Abstract:
To achieve an effective learning process, universities have emphasized the need for
students not only to pass exams but also to attend at least 80% of the classes. In most
universities, the core responsibility of managing class attendance of various students
currently has been tasked to lecturers, and the process has not been easy mainly due to
the challenges that come with many methods deployed to manage the process. This
research aimed to develop a model android phone based application to manage
university class attendance using QR Codes and indoor locations. The objectives of the
study carried out at the Department of Information Technology, Moi University were
to: determine the method of managing class attendance; establish the challenges faced
by lecturers and students when it comes to complying with the set procedure of class
attendance; develop a model android application to help overcome discovered
challenges and manage class attendance using QR Codes and indoor locations. The
research employed use of experimental research design, which involved a systematic
manipulation of some characteristics, for example, the use of Android, QR codes and
Indoor Positioning in the developed solution and observing the outcome. The research
was guided by the RAD Prototyping methodology, which involved developing a
working prototype under minimal planning with focus on analysis of requirements,
design and development. The system prototype developed was reviewed by
stakeholders to establish any changes that needed to be added in the next version. The
system was then implemented amongst the stakeholders during a scheduled class and
attendance registered. The study established that challenges that existed in managing
attendance such as students signing on behalf of others can be overcome through the
use of students’ android phones, QR Codes and indoor locations which enhance
mobility and authencity of the recording process, real-time communication to all
stakeholders via the mobile application and easy, cost-effective authentication of the
students during attendance registration process. The study concluded that the developed
model would help in solving the challenges experienced by lecturers and students. It is
recommended that the system is implemented in a class with confined seats embedded
with QR codes and centrally installed WI-FI access point to work effectively.
