BA-250 Participation Tracker - User Guide
Quick Start
1. Adding Students (3 Methods)
Method A: Individual Entry
Type a student's name in the input box
Click "Add Student"
Repeat for each student
Method B: Bulk Paste
Copy your class roster from Excel/Canvas
Paste into the bulk entry textarea (one name per line)
Click "Add from List"
Method C: Demo Mode
Click "Load Sample Class" to instantly load 20 sample students for testing
2. During Class - Track Participation
Step 1: Start the Session
Click "Start Session" to begin timing the class
Timer will show elapsed time in the header
Step 2: Select Action Type
Click one of the quick action buttons to set what you're tracking:
💬 Verbal - Student volunteered to speak
🎯 Called On - You called on them directly
❓ Asked Q - Student asked a question
💡 Insight - Student shared a valuable insight
🚫 Absent - Mark student as absent
🎲 Random - Randomly select a present student
Step 3: Click Students
After selecting an action type, click on student cards to record that action
Cards change color:
Green = Has participated verbally
Yellow = Was called on
Gray = Marked absent
Step 4: View Real-Time Stats
Each student card shows their participation counts
Header shows total participation rate
Students can have multiple types of participation
3. After Class
End Session
Click "End Session" to stop the timer
Automatically generates a report
Export Options
Save to Browser - Saves all data locally (persists between sessions)
Export CSV - Downloads spreadsheet file for grading/records
Copy Report - Copies text summary to clipboard for email/notes
Features in Detail
Data Persistence
Browser Storage: Your student list and participation data saves automatically to your browser
Load from Browser: Retrieve your saved class list when you return
Works Offline: No internet required after initial load
Session Report Includes
Total students present/absent
Participation percentage
Top 5 participants with breakdown
List of non-participating students
Absent students
Reset Options
Reset Today's Counts: Clears participation numbers but keeps student list
Clear All: Removes all students (requires confirmation)
Remove Individual Students
Hover over any student card
Click the × button that appears
Useful for drops/adds
Tips for Effective Use
Before Class
Load your student roster once at semester start
Save to browser for future sessions
Test with sample class to get familiar
During Class
Start session when class begins
Keep tracker visible on tablet/laptop
Use "Random" button for cold calls
Click students immediately after they participate
After Class
Export CSV for gradebook
Copy report for your records
Reset counts for next class (keeps roster)
Participation Strategies
Warm-up: Mark everyone who responds to opening prompt
Discussion: Track both voluntary and called-on responses
Questions: Reward students who ask clarifying questions
Insights: Special recognition for exceptional contributions
Grading Ideas
Point Values (Suggested)
Verbal participation: 2 points
Called on response: 1 point
Good question: 2 points
Exceptional insight: 3 points
Present but didn't participate: 0.5 points
Absent: 0 points
Weekly Participation (50 points total)
Calculate as: (Student's points / Max possible) × 50
Export CSV includes all data for easy calculation
Troubleshooting
Students not saving?
Check browser's privacy settings
Don't use incognito/private mode
Try a different browser
Lost your data?
Click "Load from Browser"
Data persists unless you clear browser storage
Need to track additional info?
Export to CSV and add columns in Excel
Or use report as starting point for notes
Keyboard Shortcuts (Future Enhancement)
Currently click-only, but you could add:
Number keys 1-5 for action types
Space bar for random student
S to start/stop session
Privacy Note
All data stored locally in YOUR browser only
No cloud storage or external servers
Students cannot see the tracking
You control all data export/sharing