Easy Reporter
Guidelines for writing Comment Bank entries
When using the Teacher Entry Module up to FOUR comments may be selected from the a list of comment fragments contained in a Comment Bank.
A comment bank is linked to a Course. Individual Courses may have different comment banks associated with them.
Well planned Comment Banks will make writing reports easier. Comment banks can be used in three ways:
The entries in Comment Banks have already been checked for correct spelling and grammar and hence using comment bank entires will reduce the likelihood of spelling or gramatical errors.
Automatic personal pronoun and name substitution eliminates errors in the spelling of a student's name or using 'he' when 'she' is correct.
Some teachers are exceptionally skilled at writing report comments. They seem to have a natural flair for chosing the right words and combining them in the most appropriate way. Capitalise on the skills of these people by reviewing their reports and extracting the best comments for the comment banks.
The general format of a comment is a single statement about the student’s achievement (or lack of it).
Example: Martin has worked diligently this semester.
Combination comments should be avoided, because combining two statements into the one comment will reduce the likelihood that the comment will be applicable.
Example: Martin is a conscientious student but often hands in his work late.
The same effect can be achieved by selecting two separate comments from the Comment Bank and then editing them together using a conjunction if the comment seems too short.
Example: 1. Martin is a conscientious student. 2. He often hands in work late.
Result: Martin is a conscientious student. He often hands his work in late.
After editing: Martin is a conscientious student but often hands his work in late.
Comments should be written as though they will commence with the student’s name.
The Teacher Entry Module will insert the student’s name at the start of the first comment and will insert the correct personal pronoun at the start of subsequent comments.
Example: 1. is a conscientious student. 2. often hands in work late.
Result (male): Martin is a conscientious student. He often hands in work late.
Result (female): Mary is a conscientious student. She often hands in work late.
It is NOT necessary to write comments for both male and female cases.Where a male personal pronoun is contained within a comment, the corresponding female equivalent will be substituted as required with capitalisation that matches the original male pronoun.
Example (male): Martin is thorough in his work.
Result (female): Mary is very thorough in her work.
Substitutions
Male Female He She Him Her His Her Himself Herself Son Daughter
The student’s name can be inserted anywhere in a comment by using the code %NAME.
Example: If %NAME had worked harder his results would have been better.
Result (female): If Mary had worked harder her results would have been better.
If a comment begins with a capital letter no alteration is made to the comment. This is used where the comment should not start with the student’s name.
Note: You should be careful how you construct comments using this feature as they usually come out sounding like horroscope predictions. Here is a poor example.
Example: If he had worked harder he would have achieved more.
Comment fragments that begin with an apostrophe ( ' ) receive special treatment.
| Condition | Result | Example |
| ‘s excellent book work reflects his positive attitude in this subject. | ||
| First comment | student’s name + ‘s | Martin’s excellent book work reflects his positive attitude in this subject. |
| The name already ends with s | s’ | James’ excellent book work reflects his positive attitude in this subject. |
| Second or subsequent comment | His or Her | His excellent book work reflects his positive attitude in this subject. |
If the comment does not end with a full stop, exclamation point or question mark, a full stop will be added to the end of the comment.
Example: works hard
Result: Martin works hard.
| PEA01 | ‘s involvement in lessons was always positive and thoughtful |
| PEA02 | has displayed a positive and enthusiastic attitude throughout the semester |
| PEA03 | has a positive attitude towards practical activities |
| PEA04 | is always involved, demonstrating a responsible attitude |
| PEA05 | approaches practical work with a diligent manner |
| PEA06 | possesses a mature and responsible attitude |
| PEA07 | When on task, %NAME works very well |
| PEA08 | When on task, %NAME works very well demonstrating enthusiasm |
| PEA09 | needs to become more involved in the practical activities |
| PEA11 | is a capable student who at times is too easily distracted |
| PEA12 | has well developed motor skills but often uses them inappropriately |
| PEA13 | is a disruptive influence in class |
| PEA14 | shows little interest in this subject |
| PEE01 | has given of his best all semester |
| PEE03 | is a very conscientious and hardworking student. |
| PEE04 | is an industrious and diligent student |
| PEE05 | is to be commended on his efforts this semester |
| PEE07 | effort and attention to instructions have improved considerably over the semester |
| PEE08 | usually works consistently and reliably |
| PEE09 | has ability in this subject but needs to make a more consistent effort |
| PEE10 | requires a greater effort and concentration to improve skills |
| PEE11 | ‘s effort this semester has been inconsistent |
| PEE12 | must improve application in all areas of this subject |
| PEG01 | is to be commended on his excellent approach and outstanding results in this subject |
| PEG03 | has made excellent progress this semester |
| PEG04 | is an enthusiastic and responsible student |
| PEG05 | is a well mannered and diligent student who participates fully in class |
| PEG06 | is a keen, hardworking student who is always attentive |
| PEG07 | is a talented student who excels in this subject |
| PEG08 | displays a thorough knowledge of all concepts covered |
| PEG09 | works well at all times without direct supervision |
| PEG10 | is a positive participant in both practical and theory lessons |
| PEG11 | has the ability to work productively without constant supervision |
| PEG12 | has ability and is keen to improve |
| PEG13 | has achieved very satisfactory results |
| PEG14 | is a capable and interested student making satisfactory progress |
| PEG15 | is a quiet and steady worker |
| PEG16 | shows interest in this subject and is working to ability |
| PEG17 | has progressed satisfactorily this semester |
| PEG18 | has always been in attendance, offering assistance whenever required |
| PEG19 | can be too hard on himself when he makes an error in class |
The recommended way to prepare a Comment Bank is to edit the entries in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word. The spelling and grammar checking options will identify any corrections required. This should not be the only checking applied as the spell checker will find nothing incorrectly spelt with this example if 'right', 'write' and 'rite' were interchanged.
The right to write about the rites of spring.
Each comment should be entered on a single line starting with a 5 character code followed by a space or tab character and then the text of the comment fragment. The code MUST be exactly five characters in length. Typically, the first two or three characters indicate the KLA and are followed by two or three digits to sequence the entries.
Example: PEG19 can be too hard on himself when he makes an error in class
The file should be saved as a TEXT file.
Each Course or Subject area's Comment Bank should be stored in a separate file.