Column Type Options
When adding an item to a Plan template, there are four column type selections: status, dropdown, text, and date. The table below provides an overview of each option.
Column Type | Description | Track Progress/Changes | Example |
Status | Status scale or points (numerical) entry that can be tracked over time. Updates can include saved notes and attachments. | Yes | Scale: Not Started, Incomplete, In Progress, Complete
Points: Enter any number |
Dropdown | Custom dropdown list of selections. | No | Frequency: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly |
Text | Text entry | No | Individual goal |
Date | Date selector | No | Date last updated |
When to Choose a Status Column vs. a Dropdown Column
Scale-based status columns and dropdown columns both offer a list of selections to choose from. When selecting which column type to use, please consider the following:
Status columns are best to track performance or progress over time, and can also be used to view data visualizations on the current status for all students within the item.
Dropdown columns are best for limited, one-time selections that do not require analysis or tracking of performance/progress (e.g. staff member names, frequencies for interventions, curricular resources).
Add Columns to a Plan Template
Select column type when you add a new column to a section in a Plan template.
What About Third-Party Data?
The option to automate third-party data in a Plan is located in the Status column. After clicking the Select Scale box, it will be the first item on the list (Connect to Otus Data Source).
➡️ Click here to learn more about adding sections, columns, and items.
Enter Column Data
➡️ Click here for instructions on how to enter information in each column type.
Otus Live Video
Click to see a video from our Otus Live series on when to use a Drop Down versus when to use a Scale in plans.
Click to see a video from our Otus Live series on when to use a Drop Down versus when to use a Scale in plans.