How might a professor use an LMS to keep track of attendance in a face-to-face class?

A professor can effectively use a Learning Management System (LMS) to keep track of attendance by utilizing features that allow for real-time student engagement and tracking. Option B, which involves students using clickers to take a brief test, is an innovative way to simultaneously assess student understanding while recording their attendance. When students respond to clicker questions, the LMS can automatically log their participation and thereby confirm their presence in class.

This method offers several advantages: it creates an interactive learning environment, encourages all students to participate, and generates immediate feedback for both the students and professor regarding comprehension of the material. The interaction also provides a clear and auditable record of attendance, which is easily managed within the LMS for reporting and administrative purposes.

In contrast, other options are less effective for tracking attendance in this context. Submitting a paper attendance sheet can lead to inaccuracies and delays in recording, while emailing attendance may not ensure accuracy or immediate recording in the system. Visually scanning the room is subjective and can easily lead to errors, particularly in larger classes where students may arrive late or leave early. Therefore, using clickers aligns with the capabilities of an LMS to streamline attendance tracking and enhance student engagement simultaneously.