[sims] Linear Block in Nova T6

[timetabler2015]

Hi - I've started to work my way through Nova T6 as a new timetabler.

When creating a set of linear classes in (say) Year 7, I assumed that there would be potential to mix up doubles and singles.

For example, each Y7 class might have a double in Art, Music, Technology.

You could have 7L doing double Art whilst 7M does single History followed by single RS (all in same linear block).

 

However, Nova seems to insist on putting all the doubles together - so you get a congestion of practical subjects all appearing at the same time (with their preference for doubles).

 

I wondered if anyone knew a way of getting Nova to let the doubles and singles flow around all the periods scheduled within this linear block.

[MattMitchell]

You could schedule (or part-schedule) it manually, so that the double-lessons occur at different times; another way would be to use the "facility" feature, so that only one class can have a double at a time.

 

You'll need to unbuild the block to do this if it's been scheduled now.

[LBainbridge]

NovaT6 defines the block to be scheduled with a shape of doubles/singles just big enough to accommodate the doubles/singles you have specified.

For example, if you say each Y7 class has 3 doubles and 6 singles, the default shape of the linear block calculated by NovaT6 would be 3 doubles & 6 singles. That obviously forces all the doubles to be on at the same time.

If you change the shape of the linear block from 3 doubles and 6 singles to 6 doubles, then NovaT6 would be able to put the doubles anywhere in the block.

The shape of the block is defined in the Sessions tab. Click on the icon 'Block' and enter the new shape.

As I usually schedule linear blocks last, I usually calculate the shape of the linear block to have the maximum possible number of doubles that will fit, taking into account hard breaks, lunch, etc. Any odd periods will obviously be singles.

Hope this helps.