In a classroom setting, students normally raise their hands or answer “Present!” when called for class attendance. But unlike this conventional practice, a public school teacher in Imus City, Cavite has introduced a “fast, convenient, ingenious” and brand new style of checking and recording students’ attendance.
Teacher Michael Angelo Maleriado, of Emilio Aguinaldo National High School, found himself in social media limelight when he eschewed attendance sheets or index cards and went “techy” – using QR (Quick Response) codes to keep track of students in class.
“This is how I check my attendance in the classroom …. I let them create QR codes, which I scan before they enter the room. Easier and paperless,” the 37-year-old educator wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
He also detailed the step-by-step process of using the application, saying that it can be installed for free while information in it can be easily exported through the Microsoft excel.
These QR codes are machine-readable codes of black and white squares normally used for storing documents or information for reading by smartphone camera.
As of this writing, the Facebook post already gained 12,000 reactions and more than 13,000 shares.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Maleriado said his pioneering concept transpired from an apparent “accident” until he eventually realized the idea works and proves beneficial, as it is something “cool, different, and eco-friendly.”
“Our printer broke in the faculty room and I had to check the attendance of my students. I did not want them to everyday write their names on the paper because it does take time,” he recalled.
“I looked on my phone if there are apps that I can use to check attendance. Then I found the QR attendance control where all I need is to scan their own QR codes and that’s it. I decided to give it a try and it worked really well, and looks very easy to use,” he added.
Maleriado, who teaches contact center services under the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) subject, further noted that using QR codes are not only time–saving and easier for data access since it is done digitally, it is also cost-effective since it is a green initiative that involves minimal use of paper.
“All I do is print the summary at the end of the quarter. You save more money in the way that you don’t need to buy additional paper since everything is done digitally,” he pointed out.
A self-confessed zero waste advocate, Maleriado said he feels unhappy whenever he had to contribute to the already worsening waste pollution situation.
Thus, aside from using QR codes to check and record his students’ attendance, Maleriado went the extra mile switching to a “paperless” mode of teaching. Since last year, he makes exams available online.
“As teachers, it is very evident that so much paper are being wasted everyday or for the whole school year – used in reporting, quizzes, exams, projects, and other forms. After use, students either keep it for portfolio while others just throw their papers away. Every time I see something like that, nanghihinayang ako or I feel uneasy,” he explained.
“So last year, I decided making their quizzes available online. I ask them to create projects like video making , recording, reporting, and many more without using any paper. It works really well and students are slowly getting the idea as to why I am doing it, and it’s because I want (to) at least lessen the waste we generate at school,” he added.
Although some areas in the country still lack the technology while many teachers might still prefer the old-fashioned way, Maleriado feels elated that some teachers already emulates his eco-friendly initiative. He was also delighted that his students are eventually embracing it.
“Lahat sila [students] meron na. They loved it because it’s something new and unique. It’s also very fast compare sa taas-taas ng kamay. I told them na this is something new lalo na nasa public school kami,” he said.
On Thursday, Maleriado shared another Facebook post showing that a teacher has adopted his style.
“A teacher sent me this photo of her students showing off their QR codes. Maraming maraming Salamat po!” he quipped.
“More than the criticisms, I am more empowered that I was able to inspire teachers from all over the country with this idea,” he added. /kga