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Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant Application

Pete Self     -       PeteSelf@NesterenkoSoftware.com



Note: 'Section Allocation Assistant' sometimes known as 'Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant Application'

This page explains the 'original' MS Access version of the Section Allocation Assistant.
(FYI - 'Web-based' version of the Section Allocation Assistant app has been developed. To view information regarding the 'Web-based' version of the Section Allocation Assistant app, click here to go to a different page.)

These apps draw in data easily extracted from existing Aspen® reports.
Note: email for information regarding using the app with PowerSchool®
Click for a brief Video which provides an overview of the Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant Applicationn
If you are wondering where to start looking for information, start with this report. View this sample Course Requests and Sections Report (and Dept. Summary Report) to get a sense of what this app will provide for you. Print it and show to colleagues.
Sample Course Requests and Sections Report - mini brochure
These reports will help the Course Request Tally and Sectioning process - these are just a couple of the reports available - there are others -
Course Requests and Sections Report (Notice the highlighting on '+/-' column which highlights potential trouble spots)
Course Requests and Sections Report - Summary by Department
Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant Application - great organizational tool - provides the user with all the necessary functions related to the Course Request and Sectioning process which, typically, takes place during March and April.
It will save you a great deal of time, keep you completely organized and provide you with tremendous detail and sunmary reports.
(This page order - click or scroll down)
1. Introduction
2. Sample Reports (Link to another page to view reports)
3. Application Use
4. Pricing
5. Videos (Link to another page to view videos)
Course Request and Sectioning Assistant - various reports and explanations: Tally Reports

For any of these applications, I will email you a no-charge, fully-functional evaluation version of the software and, if you'd like, give you an 'over-the-phone' demonstration of the software. Because there is no installation required and no data-entry required, it is very easy to get started. No commitment to purchase before you try it. These apps are used by schools using Trillium©. The apps generally manipulate data extracted from existing Trillium© reports. The reports generated by these apps save you time, allow you to do your job more efficiently and allow you to serve the needs of the students better. The apps are used throughout Ontario.

1. Introduction - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant

The application is a great organizational tool which provides the user with all the necessary functions related to the Course Request and Sectioning process which, typically, takes place during February-March-April.
It will save you a great deal of time, keep you completely organized and provide you with tremendous detail and sunmary reports.
This is a Microsoft© Access application file which requires no installation, other than to have Microsoft© Access installed on your computer.
Data is imported from the Trillium© 'Course Request Tally Report'.


2. Sample Reports - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant        

Click here to go to another page and view various Course Request and Sectioning Assistant Sample Reports.


3. Application Use - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant

The main functions of the application allow the user to import the current Course Request Tally data as often as necessary - typically daily because things change so frequently during this period of time - and it is so important to be working with the most recent Tally data; the use can enter the number of sections to be offered for each course; identify 'combined' courses if any; and generate a variety of detail and summary reports suitable for analysis and for submission.
Reports include analyses that provide the user with anticipated Average Class Sizes, display collective agreement Maximum Class Sizes, and flag potentially large or small courses. As well, Combined Courses are grouped together, showing Total Tally and average size etc. Summary or detail Reports can be generated for analysis or for communication and feedback with Department Heads. Reports display total number of course sections by Department and Overall total number of course sections.
Typically, the process takes place over a period of several weeks, as the user likely starts with an optimistic 'wish-list' of course sections to offer and then whittles down the number of course sections to match the overall total classroom sections as have been allocated by School Board Senior Administration.


4. Pricing - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant

Email to request a no-charge, fully-functional evaluation version of the software. I will also give you an an over-the-phone discussion/demonstration/tutorial which will teach you how to use the software.
No setup or initial data-entry would be required by the user. The software purchase is a yearly licence, sold to a specific school.
Price of the software is $60 for a one-year school license. Contact to discuss a Board-wide license.


5. Instructional Videos - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant

Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant - 'General Use'

Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant - 'General Use'

Explanation of various functions and reports. Works through the Sectioning process from beginning to end when final Sectioning decisions are made and would then be ready to build the Timetable.

Video topics include:

0:00 - Intro
0:05 - Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant ($60 12-month school license)
0:10 - Used by Staffing/Sectioning Group - typically during March-April
0:20 - Data comes from the Course Request Tally Report
0:40 - Begin a typical process
0:45 - Course Requesta and Sections Allocated Report
1:10 - Department Summary Report - one page snapshot
1:20 - Allocate Course Sections
1:40 - Special function to Allocate 'Estimated Sections'
2:15 - Explanation of Fields and Symbols
2:45 - Combining Courses
3:50 - Brief mention regarding Co-op Courses
3:55 - Adding Placeholders
5:00 - Initialize Values tab - Class Size Maximum Tables
5:15 - Other Reports tab - Two useful reports - One used at beginning of process, and 'Must Haves' report used at the end of the process. One page per Department. Used for communication and feedback with Department Heads.
5:50 - Misc. Analysis Reports tab - not usually used
5:56 - Submittimg tab - not usually used
6:05 - Help tab - Instruction to create the CourseRequestTally.csv file, Extension Code, Documentation
6:20 - Ready to begin Timetabling
6:30 - Brief mention of the Timetable Assistant Application

Click here to view the Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant - mini brochure.

Email to receive the Course Request Tally and Sectioning Assistant application files

Pete Self