The Benefits of Using Cloud-Based Identity Management for Student Tracking
“With a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness, I arrived at the Lake view middle school where I planned to begin my career as a geography teacher. I was only 22 years old at that time and had just completed my grad course for teachers. I can still remember how well prepared I was for my first lesson, a good plan, an interesting topic… (climate change) I was full of energy and hope. After nervously and less than confidently entering in the sixth grade class the first thing I had to do was ‘ROLL CALL’. It took me almost 10 minutes to complete and I could not finish the day as I’ve dreamed. Did you ever track student attendance on a paper sheet during class hours? If yes, then you know how difficult and time consuming it is. Doesn’t it take the fun out of teaching? However, it doesn’t need to be this way.” – Susan Verhoff
Susan Verhoff is an imaginary middle school teacher but this scenario is common for every teacher from charter schools to universities around the globe. The problem of paper based attendance records stretches not only to attendance tracking but also in admission, assessment, library, cafeteria, classroom, enrollment, facility, financial, and fundraising management – all which take a large portion of teacher and student time. Teachers and administrative staff have to spend a lot of unproductive time to track these events.
Beside these issues, does a teacher really know at any given time where their student is? In class? On the bus? Having lunch in the school cafeteria? What can teachers do to meet these formidable student tracking challenges?
Despite the fact that accurate student attendance and tracking can be complex and challenging, some schools are implementing a new type of student tracking software backed by cloud based biometric technology that can track their students in real time, simply by using physiological characteristics through a fingerprint or finger vein biometric scanner. Students can check in automatically to any school facility such as the classroom, library, cafeteria, or gym with a single finger scan to ensure that they arrived on time and safely. The use of biometric identification management technology for student tracking can also establish an automatic communication channel between the school and parent through a web or mobile app. Parents will appreciate the easy access provided by a student tracking system and know they can check their child’s location status at any time and from anywhere.
Furthermore, a cloud based biometric student tracking solution enables teachers and administers to use the technology on field trips. Taking a tablet or phone and scanning a student’s finger ensures that everyone gets on and off the bus. With a mobile hot spot connection, you can also carry a laptop with a biometric scanner on the go. In this way, several problems with existing, manual paper-based tracking systems are solved all at once. Biometric student attendance and tracking technology is designed to make schools safer and more efficient.
Biometric technology and cloud computing for student tracking might sound very expensive and difficult to install but in reality, it’s not. It does not require any technical experience from teachers or administrative staff and biometric hardware devices can be connected to any computer. Biometric characteristics are unique to each student and cannot be shared, thus students can’t fool anyone by assuming the identity of someone else. Biometrics also provides a concrete audit trail of student activity and for those who don’t sign in through the biometric student tracking and attendance system, teachers and parents would know they didn’t come to school. Biometric student tracking systems can change education for the better.
Now a days taking care of students, ensuring their safety is a really complex task.
Many schools around the world have opted for GPS trackers to locate the school buses.But there are many schools still left, who are still hesitant about installing GPS trackers in their school bus fleet. The main reason behind it is the myths regarding student tracking that have mounted in their minds.Smartcards that students use in school are not only meant for student tracking but for other purposes as well.As a school authority, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the students of your school.