A brief history of class attendance tracking taking us through to modern-day innovations
Teacher: “Jake?
Jake: “Here.”
Teacher: “Alice?”
Alice: “Present.”
Teacher: “Tommy?”
Tommy: “Here.”
Roll call [Rowl Kaal]
noun
“The act or an instance of calling off a list of names.”
- Merriam-Webster
Roll call is a standard part of classroom management practices in K12 schools and many Higher Education universities. Originally taking its name from a time when military, educational, or legislative members would use a roll of paper or parchment to call out names, roll call has changed significantly over the years.
The process of taking the class roll in America dates back to 1838, when Horace Mann, the secretary, and founder of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, complained of the state’s inability to collect basic information on student attendance in public schools.
He wrote that the military tracks “every missing gun-flint and priming wire … among its archives” but schools have no way of knowing which children are skipping lectures within “nurseries of intelligence.” In English? Schools.
A few years later, in 1852, the first compulsory attendance law was signed into existence by the General Court of Massachusetts. Thanks, Horace… The new law stated that “Every person who shall have any child under his control between the ages of eight and fourteen years shall send such child to some public school”.
It outlined punishments and penalties associated with truancy, requiring all schools to begin recording attendance to ensure that no students were skipping class. And as school systems continued to develop across the United States, roll call in classrooms became mandatory across the country. Leaving many groaning students and sighing teachers with the tiresome task of monitoring class attendance manually.
And it hasn’t changed much since that time. There was a shift from physical roll calls to digital ones in the early 2000s with the advent of LMS systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas. However, even those educational technologies didn’t change the way roll call was taken. It took just as much time – more if your technologically challenged instructor spent the first five minutes of class fighting with their computer – to run through the list of student names on their desktop.
These days, with the development of amazing new technologies like the James Webb Space Telescope, AI and machine learning, electric cars, cryptocurrency, and 5G mobile networks, we see continuous improvement upon old processes and modern-day innovations.
Which brings us to AccuClass.
Best Student Tracking Systems
Student tracking systems are software platforms that help educators monitor and manage various aspects of a student’s academic journey. From attendance and grades to behavior and engagement, these systems centralize critical data to facilitate decision-making and improve outcomes.
Benefits of Using a Student Tracking System
Benefits of Using a Student Tracking System
- Improved Efficiency: Automates repetitive administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on teaching.
- Better Decision-Making: Provides data-driven insights for tailoring teaching strategies to individual needs.
- Enhanced Communication: Improves collaboration between teachers, parents, and students.
Key Features to Look for in a Student Tracking System
- Customizable Reports: Ability to generate reports tailored to specific requirements.
- Mobile Accessibility: Apps for teachers, parents, and students to access data anytime.
- Data Security: Robust measures to protect sensitive student information.
Top Student Tracking Systems
Tracking student progress effectively is crucial for educators to ensure academic success and enhance the learning experience. The right student tracking system can transform how schools and universities manage attendance, grades, behavior, and overall student engagement. This guide explores the best systems available in 2024, their standout features, and the benefits they offer to educators and administrators.
AccuClass
AccuClass is a software solution that finally brings class attendance tracking into the modern age. In AccuClass, a digital roll call is the only rudimentary option available to instructors, offering them the ability to record attendance using Bluetooth beacons, sign-in stations, and attendance kiosks. These new roll call methods remove the burden of taking attendance from the instructor, speeding up the process of taking attendance and providing all the recorded data in easy-to-view reports.
Developed by Engineerica, a technology company with over 25 years of experience in providing attendance solutions to higher education, AccuClass was developed with classroom management in mind. Leveraging all the expertise that Engineerica gained in the field, AccuClass has been able to give a much-needed update to the roll call finally.
Let’s dig into the details of AccuClass’s exciting features.
Attendance Kiosks: Efficient and Convenient
- Our mobile app can turn any iOS or Android device into an attendance kiosk.
- Educational institutions can wall mount the device or place it in a stand at the front of the classroom.
- Students then scan their IDs as they enter or use their own devices to scan a QR code of the device.
- That’s it! No instructor effort is needed, and no class time is wasted taking attendance.
Sign-In Stations: Easy to Setup
- Using our web application, any laptop or desktop can be transformed into a sign-in station.
- Hooking up an RFID reader, magnetic card swiper, or barcode scanner can help speed up student sign-ins. Students can also manually enter their IDs into the station.
Bluetooth Sign In: Now That’s Quick
- This is a cool one; with just the click of a button, the instructor’s device will become a Bluetooth beacon, emitting a token to all students registered in the class.
- The students’ devices will then ask them to sign in from their app with one click.
- For both student and instructor, it’s just one click; now that’s quick!
QR Code Sign-In: Simple, Quick, and Flexible
- By putting a QR code up on the projector or their computer, instructors can allow students to quickly sign in without having to go through the entire roll call.
- The QR code refreshes constantly, making this a great anti-cheating attendance option.
- It’s flexible too! Instructors can sign in from one room and sign out from another by putting up the IN code and OUT code in different locations.
Polls & Quizzes: Engage and Gauge Your Students
- AccuClass goes past attendance; it also offers engagement features
- With the polling ability, instructors can administer polls or quizzes to gauge student knowledge and comprehension.
- Polls can be used to help identify students’ weak areas in a subject or track student progress.
Reports: Attendance Data Reporting
- Create, view, and export reports on student attendance data
- See attendance per session, student, or class.
- Save administration staff’s time by providing student attendance data with AccuClass.
School attendance and student achievement go hand-in-hand. So, whether you’re a student, instructor, or administrator, you’ll appreciate the convenience that AccuClass can offer you. Book a demo today at AccuClass to learn more!
PowerSchool SIS
PowerSchool is a trusted name in the education sector, particularly for K-12 institutions. Its comprehensive suite of tools integrates seamlessly into the daily operations of schools.
Key Features:
- Learning Management System (LMS) integration
- Customizable reporting tools
- Advanced analytics for tracking student performance
User Ratings and Feedback:
- Rated 4.3/5 on Capterra
- Users appreciate its ease of integration with third-party tools and ability to generate detailed reports effortlessly.
Gradelink SIS
Known for its user-friendly design and superior customer support, Gradelink SIS is a favorite among educators looking for simplicity without compromising functionality.
Key Features:
- Attendance and grade tracking
- Parent-teacher communication tools
- Google Classroom integration
User Ratings and Feedback:
- Scored 4.8/5 on Capterra
- Praised for its intuitive interface and outstanding customer service.
Blackbaud Education Management Solutions
Blackbaud offers a robust platform tailored for private schools and higher education institutions, focusing on academic and financial management.
Key Features:
- Tuition management and enrollment tools
- Fundraising and alumni relations support
- Accessible mobile apps for parents and teachers
User Ratings and Feedback:
- Rated 3.9/5 on Capterra
- Users highlight its simplicity but note that it could benefit from enhanced features for larger institutions.
FACTS Student Information System
FACTS is designed for private, public, and international schools, providing tools that streamline operations while enhancing the student experience.
Key Features:
- Centralized student data management
- Financial management tools
- Integration with over 50 partners
User Ratings and Feedback:
- Rated 4.1/5 on Capterra
- Users value its reliability and integration options but suggest improvements in its user interface.
Comparison of AccuClass with Other Attendance Tracking Tools
The table below compares AccuClass with other popular attendance tracking systems, highlighting their key features and functionalities. This analysis demonstrates how AccuClass stands out as a user-friendly and versatile solution for educational institutions without overtly promoting it.
| Feature/Criteria | AccuClass | PowerSchool SIS | Gradelink SIS | Blackbaud EMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile App Integration | Fully integrated, supports Apple and Android devices; features roll call, barcode scanning, and magnetic card readers | Basic mobile app for attendance tracking | Limited app integration | Mobile app primarily for enrollment and academic management |
| Student Self-Sign-In | Yes, with self-sign-in via app to promote responsibility | No | No | No |
| Engagement Features | Quick polls for instant feedback and class engagement | None | None | None |
| Cloud-Based System | Yes, real-time updates and easy data retrieval | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with LMS | Seamless integration with classroom technologies | Strong LMS integration | Google Classroom integration | Basic LMS features |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive interface for students and instructors | Steeper learning curve | Highly user-friendly | Moderate; geared toward administrators |
| Scalability | Suitable for all types of educational institutions | Best for K-12 schools | Best for small to medium-sized schools | Ideal for large private institutions |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Competitive pricing for the features provided | Generally higher-priced | Affordable for small schools | Expensive; geared towards large budgets |
| Customer Support | Dedicated support with training resources | Available but less personalized | Excellent; highly rated by users | Limited; mainly email and forum support |
Why AccuClass Stands Out
- Ease of Use: AccuClass offers an intuitive interface for both students and instructors, reducing the learning curve often associated with implementing new technology.
- Innovative Features: Tools like quick polls and self-sign-in ensure AccuClass not only tracks attendance but also enhances classroom engagement and accountability.
- Cost Efficiency: AccuClass provides premium features without the steep costs associated with other platforms like Blackbaud EMS or PowerSchool SIS.
- Versatility: It caters to all types of institutions, making it a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t compromise on quality.
While other systems like PowerSchool SIS and Gradelink SIS are strong contenders, AccuClass excels with its feature-rich, user-centric design, making it an excellent choice for institutions seeking a comprehensive yet accessible attendance management solution.
Learn more: AccuClass Student Attendance Tracking Software
Conclusion
Choosing the right student tracking system can significantly impact an institution’s ability to manage and improve student outcomes. By evaluating your specific needs and considering the systems mentioned above, you can find a solution that empowers educators and enhances the learning experience.
