Three tools to help take attendance in an online class

By Chris Fulton, The Centre for Teaching and Learning Enhancement

At least three tools can be used to take attendance in an online class: choice, feedback, and questionnaire. This blog post outlines the features of each tool.

Of course, an ‘attendance’ tool in Moodle can also be used, and ICTO has guides on how to use it in class. However, that attendance tool, which requires students to scan a QR code quickly, seems more appropriate for a face-to-face class. Similarly, Zoom might be used for taking attendance but students’ information in a Zoom report may not match the information on a class roster.

The tools described below can be used to do more than take attendance, such as help prepare students for learning, check students’ understanding or serve as the basis for discussions.

Example of an ‘attendance’ question (feedback):

Comparison of tools

Feature/Tool	Choice	Feedback	Questionnaire
Single question only	✅	✅	✅
Text questions and choices	✅	✅	✅
Multiple answers and essay type questions	❌	✅	✅
Advanced question types	❌	❌	✅
Export/import questions	❌	✅	❌
Grade/point awarded	❌	❌	✅

A major advantage of using a tool in Moodle is:

the records will be automatically recorded, either in the course gradebook or activity completion report.

Note:

only a questionnaire will record a grade or point.
to make use of a choice or feedback activity, the activity tracking tools need to be enabled for each activity.

CTLE offers personal consultations for colleagues interested in getting help with the design of their course activities. 