We are (again) looking at central timetabling, both of teaching and exams,
and I've undertaken to find out about support resources, particularly
people to operate the system. If you use a computerised system, could you
please let me know:
a) the package you use
b) whether you use it for teaching or exams or both
c) how many people are involved in operating either aspect, whether they
are clerical or admin. staff and at what grade
d) what your experience indicates is the most appropriate level for those
staff (given that very few of us can have what we believe we need)
Our head of MIS has promised me that, for exams at least, a computer
package will *not* reduce the work or hassle of producing a timetable. I
find that hard to believe (after the setup period, anyway) - else what's
the point of having one (apart from boosting software house profits) -
anyone got any comments? His argument is that having the system spawns lots
of 'what if...' questions - that expectations escalate once a computer
package is in place. Has this happened to you?
Jenny Beaumont
Examinations Administrator
Academic Division
University of Bradford
ext 3896
tel (+44) (0)1274 233896
fax (+44) (0)1274 236130
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