Students carry a lot to school or college nowadays, and one school essential should be a smart card. Educational establishments are increasingly introducing smart cards to help bring big benefits to staff, students, and teachers. Smart cards are useful in many ways. Here we discuss why students benefit from smart cards in schools, colleges and universities, and why they are increasing in popularity.
1. Everyone Knows Who They Are
Particularly in large schools and colleges, it is impossible for staff to recognise all students by sight. But it is important that everyone's identity can be easily known since not knowing who people are on campus poses a security threat. When students carry smart ID cards, they can show that they are authorised to be in certain areas, authorised to use certain facilities, and also show that they are legitimate members of the school community.
2. Smart Cards Store Additional Information
Using smart cards also allows students to be able to store additional information other than just name and status. This information, which can be easily checked, is useful for teachers to check students’ progress and attendance, as well as to know about emergency contact details and any medical conditions.
3. Their Information Won’t Be Stolen
Smart card systems are secure, and there are robust checks and systems in place to ensure that smart cards cannot be copied, accessed by anyone unauthorised, or modified in any way. If a student loses a smart card, it can be deactivated, which cuts down on the risk of fraud and security breaches.
4. Students Can Demonstrate Their Attendance
In the past, registers and sign-in sheets were the only ways for students to record their attendance at a certain class, study session, or activity. But these sheets were easily tampered with and could be forged, resulting in problems understanding true attendance levels. Smart cards allow students to demonstrate when they attend classes or activities accurately. Attendance records from smart cards also benefit staff members, who have quick and easy access to statistics and information on attendance which can help flag any potential issues. Alerts can be generated to send messages to parents and guardians when a pupil is absent from class or school.
5. They Can Easily Pay For Snacks, Lunch, and Extras
Students find it much more convenient to pay for their lunch using smart cards. It saves having to carry cash, which can easily be lost. Students can also use their smart cards to use vending machines for snacks and to pay for after-school activities. Many educational establishments also use smart cards to allow students to pay for books and materials.
6. Keeps Students Safer By Limiting Access
Students are safer since door access systems can be programmed to prevent access to certain areas that may be dangerous, such as rooms that are being renovated or areas that are being constructed. Smart cards also enable access to rooms only at certain times, for example, to science labs when experiments are not taking place.
