Include Student ID in Media Checkout Data
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David Burkart
It is critical to include the ID number associated with each student in the data exports and reports related to Media Checkouts (i.e. media items, history, late media items, etc.). Student ID numbers are an important identifier of individual students and without these data it is very difficult to properly manage loaned items.
Mike N
Why is this critical? The management of media items (e.g. checkouts, late items, usage reports …) should all be done using this software. What is it that you need to do that requires exporting the checkout data and student IDs to another system?
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David Burkart
Mike N As Raizel mentioned, names are not unique identifiers. Proper management of items requires properly identifying the users of these items. Without IDs the functionality of these exported data is very limited. For example, you may not be able to take action on overdue items without the students' IDs. Or, if you wanted to utilize the student check out data in some sort of analysis (i.e. are students who check out items more successful in their classes? more likely to use other services?) their IDs are needed.
Raizel
It seems rather silly that it was not included in the first place. After all, names are hardly unique identifiers. Also, this should be extremely trivial to implement.
Mike N
Raizel It might seem like that but most users will protest showing student IDs in reports because they consider that confidential information!
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David Burkart
Mike N Student IDs are already included in many other Accudemia reports. Why should this report be any different?
Mike N
David Burkart They are only included when the user specifies they want them to be included via the Show User ID checkbox in the report's generation screen. We'd need to add the same capability to this report, which adds to the programming work. So while this is doable, it is not 'extremely trivial' to add.
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David Burkart
Mike N Glad to know it is doable, thank you!