Added Suggestions For QuickNotes

Some Suggestions for using QuickNotes in GradeQuick

1. Use some “new comment line” indicator to make a list of comments on a report more readable. Examples: >> blah blah. or ** blah blah.
Another method is to start the comment with several spaces to create and indent. OR, combine both techniques for the best readability. This works well for Edline reports since they are viewed on-line. If you print a paper copy, the added lines may make your report 2 pages long.

2. Write comments in Word to use the spell checker, then cut and paste into the QuickNotes box.

a. Write all your comments in Word, number them 1-? (or make a numbered list).

b. Copy each comment without any comment numbers one by one into the Quicknotes library.

c. When done, save and print your list from Word so you have it as a reference when using QuickNotes.

3. Complete your comment (QuickNote) library in one class, then use Gradebook to Gradebook Copy to “broadcast” the library to all your classes.

BEWARE: If you already had a QuickNotes library in the class you copy to, all the comments you “broadcast” will be added to the end of that library. Always check the QuickNotes library in each class before you add notes for your students to be sure this does not cause you problems. If this occurs, read the notes for that class and deleted the old comments keeping the updated comments that appear at the end.

4. When entering QuickNotes into GradeQuick, you must use a comma to separate multiple notes. You don’t need a space after the comma but can use one if you wish. You can view your QuickNotes library while you are entering the note numbers. If it is in the way, move it by clicking and dragging the blue Title bar at the top of the box. You may also use the Insert Quicknote #Into Data Field button in the QuickNotes library window to enter note individually.

5. Use Fill Current Column to be more efficient. If there are 1 or 2 comments you wish to use for all your students:

a. Type just those for the first student.

b. Highlight the cell.

c. Right-click the cell and select Fill Current Column to make the comment(s) for the entire class.

d. Go back to individual students to add additional comments as you wish.

6. When posting reports to Edline remember to format the report to show comments:

a. Click Reports, Edline Reports, Single Term Only

b. In the report window, click Students, Student info…

c. In the second section down, check off, Print notes to students.

d. Complete formatting the report as you wish.

e. Click the Save Configuration icon (looks like a floppy disk), or click Print, Save configuration to save the format. This way this particular report will always show up in that format in every class.

7. If you want to save a copy of the comments (QuickNotes) you sent with this report:

a. Click Reports, Spreadsheets, Single Term Gradebook Spreadsheet.

b. In the spreadsheet window, click Students, Student info…

c. In the Student Data Fields window, scroll to find and select QuickNotes.

8. Remember that the QuickNotes you enter now may show up in future reports even if you have “turned off” the QuickNotes column in your gradebook. Two ways to prevent this:

a. FOOL PROOF METHOD: In the Quicknotes column in your gradebook, Zap the entries: select any cell in the column, right-click it, click Zap Current Column near the bottom of the list.

b. When formatting the report, follow the instructions in #6 above but this time uncheck Print notes to students.