How to Manage Files

Class Manager Document File (Class List)
This file is created when you create a new class list (See "Create New Class List"). The file is named with the name you type and a ".cm" extension.

Student Files
Each time you add a name to a class list, a file is created with that student's name. Student files are automatically saved (hidden) in the same folder as the class list.

Report Files
Any report generated by the Class Manager can also be saved as a text file (.txt) to be used by other programs. Report files are automatically saved in the same folder as the class list.

Worksheet Files
The Class Manager creates worksheet files in addition to the worksheet files that the Worksheet Generator programs create. Worksheet files are created in a new folder in the same folder as the class list.

Class List Files

The first time you create a class list (See "Create New Class List") you specify the name for the file and the location to save the file. The default location is in My Documents. Name the class file in a way that will make it easy to identify. If you want to save this class manager file in another location, this is the best time to do it. You may want to create a folder for all you class manager files, keeping all your class lists and student files in one folder, or you might want to keep separate folders for each class that keep one class list file and the corresponding student files. It is easiest to manage files if you decide on the structure you want for your folders and files before you start saving class data.

Once you have saved a class manager file, any changes to the class list, or student data files are saved automatically, you do not have to choose Save. If you want to save a class list with a different name choose Save As from the File menu. Do not use Save As to change the location of the class file, unless you also plan to move all the student files associated with the class list to a different location. If you want to reorganize files, make sure that you put the class file and the corresponding student files all in the same folder.

You can open the Class Manager program by clicking on the name of a class file. When running the Class Manager program, choose Open from the File menu to open a different class file.

Student Files

All students in a class have individual files with their names. You create these files when you create a class list, and when you add a student name to a class list. Changes to student data are saved automatically in the student's file; you do not have to choose 'Save'. Student files are saved in the same folder as the class list, and both the class list and the student file must be in the same folder for the program to work correctly. These files are hidden, and the names will not show unless you choose to unhide file names.

You can only access a student file from within the Class Manager program (See "Checking Worksheets" and "Managing Student Data"). You do not ever need to 'open' a student file. You cannot click on a student file to run the Class Manager program. Student files are hidden for your convenience. If for any reason you need to manipulate student files, you must set your computer to show hidden files. Do not permanently move a student file out of the folder in which it is saved, unless you delete the student from the class and no longer want to access the data. Do not change the name of a student file

Report Files

When you generate a report in Class Manager (See "Reports"), you may want to use the information in other contexts. To save a report, choose Save from the File menu, when the report is showing on the screen. The report will be saved in text format with a ".txt" extension (e.g. myreport.txt) in the same folder as the class list. Name the report, and specify the location to save it on your computer.

If the report is basically columns and rows, open it with a spreadsheet program. If it is text, open it with a word processor.

Worksheet Files

When you create worksheets from the Class Manager: (See "Creating Worksheets from Class Manager") Worksheets are saved in the same folder as the class list, in a folder named Worksheets_MM.DD.YY, or Diagnostics_MM.DD.YY, showing the date the worksheets were created. If you chose to create Individual worksheets, the worksheet files will be named for each student, with the extension indicating the type of problem (e.g. maryjones.dec for the most appropriate practice level for mary in decimals). If you created All worksheets, the name will reflect the skill level, or type of diagnostic, on each worksheet (e.g. sub10.wn for subtraction level 10 in whole numbers, or addDiag.dec for addition diagnostic in decimals). It is important to note the names of the files so that you can readily find the worksheets to print for the students, as well as to find the files when it is time to check worksheets. Note that the Worksheet Summary Report that appears after you check each worksheet tells the location of the worksheet that was checked (e.g.. Worksheet: C:\My Documents\ClassMgrSampleFiles\worksheets_07.14.05\Ayn_Rand.wn.).

When you create files from the individual Worksheet Generator programs:

As you save your worksheets, make sure that you name the files in a way that makes sense to you. You might want to work into the name a system for identifying what is on the worksheet. For example, if you made a worksheet of whole number, level 10 problems, you might name it "wnlev10". Alternatively, you might wish to use student names, or group names to identify worksheets. Save the worksheets in such a way that they will be easy to find. Being methodical about naming the files will make finding the worksheet much easier when you are ready to start checking the worksheet Save the files where you can readily find them. If you accessed the generators from the Class Manager program the default location is in the same folder as the working class list. If you made the files by running the Worksheet Generators independent of the manager, you may want to save the files in the same folder as the class list, or in a location that makes the most sense to you.

You can move and rename worksheet files. It is just important to be able to access the files when you want them. If you do move or rename files, the path will no longer be the same as stated at the bottom of Worksheet Summary Reports that you may have printed for students.

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