DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS DEMONSTRATION VERSION AND THE FULL VERSION

HOW TO RUN NSTORE

USING THE PROGRAM

CUSTOM SETUP

  1. Press Menu, select Custom Setup and then press Enter.
    G4.gif (1927 bytes)

  2. Two choice boxes will pop up, one after the other:
    G5.gif (3696 bytes) G6.gif (2991 bytes)
    In each box, use arrall.gif (1075 bytes)  to select all the subjects you want to use.
    Press Enter when you have finished.


  3. Hints on choosing the subjects to use

    The number of subjects dictates how much free space you need to store your files - the less subjects you use, the less room you'll need.

  4. This box will now pop up:
    G7.gif (2770 bytes)
    Use arrall.gif (1075 bytes) to select:
    - the number of classes you want to store (1-36)
    (the program stores data for 36 pupils in each class)
    - the number of topics you want to store (2-36)
    then press Enter.

  5. After you have chosen the number of classes/topics, the program works out the exact amount of space you need, and it displays:
    8.gif (3736 bytes)
    Press Y if this is O.K., N to choose again or A to abort the Setup.

  6. The computer now asks you to confirm your choice:
    9.gif (3572 bytes)

    Type Y or N as appropriate.

    If you type Y, data files will now be created in a folder C:\Nst6file\2KNSDATA, overwriting any old files. In the unlikely event that your Psion Series 5 had a folder of this name before installing Nstore, please make sure that you copy or move any of your files in this folder to another location BEFORE typing Y.

    Once you have typed Y or N, the program checks that there is space to store these files. If there is, it will create the files (or overwrite any previous ones), otherwise it will display:
    10.gif (4001 bytes)
    In this case, type A to abort the Setup (after which you will need to free up some disk space by deleting other files).

PUPIL DATA ENTRY SCREEN

  1. Class Name:
    12.gif (2153 bytes)
    Type the name of the class in the edit box, then press Enter.

  2. Child Name:
    13.gif (2573 bytes)
    Type in the pupil's details, using arrud.gif (940 bytes) to move between the various data entry boxes, and press Enter only when you have finished.

  3. Delete Child - this is used to delete a pupil's name from the list.
    It also erases any other data which has been stored for this pupil, including all National Curriculum records. As this could be a very drastic step, you are prompted to confirm your choice:
    14.gif (1748 bytes)
    Type Y or N as appropriate.

  4. National Curriculum Records - this takes you to the National Curriculum Screen. This is used for entering a pupil's attendance, exam, classwork and SAT scores, National Curriculum, Literacy and Numeracy Framework Records. It is also used for highlighting the National Curriculum, Literacy, Numeracy and Teacher comments you want to use in a pupil's report.
    See NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN for details.
  1. Topic List - this takes you to the the Topic Data Screen. This is very similar to the Pupil Data Screen, but is used to enter National Curriculum data for topics which can then be used to:

    * search the National Curriculum for a word or phrase
    * update pupil records National Curriculum data , either individually or in groups
    * search for pupils who have achieved a particular combination of Level Descriptions

    See TOPIC DATA SCREEN for full details.

  2. Alphabetical Sort - this sorts the pupils by name (and gender if you select this option when prompted).
  1. New Class - displays the list of classes on screen:
    17.gif (1540 bytes)
    Use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to choose the number of the new class you want to display, then press Enter.

  2. Move Child - moves a pupil's name and data to another class:
    18.gif (1624 bytes)
    Use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) and to choose the class you wish to move the pupil data to, and then press Enter.

  3. Copy Class - makes a complete copy of all the pupils' names and data to another class. This is very useful e.g.:
    * as a backup facility
    * if you want keeping cumulative records on a class e.g.:
    "Class 1" could contain the results for Class A in July 1998
    "Class 2" for Class A in July 1999 etc.
    19.gif (1624 bytes)
    Use arrlr.gif (944 bytes)to choose the number of the new class to which you wish to copy all the pupils' names and data, then press Enter.
  1. Print order - this is used to choose which subjects to output, and the order in which this is done. Three choice boxes will pop up in order:
    21.gif (3579 bytes)22.gif (3587 bytes)
    If you don't want a subject to be output, select 0 next to the subject. Select 1 next to the 1st. subject to be output, 2 next to the 2nd. one etc.
    You will usually want to select Name etc. at the top of the first box, as this outputs the Pupil's Name, Date of Birth and attendance figures (if entered).

    Use arrud.gif (932 bytes) to move between subjects, arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select the numbers, and press Enter when you have finished setting each box.

  2. Level Criterion - this allows you to select the criterion the program uses for deciding what level a pupil has reached in each subject:
    23.gif (2000 bytes)
    Type in your criterion then press Enter.
    When the program works out a pupil's level, it does so by looking at the percentage of Level Descriptions a pupil has fully achieved at each level. If this is 100% the program moves to the next level, and keeps on going until it finds a level where this percentage is the same as or more than your criterion, but less than 100%. For Literacy and Numeracy, it calculates a Year Group (rather than level)  in a similar way

    When calculating these percentages, the program uses any National Curriculum, Literacy and Numeracy  records you have entered for a pupil - see
    PUPIL NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN for details.

  3. Text Report - this option sends pupil reports to an output file or prints them on screen - in this demo version you can only view reports on screen.
    In the full version, the output file can then be loaded into your Psion Series 5's built in wordprocessor. It can also be loaded into a wordprocessing or Desk Top Publishing package on another computer with the appropriate linking lead and software e.g. the PsiWin link.
    24.gif (3462 bytes)
    Use arrall.gif (1075 bytes)   to select the various options, and press Enter when you have finished. You can choose as follows:

    Output - gives you the following choices:
    Screen - prints the report on screen
    Text file - outputs the report as a plain text file
    CSV file - outputs the text in CSV format.
    This is a common file format which is used for transferring data between e.g. Desktop Publishing and Spreadsheet packages. This file can then be loaded into a suitable DTP package and gives you the greatest control over exactly how and where the package prints each bit of the report, and also allows you to print reports in batches - see ADVANCED USE for information on how to do this.

    Which pupils - lets you choose whether you output One pupil, Some pupils or All the pupils in a class.

    Print subject headings - Yes and No select whether or not the subject headings are output in the report.

    Print level details - Yes and No select whether or not the program calculates and outputs the pupil's level in each subject.

    The program will now prompt you to:
    25.gif (1685 bytes)
    Type Y or N as appropriate.

    Output to: Screen - if you have chosen this option, the program will now print the report on screen, in the order selected from Print Order (see Reporting 1 for details). The program prints the report one page at a time, and at the end of each page you will be prompted to press N to see the next page, or Q to quit the report printing.

    Output to: Text file - this option is only available in the full version.

    Output to: CSV file -this option is only available in the full version.
    In the full version, if you have chosen these options, the program will now prompt you for a name for the output file:
    26.gif (3001 bytes)
    Alter the name of the file to suit, then press Enter.
    By default, the file will be saved on your internal disk in the folder Nst6file. If you want to save the file in a different folder and/or disk, use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) alongside Folder and Disk to select the folder/disk you want to use.

    The program will now output your file to disk. As there is often a lot of text to save, especially if you are reporting for a whole class, the program lets you know how far it has got, by printing the pupil's name and the subject on screen as it goes along.

    Which pupils: Some - if you have selected this option, the program will stop before it outputs each pupil, and prompt you:
    27.gif (2098 bytes)
    Press P to output the report, S to skip it or Q to quit.

    Once Nstore has finished, you can now transfer the file to another computer, or load it into use the wordprocessor program on your Psion Series 5. You can then check and/or wordprocess the reports before printing them. As the reports as saved as plain text files, you will need to Import them into Word (see your Psion Series 5 Manual for details on importing text, printing and transferring files).

  4. Output to Spreadsheet - this option is only available in the full version. In the full version it sends full pupil details to a file. This can then be loaded into your Psion Series 5's built in spreadsheet for analysis, sorting printing or export to packages on other computers.
    28.gif (4982 bytes)
    Use arrall.gif (1075 bytes) to select the various options, and press Enter when you have finished. You can choose as follows:

    D.o.b.    Attendance    Classwork%     Exam%     SAT result
    Select Yes or No as appropriate for each item of data.

    Subject Levels - select Yes if you want the computer to calculate and output the pupils' levels in each subject (see Reporting - 2 Level Criterion for details on how the program works these out).

    % of Level Descriptions achieved - select Yes if you want the program to output the percentage of Level Descriptions achieved at the pupil's achieved level

    The program will now prompt you to:
    29.gif (1685 bytes)
    Type Y or N as appropriate.

    The program will now prompt you for a name for the output file:
    30.gif (2128 bytes)
    Alter the name of the file to suit, then press Enter.

    By default, the file will be saved on your internal disk in the folder Nst6file. If you want to save the file in a different folder and/or disk, use arrlr.gif (952 bytes) alongside Folder and Disk to select the folder/disk you want to use.

    The program will now output your file to disk. As there is often a lot of text to save, especially if you are reporting for a whole class, the program lets you know how far it has got, by printing the pupil's name and the subject on screen as it goes along.

    Which pupils: Some - if you have selected this option, the program will pause before it outputs each pupil, and prompt you:
    31.gif (2098 bytes)
    Press P to output the report, S to skip it or Q to quit.

    Once Nstore has finished, you can now transfer the file to another computer, or load it into the spreadsheet program on your Psion Series 5. You can then then sort and analyse and print the data as you wish (see your Psion Series 5 Manual for details on printing and transferring files).

  5. Import
    32.gif (1739 bytes)
    This allows you to import pupil names and other details from a CSV file. This is a standard file format which many computer packages use, including most major school administration packages.
    This means that you may be able to transfer the key pupil information from your school computer to Nstore, rather than having to enter each pupil's name etc. by hand.

    There is not room in this manual to explain how to output CSV files from other computer packages, but the manual for each package should give you full details. All Nstore basically requires is that:

    a) The data is output in the same order that Nstore reads it in.
    This is done in the order shown below, after Nstore has first read in the pupil's Christian Name and then Surname.

    b) The package outputs the same data as you choose to import:
    33.gif (3438 bytes)
    Gender     D.o.b.     Actual attend(ance)      Possible attend(ance) Unauth(orised) Absence     Pupil ID
    -
    use arrall.gif (1075 bytes)  to select Yes for the data items you want to import.

    Blank empty records - when Nstore imports data, it starts reading it in for the pupil who is currently selected (by the flashing box) on the Pupil Data Entry Screen. When it runs out of data (e.g. the import file may only have 10 names in it) it stops importing.

    If you want the program to blank out the names and erase the data for any pupils later in the class list, select Yes for this option.

    If you only wanted to import a few names at a certain position in the list, and leave the others as they are, you would select No.

    You will now be prompted:
    34.gif (1685 bytes)
    Type Y or N as appropriate.

    WARNING When Nstore imports data, it erases all data stored for each pupil for whom a name is read in. If you have selected Yes for Blank empty records it will also erase data for pupils later in the list.

    If you have already entered data for pupils, you are STRONGLY advised to make a back up copy of all the pupil data files (stored in folder C:\Nst6file\2KNSDATA\) before importing. This is in case there are any problems when the data is imported e.g. if there is a mismatch between the data in the file and what you have asked Nstore to import. You have been warned!

    If you have typed Y you will now be prompted for the name of the file you wish to import:
    35.gif (2151 bytes)
    Type in the name of the file, and then press Enter.

    By default, the file will be loaded from the folder Nst6file on your internal disk. If you want to load the file from a different folder and/or disk, use < > alongside Folder and Disk to select the folder/disk you want to use.

    Nstore will now import the data from the file, and store it.

  6. Convert - this is only available in the full version of Nstore.
    cnv1.gif (914 bytes)
    This allows you to convert your Nstore 5 files (referring to the 1995 National Curriculum) to the new Year 2000 format used by Nstore 6. Nstore 6 installs itself it in a different location to Nstore 5, so your earlier files should still be intact ( it would be wise to back them up first, just in case).
    The conversion utility takes the data from the old folder (Nstfiles\DATA), converts it and transfers it to the new folder (Nst6file\2KNSDATA). It carries this out as intelligently is it can by transferring across scores where there is a Level Description in the 2000 National Curriculum that is very similar to one in the 1995 version. If there is a Level Description in the new National Curriculum for which there was no near equivalent in the 1995 version, Nstore will leave a blank box (no score).

This works well for most subjects (particularly the core subjects) as there is a great deal of overlap. As there have been a lot of changes to content and format of some subjects (particularly ICT, DT, Music, Art and PE) there is less data which it is possible to transfer for these. When you select Convert, you will be prompted:
cnv2.gif (1892 bytes).
The default location for your old files will be shown - press Enter if this is correct, or select a different location (if you have installed or copied your files somewhere else) then press Enter. You will now be asked which of your Nstore 5 class(es) you wish to convert and transfer (it will be automatically transferred to the Nstore 6 class you had selected before choosing Convert). Select the appropriate class and press Enter:
cnv3.gif (1242 bytes)

You will now be prompted as follows, tap Yes or No as appropriate:
cnv4.gif (2032 bytes)
If you tap Yes, the process will start and a flashing box at the bottom of the screen will let you know when  you each child's data is converted and transferred.

PUPIL NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN

ENTERING NATIONAL CURRICULUM/LITERACY/NUMERACY RECORDS

WRITING REPORTS

N.B. On the Literacy and Numeracy Framework Screens you can only enter either:

49.gif (819 bytes) 0 = Pupil has not experienced this activity.
48.gif (843 bytes) 3 = Pupil has performed this activity without aid.

TOPIC DATA ENTRY SCREEN

  1. Group Name:
    54.gif (2163 bytes)
    Type a suitable name for the group of topics in the edit box, then press Enter.

  2. Topic Name:
    55.gif (2189 bytes)
    Type in the relevant details, using arrud.gif (932 bytes) to move between the various data entry boxes, and press Enter only when you have finished.

  3. Delete Topic - this is used to delete a Topic from the list.
    It also erases any other data which has been stored for this topic, including all National Curriculum records. As this could be a very drastic step, you are prompted to confirm your choice:
    56.gif (1748 bytes)
    Type N or Y as appropriate.

  4. National Curriculum Records - this takes you to the National Curriculum Screen. This is used for highlighting the National Curriculum Level Descriptions and Literacy/Numeracy objectives covered by the Topic, and also has a Search facility, which allows you to search one or all subjects for a given word or phrase.
    See TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN for details.

  1. Child List - this takes you to the the Pupil Data Entry Screen.
  2. Alphabetical Sort - this sorts the Topics by name and subject.
  1. Update pupils - this is only available in the full version of Nstore. This allows you to update the National Curriculum records of the children in a given class with the Level Descriptions covered by a chosen Topic. The scores for each of the Level Descriptions covered by the topic will need to be entered first (see TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN).

    If you have more than one class, you will be prompted to choose:
    59.gif (1634 bytes)
    Use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select the class, and then press Enter.

    You will now be prompted:
    60.gif (1913 bytes)
    Press S to update some pupils, or A to update all of them.

    As block updating pupil records can be a quite drastic step, you will be prompted with:
    G61.gif (1972 bytes)
    Type N or Y as appropriate.

    The program will now start updating pupil records, and display the message Updating.. at the bottom left of the screen.

    If you have only chosen to update Some pupils, the program will prompt you before updating each pupil, like this:
    G62.gif (2083 bytes)
    Type N or Y as appropriate.

  2. Search for matching pupils - use this to search a class for pupils who have achieved the Level Descriptions and Literacy/Numeracy objectives covered by a Topic. This is a versatile facility that allows you to carry out a wide ranges of searches e.g. if you want to know which children have attained full scores on all the Level Descriptions at level 1 in Maths, create a new Topic, enter and save these scores via the TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN, then use the Search facility.

    If you have more than one class, you will be prompted to choose:
    G63.gif (1608 bytes)
    Use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select the class, and then press Enter.

    The program will search through the class list, displaying the message Searching.. at the bottom of the screen whilst it does so.

    It will now display the class list on screen, with Y alongside pupils who have achieved the Level Descriptions covered by the Topic, and N alongside those who haven't.

    Pressing Menu now only gives you the following options:
    G64.gif (1853 bytes)
    Select Exit to exit the search, and return to the list of Topics, or
    Save result to save the results of the search as a text file, for loading into a wordprocessor.

    If you select Save result, you will be prompted to give a name for the text file:
    G65.gif (2994 bytes)
    Type in the name of the file, and then press Enter.

    By default, the file will be saved on your internal disk in the folder Nst6file. If you want to save the file in a different folder and/or disk, use arrlr.gif (944 bytes)alongside Folder and Disk to select the folder/disk you want to use.
  3. Convert - this is only available in the full version of Nstore.
    cnv1.gif (914 bytes)
    This allows you to convert your Nstore 5 topic files (referring to the 1995 National Curriculum) to the new Year 2000 format used by Nstore 6. This works in the same way as for transferring data from the CHILD LIST (see above).

TOPIC NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCREEN

ADVANCED USE

  1. Press the Word icon at the bottom of the screen to open the Word program.

  2. Press Menu and arrall.gif (1075 bytes)  to select:
    G77.gif (1906 bytes)
    then press Enter.

  3. You will be prompted with:
    G78.gif (3553 bytes)
    Type in a temporary file name alongside Name e.g."Temp" (this is only used as temporary storage for the data you will be editing).

    Now use arrdo.gif (874 bytes) to move down to Folder and use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select Nst6file, then press Enter.

  4. Press Menu and arrall.gif (1075 bytes)  to select:
    G79.gif (4593 bytes)
    then press Enter.

  5. You will now be prompted:
    G80.gif (3712 bytes)
    Use arrdo.gif (874 bytes) to move down to Folder and use arrlr.gif (944 bytes)to select
    Nst6file\COMMENTS if you want to edit the Teacher Comments,
    Nst6file\2KNATCU if you want to edit the National Curriculum.
    Nst6file\2KNATCU if you want to edit the Literacy objectives (2klitb0.txt = Reception, 2klitb1.txt = Year 1 etc.)
    Nst6file\2KNATCU if you want to edit the Numeracy objectives (2knumb.txt.)
    Now use ­ to move to Name and use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select the file you want to edit (these all end with .txt)
  6. Make any changes you want to the text (see over for details on how to do this).
  7. When you have finished editing, use Menu and arrall.gif (1075 bytes)  to select:
    G81.gif (4631 bytes)

    then press Enter.

  8. You will now be prompted:
    G82.gif (4034 bytes)
    Use arrdo.gif (874 bytes) to move down to Folder and use arrlr.gif (944 bytes) to select
    Nst6file\COMMENTS if you were editing Teacher Comments,
    Nst6file\2KNATCU if you were editing the National Curriculum, Literacy or Numeracy objectives.

    Now use arrup.gif (865 bytes) to move to Name and:
    * either - type in the name of the file you have just edited
    * or - tap on Browse... and tap on the file name, then press Enter.

  9. Now you have saved the edited version of the file in text format, press Ctrl and E to exit Word.

  10. Finally, you need to delete the temporary file (e.g. "Temp") you used for storing the data when editing. To do this, use the System Screen browser to locate and highlight the file (e.g. "Temp"), then press Menu and select Delete... and press Enter to delete it.
  1. Each file must have 45 comments arranged in order, with a reference code above each one which lets the program know which Teacher Comment box will display the comment.
    e.g. Comment 1.2.a in the Art file will appear in column 1, row 2 of the General section (on Screen 5) for the subject Art.

    Comments 1.2.b and 1.2.c will also appear in the same box, but the choice of a, b or c depends on the score in the box (1 would bring up comment 1.2.a, 2 gives comment 1.2.b, and 3 gives comment 1.2.c).
    N.B. The General section is different for each subject, but the Attitude, Effort , Attainment & Presentation sections are the same.

  2. Keep the comments less than 230 characters long.

  3. To allow the program to customise each comment to suit a pupil's name and gender, you must:
    * Put an X where you want the name to go (try to put the name only once, and at the start of a comment).
    * Always refer to '"he'" or '"his'" if you need to use these words (not '"she'" or '"hers'", or '"he/she'", '"his/hers'").

  4. Try not to make the comments much longer then they already are, so that you don't use up disk space and computer memory.