Innovative Voice Assisted Attendance System for Visually Challenged Persons
Managing attendance is a fundamental aspect of educational programs, but for visually impaired trainers, it can be a daunting task. Recognizing this challenge, FusionHawk has developed an innovative solution—the Voice-Assisted Attendance System—which empowers visually impaired trainers to mark attendance effortlessly. This system is implemented within the Help The Blind Foundation (HTBF)'s EMET (Education, Mentorship, Employability, and Training) Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting visually impaired students across India.
The system leverages OpenAI's voice Assistants and integrates with Zoho Creator to offer a seamless, accessible solution for trainers who face visual limitations. Below is an in-depth look at how this voice-based system operates and how it is helping HTBF streamline the attendance process in their EMET Program.
EMET Program Overview
HTBF, through its EMET Program, provides scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training to visually impaired students in India. Operating in 505 colleges (including 126 EMET-specific institutions, the program is designed to improve the self-reliance and employability of students pursuing higher education. A unique aspect of this program is the involvement of 51 visually impaired or low vision trainers who guide and mentor these students.
To ease certain challenges, particularly when it comes to administrative tasks like marking attendance when there are around 60 students in acah batch and to reduce errors while marking the attendance ,FusionHawk has built a Voice-Assisted-Attendance System that makes the entire process intuitive and accessible, ensuring that trainers can perform this task effortlessly.
How FusionHawk’s Voice-Assisted Attendance System Works
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the Voice-Assisted Attendance System operates:
1. Collect Trainer’s Phone Number
- The system begins by asking the trainer for their phone number. This acts as a unique identifier, allowing the system to retrieve the correct batch information from Zoho Creator.
2. Fetch Batches from Zoho Creator
- Once the phone number is entered, the system makes a call to Zoho Creator to pull up the list of batches assigned to the trainer. Zoho Creator serves as the backend system where all batch, student, and attendance data is securely stored.
3. Select and Confirm the Batch
- After fetching the list of batches, the trainer is asked to select and confirm the batch they want to mark attendance for. This ensures the trainer is working with the correct group of students.
4. Fetch Student List from Zoho Creator
- Upon confirming the batch, the system retrieves the list of students enrolled in that batch from Zoho Creator. This information is made available through voice interaction, allowing the trainer to hear the names if needed.
5. Specify the Training Date
- The trainer is then prompted to provide the training date. If the year is not specified, the system automatically assumes the current year. The system confirms the full date to avoid any errors.
6. Define Attendance Type: Session or Evaluation
- The next step is to determine the attendance type—whether it was a regular session or an evaluation. This information is crucial for maintaining comprehensive records in Zoho Creator.
7. Indicate Class Format: Online or Onsite
- The trainer is asked whether the class was conducted online or onsite, adding another layer of detail to the attendance records.
8. Provide Start and End Times
- The trainer provides the start and end time of the session. This information is recorded in Zoho Creator for tracking the duration of the class.
9. Input Topic Name or Code
- The system prompts the trainer to provide the topic name or topic code for the session. It then cross-checks this information with the batch’s course topics stored in Zoho Creator to ensure consistency.
10. Mark Student Attendance
- The trainer is asked whether all students were present. If not, the trainer can list the students who attended, and the system verifies these names against the batch data in Zoho Creator.
11. Session Elaboration and Feedback
- The trainer can add any additional details about the session, including observations and feedback, which are logged for future reference.
12. Final Confirmation and Submission
- Before marking the attendance, the system asks for final confirmation from the trainer. Once confirmed, the attendance is submitted and officially recorded in Zoho Creator.
How FusionHawk Built the System
FusionHawk developed this voice-based system with accessibility and ease-of-use in mind. Leveraging OpenAI’s voice Assistants the system allows visually impaired trainers to perform tasks using voice commands, eliminating the need for a visual interface. This not only streamlines the attendance process but also enhances independence for the trainers.
By integrating with Zoho Creator, the system ensures that all data—such as student information, batch details, and attendance records—are securely stored and easily retrievable. The fusion of AI-driven voice technology and Zoho Creator’s robust data management capabilities results in a seamless and efficient system tailored to the needs of the EMET Program.
Why This System is a Game-Changer for HTBF’s EMET Program
The Voice-Based Attendance System developed by FusionHawk has become a critical tool for HTBF’s EMET Program. Here’s why it matters:
1. Accessibility: The voice-based interface allows visually impaired trainers to interact with the system without the need for manual or visual input. This makes the attendance process far more accessible and inclusive.
2. Efficiency: By automating much of the administrative work, the system frees up time for trainers to focus on teaching and mentoring students. The streamlined process ensures that attendance is marked quickly and accurately.
3. Data Accuracy: With the integration of Zoho Creator, all student and batch data is securely stored and maintained, minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring accurate attendance records.
4. Empowerment: The system empowers visually impaired trainers to independently manage their responsibilities, fostering a greater sense of ownership and self-reliance.
Looking Forward: The Future of Accessibility in Education
As the Help The Blind Foundation continues to expand its EMET Program across India, the Voice-Assisted Attendance System developed by FusionHawk is playing an essential role in enhancing accessibility for visually impaired trainers. By harnessing the power of AI and integrating it with secure, cloud-based platforms like Zoho Creator, this system is setting a new standard for inclusive education.
As technology evolves, the future holds even greater potential for systems like this to be scaled and improved, ensuring that more visually impaired individuals can participate in education—both as students and as educators.
