Step 1: General Information Setup

Introduction: Setting Up Your Timetable's Foundation

Welcome to TimetableMaster! The first crucial step in creating an efficient and conflict-free school schedule is defining the core structure of your timetable. This initial setup involves configuring fundamental details such as the timetable's name, the daily number of periods, precise period timings, break schedules, and your institution's working days, including options for weekly or fortnightly cycles and designated days off.

Mastering these initial settings will pave the way for a seamless timetable generation experience.

Step 1: Basic Timetable Configuration

In this section, you'll establish the essential parameters that define your school's daily and weekly rhythm. These settings are foundational for an accurate and effective timetable.

Timetable Basic Details Configuration

Key Configuration Fields:

1. Timetable Name:

   • Purpose: Assign a unique and descriptive name to easily identify this timetable later (e.g., "Spring Semester 2025", "Secondary School - Odd Weeks").

2. Number of Periods Per Day:

   • Purpose: Specify the total count of teaching periods that occur on a typical school day. This determines the primary divisions of your daily schedule.
   • Example: If your school has 8 classes before the day ends, enter "8".

3. Period Timings Setup:

   • Purpose: Define the precise start and end times for each academic period. This is crucial for accurate scheduling and avoiding overlaps.
   • Interface: You will be able to set individual timings for each period if they vary, or apply a standard duration.

4. Break Configuration:

   • Purpose: Integrate breaks (e.g., recess, lunch) into your daily schedule. You can specify the timing, duration, and name for each break.
   • Example: "Morning Break: 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM", "Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM".

5. Working Days and Schedule Cycle:

   • Purpose: Select the days of the week your institution is operational. TimetableMaster supports both standard weekly and flexible fortnightly (two-week) schedule cycles.
   • Weekly Schedule: The timetable repeats every week (e.g., Monday to Friday).
   • Fortnightly Schedule: The timetable follows a two-week pattern, allowing for variations between Week 1 and Week 2 (e.g., different subjects or activities on alternate Mondays).

6. Setting Days Off:

   • Purpose: Specify any recurring days within your selected cycle (weekly or fortnightly) when the institution is not operational or has no scheduled classes.
   • Example: If your school is closed on Saturdays and Sundays for a weekly schedule, or perhaps closed every second Saturday in a fortnightly schedule.

Detailing Period and Break Timings

Once the basic number of periods is set, you'll often proceed to fine-tune the specific start and end times for each period and break. This ensures your timetable accurately reflects the daily flow.

Detailed Period and Break Timing Configuration

Fine-Tuning Your Daily Schedule:

• Individual Period Timings: For each period number (e.g., Period 1, Period 2), input its exact start time and end time. The system may auto-calculate duration or allow manual input.
• Break Insertion: Breaks are inserted between periods. You'll define when a break starts (usually at the end of a period) and its duration, or its specific end time.
  • Example: After Period 3, add a "Recess" break from 11:00 AM to 11:20 AM. Period 4 would then start at 11:20 AM.
• Visual Verification: The interface provides a visual overview or a running timeline to help you see how the periods and breaks fit together, preventing accidental overlaps or gaps.

Configuring Your School's Operational Days

Defining your institution's active days is fundamental. TimetableMaster offers flexibility to accommodate various academic calendars.

Working Days, Days Off, and Schedule Cycle Configuration

Options for Working Days:

• Day Selection: Checkboxes or similar controls allow you to select which days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) are active school days.
• Weekly vs. Fortnightly Cycle:
  • Weekly: Choose this if your timetable structure is the same every week.
  • Fortnightly: Select this if you have a 2-week rotating schedule where, for instance, "Week A Monday" might differ from "Week B Monday". This option provides greater flexibility for complex needs.
• Setting Specific Days Off: Beyond the standard non-working days (like weekends), you can mark specific days within your cycle as 'off-days'. This is useful for half-days or unique non-teaching days that occur regularly within the chosen cycle.

Best Practices for Initial Setup

• Consult Official Calendars: Refer to your school's official academic calendar for accurate start/end dates of terms and any pre-defined holidays when setting up your timetable's scope.
• Standardize Where Possible: If period durations are mostly uniform, use features that apply standard timings to multiple periods quickly, then adjust exceptions.
• Review Before Proceeding: Double-check all entered information – timetable name, number of periods, all timings, break placements, and working days/days off – before moving to the next steps. A solid foundation prevents complications later.

Next Steps

With the foundational structure of your timetable – its name, period count, detailed timings, breaks, and operational days – meticulously defined, you are now ready to populate it with subjects, teachers, and classes.

Confirmation Checklist:

• Timetable Named: Your schedule has a clear, identifiable name.
• Periods Defined: The correct number of daily periods is set.
• Timings Accurate: Start and end times for all periods and breaks are correctly configured.
• Breaks Scheduled: All necessary breaks are placed within the daily schedule.
• Working Cycle Set: Working days, days off, and the weekly/fortnightly cycle are accurately chosen.