Student Scheduling
Introduction
Preparing timetables is standard practice in any academic institution. However, with a wide variety of schools, subjects, in-class and online lecture combinations, creating student timetables can be a difficult task. Implementing scheduling software could help to manage all of these moving parts. Transforming a once tedious task into useful student engagement data. In this article, we will look at our top 5 features to look for in a future-focused student timetabling solution.
1. Blended Learning Functionality
Before the pandemic, contrasting views collided over the inevitability of higher education students moving from in-person to online classes. In just one year, higher education has been forced online, making the argument redundant. Students now require unprecedented flexibility in how they interact with their classes and your institution should be equipped to offer it. Offering blended learning to students requires more than online access. It requires the continued support online that would be readily available in-person. Student support comes from visibility. Visibility over potentially struggling students and the ability to intervene in a timely manner.
Reclaiming visibility over your students’ progress begins with a hybrid-ready scheduling software, to go beyond blocking out time slots and begin your students’ success journey. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
Room Availability
Add Online Classes
Space Management
2. Placement & Internship Management
Look for capabilities to schedule work experience, clinical placements, apprenticeships and any other off-campus aspects of your students’ education.
3. Create One-off Events
For unplanned or one-off events, you should be able to create them and notify everyone within just a click.
Add Guest Speaker/Lecturer
4. Real-time Notifications & Updates
The importance of having student scheduling software operating in real-time cannot be understated. It allows for live notifications of schedule changes and cancellations. Keeping students and faculty on the same page, saving time and preventing any confusion.
5. Student Attendance & Engagement Monitoring
What happens after you’ve finalised and dispatched a timetable to your students? Do you have the power to assess each students’ engagement level with their schedule? Are they attending class? Make sure that these questions evoke positive answers by tracking student attendance and engagement. Monitoring these metrics efficiently allows you to identify and intervene with at-risk or underperforming students early, before there is any irreparable damage done.
Look also at your student attendance monitoring system’s campus integration capability. Combine new and existing data for a holistic view of student engagement.
Summary
The new normal is here and higher education institutions need to be in the best possible position to offer a fluid blended learning experience to their students. Find a timetabling solution for your institution that can make adjusting to academic life post-COVID as easy as possible.
