A+ Attendance is getting an update for Fall 2026. New default check-in settings will help teaching teams better ensure attendance records reflect who is physically present in the classroom—without requiring any additional setup.
We’ve updated the default settings in A+ Attendance to make in-class check-in more secure and help ensure attendance records reflect who is physically present in class.
The new defaults use a rolling code that changes every 30 seconds and require students to be on campus and connected to MIT Wi-Fi. The default check-in window for teaching teams that use a static code has also been updated.
These changes will take effect for Fall 2026 courses on August 19, 2026. No changes to course setup are required. When using the default rolling code, a teaching team member starts the code during class and displays it for students to enter.
What’s Changing
The following A+ Attendance settings will now apply by default across all MIT Sloan courses:
- Entry method: Rolling alphanumeric code
- Code refresh period: Every 30 seconds
- On-campus requirement: Students must be on campus and connected to MIT Wi-Fi
If using a static code: The default check-in window is 5 minutes before the scheduled class start time through 15 minutes after class starts.
Previously, A+ Attendance used a static attendance code by default. Teaching teams can still switch back to a static code or adjust other check-in settings as needed for their course.
If these settings work for your course, no additional changes are needed.
Why This Matters
With a static attendance code, a student in the classroom could share the code with someone who isn’t there.
The new rolling code changes every 30 seconds, making it more difficult to share. Requiring students to be connected to MIT Wi-Fi on campus provides an additional safeguard against remote check-in.
Students cannot use the MIT VPN to check in from off campus.
What Students Need to Do
Students can check in using the Canvas Student app on their phone or by accessing Canvas in a web browser on their laptop.
We recommend asking students to download the Canvas Student app before the first class in which you plan to use A+ Attendance.
To check in, students should:
- Connect their device to MIT Wi-Fi.
- Open the Canvas Student app or log in to Canvas from their laptop.
- Open your Canvas course and click A+ Attendance in the Course Navigation Menu.
- Enter the rolling alphanumeric code displayed by a member of the teaching team in the classroom.
Because the code changes every 30 seconds, students should enter the code currently displayed on the screen.
If a Student Can’t Check In
If a student is physically present but has trouble checking in, they should let a member of the teaching team know. A TA or other member of the teaching team can manually mark the student as attended in A+ Attendance.
With a rolling code, students can check in only while the teaching team has the code active.
For help connecting to MIT Wi-Fi, students can contact the STS Help Desk by emailing stshelp@mit.edu or calling 617-253-2000.
Learn More
For step-by-step guidance on setting up and using A+ Attendance, see our Quick Start Guide for A+ Attendance.
If you have questions about using A+ Attendance in your course, contact the STS Teaching & Learning Technologies team.
