and advances, we are prepared to help clients navigate new challenges. For example, CourseLeaf is currently assisting clients in California who are shifting to a statewide common course numbering system based on a directive from Assembly Bill 1111. Ultimately, this new numbering system will make it easier for students to know how credits will transfer between different campuses, and therefore easier for them to meet their educational goals. We’re proud to be involved in such an important initiative and grateful that so many Golden State campuses trust us with their data. 

Solutions tailor-made for your institution
When you work with CourseLeaf, you can feel confident that appropriate data modeling is being performed to optimize data integrity and campus efficiencies.

CourseLeaf has decades of experience working with the data structures of most student information systems on the market. Our proprietary integration via APIs is used on over 500 campuses of all sizes with many different educational missions. Since we offer customized tools for every institution we work with, administrative teams know they are getting the right data modeling solution for their specific needs and data practices. 

At CourseLeaf, we’ve seen many changes in technology and its use on campuses. But one thing remains constant: When data systems work together, campus life thrives!

If you have questions about how CourseLeaf’s data modeling and integration can help you accomplish your institutional mission, please contact our team at www.courseleaf.com/contact.