Reflection #3: iCheck School Management System

iCheck School Management System (iCSMS) is a revolutionary idea to help teachers and administrators manage classes and schools more efficiently. I am working right now on building this system. (Your suggestions and recommendations are welcome.)

The advent of new technology has changed the world in many respects. Some of you may agree that it has made our life much easier. In the field of education, a limitless amount of information have become more accessible to both teachers and learners. Teaching and learning should be easier than it was before. However, the introduction of modern technology in schools was limited to providing tools and resources for teaching. iCheck School Management Systems (iCSMS) will focus on harnessing available technologies to help teachers and administrators to manage classes and schools more efficiently.

iCheck School Management Systems (iCSMS) is a concept of school management in the future that you will have a chance to enjoy very soon.

So, how does it work?

Briefly, here are some key improvements that iCheck School Management System will bring to schools.


FULLY AUTOMATED ATTENDANCE CHECKING

Staff members and students' attendance checking will be fully automated (smart card or palm print). It will not only time stamp teachers and students arrival at school but will show the time when they attend their classes. This also means that teachers do not need to check students' attendance daily anymore. The system will do it for them.

MORE EFFICIENT CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Teachers will be able to limit the number of students leaving the classroom. Their smart cards will serve as their restroom pass. Students will need to tap their card before they can go out and shall only be cleared when allowed to do so. There is no need for nasty (but much needed) students' bathroom passes anymore. The name/s of students who went for a restroom break, for example, are displayed on the LCD monitor. (In case of emergency, the teacher will know who are in the classroom and who are not.)

      

(Below is a concept drawing of the display in the classrooms. Note that when a student leaves the classroom, it will show up on the screen.)

VISIBLE STUDENT COUNT IN THE CLASSROOMS (PLUS ANALYSIS)

Teachers will have a real-time (live) count of the number of students in the classroom. (See the illustration above.) They will know who have gone to the bathroom and how long they have been away. Teachers will also know the frequency and average length of time students spend outside the classroom during class hours. 

AUTOMATED TEACHERS' SESSION AND DUTY LOG

Teachers will tap their smart card or palm print on the smart card or palm print reader by the door when they attend and finish their classes. Principals will have a real-time (live) account of which classrooms have teachers and those classrooms that do not have teachers yet. They will also be able to view timely report of attendance in all the classrooms. 

(Below is a concept drawing of the display in the principal's office. Click the image to enlarge.)

 

There will also be a record on teachers' attendance to their other duties aside from teaching (recess, lunch, parking lot, etc.).

SMOOTH CLASS TRANSITIONS

Teachers will be properly guided to observe schedule to achieve smooth transitions in the classrooms. They will see the daily timetable on LCD screen in each classroom. With this system, schools will be able to maximize teaching and learning time. 

(Below is a concept drawing of the display in the classrooms. Click the images to enlarge.)

 

CASHLESS CAFETERIA PURCHASES

Students will use their smart card in paying for their food in the cafeteria. They don't need to bring their lunch money.

SMARTER WAY TO LOG LIBRARY VISITS AND BOOKS BORROWED

Teachers and students will also use the same system in borrowing books and paying for their overdue fees in the library. The system will have the records of all books read by students.

CENTRALIZED SCHOOL CLINIC LOG

Students will have to tap their smart card (or palm print) whenever they see the school nurse (except in case of emergencies). The teacher in the classroom will be able to see the record of students' visits in the nurse office and the reasons for visits.

ACCURATE SCHOOL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT LOG

Teachers will be able to log in and out school materials and equipment by simply tapping their card on the smart card reader (or palm print, if elected by the administrator). This system will promote responsible use of borrowed school resources. The system can identify under whose custody the damages in the property occurred. 

 

MORE SECURE SCHOOL FACILITIES

Only teachers and staff will have access to the rooms that are off-limit to students such as teacher's lounges, staff bathrooms, offices where students may not just come without permission from adults, technology room, elevators (if any), etc.

As of this writing, I have initially communicated with Fujitsu, M2SYS, and two other manufacturers of biometric systems. I am planning to write more of them soon. I will also discuss this product development idea with individuals and companies that may be willing to help me bring this idea to life.

So, what do you think about this technology? Do you have any suggestions on how else this system can help your school? Please share your thoughts about this by completing the form at the bottom of this page or by sending me an email at info.misterdeeonline@yahoo.com.

Updates:
13 March 2017-I had an exchange of messages with a Fujitsu product development manager yesterday and today. He asked me to provide more for details about this product development concept (timeline, budget, etc.).