Educational facilities large and small can benefit from classroom scheduling software. These programs help keep track of students, courses and even facilities. When used properly, this prevents conflicts of time and space and makes creating schedules quick and easy. Probably the biggest advantage is that all of your data is in one place and easily accessible.

In terms of cost, you can find everything from freeware to programs costing thousands of dollars. Functionality and ongoing service are also key concerns when considering all your software options. Features in classroom scheduling software vary widely; some figure grades, some calculate tuition, while others simply track student and teacher schedules. Here are some ideas to help you evaluate class scheduling software for beginners:

1. Take advantage of free trials for class management software.

2. Try online class scheduling programs.

3. Download free educational scheduling software applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download a free trial version of class management software

Whenever possible, it is always best to make full use of any available free trial to ensure that the software is right for your institution's needs, because many software companies do not issue refunds once you have entered the product key.

I recommend: Download a free trial for TTMaker by Root Software, which schedules groups of people and allows you to control classroom or venue. Try the free trial from Office Tracker, which allows a variety of users from small to large sizes to manage schedules with greater efficiency. Test the school administrative software from Surfside Lighthouse Group, integrating tasks such as schedules, report cards and discipline management.

Check out online class scheduling programs

The big advantage of an online program is that it is accessible anywhere via a web browser. Course scheduling software is not only useful to the education industry. Some of these programs handle everything from planning a festival to scheduling employees.

I recommend: RJM Systems serves small to medium universities and professional schools. Access to the system is role-based, meaning students can access registration and faculty can enter grades. AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Manager allows users to set up classes and limits so that students can self-register. Sycamore Leaf Solutions will give you a free evaluation site to try its program before you buy it.

Find free class software programs

If your institution's budget is a big issue, why not try freeware? As with any software, back up your system and ensure that you have up-to-date protection from viruses and spyware before installing freeware programs.

I recommend: Lantiv International is a free program that offers a forum along with the program. Use the forum to find general information or to ask specific questions. Tucows offers Mimosa Scheduling, which is comparable to many other course scheduling programs. The company provides an older version of the program, which is not updatable, for no charge.

Whether you need a district- or campus-wide solution for tracking your school class schedule, software of various types is available to help you meet the goal of your particular institution. Some available types of classroom scheduling software, which come in varieties appropriate for schools ranging anywhere from a few students to hundreds or even thousands, follow:

1. System-based class scheduling programs that can be downloaded to your computer's hard drive.

2. Network-based course scheduling programs administered via your school's computer network server.

3. Web-based course scheduling software, also known as on-demand or SaaS (Software as a Service), which is hosted over the Internet.

4. Class scheduling software modules that plug directly into your existing website.

5. Course scheduling software intended for individual teacher use for keeping track of classes, seminars, workshops and other group courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult a comparison website for an overview of the types of course scheduling programs available

Certain websites offer comprehensive information about various types of educational scheduling software. Such sites can help you compare the different programs and services available and allow you to make a more intelligent decision about the one that would be right for your institution's needs.

I recommend: Capterra offers a great deal of information for a wide variety of class management software, including class scheduler software. Many of these programs help integrate administrative functions with the needed class software. Many also include links to product demos. (To filter the site's school administrative software to receive only class-scheduling software entries, check the "class sheduling" box in the sidebar and click "filter now.")

Look for course scheduling software vendors that provide demos, tours, tutorials and free trials

Take advantage of any educational products or information a vendor offers to help you learn more about its class management software. Free trials also provide excellent opportunies to see how the software will work in your school setting and whether it offers the features that you need.

I recommend: CyberMatrix offers a downloadable free trial of its system-based class scheduler software, as well as online tutorials, demo and product manual. Madrigal Soft Tools, available in both system-based and web-based versions, provides a free trial, tour, tutorials and FAQs to answer your most pressing questions.

Consider more economical system-based class scheduling software or freeware if cost is a factor

System-based class software can give you the basic capabilities needed to considerably improve your class booking outlook at a lower cost than hosted course shedule software services. You might even want to consider freeware if your school is small or this is your first experience with classroom scheduling software. Freeware can give you the opportunity to try the product, gain experience in its use and determine exactly what your school's needs are.

I recommend: Create Student Class Schedules With Excel is a $300 downloadable class software program that lets you use the well-known spreadsheet program for educational scheduling software applications. Abacus School Pro, originally designed for community art school use, is versatile enough to use in other school environments, as well. Its website link provides clear screen shots of the software, which illustrate its capabilities. Silk Scheduler is a state-of-the-art system-based educational scheduling software program with a planned 2008 release of its Silk Scheduler Web-Based Version. And, if freeware is your interest, Tucows offers its downoadable Mimosa Class Scheduling Software.

Investigate web-based course scheduling software for greater convenience and less hands-on work

Web-based versions of education scheduling software will save you the inconvenience of troubleshooting, maintaining, updating and upgrading software components yourself--or hiring an IT expert to handle those responsibilities for you.

I recommend: Web-based class scheduling programs are offered by such companies as aal Solutions, which features its eSIS software, and Rediker Software, which offers both web- and network-based options. EMS (Event Management Systems), also provides complete scheduling services through its EMS Campus software. My Campus Portal is a class scheduling software module that can be plugged directly into your school's existing web page to facilitate online student registration.

Select course schedule software to help you keep track of multiple classes

Some types of class scheduler software are appropriate for individual teacher use and could prove helpful to teachers of private group courses, seminars or workshops. These programs can help you organize the scheduling of all the classes you teach and keep better track of the students who register for each.

I recommend: Appointment Quest is a web-based course schedule software application that allows your students to self-register for your classes, prevents overbooking and sends out automatic reminders so your students won't miss their classes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Investigate your choices carefully before deciding which type of educational scheduling software you should purchase. Since so many options are available, it can take a bit of detective work to determine which type will best meet the needs of your school or private teaching agenda.
• •  Always take advantage of any available webinars, demos, tours, tutorials and free-trial downloads offered for the class scheduling software you are considering purchasing, so you can learn as much as possible about its features.

Class scheduling software are programs used by educational institutions to manage their school’s classes. Additional, educational scheduling software can be used by schools to arrange meetings, after school events, lab equipment, buses and more.

Class scheduling software pricing and costs will depend on the type of program that you want to purchase and the features included with the package. For example, simple template versions of class management software can usually be found for free online.

1. Determine the type of classroom scheduling software that you need. Your choice will likely be affected by the type of facility that you work for, whether it is a pre-school, elementary school, secondary school or university.

2. Look at the price of different school class schedule software. Look for programs that falls into your school’s budget.

3. Consider free versions of course scheduling software. Free versions are ideal for smaller schools. Free trial versions are also available for many course scheduling programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find prices for K-12 class scheduling programs

Course scheduling software for K-12 facilities will need to perform different functions than other types of schools. They will typically cost less than higher education class scheduler software since universities will have larger campuses, student bodies and staff to manage with the program.

I recommend: Root Software makes a standard and professional version of their classroom scheduling software, TTMaker. The standard version costs around $320 and includes a 5-day schedule length, 150 group max, 500 max participants and 10 different venues. The professional version is about $650 and removes the maximum numbers. Cyber Matrix’s Class Scheduler has a single license fee of $100 and includes automatic and block scheduling.

Get estimates on higher education course schedule software

You will want course schedule software that allows you to manage your admissions department, seminar events, exam schedules and more. Expect to pay more than school grade class management software although you can find low priced options to save your institution money.

I recommend: AppointmentQuest has a price range from less than $10 to about $160. With the lower end versions, you will have a very limited number of schedules and personnel numbers. The higher end professional versions have about 10 times the usage amount of the standard versions. Appointment Plus retails for about $400 to $800 annually. For the more expensive program, you will get options like staff filters, analytics and more.

Save with free educational scheduling software

If your school is on a tight budget, you may not have the ability to spend hundreds of dollars on a classroom scheduling software. Free programs are easy to use and can still help you manage your school's classes.

I recommend: Lantiv Timetabler is free educational scheduling software and includes numerous features that can prove helpful to your facility. This program features automatic and interactive templates for educational use. Create Appointments has a free online scheduler that you can try out for your school.