School Attendance Online

Teachers at Box Hill Senior Secondary College came up with the idea in 1997 to find a way to keep better records of student attendance.

They approached a local software firm and discussed their concerns that manual records were not accurate enough, and that they wanted an electronic system that gave parents access to students records via the Internet.

Each teacher carries a hand held computer (a Palm Pilot) loaded with the 'Roll Call' software, which they use to mark student attendance during class. They also use the hand-helds to complete interim reports every 3 weeks on all students.

At the end of each session, or at regular intervals throughout the day, the teachers dock the hand held's at their computers and press a button to synchronise them with the school network. Parents, students and teachers then have instant access to reports.

It has increased student attendance to 90% since 1997, and the kids don't seem to mind it - the headmaster said they liked having boundaries to work within.

For more information, visit the school website at http://www.bhssc.vic.edu.au or RollCall Australia on 03) 9723 2800 or at RollCall australia

For more on Palm Computing, visit Palm Australia

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