Attendance
Use the Attendance tool to log specific attendance status levels for a given day.
To save you time, Attendance registers are placed into your course automatically near the beginning of a Semester. The default register features all dates Monday-Sunday during a Semester. We are seeking feedback on if this register works or does not work for you so we can make improvements. Let us know!
Only log attendance for days your class is in session. You may skip over or (optionally) delete any days your class does not meet.
Tracking Attendance in Brightspace
Track Attendance in Brightspace
Click on the ‘Attendance’ link in the navigation bar of your course.
Prior to the Semester start date (roughly a week in advance) an attendance register will be pre-populated for you. You do not need to create your own register. Click on the register’s name to log attendance.
Locate the date your class meets. You only need to log attendance for days your class meets. You may skip over all other days (or edit the register and delete the extra days, either way, is fine). If you teach online, please track attendance once a week. Click on the icon next to a date to log attendance.
Tip: Quickly locate a day in the register by using your browser’s ‘Find’ function. You can do that by pressing CTRL+F on a Windows computer or Command+F on a Mac. Then, begin typing the date and it will jump right to that spot in the register.
Use the dropdown menus to set the attendance status for each student in the class. Alternatively, use the ‘Set Status for All Users’ button to quickly set an attendance status for all users. Or, you may also use the checkboxes next to each student and then click the ‘Set Status’ link at the top to set a status for any user that was selected via the checkboxes.
Tip: Not sure what an attendance status means? Click on the ‘?’ icon next to the ‘Attendance Status’ column to learn about each option.
After entering attendance data, click the ‘Save’ button. You may then close and return to your course shell.
FAQs
When do the attendance registers get copied in to my course?
Attendance registers are pre-populated into your course about a week before a Semester starts. If your class has started and you do not see a register, please submit a help ticket and we will copy one in for you.
Can I delete or re-order the sessions in the attendance register?
Yes, if you would like to, you may remove sessions or reorder them. To delete, do the following:
1) Go into 'Attendance'.
2) Next to a register name, click the dropdown arrow and choose 'Edit Register'.
3) In the far right column, you can click the trash can icon next to any dates you do not want. Then, click the 'Save' button.
Can I rename the register?
No, please leave the name of the register as-is. This will help us pull accurate attendance data in the future for advising.
How often do I track attendance?
You should track and record attendance in Brightspace each day your class meets. You may skip over any days you do not meet. If you teach online, you will need to record attendance once a week before 5 PM CST on Tuesday for the prior week. Reports will be ran on Wednesday morning to be shared with advising for student outreach and support.
Video Tutorial
How do I track attendance for a lab or clinical?
You may track attendance in the same register, or alternatively use a second register. If you need a second register populated, submit a help ticket and we can place one in your course.
What is this attendance data used for?
Attendance data is used for financial aid and will eventually be used for advising and potentially other student services. We appreciate your help in tracking student attendance!