Switching to Orah: A Guide for Teachers

Switching to Orah can feel like a big change. We know that new tech requires effort and you may have concerns about increased workload and how it will impact your student interactions. Let’s dive into what this means, why we’re doing it and how it will benefit you and your students.

What’s Changing?

Moving to Orah means leaving behind traditional manual attendance methods and moving to a more automated system. This means using the Orah Chrome Extension or mobile app to record attendance. In some cases students will check in using NFC tiles, check-in kiosks or in the future facial recognition technology. We know this is a departure from the way things are now.

Why?

The main reasons schools switch to Orah at first is to increase student safety through real time visibility of student locations. Automated attendance systems like Orah allow for immediate tracking of student presence so we can respond quickly in emergencies and know all students are accounted for at all times. They can also help identify patterns of absenteeism or lateness so we can intervene early with at risk students. With accurate and up to date attendance data we can better support student well being and academic success.​

Addressing Concerns About Extra Work

I know you’re worried the new system will add to your load. But automated attendance systems like Orah are designed to reduce the time and effort of attendance tracking. By minimising paperwork and streamlining data entry these systems free up time for you to teach and engage with students. And with the data at your fingertips you can focus on student needs rather than admin tasks.

Some Practical Tips for a Smooth Transition

Get Familiar with Orah

‍Take advantage of any training sessions offered to get comfortable with the new system. The more you know the easier it will be to slot it into your routine.

Here's a quick explainer video showing you two easy ways to mark the roll in Orah:

In some cases, a substitute teacher might need to mark the roll on your behalf. Or, you might be covering for someone else.

Here's how to mark the roll on someones behalf in Orah:

(Note: You must have the appropriate permissions to mark someone else's roll. Contact your system administrator or attendance office if you are unsure.)

Provide Feedback

If something isn’t working let us know. Your feedback is valuable for us to make adjustments that benefit everyone.

Collaborate with Colleagues

‍Share your experiences and strategies with other teachers. Collaborative problem solving will make the transition easier and yield best practices for your school.

Long Term Benefits of Orah

It may take some time to adjust but the long term benefits of Orah for teachers are:‍

More Student Interactions

‍With less admin time you can focus more on student interactions and build stronger relationships and a deeper understanding of their needs.​

Better Data

‍Orah reduces the chance of errors in attendance data, so it’s accurate and up to date.​

Early Intervention

‍By identifying attendance patterns early you can work with support staff to address issues before they become problems and provide timely support to students who are struggling.​

Transform Attendance with Orah

Changing is never easy but with the right support and understanding the transition to Orah can lead to a more efficient and supportive learning environment.

By reducing admin and improving data Orah lets you focus on what you do best – educating and inspire your students.

Don't use Orah at your school yet?

Get a demo of Orah here.