E10 - Choice: Pathways

Modified on Mon, 27 Apr at 10:56 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preamble
Pathways Webinar
Pathways example
Options when setting up pathways
How to set up Pathways

Preamble

For schools offering more than one program or pathway to students, using separate Choice forms helps display only the courses available for each pathway, reducing confusion and showing valid subject options only.

Pathways Webinar

The following video gives an overview into pathways.

Pathways example

Some common use of pathways:

ATAR or Non ATAR
HSC or IB
VCE or VM (Victoria)
Mainstream, Arts Academy, or Sports Academy

Scenario: Year 7 Program has three pathways on offer: Main, Arts Academy and Sports Academy set up in the .etz file.

These Pathway options display for students in Choice online:

Options when setting up pathways

Students may select from all available pathways or only from predetermined pathways.
Subjects may appear in all pathways, or just in particular pathways.
Each pathway's form can be individually configured, including the number of main preference drop downs and reserve requirements.

NOTE
You will be prompted to enter your WebCode at some stage during the set up. Note that the WebCode required is for the calendar year that is stored in the .etz timetable file in Setup > School info > Academic Year.

ALERT
Ensure the correct WebCode is entered for the file's academic year. You may need to clear browser-saved passwords to enter the new WebCode.

How to set up Pathways

Step 1. Set up a dataset containing course information

Set up a dataset containing the courses on offer to students.

Refer to E10 - Datasets: Set up and Types.

Step 2. Define pathways

Navigate to Lines > Timetable Choice > Define pathways.
Locate the dataset. The year level will display by default in the Pathways field. Click on it to rename the default year level to a pathway title.
Select 'Add pathway'.
Rename the default text to an appropriate pathway title.
Repeat for as many pathways as required.

NOTE
If working in a multi-year dataset, add the pathway for each year level the pathway is offered to.

Step 3. Enter pathway rules if required

Navigate to Lines > Elective data > Rules and Constraints > Rules. Select dataset and year level from the dropdown.
Select 'All' in the Pathway dropdown for rules that apply to every pathway.
For rules that apply only to a specific pathway, select the relevant pathway name in the Pathway dropdown.

Refer to E10 - Elective data > Courses Action: Rules

Step 4. Optional: Assign students to a pathway

Use this step if some or all students have a predetermined pathway and should see only that pathway upon login.

Navigate to Lines > Elective data > Students.
Enter the pathway name in the Pathway field.
Leave blank for students who should see and choose from all available pathways.

NOTE
Not all students must have a predetermined pathway; enter only for the relevant students.

Step 5. Configure pathway forms

Navigate to Lines > Timetable Choice > Configure forms.
Select the appropriate dataset from the dropdown.
Select each pathway and configure each form. Each form is required to be configured, as different selection criteria may exist for the different pathways.

NOTE
If working in a multi-year dataset, the pathway for each year level must be configured, as different selection criteria may exist for the different pathways.

TIP
If one pathway is similar as another, configure the first then select Action bar: Copy parameters/rules/text from another year-level/pathway.

Refer to E10 - Choice: Configure Forms.

Step 6. Sync forms

Navigate to Lines > Timetable Choice > Sync.
Select the appropriate dataset from the dropdown.
Enter sync details, then select Sync.

The Status column will display the status of the forms.

NOTE
All pathway forms for the year level will sync at the same time.
If working in a multi-year dataset, each year level must be sync'd separately.

WARNING 
Inconsistent state/sync required appears when the etz file doesn't match the online form. Re-syncing each year level usually fixes this. It can also occur if the Dataset Form name has a hyphen (-).  Delete any spaces before or after the hyphen, then re-sync all year levels in the dataset.

Refer to E10 - Choice: Sync form.

Step 7. Collect student choices

Students log in with their WebCodes and enter their preferences.

Step 8. Download student choices

Navigate to Lines > Elective data > Students Action bar: Download student choices from Edval Choice.
Enter your WebCode on the popup.
Student preference data will be downloaded into the file.

NOTE
For multi-year dataset, choices are downloaded for the entire dataset; there is no need to download per year level.

WARNING 
Students can submit preferences for multiple pathways (if more than one pathway is on offer to them), but only the most recent submission will be downloaded into the .etz file.

Refer to E10 - Choice: Download student choices from the webserver.