Writing Reports with Report Builder

Over the last week or so I've been trying out a number of different Report Writing programs to try and find the best software for our school. I'd like to share the details on the software that I found to be the most useful, despite it been rejected by my school in favour of just typing the reports up in Microsoft Word!

Report Builder was a piece of software that I came across from a link that I was given. The software is written by a company called 'ApplePanic', which as far as I can tell is a fairly new company. What makes this company different is that they really seem to listen to the customer – us the teacher! One suggestion that I made was taken on board, and within 5 or 6 hours a new version was available to download with it implemented. How's that for customer service!

Using the software is similar to other report writing software, Report Assist by Simple Logic being the most common, in how it works with quite a few bonus features! First of all details about each child are put in, the name, nickname, gender, DOB, attendance etc. You can then use the statement banks to write the subject entries for each child. Two or more children need similar comments? Highlight the children's names and enter the comments and it get entered for each child. Any pronouns are automatically altered to cater for the gender.

One of the great features I like is the smart cut and paste. Cut a comment from one child's report and paste it into another and the name changes plus the pronouns. This makes cutting and pasting comments easy without that awful nagging doubt that you forgot to change Richard into a 'he'!

The collection of comments in the comment bank is sufficiently large to use straight away, but as usual can be added to using the simple subject editor. Schools often do this as a whole during a staff meeting. Each foundation comment banks is divided into QCA units (what a great idea) and then subdivided into excellent, good, average and below average. For literacy and numeracy you can pick the comments based on the child's level, all the way down to P statements.

At the moment there are a limited number of report styles, but ApplePanic are actively encouraging schools to send in their report layout so that they can widen the number of styles available. Currently ReportBuilder prints out a cover sheet followed by the report and finally the attendance data and reply slip. If you wish you can also have a sheet with test results. My suggestion to put the attendance data on the front sheet was received and implemented in a new download with 5 – 6 hours as mentioned above.

The updates is another area where I think Report Builder can prosper above some of the other software available at the moment – once you have bought the software you have free updates for the life of the product. You don't have to purchase a new version of the software each year to fix bugs, it's free updates. A simple matter of clicking the Update? button, or even better allow it to run automatically. 

Other features I liked included the backup options, which is also used to move the data between computers and the easy way to export your options so as to allow all the teachers in the class to have the same set-up whichever computer they use. It is also possible to set a limit on the number of characters for each subject comment so you can limit those NQTs who write reams for each child!

The future is bright for Report Builder as well.  A conversation with one of the creators on led to some 'future' features being disclosed, the most significant being the 'Report Server'.   This free add-on is due to go into beta during the summer.  It will allow you to keep reports and pupil info in a central location - like on one of the school computers. You will be able to access this using the schools network or across the Internet. 

Of course using the add-on will be entirely optional, so you could use ReportBuilder as-is, or just put the location of the server in your settings to enable "client" mode. The Backup and Restore icons will then change from memory cards to some other graphic yet to be decided.

Other updates are also planned to ReportBuilder; enhancing the help and adding features people request via the forum, fixing any problems people may find, etc.

There are many other features built into the program and I think the only way that you can really make a choice on a program like this is to try it. There is a free download at the ApplePanic website allowing you to try out the software. If you're planning to buy software to write your reports this year then I suggest you seriously check out Report Builder and compare the features and customer support with others.

Now if only I could convince our head to let us use a program like this. Oh well I'll try again next year!

Link: Report Builder : http://www.applepanic.com/reportbuilder.html

Comments

[Matt]

I downloaded the trial of this software and am amazed by its abilities. It didn't take long to work out how to use the software - it's well worth downloading to see for yourself what it can do.

[Ged Byrne]

After weeks struggling to get started buying Report Builder really helped to get the ball rolling.

Being able to quickly fill all of he pupils reports with standard comments helped get over writers block.

I could then go back and edit it all down to something tighter and more personal.

Great product!

[Julie Lilly]

Almost finished our reports using the Report Builder software. I can't tell you how much easier staff have found report writing this year. The Head is really pleased - far fewer typos. The Helpline (Anthony) is an absolute godsend. I would recommend this software wholeheartedly.