Manage Blended Learning Groups

Tool Search: Manage Blended Learning Groups

The Manage Blended Learning Groups tool allows users to update certain aspects of Blended Learning Groups, like change the start date of a group to a date in the past (backdating) and redistribute students assigned to learning groups to other learning groups.

To modify a specific student's start date in a learning group to an earlier date, use the available options on the Student Blended Learning Group Assignments tool. 

Screenshot of the Manage Blended Learning Groups tool.Manage Blended Learning Groups

Blended Learning tools were first released in the Campus.2028 Release Pack (July 2020). See the Blended Learning Groups article for an overview of the entire Blended Learning Group process. 

Tool Rights for Manage Blended Learning Groups

Full access to Manage Blended Learning Groups requires RWA to Scheduling > Blended Learning >  Manage Blended Learning Groups.

  • Read rights and Write rights allow users to navigate to and view the Manage Blended Learning tool, but does not allow users to backdate or redistribute learning groups.
  • Add rights allow users to navigate to and view the Manage Blended Learning tool, backdate Blended Learning Groups and redistribute Blended Learning Groups.
  • Delete rights provide no additional functionality.
Screenshot of the classic navigation tool rights.
Classic Navigation - Manage Blended Learning Groups Tool Rights
Screenshot of the new navigation tool rights.
New Navigation - Manage Blended Learning Tool Rights

Blended Learning Information in Ad hoc Query Wizard

Blended learning information is available in the Query Wizard for Student Data Type. Fields are available in the Learner > Blended Learning folder. Fields exist for the student's Active Group Assignment and All Group Assignment.

See the Blended Learning Groups article for more detailed information on Ad hoc information for Blended Learning, including:

  • Virtual Today and Virtual Tomorrow logic
  • Term Summary and Participation Detail
  • Course/Section Data Type and Blended Learning Fields

Screenshot of the Blended Learning Ad hoc fields.Blended Learning Ad hoc Fields

Backdate Blended Learning Groups

This tool allows the changing of a start date of a learning group and the updating of all students assigned to that group.

  • When backdating a group, all participation records (student attendance records for virtual courses) for each student enrollment in the selected date range are updated. 
  • When the date range of a group includes a student's assignment for a future group assignment, that future group assignment is removed. 
  • Student attendance participation records are inserted upon the completion of the backdating process even when Virtual Attendance Preferences are NOT enabled. 

Like other Blended Learning tools, use the progress tracker across the top to see where you are in the process and to return to the previous step.

Backdating can be done for groups that currently have student assignments and for groups that do not have student assignments.

When a student is moved from being Physical to Virtual for a particular period (Override option via Teacher Attendance, Classroom Monitor or Section Attendance), the backdating process does not delete or overwrite the participation records for those students.

Due to performance issues, backdating is currently limited to one month at a time. 

To begin, click the Manage button and choose Backdate Blended Learning Groups

Screenshot of the Backdate Blended Learning Groups button.Backdate Blended Learning Groups

Backdating Attendance Logic

Click here to expand...

The following logic applies to backdating student attendance when using the Manage Blended Learning Groups tool to backdate groups and when backdating a single student's Blended Learning Group assignment. 

Backdating is processed by calendar, not by student. If there are failures on the calendar, the backdating-related data is rolled back to the state it was in prior to when the backdating process began.

For the entered date range: 

  • Moving from a Virtual Group to a Physical Group DELETES any existing participation records for that day.
  • Moving from a Physical Group to a Virtual Group and a student has ABSENT attendance records for a period (whether entered by the teacher or by the office staff) on the affected day, NO CHANGES ARE MADE.
  • Moving from a Physical Group to a Virtual Group and a student has PRESENT attendance records for a period (e.g., no attendance records, or attendance records marked as Present, Early Release or Tardy for that day) on the affected day, a participation record is CREATED for that course with participation marked as CONFIRMED. The modified by information for this participation confirmation is the individual who backdated the learning group.

If the student is scheduled into any form of a block section where the student is not marked absent for all of the periods in which that section meets, participation records are CREATED for all periods linked to the section on that day.

Note the following:

  • Participation records are NOT inserted when the Calendar Day is not marked for Attendance. 
  • Participation records are NOT inserted when the Course is not marked for recording Attendance.

Date logic for Backdating Blended Learning Groups

Click here to expand...

Note the following logic for dates as they related to Blended Learning Groups. 

  • Date fields are auto-populated from the next future date to the last instructional date in the selected calendar.
  • When creating a blended learning group, the end date entered in the New Blended Learning Group tool is also added to the database and displays for all student group assignment end dates associated with the group. 
  • End dates can only be entered for a current or future date. 
  • End dates are required when editing or adjusting groups.
  • Extending a future group end date does not update the student group assignment end date. 
  • Shortening a future group end date does update or delete any group assignment or day rotation necessary.

Backdate with Student Assignment

Step 1. Select Group

  1. Select the name of the Group to modify. A list of calendars and the number of students in that group displays, and includes whether Virtual Attendance Preferences have been enabled. 
  2. Choose the Backdate with Student Assignments option.
  3. Click the Next button. 

Screenshot of the Backdate with Student Assignments process.Backdate with Student Assignments 

Step 2. Backdate

The information box at the top of the editor provides some logic on the dates for the selected group.

  1. Enter a start date for the Backdating Range Start Date. The Backdating Range End Date cannot be modified, as it is the last attendance day prior to the current group start date. Enter a new start date in mm/dd/yyyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date.
  2. Choose a Day Rotation for Backdating Range:
    • For groups where the students are always in school, choose the first option of Do Not Assign Group to Any Attendance Days in the Backdating Range.
    • For groups where the students are always virtual, choose the second option of Assign Group to Every Attendance Day in the Backdating Range.
    • For groups where students are sometimes in school and sometimes virtual (hybrid approach), choose the third option of Assign Group to Selected Attendance Days in the Backdating Range. This option also requires the selection of which days to assign the group to that are included in the backdating range. For example, if the students are virtual every Tuesday, place a checkbox next to all of the Tuesday dates. There's also a search field that returns all matching days for easy selection.
  3. Click the Next button.

Screenshot of the Backdate Range Options.Backdate Range Options 

Step 3. Preview

The Preview screen provides a summary of the options selected in the previous steps.

A list of calendars and the total number of students affected by this backdating process is included. Click the Finish button.

As another reminder, a confirmation of what is about to occur displays: students, attendance data and group assignment records will be modified. To continue, click the Backdate button to begin the process of backdating the selected group and updating the group assignment for the students.

Screenshot of the Backdating Preview Summary warning.Backdating Preview Summary 

Step 4. Results

A status bar displays that indicates the percentage complete. This process may take a while to complete. To backdate additional groups, click the Repeat button to return to Step 1, or click Close.

Screenshot of the Backdate Results screen.Backdate Results 

Backdate without Student Assignment

Step 1. Select Group

  1. Select the name of the Group to modify. A list of calendars and the number of students in that group displays, and includes whether Virtual Attendance Preferences have been enabled. 
  2. Choose the Backdate without Student Assignments option.
  3. Click the Next button. 

Screenshot of the Backdate without Student Assignments options.Backdate without Student Assignments 

Step 2. Backdate

The information box at the top of the editor provides some logic on the dates for the selected group.

  1. Enter a start date for the Backdating Range Start Date. The Backdating Range End Date cannot be modified, as it is the last attendance day prior to the current group start date. Enter a new start date in mm/dd/yyyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date.
  2. Choose a Day Rotation for Backdating Range:
    • For groups where the students are always in school, choose the first option of Do Not Assign Group to Any Attendance Days in the Backdating Range.
    • For groups where the students are always virtual, choose the second option of Assign Group to Every Attendance Day in the Backdating Range.
    • For groups where students are sometimes in school and sometimes virtual (hybrid approach), choose the third option of Assign Group to Selected Attendance Days in the Backdating Range. This option also requires the selection of which days to assign the group to that are included in the backdating range. For example, if the students are virtual every Tuesday, place a checkbox next to all of the Tuesday dates. There's also a search field that returns all matching days for easy selection.
  3. Click the Next button.

Screenshot of the Backdate Range Options.Backdate Range Options 

Step 3. Preview

The Preview screen provides a summary of the options selected in the previous steps.

A list of calendars and the total number of students affected by this backdating process is included. Click the Finish button.

As another reminder, a confirmation of what is about to occur displays: students, attendance data and group assignment records will be modified. To continue, click the Backdate button to begin the process of backdating the selected group and updating the group assignment for the students.

Step 4. Results

A status bar displays that indicates the percentage complete. This process may take a while to complete. To backdate additional groups, click the Repeat button to return to Step 1, or click Close.

Screenshot of the backend results screen.Backdate Results 

Redistribute Blended Learning Groups

Redistributing existing learning groups moves students assigned to a certain group to be re-assigned to other groups. This option can be used to move students to new cohort groups at the start of a new semester, or to assign temporary groups to students on weather days or other situations when students are not learning in a traditional location.

Users can choose to redistribute selected groups, which reassigns students assigned to the selected groups across the list of selected groups only, or redistribute groups into other groups, which reassigns students currently assigned to one of the selected source groups to a specific destination group.

To begin, click the Manage button and choose Redistribute Blended Learning Groups. 

Screenshot of the Redistribute Blended Learning Groups button.Redistribute Blended Learning Groups

Redistribute Selected Groups

Redistributing selected groups reassigns students amongst the selected groups, and also includes any students who are not currently assigned to any group. To be included, students must meet the following:

  • Have an active group assignments to the selected groups as of the current date OR
  • Be assigned to the selected groups on the Redistribution Start Date OR
  • Have no group assigned on the Redistribution Start Date. 

For example, three groups exist at a school - Group A, Group B and Group C. Only Group A and Group B is selected to be redistributed, which means only those students currently assigned to Group A and Group B will be part of the redistribution, plus any student who is not currently assigned to ANY group. 

Who's Considered for Redistribution?

The following table (select the Click here to expand link) details which students are considered for redistribution based on their status of enrollment, whether they are enrolled on the redistribution date and to which group they may be assigned. 

Click here to expand...

This pool of students are currently assigned to Groups A and Group B - the same groups that are chosen for redistribution. The Redistribution Start Date is in one week from the current date. The highlighted field determines whether the student is included in the redistribution.

StudentEnrolled Today?Enrolled on Redistribution Start Date?Group as of the Current DateGroup as of the Redistribution Start DateIncluded in Redistribution
Groups Assignments are NOT locked
Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments Checkbox Not Marked
Abraham StudentCurrent enrollment in High School ended todayNo

No - no current enrollment record
Bethany StudentYesNo

No - Enrollment ended prior to the Redistribution Date
Charles StudentYesYesGroup ANoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group A or Group B
Daphne StudentYesYesGroup BNoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group A or Group B
Erik StudentYesYesNoneNoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group A or Group B
Francine StudentYesYesGroup AGroup CNo - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
George StudentYesYesNoneGroup CNo - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
Heather StudentYesYesNoneNone, but is assigned to Group A after the redistribution start dateYes - will be assigned to Group A or Group B; future Group A may be kept.
Groups Assignments are locked
Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments Checkbox Marked
Abbey Student
Current enrollment in High School ended today
No


No - no current enrollment record
Ben Student
Yes
No


No - Enrollment ended prior to the Redistribution Date
Cassandra Student
Yes
Yes
Group A
None
Yes - Stays in Group A
David Student
Yes
Yes
Group B
None
Yes - Stays in Group B
Eve Student
Yes
Yes
Blank
Blank
Yes - assigned to Group A or Group B
Franklin Student
Yes
Yes
Group A
Group C
No - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
Ginger Student
Yes
Yes
None
Group C
No - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
Henry Student
Yes
Yes
None
No, but is assigned to Group A after the redistribution start date.
Yes - will be assigned to Group A or Group A; future Group A may be kept.

Step 1. Select Dates and Calendars

  1. Enter a Redistribution Start Date in mmddyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date. This is the start date for the new Blended Learning Group assignment. This field auto-populates with tomorrow's date - the earliest students can be assigned to new groups, and current groups are ended as of today.
  2. Enter a Redistribution End Date in mmddyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date. This is the end date for the new Blended Learning Group assignment. This field auto-populates with the last date of the calendar.
  3. Determine of summer school calendars should be included in the redistribution. If no, mark the Exclude Summer School Calendars checkbox. A calendar is marked as a Summer School calendar on the Calendar Details editor.
  4. Select which Calendars should be Excluded from the Student Redistribution process. Any student enrolled in the calendars listed here are not part of the redistribution. Begin typing the name of the calendar in the field, or click to scroll the list and select calendars, or click the Select All button to list all calendars.
  5. Click the Next button to select the groups to redistribute.

Screenshot of the date and calendar selection .Redistribute - Select Dates and Calendars

Step 2. Select Groups

  1. Select Redistribute Selected Groups for the Redistribution Type. This reassigns students currently assigned to the selected groups into the selected groups. 
  2. Select which Groups to include. Click in the field to scroll through the available groups, or click the Select All button.
  3. If students in the selected groups should NOT be redistributed, mark the Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments checkbox. When marked, only students who are currently not assigned to any learning group are redistributed into the selected group, and the students currently in the selected groups remain in their current groups.
  4. Click the Next button to preview the redistribution.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Selected Groups - Group Selection.Redistribute Selected Groups - Group Selection

Step 3. Preview

Review the selections made for the redistribution process. This step summarizes the selections made. If satisfied, click the Finish button. This may take some time to complete, depending on the number of groups selected, the number of calendars included, the number of students assigned to groups, etc. Please be patient.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Selected Groups - Preview screen.Redistribute Selected Groups - Preview

Step 4. Results

A status bar displays how far along the redistribute process is. As noted previously, this may take some time to complete, depending on the number of groups selected, the number of calendars included, the number of students assigned to groups, etc. Please be patient.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Selected Groups - Progress screen.Redistribute Selected Groups - Progress

When the process has completed, the Results page displays as follows, listing the total number of groups selected for redistribution and how many students were redistributed.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Selected Groups - Final Results.Redistribute Selected Groups - Final Results

Redistribute Groups into Other Groups

Redistributing groups into other groups reassigns students from a source group (the student's current assignment) to a destination group (the student's new group assignment), and also includes any students who are not currently assigned to any group. To be included, students must meet the following:

  • Have an active group assignments in the source group(s) as of the current date OR
  • Be assigned to one of the selected source group(s) on the Redistribution Date OR
  • Be assigned to the one of the destination group(s) on the Redistribution Start Date OR
  • Have no group assigned on the Redistribution Start Date. 

Who's Considered for Redistribution?

The following table (select the Click here to expand link) details which students are considered for redistribution based on their status of enrollment, whether they are enrolled on the redistribution date and to which group they may be assigned. 

Click here to expand...

This pool of students are currently assigned to Groups A and Group B, and will be reassigned into Group C and Group D. The Redistribution Start Date is in one week from the current date. The highlighted field determines whether the student is included in the redistribution.

StudentEnrolled Today?Enrolled on Redistribution Start Date?Group as of the Current DateGroup as of the Redistribution Start DateIncluded in Redistribution
Groups Assignments are NOT locked
Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments Checkbox Not Marked
Abraham StudentCurrent enrollment in High School ended todayNo

No - no current enrollment record
Bethany StudentYesNo

No - Enrollment ended prior to the Redistribution Date
Charles StudentYesYesGroup ANoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group C or Group D
Daphne StudentYesYesGroup BNoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group C or Group D
Erik StudentYesYesGroup C
NoneYes - will be reassigned to either Group C or Group D
Francine StudentYesYesBlank
Group E
No - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
George StudentYesYesNoneNone, but is assigned to Group A after the Redistribution Start Date.
Yes - will be assigned to Group C or Group D; future Group A may be kept.
Heather StudentYesYesGroup E
None, but is assigned to Group B after the redistribution start dateYes - will be assigned to Group C or Group D; future Group B may be kept.
Groups Assignments are locked
Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments Checkbox Marked
Abbey Student
Current enrollment in High School ended today
No


No - no current enrollment record
Ben Student
Yes
No


No - Enrollment ended prior to the Redistribution Date
Cassandra Student
Yes
Yes
Group A
None
Yes - will be assigned to Group C or Group D
David Student
Yes
Yes
Group B
None
Yes - will be assigned to Group C or Group D
Eve Student
Yes
Yes
Blank
Group E
No - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
Franklin Student
Yes
Yes
Group C
Group E
No - the student is already assigned to a group on the redistribution start date that is not one of the selected groups.
Ginger Student
Yes
Yes
Group A
Group C
Yes - will stay in Group C.
Henry Student
Yes
Yes
None
No, but is assigned to Group A after the redistribution start date.
Yes - will be assigned to Group C or Group D; future Group A may be kept.

Step 1. Select Dates and Calendars

  1. Enter a Redistribution Start Date in mmddyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date. This is the start date for the new Blended Learning Group assignment. This field auto-populates with tomorrow's date - the earliest students can be assigned to new groups, and current groups are ended as of today.
  2. Enter a Redistribution End Date in mmddyy format or use the calendar icon to select a date. This is the end date for the new Blended Learning Group assignment. This field auto-populates with the last date of the calendar.
  3. Determine of summer school calendars should be included in the redistribution. If no, mark the Exclude Summer School Calendars checkbox. A calendar is marked as a Summer School calendar on the Calendar Details editor.
  4. Select which Calendars should be Excluded from the Student Redistribution process. Any student enrolled in the calendars listed here are not part of the redistribution. Begin typing the name of the calendar in the field, or click to scroll the list and select calendars, or click the Select All button to list all calendars.
  5. Click the Next button to select the groups to redistribute.

Screenshot of the Redistribute - Select Dates and Calendars options.Redistribute - Select Dates and Calendars

Step 2. Select Groups

  1. Select Redistribute Groups into Other Groups for the Redistribution Type. This reassigns students from one group to another group. 
  2. Select from which groups to redistribute student in the Redistribute From field. This is the Source Group (where students are currently assigned)Click in the field to scroll through the available groups, or click the Select All button.
  3. Mark the End Date Selected Groups checkbox to end the student's current group membership AND the group itself as of the day BEFORE the Redistribution Start Date.
  4. Select which groups to redistribute students into in the Redistribute Into field. This is the Destination Group (where students will be assigned). Click in the field to scroll through the available groups, or click the Select All button.
  5. If students should NOT be redistributed, mark the Lock Existing Blended Learning Group Student Assignments checkbox. When marked, only students who are currently assigned to one of the Redistribute Into groups remain in that current group. 
  6. Click the Next button to preview the redistribution.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Groups Into Other Groups - Group Selection options.Redistribute Groups Into Other Groups - Group Selection

Step 3. Preview

Review the selections made for the redistribution process. This step summarizes the selections made. If satisfied, click the Finish button. This may take some time to complete, depending on the number of groups selected, the number of calendars included, the number of students assigned to groups, etc. Please be patient.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Groups into Other Groups - Preview screen.Redistribute Groups into Other Groups - Preview

Step 4. Results

A status bar displays how far along the redistribute process is. As noted previously, this may take some time to complete, depending on the number of groups selected, the number of calendars included, the number of students assigned to groups, etc. Please be patient.

Screenshot of the Redistribute Groups Into Other Groups - Progress screen.Redistribute Groups Into Other Groups - Progress

When the process has completed, the Results page displays as follows, listing the total number of groups selected for redistribution and how many students were redistributed.

Screenshot of the results screen.Redistribute Groups into Other Groups - Complete