A new app called BeHere, aimed at teachers, uses Apple's new Bluetooth LE iBeacon technology to recognize students and automatically RSVP to class.
With the BeHere app installed, the teacher's iPad acts as an iBeacon and students who enter the classroom with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod will automatically appear in the app with a profile picture and their name. Students will also need to install the app on their device, but thanks to recent improvements to the iBeacons that come with iOS 7.1 they won't have to open the app or carry the device out of your pocket to be recognized.
The application also has other cool features for the classroom environment. Within the app, students can tap a button to request the help of a teacher. The teacher is presented with an orderly queue of students waiting for assistance.
As in everything, once the law has been cheated, and now you will only have to leave your cell phone to someone to tell you about the attendance to class or if the teacher's platform is near the door, the same thing does not need to enter, it detects you in the hallway. A new range of chime possibilities it opens before our eyes.
The technology of iBeacon is rapidly being adopted in many different places since Apple first introduced it in iOS 7 last year. In a first functional deployment it has been developed in commercial environments such as the Apple Store and Macy's, this technology is also being used in events such as the recent SXSW festival and professional sporting events to enable quick billing functions and relevant location notifications.
Other applications have also been bursting into the App Store, recently a new app called Placed allows you to use iBeacons at home.
Anyway, being a teacher, I would notice when a student is not there when I see his profile photo as an assistant to the class on my iphone or ipad but not see it physically. Anyway, very good app.