Extracting Class Context Data
To help you extract class context data from your MIS (if used), we have provided report definition files for SIMS and iSAMs. If you use Arbor as your MIS, we have also provided a link to their website containing report definition files for this. These resources are available in the Extracting Data from your MIS section.
If you do not use an MIS, you would just need to ensure you extract or collate the data required into Excel, which depends on how your profiles are set up. Class Context data is optional to import, however, to see an example of the data needed you can click into Admin > Data > Classes > Class Context Profile.
The Sisra Customer Support team do not provide MIS support, so if you are unsure how to use this or if you experience any problems extracting data from your MIS, we recommend contacting your MIS support.
Preparing Class Context Data
The process for preparing class context data is similar to preparing staff data. Once you have extracted class context data into Excel, you can run this through the Excel Add-In to ensure this is in the required format for import into Observe. To do this, click the SISRA Observe tab in Excel > Prepare Class Context Data.
If you do not have the Add-In installed, you can see our article here - Downloading the Sisra Observe Excel Add-In.
You should have one row, per subject, per class if needed! |
A pop-up window will then appear, allowing you to select the corresponding columns in your file for each class context set up within your Class Context Profile.
In this case, you would want to select the following in each drop down:
- Subject - Select the Team column in your file
- Class - Select the Class column in your file
- Year Group - Select the Year Group or Course Level column in your file (depending on your account).
You must ensure you make the correct selections here, to ensure your data is formatted accurately. If there are any yellow warning icons, this indicates that a column has been selected however this contains no values for any classes (all cells are blank). If any red warning icons are displayed, this indicates that no column has been selected. We recommend double checking these if this is the case, as all columns must have an option selected.
Then, click ‘Prepare Data’ (shown above).
Q: Some of my class contexts are not appearing as a dropdown? A: If there are class contexts missing here, we’d recommend checking these have been added to the Class Context Profile correctly (Admin > Data > Classes > Class Context Profile). We would also recommend checking whether Online or Offline mode is being used in the Excel Add-In, which is shown in the pop out window. |
You will then be prompted to save the file. Please ensure that the file format CSV (MS DOS) is selected, as this is required for all imports/uploads into Analytics. Then, give your file an appropriate name, browse to a suitable location on your computer and click ‘Save’.
You’re now ready to import your class context file, which is covered in more detail in the following article - Importing Class Context Data.
Thanks for reading!