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Save behavior definitions, observation templates, and recording choices in the Library to reuse them. You can also begin an observation with Sightline’s supplied choices. Recording and templates do not require AI or a paid plan.

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Choose where to start

Choose where to start based on what you want to do: Shared items are available for every student. A student’s Library shows these alongside items saved just for that student. To change a shared item for only one student, choose Edit for, followed by the student’s name, before editing. On the home screen of the free Community plan, choose a category under Library in the sidebar.

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Choose what to prepare

  • Definitions: Save the behavior name and observable actions that count.
  • Templates: Reuse an observation’s method, behaviors, and supported setup choices.
  • ABC Tags: Prepare the antecedent and consequence choices for ABC recording.
  • Activities: Prepare the choices in the recorder’s Activity bar.
  • Hashtags and Quick Phrases: Label notes or insert recurring wording. Hashtags are always shared. See Hashtags and Quick Phrases.

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Save a behavior definition

  1. Open Definitions and select New definition below the list.
  2. Enter a Name and Definition. Both are required. Use the optional Label to distinguish versions, such as “3-second rule.”
  3. In a student’s Library, check Applies to. A new definition starts as Just for that student; choose All students if you want it shared.
  4. Select Save.
To edit a definition, select it in the list. For a shared definition in a student’s Library, choose:
  • Edit for all students to change the shared wording.
  • Edit for the student to give that student their own wording.
Other definitions use Edit. Check the message above the form before saving to see whose definition will change. In observation setup, select a definition from the behavior definition browser or enter it yourself. Review the wording before selecting Begin.

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Reuse an observation setup

A template saves the method, behaviors and definitions, applicable timing, peer-comparison settings, and ABC tags for an ABC setup.

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Save a template

  1. Configure an observation in setup.
  2. Select Save as template.
  3. Enter a recognizable name, such as “Partial interval, on-task, 10 seconds.”
  4. Select Save template.
Templates are shared across students. Find yours in Library → Templates.

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Use a template

  1. Select the template in the Library, then choose Use Template. You can also select From a template within setup.
  2. Check the settings and complete the student, setting, activity set, and other observation details. Some setup fields are not saved in a template.
  3. Select Begin.
Changing the current observation does not replace the template.

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Update a template

  1. Select Edit Template in the Library.
  2. Change the setup, then select Save Changes.
  3. Check the template name in the dialog and select Save Changes again.
For a name-only change, select Rename, enter the name, and press Enter. Delete removes a template after confirmation. Sightline’s five starting templates can also be edited or deleted; deleted starting templates are not automatically restored.

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Prepare ABC recording choices

An ABC tag set supplies the recorder’s quick antecedent and consequence choices. Configure the observed behavior separately in setup.
  1. Open ABC Tags.
  2. Select New set, enter a name, and select Create.
  3. In the Antecedents and Consequences columns, select Add to choose a tag or create your own. Select an assigned tag to change its choice; use its remove control to take it out of the set.
  4. Wait for Saved on the card. Changes save automatically.
  5. In an ABC observation’s setup, select Replace set and choose the saved set. Check both columns before beginning.
A set created in the student-list Library is shared with all students. In a student’s Library, choose [student’s name] only or All students. To copy any set, including a built-in set, choose Duplicate… from its three-dot menu. Once the copy is created, continue with steps 3–5 above. To adapt a shared set for one student, open their Library and choose Edit for that student on the set. Then continue with steps 3–5 above. Creating a set does not select it for the next observation. During recording, Search all tags lets you use additional tags without changing the set’s quick choices. See Record ABC events for recording and refining tags. Removing a tag from a set changes that set’s quick choices. Deleting a custom tag from Your tags can remove it from other sets too. Read the confirmation to check where it is used before deleting.

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Prepare activity choices

An activity set supplies the recorder’s Activity choices, such as “Independent” and “Transition.” Selecting a choice during recording starts an activity period.
  1. Open Activities and select + New set.
  2. Enter a name. In a student’s Library, choose [student’s name] only or All students, then select Create.
  3. Select + Add, enter a Label, and press Enter.
  4. To edit a label, select it and press Enter or leave the field to save. Use Remove from set to remove a choice.
  5. Wait for Saved on the card.
If you want longer wording for a choice, use the optional Full name field when adding it. After entering the Label, press Tab to fill in Full name, then press Enter to save. Full name requires Pro or an active Pro trial. To copy an existing set, choose Duplicate… from its three-dot menu and enter a name. In a student’s Library, choose [student’s name] only or All students. Select Duplicate, then continue with steps 3–5 above. A set holds six named activities plus Other, which cannot be removed. Remove a choice before adding another to a full set. To reorder choices, focus one and use Alt + Left Arrow or Alt + Right Arrow. Shortcut numbers change with the order. To adapt a shared set for one student, select Edit for that student in their Library, then edit its choices as described in steps 3–5. Duplicate creates a separate set. To use the set in an observation, open setup. In Options, turn on Track activities if needed, then select your Activity set. ABC always tracks activities. To offer the set in future setup, choose the default you want to change:
  • Set as general default sets the default for all students from the shared Library.
  • Set as default for the student sets that student’s default from their Library.
Check the selected set in setup after changing a default, because previous observation choices can also affect setup. See Activity Context for logging changes and reviewing the activity timeline.

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Check that changes saved

Definitions and templates have save controls. ABC sets and activity sets save automatically. Wait for Saved before leaving a set. If it shows Not saved or reports an error, keep the screen open until saving succeeds. Reopen the item to confirm your changes. Saved observations keep their own behavior definitions, ABC vocabulary, and activity choices. Library edits and deletions do not change those saved copies. To correct an observation, open that record and use its editing controls, then review any existing prose or exports separately.