Talk:Introducing the Hornet Card

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I am using the Hornet Card to take attendance in my class of 80 enrolled students. (ECET1000) A simple VB program and a magnetic card reader is all you need to keep tabs on who is and is not attending class sessions.

This way I :

  • don't waste paper
  • don't waste valuable class time (80 students!)
  • show off that we are Georgia's Technology Univ
  • I'll think of more...

Later, Lance

[edit]

Sharing Roll-Taking Info

Lance, would you be willing to share the VB program and provide a source for the reader hardware? Bob Brown 24 August 2005 08:42 (EDT)


I like the idea of automating the system, but this seems pretty easy to get around--I scan my buddy's card this class, he scans mine next class . . . The only reason I take roll is to force them to come to class. If they don't have to be there to get counted as present what's the point? In a class of 80 both the problem of taking roll and the problem of monitoring the automated system are significant.

Julie

Yes, I do have to monitor it carefully to prevent such cunning activity. I certainly can share the software with anyone if they like (can it be posted here or should I post it to my webpage?), but I only use it in such a large class where taking roll would take too much time. Having them line up when they come to class and scan in their ID takes no more than 3 minutes. I purposely learn their names and faces so that I can truly get to know them as I try to have good rapport with all my students. We require attendance in this orientation class and in the past a piece of paper was passed around for folks to sign in. Forging signatures was rampant! Only one ID is scanned per person, perhaps the software could even be enhanced to pull up a larger picture of the person when they scan in. This could be useful for the rec center so that they could verify the Hornet Card IDs as students come in to building NC. I have a scanner to Karl today. Several were donated to ECET from a source I will have to look up...

Lcrimm 31 August 2005 12:26 (EDT)

Question: Is there software/hardware available to have simultaneous roll taking with cards? I imagine something like the system used to poll the students to see if they understand what you've just presented before you go on to another topic.

Personally I take roll through checking in homework daily. It not only encourages students to attend class, but to be prepared, as well.

Bernice


I do this too in smaller classes and tried it once in a larger 70 something class last spring, but found it overwhelming to pass the paper back which took way too much of valuable classtime. Remember this seems to only be effective in enormously large classes where attendance is required/mandated.

Lance

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reader sources

Here's a link to a site that links to several sources for MSRs (Magnetic stripe readers).

http://www.barcodesinc.com/cats/credit-card-readers/

Lance, If one wanted to set up such a thing, which stripe(s) would one have to be able to read? 

   Andy Lyke
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