2.2. Creating a New Class
To create a new class, the instructor chooses the 'Click Here To Add New Class' button from the Initial Screen shown in Section 2.1' or the 'New Class' File menu command described in the same section. In response, the system displays a dialog of the form shown in Figure 2.2.1.
Figure 2.2.1: Initial Create Class View.
In the initial class creation, a tool tip announces that the auto-complete feature is unavailable because the instructor has not set up the Network roster import feature. A 'Network not connected! ' button is visible in the remote roster list box on the upper left also indicating the lack of a network connection. To setup the network connection, the instructor clicks the 'Network not Connected' button. Please see Section 2.2.1 for more information on setting up the network connection.
After the instructor sets up a network connection, the system displays all rosters the registrar has on file for the instructor, for the active quarter. Figure 2.2.2 shows a typical list of rosters for a quarter.
Figure 2.2.2: Remote Roster Population
To create a new class, the instructor has three possible methods. In the first method, the instructor checks one or more remote rosters from the remote roster list box on upper right. If the instructor checks multiple rosters, as shown in Figure 2.2.3, the system automatically sets up multiple classes possessing identical class creation settings described in the remainder of this section.
Figure 2.2.3: Remote Roster Selection.
To merge mutliple rosters into the same class, the intructor first drag-selects at least one roster, as shown in Figure 2.2.4. The system automatically checks all rosters selected.
Figure 2.2.4: Selecting Multiple Remote Rosters for Merge.
Next, the instructor clicks the 'Merge' button on the left of the remote roster list box on the upper left. The system indicates that the rosters are merged by placing a lock icon and link line beside the merged rosters. To unmerge rosters, the instructor simply clicks the lock icon. Figure 2.2.5 shows four rosters merged together. The system performs auto-deduplication based on student ID, to create a class of merged rosters. and one separate roster. Based on this selection the system creates only two classes upon completetion of this dialog. As before, these classes share the same settings described in the remainder of this section.
Figure 2.2.5: Remote Roster Merge.
In the second method, the instructor must enter a three or four-letter department acronym, three-digit course number, and one, two, or three-digit section number for the class catalogue code in the upper-left text fields as shown in Figure 2.2.6. When using this method, the system creates an empty class with this class catalogue code, and the remaining settings decribed below.
Figure 2.2.6: Manual Class Entry.
In the final method, the instructor uses the same text fields from before as a search tool to locate a remote roster by selecting the 'Attempt auto-complete with Network' option below the text fields. The system automatically checks any rosters that match the search criteria. This approach is shown in Figure 2.2.7. Of course, this method is only possible with a network connection.
Figure 2.2.7: Remote Roster Search.
For any method above, the instructor must choose a "Point Apportionment" scheme via the radio buttons on the lower left. "Sum Of Coursework" simply adds the raw scores of the class's items to determine total class points. If the instructor wants the class's items' raw scores to sum to a convenient value, he or she chooses the "Fixed and Divided" scheme. He or she must then fill in the desired total class points up to ten digits in the lower-left as shown in Figure 2.2.8. Lastly, if the instructor wants to have a fixed total class value and arbitrary raw score values for each coursework item, he or she chooses the "Fixed and Weighted" scheme and enters the total class points as before.
Figure 2.2.8: Point Scheme Selection.
By default, no other class participants are able to view or control the new class. To create teaching assistants, students or custom access roles, the instructor chooses the 'Create New Role' button in the lower right pane. For more information on how to create visibility rules, please see Section 2.2.2. After the instructor creates a role, the system displays it in the roles list box in the lower right pane as is shown in Figure 2.2.9.
Figure 2.2.9: Roles Selected.
By default, a role is not available to its target users. The instructor activates roles by checking next to the roles' names in the activation column within the role list box on the lower right. The instructor removes roles by clicking the 'Delete Selected' button in the lower right pane, after checking beside at least one role' name in the "Delete" column.
Once the instructor finishes adding class information, he or she creates the class by choosing the 'Create Class(es)' button. In this case, the instructor creates two classes using the Sum of Coursework Scheme, and the three roles defined above. Since the instructor is merging rosters into one class, the system prompts the instructor to confirm the name used for the merge with the dialog shown in Figure 2.2.10.
Figure 2.2.10: Default Naming of Merged Rosters.
This dialog contains a list box of all merges and allows the instructor to provide a name for each in the Class Name field. The name is a free-form, non-empty string. By default, the system names each merge with a concatenation of the merged roster names. Figure 2.2.11 shows a typical renaming of the system default.
Figure 2.2.11: Custom Naming of Merged Rosters.
The "Don't ask again..." checkbox gives the instrutor the option to prevent this dialog from appearing in the future by automatically accepting all default names. Once the instructor is finished renaming, he or she clicks the 'OK' button. In repsonse, the system saves the new class's data to files in the gradebook's workspace and returns to the instructor's main view, displaying the new class tabs as shown in Figure 2.2.12.
Figure 2.2.12: Main View with newly created Classes.