Learner Reference Number Quick Response Identification Cards (LRN-QR IDs): Low-cost Innovation to Improving Student attendance and Monitoring

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Our school initiated a program to deal with students not wearing identification cards; habitual tardiness; and random absenteeism. Habitual tardiness and random absenteeism can influence other students to do the same, especially when school monitoring lacks accurate identification, fidelity, and longevity. Records of student behavior are important and can be a source of data to determine behavioral patterns that the school can address thru policies. The LRN-QR student IDs can be scanned by a cellphone application (QR Scan App). The technology is to serve as a deterrent to the above-said violations. Its data is a permanent Data Base securely accessible to both faculty and staff.

METHODS

At the beginning of the second semester of school year 2018-19, students with QR-IDsare scanned as they enter the school gate and again when they leave. The LRN-QR scan has four log categories: Morning Entry; Morning Exit; Afternoon Entry and; Afternoon Exit, thus the QR Scan App has four screen buttons representing each log category. The class advisers can view the Google Sheets of their sections via an internet link on their smartphone or computer. Each class advisers assess their student attendance and report the values to the author online for analysis.

RESULTS

The reported data from different sections are compiled for all grade levels and compared to previous attendance numbers by percent differences. Analysis of the reported data shows the following averaged attendance improvements: Grade 7= 15%; Grade 8= 22%; Grade 9= 13% and Grade 11= 33%. Identified students under 4P's in Grade 11 had a 38% improvement in class attendance. Habitual tardiness of identified students had a 46% reduction, many are 4Ps beneficiaries.

DISCUSSIONS

The LRN-QR program tackles the problems as a psychological-deterrent because it makes students aware that their violations would be accurately logged. Through proper utilization of Google Sheets, other analytics are possible and can produce printed documents for school use. One of the school problems is the random absenteeism of several students who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-4Ps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These students are required to achieve good attendance ratings, failure means possible denial of benefits under 4Ps. So far, utilization of the LRN-QR IDs has resulted in a 38% improvement in class attendance of 4Ps students.