We do attendance on the computer every period of every day, and I find it much easier than a paper and pencil solution. We are using a program called "Easy Grade Pro". While I am not a big fan of EGP in general (it is non-free software that runs only on Windoz), the ability to select a "seating chart" view and to take attendance on the seating chart is extremely helpful.
jeff elkner On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 13:23:45 +0100, Chris Puttick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
As someone who was previously (and more or less successfully...) associated with developing a web based attendance form, I heard very similar arguments regarding the difficulty/lack of time of doing registers any way other than the traditional paper and ink method. The end result however was an interface easier and quicker to use than paper and ink, with the added bonus of identifying unauthorised absences (may be a UK only concept?) in real time e.g. school administrators could be contacting parents, social services or other concerned parties within an hour, while provding a far more information rich system to the interested teacher, e.g. reasons for authorised absence, rate of absence and automated pattern spotting. The key is to design an interface that reduces the need for focus on the screen and some sensible process analysis. For instance, a paper register requires the user to identify a name/row/column and enter a mark for present or absent as names are called and responses received. The web interface can pre-mark absent (risk reduction - accidental submission of an empty class much easier to spot and query than a class completely full), then a simple tab moves down the correct column, with space pressed to set a radio button for present, and nothing pressed for absent. This only requires the user to call names and actually reduces the time spent with focus off the pupils.
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