Selection from a pool of Teachers

[ahmicphd]

Lets say we have different labs for different courses at certain predefined time slot. We have a pool of teacher assistants (TAs) that we need 2 for each lab (so let's say TAs:  A, B, C, D, E,.....). We have added them as teacher and set them time constrains/availability preference as well as their target hours and qualified subjects. Can FET help in filtering and selecting two of these TAs based on: 1- being in the qualified list, 2- based on their time availability, and 3-based on the target hours?
If yes, how can we do that in FET?
If not, can anybody recommend another time tabling software or app (e.g. Doodle) that can help in that?

Thanks

[Liviu Lalescu]

I think FET in Block planning mode is what you need. Please read this mode's help.

In short: The real time slots will be FET hours, the real teachers will be FET days, min 2 teachers is constraint activities min simultaneous in selected time slots, availability/preference and qualified subjects is activities preferred times, target hours is constraint activities occupy min/max time slots from selection.

[ahmicphd]

Thanks Liviu for the suggestion. I will read about it and update you once done. Thanks again for the quick reply

[Liviu Lalescu]

You are welcome!

For the target hours you might also need to add the corresponding max value, as a constraint (I will modify my post above).

[Liviu Lalescu]

I think I must apologize. I think I read it too fast and understood wrongly. Please allow me a bit more to think of a solution. Block planning mode might be for something else.

For your exact case we might need to use the Official mode with tricks. I hope it is possible with the official version of FET, without needing a customization.

[Liviu Lalescu]

Maybe like this:

FET in the Official mode.

Add teachers list, and constraints teacher not available.

If T1 has target 10 hours, add 10 activities for him, duration 1 each.

A constraint activities min 2 simultaneous in selected time slots, select all activities, select all slots (with X or red).

With activities preferred times make the qualifications.

Maybe: If it is possible to have more labs at the same time, consider FET hours = real time slots and FET days = real labs. If not, FET time slots = real time slots.

Hmm..., maybe Block planning mode is needed, and we treat real teachers as FET Block planning mode students. So that the FET students won't have two activities at the same real time.

[ahmicphd]

Thank again Liviu for sharing your valuable ideas and thoughts

[ahmicphd]

Can we divide the tasks into 2?  Task One, which is assignment of teachers based on their time availability (and if possible, qualified subjects and target hours)...so I am wondering if someone can suggest a software for that (not necessarily FET)...then task 2 can be buliding the table for the selected teachers (which can be done by FET).