Introducing aPlus+ Attendance: A Smarter Way to Support Student Success
July 29, 2025 / Digital Learning / Tags: Canvas, Digital Marketing
Student success begins with a simple yet powerful practice: tracking attendance. With the launch of the new aPlus+ Attendance tool integrated into Canvas, faculty teaching in-person, hybrid, or Synchronous online now have access to an intuitive, and flexible system designed to make monitoring student participation easier than ever.
As a result of many discussions, it was determined that greater utilization of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) would benefit students and faculty as we aim for enhanced student success through a more data-driven approach. An email from the Provost’s office identifies the Canvas usage requirements, and this includes taking attendance within your Canvas course on the day the class occurs.
The use of attendance tracking will allow for more enhanced student support through the Wings Up Student Success platform. This technology will allow for more effective student tracking and identification of students who may need additional assistance outside the classroom.
Faculty teaching fully asynchronous online courses are not expected to take attendance in the traditional sense, as would be done in synchronous or in-person classes. Instead, student engagement will serve as the proxy for attendance in these courses.
A Smarter Approach to Attendance
aPlus+ Attendance goes beyond traditional roll calls. It is a comprehensive solution that can import your course sessions directly through our SIS system, integrates seamlessly with the Canvas Gradebook, and supports multiple attendance-taking methods. Faculty can choose from manual entry, student self-check-in via QR codes or alphanumeric codes, or assignment submission—whatever fits their teaching style best.
The tool also provides detailed reports, giving instructors the insights they need to spot trends and intervene when necessary.
Flexible Setup to Match Your Course
Setting up aPlus+ Attendance is straightforward and adaptable. Faculty can choose from several options to fit their course structure:
- SIS Integration: Pull your course schedule directly from Banner to create attendance sessions—highly recommended.
- Canvas Import: Automatically generate sessions based on assignment or quiz due dates or submissions.
- Manual Timetable Creation: Customize your own calendar with specific dates, times, and labels.
Seamless Gradebook Integration
If attendance is part of your grading strategy, aPlus+ makes it easier. You can create a dedicated attendance assignment and choose from four calculation types: proportional, rule-based penalties, raw points, or session-based. Plus, you have full control over how absences and tardies impact grades.
Streamlined Attendance Taking
Once set up, managing attendance is simple and efficient. Use the sessions calendar view, switch between list view or seating plan, and enable student self-registration with secure codes or QR scans. You can also add comments and track attendance history for each session, making documentation and follow-up a breeze.
Insightful Reporting at Your Fingertips
With just a few clicks, aPlus+ Attendance generates powerful reports that help you stay informed:
- Summaries by student or session
- Detailed breakdowns by date or sequence
- Comment logs for documentation and outreach.
Ready to Get Started?
Training materials are available to guide you through set-up, and you can also sign up for one of our hands-on sessions to get personalized support.
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