TimeTabler NewsLetter : October 2020
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Dear Timetabler,
Welcome to your monthly TimeTabler newsletter, with useful hints and tips for both new and experienced timetablers.
Now that the term* is well under way, here are some timetabling suggestions for what to do this month.
In this issue: 
TimeTabler:
1. If you are New to timetabling.
2. Assessing your current timetable.
3. Now that your Export is completed...
4. The current version of TimeTabler.
5. Installing the programs on a New computer.
6. This month's Key Topic : Dealing with Part-timers.
7. Research on the effects of timetabling.
Options:
8. Thinking ahead to Options 2021 : new features.
9. Using TOOLS : free hosting.
Courses & other Support this term:
10. Courses in to make your life easier during the coming year.
1. If you are New to timetabling
If you are new to Timetabling, or new to TimeTabler, then please click on:
https://www.timetabler.com/New-to-TimeTabler
to see the quickest way to learn about TimeTabler.
'The Timetabler's CookBook' is the essential guide to all aspects of timetabling ...full details are shown at: https://www.timetabler.com/book
2. Assessing your current timetable
This is a topic that many timetablers would prefer to ignore ...but it is important to make some Assessment of how the current timetable is actually working out in practice.
In 'The Timetabler's CookBook', https://www.timetabler.com/book, section 11.19 explains what you can look for in this assessment ...and page 175 shows you 12 (twelve!) different ways to do it.
See also item 8 below.
3. Feedback about your Export
By now you will have completed the Export of your timetable from TimeTabler to your MIS (eg. SIMS .net, iSAMS, Arbor, WCBS/PASS/3sys, RM Integris, Progresso, SchoolBase, Engage, SEEMiS, etc, etc).
Now would be a good time to feed back to us any comments that you have, and any ways in which you would like the Export to be improved. Please send your comments to: support@timetabler.com
4. The current version of TimeTabler, Options and StaffCover
As you know, we regularly provide free updates during the course of the year, as well as the annual major Upgrade with new features taken from the items that you put on the WishList.
Please ensure that you regularly use >Check for Updates [on the opening screen of the program] to get the very latest version of TimeTabler (it's currently v6.011).
The current version of Options is 4.008, and the current version of StaffCover is 4.001.
To see what your current version is, click on HelpMenu->About...
Options 2021 will be released soon (see more details below).
5. Installing the software if you get a new computer
If you buy a new computer (at home or at school) and want to know the best way to transfer the programs and your data to it, there is an article in the KnowledgeBase.
To find the article,
within the program,
just click on : 
and then
type 'new machine' into the Search Box : 
There are over 300 (!) expert articles in the KnowledgeBase, another good reason for using TimeTabler and Options.
6. This month's Key Topic : Dealing with Part-timers & Job-Shares
The Department for Education (DfE) in England is putting a major emphasis on increasing 'flexible working' with an expectation that schools will (need to) have many more Part-timers in future.
This has implications for timetablers!
DfE expects that the number of Part-timers (and Job-Shares) in schools will increase significantly,
--partly because of staff expectations of working hours, and work/life balance,
and
--partly to enable schools to cover the curriculum, perhaps especially in shortage subjects.
There have been several Reports published on this topic (see the last NewsLetter, via the link below). |
There are 2 main kinds of Part-timers:
| (a) |
'Fixed' Part-timers, who are available only at fixed, pre-determined times of the week.
You can easily specify these fixed times in TimeTabler, on the Staff Availability Screen.
Just select  from the Availability Palette on that screen.
For more details, click  . See also Sections H2, H3
in your Manual, and see HelpMovie No. 19  |
| (b) |
'Floating' Part-timers.
For example, a Part-timer may have a contract to teach for 4 half-days in a week, but you (using TimeTabler) can decide which are the best 4 half-days for a good timetable solution.
There are 2 ways to do this: |
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On the Staff Availability Screen select which kind of Floating availability that you want, from the Availability Palette:
    
For more details of these different & useful options, click and see HelpMovie No. 19
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Or you can use Special Locations as described in Section H4 in your Manual, and HelpMovie No. 20 |
TimeTabler has many more features to help you while timetabling Part-timers.
To see 18 scenarios that TimeTabler will schedule efficiently for you, see this PDF.
Remember : you can access the HelpMovies (video tutorials) from within the program by clicking on: 
You can access KnowledgeBase articles and PDFs on this topic via: 
If you have any queries on this topic, please contact the HelpLine via the Support Centre:
Stop-press:
The DfE (in England) has just announced
a new project involving the timetabling of Part-timers ...funded at £60,000 for each 'Ambasssador School'.
You can bid for this money.
There is an outline of this new project at:
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/500k-to-boost-flexible-working-and-drive-staff-retention/
with more details at:
https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/217-resources/56697-flexible-working-ambassador-schools
If your school decides to bid to be involved in this new project, please let us know.
7. Research on the effects of timetabling
There has been a tendency for schools to make the length of teaching-periods longer ...but this is probably a mistake in terms of the Effectiveness of learning.
For more details on the research, see https://www.timetabler.com/ResearchOnEffectsOfTimetabling
Options
8. Thinking ahead to when you will need the Options program 
We are now testing the new features for the Upgrade to Options 2021, and finalising the HelpScreens.
The new version will be released next month. (Recent purchasers will receive a free upgrade.)
It includes new features such as:
--easier ways to monitor for Gender-bias in your teaching-groups,
--ways to combine choices entered for Higher Level and Standard Level,
etc., etc.
You can pre-order Options 2021 upgrade now, via : https://www.timetabler.com/PDFs/Options2021-UpgradeOrderForm.pdf
Note :
If you haven't yet used the Options software (eg. for devising the best subject blocks for your upper school) then you can
--View a short video at https://www.timetabler.com/images/Video-OptionsOverview
--Download a free Tutorial version from www.timetabler.com ...just click on 'Free downloads' in the Menu.
To see Users' Comments
& Testimonials about Options, click on : https://www.timetabler.com/comments-more/#options
| 9. 'TOOLS' software |
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TOOLS is the On-line paperless way of collecting your Students' Choices / Electives for Options.
Details at : https://www.timetabler.com/TOOLS
If your school is affected by covid-19 then TOOLS may be
the best way to collect your students' Choices.
Let them (or their parents) enter their Choices from home on their phone, iPad, tablet, etc.
|
Free Hosting of 'TOOLS'
MIST Services Ltd is offering Free Hosting of TOOLS for your school.
This way you don't have to persuade your IT staff to put it on the school server!
Full details: at: http://www.studentoptions.co/documentation/TOOLSHostingAgreement.pdf
and at: http://studentoptions.co/student_options.html |
TOOLS is included free with Options.
More details about TOOLS in the next NewsLetter. |
10. Vouchers for Courses & Workshops
It's the time of year to be thinking about whether you need any INSET/Training/CPD in preparation for your next timetable.
New timetablers, and experienced timetablers meeting new problems, often need some outside assistance, even if only at a discussion level.
| TimeTabling has become more complicated in recent years. |
| For example : options in Year 9 as well as years 10 & 11, or 'stage-not-age' options; 'vertical' registration groups; consortium days and other fixed points; the E-Bacc in England; CfE in Scotland; options 'Pathways'; the IB; 'consistently-setted' blocks; PPA time; 'primary' organisation in Year 7; 'vertical' teaching groups; Progress-8, increasing numbers of Part-timers, covid timetables, etc, etc. |
Of course TimeTabler and Options have responded to these challenges, by giving you new features to deal with them.
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| But do you know the best ways to use these features for your school? |
| To help you with this: |
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Our Associates can offer you additional Help & Support at 5 levels.
The 5 levels are explained at https://www.timetabler.com/extrasupport |
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And we have negotiated a system of Vouchers that will give you discounts of 10% - 33% !
Vouchers can be used for On-line training courses
as well as for traditional training.
For more details of these Vouchers and an Order Form,
see https://www.timetabler.com/vouchers |
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We recommend that you take advantage of these offers as soon as possible, before they get booked-up.
Some possibilities during this term:
| We provide extra Help & Support for you in at least 5 ways: |
| A. |
The (free) Help & Support Centre, which you can access at any time using the Support Centre button on the opening screens. See HelpMovie 4 for more details. |
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| B. |
Gold-Start Support, and Gold-Start-Plus Support, for new Users.
More details below. |
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| C. |
On-line courses for you to use whenever you wish.
More details below. |
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| D. |
Courses to attend at the Timetabling Centre in Market Harborough, if you are able to go there.
More details below. |
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| E. |
Bespoke Support via Zoom etc,
[or on-site in-school support where appropriate] from our expert Associates.
More details below. |
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| C. |
On-line Courses : by MIST Timetabling Services |
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If face-to-face training & consultancy is not possible, then one answer is to use an On-Line Course.
Free – Basic Data course
Want to get going with TimeTabler? : then sign-up now for a free course on School Structure, Subjects, Rooms and Teachers at:
https://everythingtimetabling.thinkific.com/courses/introduction-to-using-timetabler-part-1-preview
The ever-popular Introduction to using TimeTabler – Part 1 and Part 2 are now available as on-line courses, at:
https://everythingtimetabling.thinkific.com/courses/introduction-to-using-timetabler-part-1
and
https://everythingtimetabling.thinkific.com/courses/introduction-to-using-timetabler-part-2
These on-line courses have the distinct advantage of being accessible at a time that is convenient to yourself and with no travel.
You can re-watch the materials as many times as you want; all training data is provided so you can follow along just like being on the face-to-face training course.
You will have on-screen instructions; instructions can be downloaded as PDFs and the videos discuss and demonstrate aspects in further detail. And on completion you get a Certificate.
Sign up and payment via card is straightforward. Should your school not be able to pay ‘online’, then please contact mist@mistservices.co.uk before signing up and an Invoice can be raised and your access code released.
As a school, should you have any outstanding TimeTabler Vouchers (see below) then you can substitute one voucher place for one on-line course. Should you wish to do this please contact mist@mistservices.co.uk with details of your voucher and the appropriate access codes will be emailed to you.
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| D. |
Courses to attend, mainly at Market Harborough: |
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Courses during November : (but book now) |
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Introduction to Effective Timetabling in Scotland : 4 - 5 - 6 November
Three days (Wed-Fri) :
4 - 6 November in Edinburgh, with Grant Whytock.
More details at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/professional-learning/short-courses-events/effective-timetabling |
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Principles of timetabling with TimeTabler course : 9 November
One day Monday :
9 November in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=68 |
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Introduction to using TimeTabler course : Part 1 : 10 November
One day :
Tuesday 10 November in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=83 |
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Introduction to using TimeTabler course : Part 2 : 11 November
One day : Wednesday 11 November in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at http://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=134 |
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Student options/electives using Options software : 18 November
One day on Options :
Wednesday 18 November in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=84 |
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Courses during December : (but book now) |
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Principles of timetabling with TimeTabler course : 2 December
One day Wednesday :
2 December in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=68 |
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Introduction to Effective Timetabling in Scotland : 2 - 3 - 4 December
Three days (Wed-Fri) :
2 - 4 December in Edinburgh, with Grant Whytock.
More details at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/professional-learning/short-courses-events/effective-timetabling |
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Introduction to using TimeTabler course : Part 1 : 10 December
One day :
Thursday 10 December in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=83 |
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Introduction to using TimeTabler course : Part 2 : 11 December
One day : Friday 11 December in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at http://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=134 |
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Advanced Timetabling with TimeTabler : 14 December
One day :
Monday 14 December in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=101 |
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Timetabling Workshop day : 15 December
One day :
Tuesday 15 November in Market Harborough, with Chris Knights-Branch.
More details at https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=88 |
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Free Webinar on Options 2021 – the New Features : 16 December
A free webinar for you or whoever does Options, to learn about new features in Options 2021.
Wednesday, 16 December, 1.00pm for approx 1 hour
Chris Knights-Branch will be giving a free preview of the new features that are in Options 2021.
More details and sign-up at : https://bookings.mistservices.co.uk/lite/opt21 |
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Have you booked your place(s) yet? Don't leave it too late. |
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For details of discounted Vouchers usable for the courses or for on-site help, see https://www.timetabler.com/vouchers
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| E. |
Bespoke in-school and on-site Support |
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In-school 'bespoke' help is available from Chris Knights-Branch, Peter Knights-Branch and several other TimeTabler Associates including: John Clark, Debbie Hayton; in Ireland : Liam O'Brien; in Scotland : Terry Howe, Derek Simpson, Neil Farquharson; and in China : David Miles.
They can also usually use Zoom, which allows you to share screens, and you can be anywhere in the world within compatible time-zones.
Contact details for Associates at : https://www.timetabler.com/inset-courses |
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If the standard help & support is not enough, but you don't need (or can't spare the time for) a full day workshop/consultancy, you might just need a point in the right direction, in which case a 1-hour Remote Support session could be your best option.
See : https://mistservices.co.uk/Services/timetabling_course.aspx?servId=98
MIST also offer half-day consultances : details at:
https://www.mistservices.co.uk/Services/Consultancy_services.aspx
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For details of discounted Vouchers usable for the courses or for on-site help,
see https://www.timetabler.com/vouchers
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Best wishes,
Chris Johnson
Keith Johnson
and the rest of the Team
PS1. If you know another timetabler, who might be interested in the contents of this Newsletter, please feel free to forward it to them.
PS2. To see last month's Newsletter, click on: https://www.timetabler.com/eNewsLetter/NewsLetter--September-2020.html
ie. you can 'daisy-chain' back to earlier NewsLetters.
PS3. Next month's Newsletter (November) will include articles on planning for next year's curriculum and timetable.
PS4. Please ensure that you use > Check for Updates regularly, so that you always have the very latest version. Make sure you keep up to date !
* PS5. This Newsletter is geared to the first term/trimester in the UK. Our apologies to our international Users, but we hope that you will save this Newsletter until the appropriate time of year for you.
To unsubscribe from this eNewsLetter list, please contact : keith@timetabler.com
To be added to this eNewsLetter list, please contact : keith@timetabler.com
