Human Edge is holding training throughout Australia and offshore on an as needed basis. Below you can find course information, including: dates, booking details and relevant prices.

  Training Course Dates

Our training courses have class sizes kept to a maximum of 10 people to ensure everyone gets the most from the day. Our instructors focus on providing individual attention where needed and sufficient time and opportunity to have your specific questions answered. Re-attendance to any course is FREE.

Full day courses commence at 9.00am and are scheduled to finish at 4.00pm. Beverages are available throughout the day, and lunch is included for your comfort and enjoyment at full-day courses. Contact us if you have special dietary needs.

The courses are scheduled to demand and the dates listed below may change accordingly.

Click on the Course Date to book on-line for that session.

Melbourne

Melbourne FirstClass training courses are held in our dedicated training facility located at 427 City Road, South Melbourne (Map here). Courses in Melbourne consist of an Introductory course, for first-time users of FirstClass, two full-day courses covering Blocking and Timetabling, and a half-day course covering Extras Cover. Click on the links to see course outlines. There is also a two-day advanced course that condenses these. This will suit those who may need to travel long distances and want to cover the three courses in two consecutive days.

Introduction to FirstClass

Monday, 2 June, 2008 9:00AM - 3:30PM

Blocking

Wednesday, 14 May, 2008 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Extras

Tuesday, 27 May, 2008 10:00AM - 1:30PM

Timetabling

Friday, 23 May, 2008 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Advanced FirstClass - Training Day One

Interested in this course? Please register here.

Advanced FirstClass - Training Day Two

Interested in this course? Please register here.

Sydney

Training has been scheduled at the Parramatta Training Hub, 25 Cowper Street, Parramatta (map here). Courses in Sydney consist of an Introductory course for first-time users of FirstClass, and a two-day advanced course. Click on the links below to see the course outlines:

Introduction to FirstClass

Interested in this course? Please register here.

FirstClass Advanced Training - Day One

Interested in this course? Please register here.

FirstClass Advanced Training - Day Two

Interested in this course? Please register here.

One-off training or consultancy-type sessions can be arranged as needed. Please email us at info@humanedge.biz and one of our consultants will contact you to discuss your enquiry.

  How much will it cost?

All prices quoted are exclusive of GST, if applicable.

  Course Information

Introduction to FirstClass

This course provides a great overview of the software, as well as tips for using shortcuts and other useful features, such as using context-sensitive help.

This course is ideally suited to users who have had little or no experience with FirstClass. Timetablers at schools who have just implemented FirstClass, or new timetablers at established schools would find this course useful in giving them a great overview.

On completion of the course you will know how to:

	Import data into FirstClass in the form of text files. This will give you a great head-start with producing your timetable, or, if you have an established timetable, import your new students
	Export data from FirstClass to other programs to make sure data is synchronized between FirstClass and other programs - no double-entry of data
	Create and enter data so that you have all basic data ready for use
	Create and enter data into a grid to get it ready for final student placements
	Resolve clashes so that students get into as many of their subject choices as possible
	Allocate students to classes for the distribution of class lists, determining class sizes etc
	Move students between classes
	Generate and edit a timetable to distribute to teachers, students etc
	Allocate extras to cover absences in an equitable manner

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

FirstClass Advanced Training - Day One

	Navigation around FirstClass
	Database management
	Importing and exporting
	Basic data entry

The above topics will be covered in more detail in the following course, than in the Introductory course.

Blocking (click on the link for course outline)

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

FirstClass Advanced Training - Day Two

	Timetabling (click on the link for course outline)
	Extras Cover (click on the link for course outline - ignore the time indicated in the outline as this only applies to courses held in Melbourne)

Although the days can be taken as separate courses, there is a presumption, in second day of the course, that attendees will know how to navigate around the program, and enter basic data.

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

Blocking

On completion of this course you will be able to:

	Import data in the form of text files. This will give you a great head-start with producing your timetable.
	Enter students' choices, using several methods. FirstClass has a number of methods for entering students' choices, one of which will suit any school.
	Undertake student choices clash resolution including: a) Using "Trial Swap" b) Using "Trial Move" c) Using "Swap All" d) Using the "Multi-grid Generator" FirstClass has a number of methods of quickly determining whether a change in the current Blocking Grid could reduce clashes.
	Automatically create a grid. This may involve placing critical subjects on the grid and fixing them and then some clash resolution after the grid has been created.
	Allocate students to classes... a) automatically for the bulk placement of students into their subjects b) manually, for fine-tuning placements after the automatic allocations, or, if there is a reason, for the placement of a student into a particular multi-line class ...and when placed... c) Fix students in classes so they cannot be moved during future automatic allocations d) Make the subjects unique so it is easy to distinguish between classes e) Assign teachers to classes so that their names appear on class lists for easy distribution
	Enroll a new student and enter them into their classes to ease the entry of a new student into the school, and so that your lists are always up-to-date, and change the choices of an existing student, staying within the parameters of the current grid.
	Copy the blocking lines as timetable blocks. This task is usually performed by the timetabler. However it is useful to see the results of the Blocking process in the timetable.
	Distribute student information sheets, class lists etc. Export data to other programs, to synchronize all your databases.
	Export data, particularly to Board of Studies programs, such as VASS or NSW Board of Studies.

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

Timetabling

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

	Import data, including text, and blocking data where year level coordinators have prepared blocking grids. No need to re-enter data already residing either in another FirstClass database, or even in an administration program.
	Set up security, so that users can be given varying levels of access to the data. Even set up view and print only access to general staff.
	Prepare a database for use with the generation and editing of a timetable. This includes:   a) Editing basic timetable parameters such as cycle details   b) Editing items that will make up the basis for the timetable. Teachers, subjects and rooms will be edited   c) Entering peripheral data such as form and room groups, and faculties   d) Setting up the timetable units - blocks and allocations
	Simple to use screens make setting up the building blocks of the timetable effortless. Prepare the timetable for generation. You should be able to:   a) Mark the periods where multiple classes cannot start   b) Mark teachers "unavailable" for such things as meetings, days off (part-time staff) etc   c) Place critical allocations onto the timetable and fix them   d) Generate (the remainder of) the timetable, noting any allocations that are impossible and edit them accordingly. This may involve re-starting the generator a number of times, fine-tuning the timetable units between generations
	Set up all the pre-generation parameters quickly and with ease, and then allow FirstClass to place the remaining allocations onto the timetable for you. Complete the timetable. This may include:   a) Resolving room groups, if used   b) Using "Quick edit" to speed up editing the timetable   c) Rooming the remainder of the timetable   d) Fixing and unfixing allocations   e) Splitting and joining consecutives   f) Moving and swapping allocations   g) Moving and swapping days and periods FirstClass provides you with quick and easy-to-read screens to make completing your timetable, and further editing, a breeze.
	Print the results:   a) Preview timetables before printing   b) Set up default and individual timetable print options   c) Preview and printing multiple timetables. Print timetables, with your preferences for layout set, and teacher and room allotments to determine usage. There is even a printout that tallies your teacher time fractions so you know what your effective full time teacher load is.
	Export the data.   a) Prepare the data for export   b) Perform the export FirstClass can export to a number of external programs. We know that often codes used in these programs are different from those used in FirstClass. A simple screen allows you to quickly ensure the export has the appropriate code.

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

Extras

On completion of this course you will be able to:

	Navigate around FirstClass and set up basic parameters such as fractional periods.
	Prepare a database for use with Extras. This includes: a) Adding emergency teachers and making them "unavailable" so that your relief teachers are available for use, and at the appropriate times b) Setting up the year dates, such as:    i. the start and end of year    ii. allowing for weekends and other "special" days    iii. Extras and under-allotted reset dates This ensures that your cycle days match the dates correctly c) Adding reasons for absence so you can indicate why a teacher was absent, and use the breakdown of the details report to analyse the results d) Setting up the teacher advice slip as an alternative method of distributing the details of Extras given
	Import extras into an existing database. This makes the transition from one timetable to another seamless.
	Mark absences, such as: a) Teacher absences b) Room day-to-day unavailability c) Camps and excursions Simple to use screens make marking all types of absences easy. Various reports can then show where absences occurred.
	Cancel/collapse classes Classes can be cancelled at any time to relieve teachers for in lieu's.
	Create Classes You can create classes "on-the-fly" for one-off situations, such as exams.
	Cover the Extras Simple drag-and-drop techniques make covering the resulting Extras a breeze. Clicking a checkbox displays all your relief teachers available for the class.
	Print the results FirstClass Extras provides you with a variety of reports to distribute the Extras, and there are histories and summaries for later analysis.

To book a course, please go to the top of this page and click on the date of the Training Course that interests you.

  FirstClass Consultancy

While our training courses give a detailed and informative overview of how FirstClass works, you may find that you require extra advice on a particular aspect of the software or simply need to work with someone to get through the issues.

Our consulting services provide you with a forum that lets you set the agenda!

FirstClass consultants provide not only one-on-one instruction on how to use the software, but also advice on how to make the system work the way you want it to.

Application Consulting:

	Assistance and instruction in the use of the application software Advice relating to the use of the application software in your school environment Development of implementation plans and project management Analysis of needs and advice on solutions
	Can be organised for groups of up to four people
	Can be held at your school with a minimum of a half day
	Can be held at our premises with a minimum of one hour
	Are cheaper than our recommended retail price for schools on the Service and Support program

NOTES:

	Travel time: All travel time is incurred at Human Edge’s expense.
	Travel costs: All direct costs such as airfares etc incurred as a result of travel will be invoiced at cost.
	Accommodation & meal allowances: All accommodation and meals will be invoiced as per the schedule issued by Taxpayers Australia www.taxpayer.com.au (Membership required). The complete schedule may be obtained from Human Edge on request.

All prices quoted are ex GST.

If you think you could benefit from some one-on-one training and support, please contact us at Consultancy Enquiry.