- Promotes Classroom engagement:
Regular lecture attendance ensures that students are physically present in class and actively participating in learning activities. This encourages classroom engagement, where students can interact with their professors and peers, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
- Motivating Students:
When students know that their attendance is being monitored, it can serve as a motivating factor. The possibility of being held accountable for their presence can encourage students to prioritize attending lectures and staying committed to their studies.
- Course Completion:
Monitoring lecture attendance can help identify students who are struggling with course content or facing obstacles preventing regular attendance. By recognizing such cases, the university authorities can provide timely support, assistance, or intervention to ensure that students stay on track and successfully complete their courses.
Arguments against checking lectures attendance
- Privacy Concerns:
Checking lectures attendance involves tracking and recording students' presence in class, which may raise concerns about privacy and confidentiality. Students might feel their privacy is being invaded, especially if attendance records are shared or used without their consent.
- Ineffective Attendance Policies:
In some cases, strict attendance policies may not effectively promote learning. Students may attend classes solely to mark their attendance rather than actively engaging in learning. Moreover, rigid policies may not account for valid reasons for absence, such as illness or unavoidable circumstances.
- Stigmatizing Students:
Attendance checks can lead to stigmatization of students with genuine reasons for missing lectures. Students who struggle with personal or health issues may feel discouraged or embarrassed if their attendance record is scrutinized. This can negatively impact their motivation and overall well-being.