Mark's Plenary Picker - Customising

Importing names

Names are easily imported into Mark's Plenary Picker, using a CSV (comma separated variable) file. A CSV file is effectively a simple text file, where different items of data a separated from each other using commas.

A CSV file is most easily created using a spreadsheet program, such as MS Excel. Many teachers will already have their class lists in spreadsheet format and these can be readily generated from school management systems, such as SIMS. Once you have this, the list may need amending, by deleting headings and any columns to the left of the student names.

You need either:

• A file where the names to be imported are all in the first column, with the first name in cell A1
• A file where the names to be imported are all in the first two columns (first name and surname), with the first name in cell A1

Once you have amended your class list, you need to choose Save As and select "CSV comma delimited" or "CSV comma separated variables."

Any data in columns 3 and higher is ignored.

Up to 99 names can be read.

Anyone who's name ends with a full stop (period) will be ignored. This can be used to exempt students who you do not wish to call on (perhaps those greatly lacking in self-confidence, or those who are absent).
See file "Names - short list 12 less 6.csv"

Entering any students more than once will mean that they will, over time, be called on to answer more often (since the program makes a random choice).

Run Mark's Plenary Picker and click on Load Names to import your students, once you have created the CSV file.

User categories

Mark's Plenary Picker comes with three different sets of response categories, including generic items like "Ask a question" or "Answer a question." However, the program allows users to import their own categories which can be tailored to the needs of a particular subject or teaching group and can also be used to inject variety.

Categories are easily imported by creating a simple CSV file. There are two alternative formats that are allowed.

1. You have eight categories in cells A1 to A8 and no other data.
2. You have a replacement title in cell A1, prefixed with "Title:" and eight categories in cells A2 to A9. The first occurence of "Title:" will be stripped out and the remaining text used to replace the heading "Mark's Plenary Picker" at the top of the program window. This can be used to customise the program for a particular subject or teaching group.

The first category (this appears in A1 in 1. above and in A2 in 2. above) is special. It will only be selected once per plenary and is then greyed out. This would normally be reserved for a more challenging item.

See files "User categories - GCSE ICT no title.csv" and "User categories - GCSE ICT.csv"

Click on U... (alongside generic category buttons A, B & C) to import your own categories, once you have created the CSV file.