In our previous system, we could issue courses whatever section number we wanted up to 2 digits, so we used the numbers to indicate different types for courses. For example, sections 1-4 were used for general purposes of different offerings of the same course in a semester, section 5 was for advanced placement, section 8 was distant learning, section 11 was independent study. It is not unusual for us to have most all of these for English Comp I in a semester, ENGL1113.1, ENGL 1113.2, ENGL 1113.3, ENGL 1113.5, and ENGL 1113.11.
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12 comments
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Robert Damon This has become a HUGE issue for us when we converted this past Spring to Populi - we have used section numbers to define traditional, non-traditional, and partner college courses in our system. This works well for us, and we have been using this method for years. Whether we continue with this or adjust to using a feature for delivery method, the option to adjust section numbers per instance would be VERY helpful as we continue to grow as a college. Those slight adjustments are fairly vital for academic records and scheduling. We also have the same courses per term but using different section numbers to internally define the course structure.
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Isaac Grauke HI All,
Thanks for bringing this issue up - I've talked to a number of colleges about it. One question we are tossing around here in the office is whether it will be necessary to edit section numbers if we add the ability to give each course a delivery method.
For example, if you could add three instances of the same course but make one "Traditional," one "Online," and one "Correspondence" via a Delivery Method data field on each course, you wouldn't need to give each one a different section number. Delivery Method would replace what was being tracked via section number and would be a lot more clear (instead of assuming people know that section 11 means its an online course).
Do you use section numbers to track other information besides delivery method? Do you find yourselves needing to edit section numbers for other reasons as well? Thanks for giving us your take!
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Traci Morris I could see that working. I will run this idea across the others in the office and see what they think.
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Daniel Peterson We switched to Populi this summer and it has been a great asset and time saver, however section numbers have been a constant source of frustration. In our Distance Learning program we have 4 sections offered each semester in "online" and 4 sections offered "correspondence.
Being able to change the delivery method will go a long way to keep the sections in a discernable order but we have a course starting each month and being able to name the section number to correspond with the month would be really helpful. For example Course101 section 1 starts in January and Course101 section 11 would start in November. If sections were automatically generated then the November course would automatically be named Course101 section 3 because it is the 3rd section offered in the fall semester.
Being able to edit the Delivery Method and have course sections generated automatically is something we can live with but being able to edit section numbers is our ideal.
-Daniel Peterson
Director of Distance Learning
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Isaac Grauke Thanks for commenting Daniel!
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Traci Morris I need to get my independent study classes put in for the fall semester. I don't know how to go about this. Should I put them in as section 11? If so, how do I keep just anyone from enrolling in them? School starts soon so I need to do something even if isn't how it will end up later.
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Isaac Grauke Good question Traci. Ill create a support ticket and respond in a second.
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Shannon Kropf Just wanted to agree with all above and add that independent studies are our most troublesome, as Traci mentions. Thanks guys for always being open to our feedback!
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Deb Selin Hi! We also use section numbers as we often teach the same course in the semester, but on different days. The functionality of editing section numbers would be very beneficial to all! Thanks.
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Adam Sentz This just went live. Enjoy!
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John Mortensen Would it be possible to make the section field alphanumeric?
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Adam Sentz @John - I think that's the first time anyone's requested being able to have letters as well. I'd recommend opening a separate feature request so we can track interest on that.
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