The pilot uses Checkin+ which is part of the Study Goal app* and will run in a small number of programmes within FEHHS and FBUS, however if it is successful it may be expanded.
The pilot will test to see if we are able to successfully capture attendance through each student's mobile device in an efficient and accurate way. While the Checkin+ feature will be visible in the app for everyone, it will only work for students who are part of the trialling programmes.
When students download the Study Goal app, 'geolocation' will be switched on. This only provides a relative measure of where they are, so if most students check in from one location and another checks in from somewhere else, that person is considered absent. It does not provide the university with data on where people are on campus or elsewhere.
The geolocation data should be provided with the students' consent and just like any app, they can choose to switch this off. Switching off geolocation will not stop students from checking in to lectures.
You can find out more about Learning Analytics on our Learning Analytics web pages and you can see the information we have shared with students on Student News.
We will be evaluating the pilot after Easter and will share the findings with you. In the meantime if you have any issues or concerns, please email the Learning Analytics team on PASLearningAnalytics@gre.ac.uk
* The Study Goal app is the app which provides students visualisation of their learning activities in the VLE, and shows students the same data you see in Data Explorer.
