[K12OSN] OT - Student Entered Attendance System

[Huck]

what if the cards were in a card-holder(like time cards at factories) 
right next to the computer kiosks... then they would just grab their's 
and swipe it...enter their password and go...


--Huck

Carl Keil wrote:
>>
>> Seems crude, but aren't you talking about an RFID warehousing system?
>> >
>> > On Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 12:58 AM, Carl Keil <carl at snarlnet.com> wrote:
>> >
>>  
>>> > > Hey Kind Folks,
>>> > >
>>> > > I've been asked to create something and I thought I'd pick the 
>>> collective
>>> > > brain before possibly entering into the wheel reinvention game.
>>> > >
>>> > > Does anyone know of a computerized system for keeping track of 
>>> attendance
>>> > > that would function with the kids themselves (k-12) entering 
>>> their own
>>> > > comings and goings into the system?  As I sit down to design this 
>>> I'm
>>> > > imagining all kinds of data integrity nightmares with 
>>> kindergarteners
>>> > > clicking "sign in" and "sign out" buttons that are next their (or 
>>> someone
>>> > > else's) name.  This would be some sort of kiosk by the front 
>>> door.  I'm
>>> > > thinking that if I use a web interface (I am a web programmer), 
>>> I'll use a
>>> > > thin client for this.
>>> > > This is for a free school, where kids can enter and leave the 
>>> school at
>>> > > different times.  There is no "home room" or designated check in 
>>> time.
>>> > >  Right now, kids sign in on paper, but it is making reporting and 
>>> tracking
>>> > > trends difficult.  I'm toying with the idea of using facial (and 
>>> possibly
>>> > > voice) recognition software.  So, a kid comes in, sticks their 
>>> mug into a
>>> > > camera and clicks a button that either says they are coming or 
>>> going.  If
>>> > > the picture can't be recognized, it is stored and flagged for human
>>> > > identification.  I have no idea how to do that though.
>>> > > One other design problem is that we need some record of who's in the
>>> > > building that we can grab if there's a fire or other emergency.  
>>> That's
>>> > > where the sign-in sheet on the clipboard really shines.
>>> > >
>>> > > Any brainstormy thoughts at all about pitfalls or solutions would be
>>> > > helpful at this point.  Anyone else have a situation similar to 
>>> this?
>>> > >
>>>     
>>
>> There are many pitfalls, the biggest being smart kids - don't ever
>> underestimate the ability of a four year old to deceive.
>>
>> Single scan (forget the in/out buttons, just have the current state 
>> ready)
>> will tell you just that something got scanned, so there is a problem 
>> right
>> there. The kids can scan in and -not- enter or leave.
>>
>> All the tokens not attached permanently can be exchanged ....
>>
>> Can you do something of a bit futuristic nature, since the future will
>> happen soon? What I have in mind is "chipping" the kids with tiny RFID
>> chips. Works for my cats. I had to change the design from a single 
>> scanner
>> with the door mechanism to three scanners, so that I really know where
>> they are. I've seen cats and kids change their minds and back out after
>> opening the doors to go in -:)
>>
>> Of course the above was somewhat in jest, but there is no good solution
>> without the use of biometrics, and even those can be fooled.
>>
>> One inexpensive way is to count heads going in and out - web cam, simple
>> software. Make sure you push the video to an external server. In case of
>> an emergency, you'll now -how many- kids are in, to find out -which- 
>> kids,
>> you'd need to view the video. As far as I know, this is acceptable level
>> of data for emergencies.
>>
>> Good luck, julius
> The first thing I asked the school's director was if it would be OK to 
> chip the kids.  This is exactly like herding cats, which, apparently, 
> you have some experience with.  I've since realized that even chipping 
> the kids and/or video surveillance won't work.  The kids at this school 
> have the option of playing outside if there is an adult out there to 
> supervise.  This isn't considered "checking out".  The kids really do 
> need to click or swipe something to signify their intention to 
> stay/leave.  Since these kids can't be relied on to bring ID badges 
> every day and tattooing bar codes is a wee bit too futuristic, I'm 
> heavily leaning towards fingerprint swipers.
> Can anyone recommend a linux friendly, affordable, USB, fingerprint 
> reader?  One that can read through gloves, mittens, masking tape and 
> layers of assorted jams and jellies?  My wife loves the idea of a hand 
> sanitizer station next to the finger print swiper, cut down on colds and 
> flus and track the kids all in one fluid motion.
> 
> Thank you everyone for your help thinking this through.
> 
> ck
> 
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