Taking Attendance With the WhartonConnect App (for Instructors)
Last Modified on 01/09/2020 11:25 am EST
This article will help you use WhartonConnect to take attendance.
How the App Works
The app sends student check-in data directly to Instruction Center. To interact with these data:
- Display the seating chart
- Choose the applicable meeting date
- Under "Seating Mode", select "Attendance Mode"
Students will initially appear absent, but as they check in, Instruction Center will update the display to show them as present. Check-in opens ten minutes before class, and closes at the end of class. Students who check in late will be marked absent, but you can customize (by section) just how many minutes after class time counts as late.

You and any class administrators may manually mark students as present (in the case of excused absences). Students who are marked absent for two or more classes in a single day will receive an email detailing the absences, and explaining how to submit excuses.
WhartonConnect cannot determine if anyone is physically present in the classroom, so you are advised to alert students that checking in from outside the classroom is an ethics violation.
Absentee Reports
You will receive daily absentee reports, or you can generate them on your own.
At the end of each day, you will receive via email a report of any absences in your classes for the day, or any changes in excused status that were reported on that .

You can generate an absentee report that lists attendance records for all class dates, including excused and unexcused absences, and the reason for absence (if the student provided one).
To generate an absentee report:
- Click on More
- Select Report
- Choose Class Attendance and Participation Notes from the drop-down
If the student selected “Other” the “Absence Reason” column will show what (s)he typed in. The “Last Updated” column shows the time stamp at which a student checked in.

You can export to Excel a report of all dates, as well as a summary and a list for each class date.
When Students Encounter Difficulty
- Remind them to install app updates in a timely manner.
- They should connect their mobile devices to AirPennNet and not AirPennNet--Guest.
- Complex technical problems should be brought to the attention of Wharton Computing Student Support.
You can always check in students yourself through Instruction Center:
- Display the seating chart
- Choose Attendance
- Click the student's photo
Best Practices
Some tips for best use of this app...
- Display seating chart as a reminder and means of verification.
- Encourage early arrival and check-in so class can start on-time.
- Application for excused absences should be submitted within two weeks.
- Reversing/excusing absences should be kept to a minimum as this encourages abuse. Consider using the following criteria when considering excuses:
- Personal illness and a personal or family emergency warrant an immediate excuse, with no documentation necessary.
- Religious holidays during which classes are scheduled should be excused for observant students.
- Job interviews, career pursuits or travel are not appropriate reasons to request an excuse.
More Information
For a more in-depth overview of the app and its functionality, please review this document:
Attendance Module
Questions?
Contact: Wharton Computing Student Support
Email: support@wharton.upenn.edu