chalkDUST FAQ
About chalkDUST | Getting Stats | Understanding
Stats | Troubleshooting
About chalkDUST
Q: What is chalkDUST?
A: chalkDUST is a Database Usage Statistics Tool that provides one-stop access for Texas K-12 public
schools participating in the K-12 Database Program to access their campus usage statistics. By providing a statewide repository for K-12
usage stats, campuses and districts across the state can be sure that they're measuring their database usage using the exact same
parameters.
Q: What statistics are available?
A: Each participating campus is able to download monthly statistics showing the number of SESSIONS, SEARCHES, and FULL-TEXT DOCUMENTS
retrieved from each EBSCO and Britannica databases currently available through the Texas K12 Databases Program.
Q: Can I retrieve usage stats for my Britannica use prior to August 2008?
A: No. While EBSCO stats are available for School Year 2007, chalkDUST only includes Britannica usage statistics beginning School Year 2008
(August 2008). Britannica usage for School Year 2007 may be available from Britannica customer support.
Getting Stats
Q: What will I need to retrieve my usage statistics?
A: You'll need
1) This URL: www.texshare.edu/k12/stats/
2) Your 9-digit TEA ID number
3) A spreadsheet program such as Excel, able to read comma-delimited files.
4) This free MS Excel
Reader --
however functionality is limited.
Q: What if I don't know my 9-digit TEA-ID number?
A: A downloadable spreadsheet is available for you to look up this information. This is a 900K file.
Q: Comma-delimited files? What's that?
A: Comma-delimited (csv) files are plain text files that can be opened by almost any computer with either a spreadsheet application or
a
text editor. Unlike an web-page-viewable report, these files permit easy for sorting and formatting to meet your needs.
Understanding Stats
Q: What do BOL and BOLSE mean in the Britannica database names?
A: These are Britannica product names. BOL stands for 'Britannica Online.' BOLSE is an abbreviation for 'Britannica Online School
Edition.'
Q: What are SESSIONS, SEARCHES, and FULL-TEXT DOCUMENTS?
A: SESSIONS refers to the number of times a particular database is accessed. SEARCHES shows the number of times a user types a search
term into that database. FULL-TEXT DOCUMENTS is the number of search results that are selected and viewed.
Q: What are EBR_HITS and EBR_OTHER?
A: Encyclopaedia Britannica tracks additional usage data, not included in SESSIONS, SEARCHES, or FULL-TEXT documents. EBSCO does not track
this extra data, so for EBSCO databases, these columns will show up as 'n/a.'
Q: How do I view stats for a particular month or for a particular database? How do I derive subtotals and totals?
A: The chalkDUST application provides you with information in spreadsheet format to permit maximum flexibility for your needs.
Use the "SORT" or "FILTER" functions on your spreadsheet application to view customized reports. The flexibility of these reports is only
limited by your creativity with Microsoft Excel (or your favorite spreadsheet application).
Troubleshooting
Q: Why is my campus stats report showing up empty?
A: Some school districts distribute a single login and password for all the campuses in the district. When this is the case,
campus-level stats cannot be determined from the district total. Total usage statistics for the district, however, are available
through the District Level Stats report above. If you have questions, check with your district database coordinator or contact K12Help@esc20.net.
Q: Can I get day-by-day stats? Or mid-month statistical reports?
A: If chalkDUST does not meet your needs, you may contact EBSCO and/or Britannica customer support and request an administrative login and
password to
run
reports using their online EADMIN application.
