--- Forwarded Message from Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Sender: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:03:21 -0600
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7604 Attendance software for Macs
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>Disposition-Notification-To: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Return-Receipt-To: Deanne Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
>Priority: HIGH

Bob,
We have recently developed a computerized attendance log for our lab as well
using php, but it is slightly different than the one that you are proposing.
Perhaps, though, it might meet your needs.

1.  At the beginning of each semester, we upload the data from our campus wide
registration system so that we know which language class each student is
registered in.  (Staff and teaching assistants can then add students to the
database who registered late through a separate update process which is quick
and easy.  We can also update the information if they should change sections of
a class.)

2.  When the students' computers start up, the Internet Explorer window with the
log-in screen, automatically opens.  They log-in with their student number and a
password.  They also indicate which language they are studying (as some students
study more than one) and whether they are at the lab for their regular lab time
(still scheduled, but see note below), to make-up a missed lab or whether it is
for extra practice.

3.  This log-in screen can also be accessed from any computer with Internet
access; however, the database checks whether they are in the lab or not (by
computer identification - I'm not sure the technical term).  If they are not in
the lab, then they are only allowed to log-in for "extra" practice (since they
are still required to come to the lab for their regular lab hours that count
towards attendance as they need the specialised equipment).  This information is
also stored in the database.

4.  When students are finished they log-out through the log-out screen on
Internet Explorer (links to this are on every page of our department website).
TAs present can also check to verify that everyone logged out by running a
report and log-out anyone who forgot.

5.  When instructors run the report, they can choose to run total numbers of
minutes or average number of minutes per labs supposedly attended.  (For the
latter, they must simply indicate how many labs have passed).  Their report
indicates the number of regular hours in lab, the number of make-up hours in
lab, the number of extra hours in lab, and the number of extra hours from home.
They can click on a single student to view details of their attendance (exact
times, etc.)

6.  TAs who are working in the lab can run a report which indicates who is
physically in the lab at that particular time, and what class/section they
are in (and the teacher's name).  This aids reporting to the office and
instructors of problems and questions as well.  In addition, they can verify
whether students forgot to log-in or log-out and remind them to do so or do
it for them.  It also says which station the student is sitting at so that when
the TA goes to help the student, they know the students' name.

This has been a much smoother attendance feature than our previous attempts and
it also allows us to grow into different possibilities in the future (if budget
constraints continue).  For instance, because it is on the Internet, if students
don't necessarily have to attend the lab in future, then we will be able to
still monitor their work to a certain degree.  (Obviously no system for this
will be perfect, but it is a start.)

Note: this system doesn't allow for students to sign-up for a time (we have a
system like that for our tutoring program, however which also uses php).  Our
students are still required to register for a lab time when they register for
the class, but we are becoming more lax about enforcing that they attend that
particular time. We care more that they attend the lab at some time, but our
system does log the exact time that they logged-on and -off so instructors can
check to see if they are attending their registered time or not.  The good
thing though, is that this system will allow us the flexibility that if we do
move to a drop-in lab in the future, the system will be adaptable.

If you would some more information, I would be happy to discuss it further with
you off-list.

Thank you,
Deanne Cobb


On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 15:13:57 EDT LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> --- Forwarded Message from Bob Peckham <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
> >User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/11.0.0.040405
> >Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 11:13:39 -0500
> >Subject: Attendance software for Macs
> >From: Bob Peckham <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> I asked about this over a year ago, when we were much more ambitious about
> what we wanted to do.  A severe budget crisis came upon us.  We are still a
> bit short of money, but things are not as severe.  Our students in the first
> 4 courses of our curriculum are required to practice for two hours a week in
> the language lab.
>
> Currently, we account for our 850 hours/week of student lab time from an
> roster for each of our 52 open hours.  The roster is from a word processing
> document, and this also serves as a trough file to see if students are
> signed up, when they totally forget what they did in the first week of
> class.  When I query people on campus, they not their heads, say I believe
> this can be done, but can never give me any solid leads.
>
> ==============
>
> WHAT WE WANT THE SOFTWARE TO DO
>
> Student's can register themselves in one of 52 hour slots
> Program limits number of students signing up for a particular time
> Students indicate teacher, course, course hour
>
> 1st student card swipe on a particular date = "time in"
> 2nd student card swipe on a particular date = "time out"
> 3rd student card swipe on a particular date = "time in"
> 4th student card swipe on a particular date = "time out"
>
> Students need to be able to verify their use of lab
> Perhaps a record of the card swipt needs to appear on the screen
>
> "time in" and "time out" for each student is recorded in the appropriate one
> of the 52 hour slots, but also goes automatically on a teacher's per/class
> roster, so that a teacher can see how many lab sessions a student her has
> had up to a certain date.
>
> ==============
>
> We do ask students to give proof of what they have done in lab and we test
> them on it.
>
> Do any of you have any ideas which will not cost an armand a leg or cause
> our teachers, who are also spend hours in lab supervision to do extra work.
>
> TBob
>
>
>
> Robert D.Peckham, Ph.D
> Professor of French
> Vice President, American Association of Teachers of French
> Director, Muriel Tomlinson Language Resource Center
> Director, Globe-Gate Intercultural Web Project
> Department of Modern Foreign Languages
> Univ. of Tennessee at Martin / Martin TN 38238
> Email: [log in to unmask]

Deanne Cobb
Language Lab Manager
Language Resource Centre
University of Regina