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Aspen: “Next Level” Features

Know the tools. Use them well.

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Agenda

  • Snapshots
  • Queries
  • Quick Charts
  • Quick Reports

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Prior Learning

  • What are two reasons to make your own custom field sets?
  • In Aspen, what is a filter?

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Learning Goals: Know the tools. Use them well.

  • Be an effective and efficient Aspen user because
    • You will understand and use queries and snapshots to quickly filter data sets.
    • Be able to create summaries and printed reports using Quick Charts and Quick Reports.

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Snapshots - A “picture” in time

Predetermined static lists - eg. (All Hockey Players)

Snapshots can be used for Students, Staff, Courses and more

Filters can point to Snapshots.

Snapshots can become outdated very quickly.

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Snapshots - A “picture” in time

When to Use Snapshots:

  1. You have a group that can only be made by a Manual Filter. That is, there is no common field in Aspen that can be used to create the group. (eg, a sports team, student success sections, teachers with glasses…)
  2. The group is not going change often.

When to NOT Use Snapshots:

  • The group can be created using query or advanced filter.
  • The group is going to change regularly.

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Creating a Snapshot

  1. Manually filter your data
    1. If you are using any other filter method, do not use a snapshot.
  2. Click Options -> Snapshot
  3. Click +New
  4. Name Your Snapshot
  5. Click Save

HINT: Do Not Save as filter unless you will use this snapshot regularly.

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Deleting a Snapshot

Old Snapshots should be removed regularly.

  • Click Options -> Snapshots
  • Select the Snapshot to delete
  • Click Delete

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Queries - Aspen’s Power Tool

Queries are the MOST POWERFUL way to filter a data set.

Users can apply multiple conditions that must be met.

Queries use both AND and OR conditions.

Queries can allow users to input values.

A filter can point to a query.

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Creating a Query

  • Click Options -> Query
  • Build your Search Criteria
    • Use top of the query window to select:
      1. The Table
      2. The Field
      3. The Operator
      4. The Value
    • Click Add

(if it’s the first)

or AND or OR

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Creating a Query

The AND Operator

Use AND when you want to match ALL of the conditions. In the example below, the query will find only students in grade 12 who will graduate this year who have less than 24 credits.

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Creating a Query

The OR Operator

Use OR when you want to match ANY of the conditions. In the example below, the query will find ANY who will graduate this year and any students who 22 or more credits.

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Creating a Query

Complex Operators

Use parentheses to create complex AND and OR conditions.

In this example we’ll find students who are at risk of not graduating. That is, the are supposed to graduate this year AND they are missing their required credits OR their community hours OR the literacy requirement.

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Quick Charts

The Quick Chart tools can be used to create charts and data summaries. Quick Charts use the data in the current record set to create a visual representation and a table of data.

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Quick Charts

Examples of Use:

  1. Number of Students in a Homeroom
  2. Number of Courses in Period 1
  3. Students by Special Education Status

Since quick charts use the current data set, users can apply filters remove elements from the data set.

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Quick Charts

How to make a quick chart (1 field):

  1. Filter the data set if required
  2. Click the Quick Chart menu
  3. Select Bar Chart or Pie Chart
  4. Set the Title
  5. Select the Group by field
  6. Click Ok.

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Quick Charts

How to make a quick chart (2 fields):

  • Filter the data set if required
  • Click the Quick Chart menu
  • Select Bar Chart
  • Set the Title
  • Select the Categories: Group by field
  • Select the Series: Group by Field
  • Click Ok.

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Quick Reports

Quick Reports allow the user to print, group and summarize the data set. Quick Reports can be saved for later use and can be shared with the school or other users. There are 4 types of quick report.

Simple

This is a simple list format. Pick your columns and sort order, add optional totals or statistics, and run.

Detail

This is a page oriented format with a page break after each record. Use it to print a whole page of information about a student or staff member, for example.

Group

This is a list format with groupings. You can include page breaks as well as calculate totals by group. Use it to print a homeroom or bus list, for example.

Summary

This format displays a list of aggregate values. Use this report to print totals and other statistical reports.

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Simple Quick Reports

This is a simple list format. Pick your columns and sort order, add optional totals or statistics, and run.

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Detail Quick Reports

This is a page oriented format with a page break after each record. Use it to print a whole page of information about a student or staff member, for example.

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Group Quick Reports

This is a list format with groupings. You can include page breaks as well as calculate totals by group. Use it to print a homeroom or bus list, for example.

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Summary Quick Reports

This format displays a list of aggregate values. Use this report to print totals and other statistical reports.

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Set Your User Preferences

  1. Start Aspen in your preferred view (and school)
  2. Many users only have one school and view
  3. Preferences may be changed at any time.

Example 1 - I am working with a school on a project.

Example 2 - I am working with a school on their schedule for next year.

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Set Your User Preferences

1

2

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Set Your User Preferences

2. Set the number of records (rows) in your table

  • This will save you from scrolling vertically.
  • You may have to adjust a few times to get the best number for your screen resolution.

Example - My normal use is 18 records per page based on a browser zoom of 110%.

No vertical scroll bar.

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Set Your User Preferences

1

2

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Four Tools for Efficient Data Navigation

Search

Sort

Page List

Manual Filter

+

+

+

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Searching Data

The Search or Find function allows you to find a record in the data set that matches your search criteria.

Search Criteria

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Notes about Searching

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

a. Aspen will search for matches in the SORTED COLUMN (or the default column)

b. Aspen will find the PAGE that has the first match

c. Aspen will select the FIRST RECORD that matches (or the first closest match)

Search Criteria

Match Found and Selected

Page 33

Sorted Column

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More Notes about Searching

You can only SEARCH fields that are in the field set.

Matches are based on alphabetical order. If there is no match found, Aspen will select the record immediately before the criteria.

Search Criteria

Closest Match Found

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Find - Navigation Bar

Find

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First Name Searching

To Search by first name, users will need to have the First Name field in their field set. The default sort is by Last Name, so users will need to sort by First Name in order to be able to search by that field.

Sorted by Name

Sorted by First Name

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Four Tools for Efficient Data Navigation

Search

Sort

Page List

Manual Filter

+

+

+

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Sorting Data Sets

To Sort by a column, click the heading.

This acts as a toggle between ascending and descending.

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Primary and Secondary Sorting

Aspen “remembers” previous sorts. This allows users to sort by 2 or more fields.

This means that if there is more than one record that matches the Primary sort, the Secondary sort will be used.

EXAMPLE 1:

The Primary Sort is Course. These are all unique values, so the Secondary Sort is not used.

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Primary and Secondary Sorting

Aspen “remembers” previous sorts. This allows users to sort by 2 or more fields.

This means that if there is more than one record that matches the Primary sort, the Secondary sort will be used.

EXAMPLE 2:

The Primary Sort is Term. The Secondary Sort is Course.

  1. Click Course
  2. Click Term

The Page List shows

The Primary and Secondary sorts separated by a |.

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Primary and Secondary Sorting

Aspen “remembers” previous sorts. This allows users to sort by 2 or more fields.

This means that if there is more than one record that matches the Primary sort, the Secondary sort will be used.

EXAMPLE 3:

The Primary Sort is Term. The Secondary Sort is Period. The Tertiary Sort is Course.

  • Click Course
  • Click Schedule
  • Click Term

The Page List shows

The Primary and Secondary sorts separated by a |.

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Four Tools for Efficient Data Navigation

Search

Sort

Page List

Manual Filter

+

+

+

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Using the Page List

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

The Page List allows you quickly move between pages

The Page List shows that is page 15 and the primary sort is Course and the secondary sort is Schedule Term>Code

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Using the Page List

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

The Page List allows you quickly move between pages

Using the dropdown users can quickly switch between pages.

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Using the Page List

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

The Page List allows you quickly move between pages

NOTE:

In this example, it is likely that the Math sections will begin on Page 10.

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Four Tools for Efficient Data Navigation

Search

Sort

Page List

Manual Filter

+

+

+

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Filtering Data

Filtering shows ONLY the records that match certain criteria.

Example: Filter Courses Starting with ‘M’ Only

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Filtering Data

Filtering shows ONLY the records that match certain criteria. There are 5 ways to filter data in Aspen.

Manual Filters

Filters

Advanced Filter Mode

Snapshots

Queries

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Manually Filtering Data

Filtering shows ONLY the records that match certain criteria.

Manual Filters give users the option to select records to include or exclude. The user determines the criteria.

  1. This is often quicker than creating a query or filter, especially if it is a one-off.
  2. Unlike Advanced Filter Mode, allows multiple criteria to be applied to a single field.

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Manually Filtering Data

To manually filter data follow these easy steps.

Decide: I am keeping fewer records than I am removing

YES

NO

Select the records to keep

Select the records to remove

Click Options -> Show Selected

Click Options -> Show Omitted

Add video - English classes build view CHS

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Four Tools for Efficient Data Navigation

Search

Sort

Page List

Manual Filter

+

+

+

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Learning Goal Check-in

Know the tools. Use them well.

  • Be an effective and efficient Aspen user because
    • You will understand and use the basic functionalities of Aspen that are required for everyday use.
    • Be able to create custom field sets that make information easy to find.

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Managing Field Sets

  1. Naming Your Field Sets
  2. Ordering Your Field Sets

3. Hiding Irrelevant Field Sets

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Re-Naming Field Sets

1. Select Manage Field Sets from the Field Sets Menu

2. Select the field sets to be renamed. Click Edit.

3. Enter the new name. Click Save.

4. Click Save on the Manage Field Sets window.

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Ordering Field Sets

1. Select Manage Field Sets from the Field Sets Menu

2. Select the field set to be moved. Click the Up or Down buttons.

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Hiding Irrelevant Field Sets

1. Select Manage Field Sets from the Field Sets Menu

2. Select the field set to be hidden. Click the Show/Hide button. Hidden field sets are grey.

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Making Custom Field Sets

Put the information you need directly on the screen in front of you.

  • Fewer Clicks means less work
  • Shorter transitions to the next task
  • Alignment within the school
  • Don’t waste space on things you don’t need

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Making Custom Field Sets

Fields you might not need.

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Making Custom Field Sets

Fields you might need.

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Making Custom Field Sets

It’s much easier to copy and modify a field set than it is to start from scratch. You can copy any field set you can see, even if you are not the owner.

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Making Custom Field Sets

Steps to follow to copy a field set.

1. From the Field Set Menu, click Manage Field Sets

2. Select the field set you wish to copy

3. Click the Copy button

4. Name your field set.

5. Click Save

6. The new field set will appear at the bottom of the list. Click Save.

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Making Custom Field Sets

To modify a field set

1. From the Field Set Menu, click Manage Field Sets

2. Select the field set you wish to edit

3. Click the Edit button

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Making Custom Field Sets

Basic Modifications

When the editor loads, the fields that can be added are on the left. The fields already in the field set are on the right.

To add or remove double click the field name.

To order the fields, click the field you want to move and click the Up or Down button.

Click the save button when you are done.

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Making Custom Field Sets

Advanced Modifications

Clicking the drop down under Available Fields will show all the tables that are available for this field set. Selecting a different table will reveal many more fields.

In the Selected Fields list, fields that are not from the default table are show with the pattern:

Table Name > Field Name

Eg. Primary Staff > Name

Hint: After selecting the table, sort, then use CTRL F to find fields

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Learning Goal Check-in

Know the tools. Use them well.

  • Be an effective and efficient Aspen user because
    • You will understand and use the basic functionalities of Aspen that are required for everyday use.
    • Be able to create custom field sets that make information easy to find.

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Filtering Data

Filtering shows ONLY the records that match certain criteria.

Example: Filter Courses Starting with ‘M’ Only

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Filtering Data

Filtering shows ONLY the records that match certain criteria. There are 5 ways to filter data in Aspen.

Manual Filters

Filters

Advanced Filter Mode

Snapshots

Queries

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Filters

Filters are shortcuts to one of two things:

  • Snapshots (Predetermined static lists - eg. All Hockey Players)

or

  • Queries (Criteria that must be matched - eg. All Male Students in Grade 10)

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Filters

To apply a filter, click the Filters Menu and select the filter.

The name of the applied filter will appear above the to right of the data table.

It’s a good habit to note the number of records to ensure you’ve selected the correct filter.

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A Few Notes about Filters

  1. Put your most common filter at the top of the list so it will be applied automatically.
  2. Hide filters that you don’t use.
  3. Identify and order you personal filters so they are easy to find.

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A Few Notes about Filters

4. It is very difficult to keep filters organized and having too many filters slows us down!

    • Use names that make sense
    • Don’t add filters to the school list unless they will be used regularly by many users
    • Don’t add filters for one-offs.(see below)
    • Delete filters that are no longer needed (see below)

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Advanced Filter Mode

Advanced Filter Mode is a toggle switch to turn on or off a popup search window that allows the user to enter criteria for a filter.

Use advanced filters when we want to filter the data when:

I. there is no Filter created already

II. this is a one-off or something that is an easy input

III. the filter has only one criteria per field

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Advanced Filter Mode

Advanced Filter Mode criteria operate as “AND” which mean ALL of the criteria must be try.

This example Advanced Filter will find ONLY the sections that are:�

GRADE 9

and

SEMESTER 1

and

START WITH M

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Advanced Filter Mode

At the bottom of the Advanced Filter popup, users can select a different field set, filter and / or sort order.

Specifying a different field set will give you access to filter with other fields that are not in the current field set.

Specifying a different filter will apply the Advanced Filter to only those records that satisfy the criteria from the filter.

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Advanced Filter Mode

Specifying a Filter tells Aspen to FURTHER filter the data according to the Advanced Filter criteria.

In this example, we are using the Sem 1 Classes Filter and then asking for only:

Grade 9,

and;

Active Special Education Status, and;

Courses that start with M.

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Primary and Secondary Sorting

Aspen “remembers” previous sorts. This allows users to sort by 2 or more fields.

This means that if there is more than one record that matches the Primary sort, the secondary sort will be used.

The Page List identifies the last two sort fields.

Sorted by Name

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Primary and Secondary Sorting

Aspen “remembers” previous sorts. This allows users to sort by 2 or more fields.

This means that if there is more than one record that matches the Primary sort, the secondary sort will be used.

The Page List identifies the last two sort fields.

Sorted by Name

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Top Tabs and Side Tabs

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Sub Tabs

or Leaf

Sub Tabs

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Settings Bar

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Alerts and Indicators

Mouse Over

Double Click

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Quick Status

Is the student here today? Where are they now?

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Record Navigation Bar

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Bread Crumbs

Where am I now?

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Menus

LEFT

RIGHT

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Options Menu

Perform actions on the records currently appearing on the list page.

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Reports Menu

Use the Reports menu to run reports associated with the current page.

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Right Menus

Search Box

Filter Menu

Advanced Filter Mode

Field set Menu

Sort Order Menu

Quick Print Menu

Quick LetterMenu

Quick Chart Menu

Do Something WITH or TO the current set.

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Learning Goal Check in

Learning Goal - By the end of this session, I will…

Understand and Navigate the basic functionality of Aspen

Know and consistently use the Aspen vocabulary

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Data Tables

Tables have a collection of RECORDS. Each RECORD has one or more FIELDS.

Each ROW is one RECORD

Each COLUMN is one FIELD

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Data Tables

A collection of records is called a DATA SET.

This data set has 472 records.

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Data Tables

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

The Page List allows you quickly move between pages

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Sorting Data

Sorting means that we are putting the data in order.

We can sort by:

Ascending (Alphabetical) order

Descending (reverse Alphabetical) order.

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Searching Data

The Search or Find function allows you to find a record in the data set that matches your search criteria.

Search Criteria

Match Found

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Searching Data

The Search or Find function allows you to find a record in the data set that matches your search criteria.

Search Criteria

Closest Match Found

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Filtering Data

Filtering or Querying finds ONLY the records that match the criteria.

Filter Courses Starting with ‘M’ Only

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Details View

Click the first column hyperlink to open the details page.

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Customizing Your Experience

Aspen is designed to allow each user to have a unique experience.

Users can maximize efficiency by customizing their settings to suit their role!

  • User Preferences
  • Managing Field Sets
  • Managing Filters

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Managing Field Sets and Filters

  • Naming Your Field Sets
  • Ordering Your Field Sets

3. Hiding Irrelevant Field Sets

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Managing Field Sets

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

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Managing Field Sets

Aspen divides the data set into groups called pages.

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Top Tabs and Side Tabs

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Alerts and Indicators

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Commitment to Action

  • Reflection
  • Action
  • My next steps
  • Annual Learning Plan update
  • Leadership Plan update

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Planned Exit

  • Feedback - About the session, future learning
  • Exit Ticket

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Strategy Harvest

Time to Notice and Name

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Reflect and Revise

  • What went right? What do we need to improve upon?
  • How do you know?

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Slide Masters Below

Right click on a slide thumbnail on the left, choose Duplicate Slide, ad

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Title

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Title

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Title

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Is the following learning experience Universally Designed and Culturally Responsive and Relevant?

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Ongoing Considerations

  • Leadership Lens -Influence changes in beliefs and practices
  • Check for understanding
  • Connection to Learning Goals
  • Slide Design
  • Accessibility (volume)

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Alternate Perspectives to Consider / Consult before presenting

  • Special Education
  • Equity
  • Leadership and Influence
  • Indigenous ways of knowing
  • Elementary
  • Secondary

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Session Kick off

  • Relationship Building - Ice breaker / Wellness check
  • Knowing our Learners - Readiness to Learn
  • Housekeeping (facilities orientation)
  • Introductions
  • Group Norms

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Learning Experiences

  • Direct / Explicit teaching
  • Interactive
  • Small Group
  • Choice and Voice
  • Culturally Responsive and Relevant
  • Graphic Organizer, Notes templates

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Acknowledgement of the

Land and People

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Understanding Why

  • Explicit Connections (to students)
  • Moral imperative, Professional Responsibilities, Decision Making
  • 5 guiding Questions, Strat Plan, BIP, SIP, Department Plans, ALP
  • Research
  • Positive Implications