Overview
In recognition of the varying requirements across courses and teaching styles, this guide presents a range of student attendance tracking options for faculty and staff.
The Academic Technology Services team has carefully assessed each method based on factors such as class size suitability, required teacher and student actions, output formats, and associated costs, with a particular focus on efficient and privacy-preserving solutions for large courses.
Student Attendance Tracking Options
| Options |
Class size |
Instructor action |
Student action |
Output |
Cost |
Considerations |
| Manual roll call paired with GLOW Attendance tool |
Less than 30 |
Call names, click in GLOW |
Respond to roll call |
Paper record, GLOW Grade book |
None |
Speak to your Academic Technology Consultant to customize the attendance tool. |
| Sign-in sheets paired with manual head count |
Any size |
Create sheets |
Sign |
Paper record |
None |
Can be pre-printed with date and student names. Manual headcount can be performed and compared to sign-in sheet anytime during class. |
| EphAttend
(2-min demo video)
JOIN ATS IN PILOTING THIS OPTION FOR LARGE CLASSES!
|
Over 40 (any size) |
Distribute student QR codes (one time), scan |
Scan QR code on instructor(s) device |
.csv file |
None |
Speak to your Academic Technology Consultant for support.
Not recommended for attendance tracking of events not connected to classes.
|
| Plickers (paper clickers) |
Less than 60 |
Download free app, scan |
Hold up Plicker to be scanned |
.csv file |
None |
Plickers can be printed out on regular paper or contact your Academic Technology Consultant for card stock cards. |
| QR code or URL (linked to Google Form) |
Over 40 (any size) |
Classroom projection |
Scan QR code (phone) or use URL (laptop) |
Google Sheet |
None |
How to create a free, persistent QR code in Chrome for any webpage. |
| Low/no-stakes GLOW quiz or survey |
Any size |
Create / duplicate GLOW quiz or survey |
Complete assignment |
GLOW Grade book |
None |
Speak to your Academic Technology Consultant for support.
Quiz/surveys could range from quick content-based questions to checking a box to indicate attendance. Could be set to require a student access code displayed in physical classroom. Could be set to expire automatically within few minutes of class time. Example Template in Canvas Commons
|
| QR code or URL (linked to PollEverywhere) |
Less than 100 |
Classroom projection |
Scan QR code (phone) or use URL (laptop) |
Free: .csv file
Paid: GLOW Grade book
|
Depends |
How QR codes work in PollEverywhere. Currently, the free version can accommodate an audience size of 100.
Speak with your Academic Technology Consultant for 100+ students, if you would like to keep your attendance tool geo-fenced, or if interested in integrating attendance with GLOW Grade book.
|
| ID card reader + software |
Only eligible for 100+ |
Depends |
Swipe ID card |
.csv file |
Very likely |
Speak to your Academic Technology Consultant as we may need to follow the Software Acquisition Process. |
Additional Help
Please reach out your Academic Technology Consultant for support in any of these options. We are happy to demo, test, and explore options that best suit your needs.