Methods and Tools for Taking Attendance
QR Codes & Digital Sign-in
- QR Code (Recommended):
- Instructor displays a rotating QR code that students capture with an app (Qwickly)
- Students receive a QR code at the start of the semester, which they scan for attendance. (Canvas Cape)
- QR code is displayed for students to scan that links to a form where students mark their own attendance (Google Forms)
- Manual Entry: Students type their ID to check in.
- ID Card Swipe/Scan: If supported by the school, students swipe or scan their ID cards.
Polling
- Poll Everywhere: Students respond via device; enables real-time engagement.
- In-Class Quizzes: Paper or online quizzes track presence and reinforce learning.
Minute Papers & Exit Tickets
- Digital Submissions: Google Forms or Canvas reflections on the lecture.
- Paper Submissions: Index cards or written responses at the end of class.
Teaching Staff Check-Ins
- Sign-In Sheets: A simple but less pedagogically engaging method.
- Teachly: An application developed to track student participation that allows for manual attendance-taking.
- In-Person Checks: TFs visually confirm attendance.
Qwickly Attendance Tracker | Roll Call in Canvas Cape | Poll Everywhere | Teachly | |
Hardware | Teaching staff launch a QR code from the course Canvas site, projected in class. Students will capture the QR code on their mobile device in the Qwickly app. | A computer or mobile device for teaching staff. Optional: projector for QR code display. | A computer or mobile device for teaching staff to manage and monitor polls. | A computer or mobile device for teaching staff to manually record attendance. |
Student Technology | Qwickly app installed on a smartphone with a camera to scan QR codes. | Smartphone or device with a camera to scan QR codes. Internet access to verify attendance in Canvas. | Smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access to respond to polls. | Smartphone, tablet, or computer (optional, if students access supplementary tools). |
Teaching Staff | QR codes, records and admin interface are located on the Qwickly page on the course Canvas site. | Ability to generate and share QR codes with students. Manage and monitor attendance via CanvasCape. | Ability to set up and deploy polls for students to respond in real-time. Analyze response data. | Manually track attendance or participation using a roster. Update records in the system or spreadsheet. |
Setup | ATG will install Qwickly on the course Canvas site. Students must download the Qwickly app to their mobile device. | Enable CanvasCape in the institution’s Canvas system. Set up QR code generation and sharing for each class. | Create an account on Poll Everywhere. Set up and customize polls for attendance tracking. | Import or manually add student rosters. Minimal setup but requires regular manual updates. |
Method of Tracking | Students scan QR codes during class, linking attendance to their Canvas account. | Students scan QR codes during class, linking attendance to their Canvas account.
| Students respond to attendance polls via a web link. No QR code | Manual tracking by teaching staff based on presence or participation. No automation |
Drawbacks | QR codes rely on working cameras and stable internet; technical issues can disrupt attendance tracking. | QR codes rely on working cameras and stable internet; technical issues can disrupt attendance tracking. Chrome PlugIn Only Not Harvard managed, independantly and voluntarily maintained by an individual employee. | Attendance is dependent on real-time responses; late or absent responses cannot be backlogged easily. Does not integrate well with Canvas.
| Labor-intensive for staff due to manual tracking. No automated features |
For further support and assistance, please contact Academic Technology for FAS.