What is UCF Here?
UCF Here is an attendance system developed by the Division of Digital Learning, and consists of web app for students (located at here.cdl.ucf.edu) and Webcourses@UCF integration for faculty. Students can use their smartphone or tablet to check into a class, and faculty can manage and take attendance directly through their online course(s). Watch the following video to see UCF Here in action.
Setting Up the UCF Here Web App
The UCF Here web app supports phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices that have internet access and a camera. Students should use their device's web browser and go to here.cdl.ucf.edu to begin.
While it is no longer recommended, there are existing iPhone and Android apps that can also be used, though they are scheduled to be disabled on April 29, 2024 (Android) and August 19, 2024 (iPhone).
Logging into UCF Here Web App
Most of the time, logging into the UCF Here web app will be a fast, seamless process, with just a single step (step 6 below). However, the first time the app is used, it requires a number of authentication steps and turning on camera permissions for the device.
- Using a web browser, go to here.cdl.ucf.edu and press "Sign In".
- First Time Only: Enter your UCF NID in the format "NID@ucf.edu" and press "Next". You should then be redirected to the UCF Sign In page.
- First Time Only: Enter your UCF NID and password and press "Sign On". You should then be redirected to the Two-Factor Authentication page.
- First Time Only: Use your preferred method in either Duo or Microsoft Authenticator to verify your identity. You should then be redirected back to the UCF Sign In page.
- First Time Only: If given the option to stay signed in, press "Yes" to continue.
- To finish logging in, you will be shown a Canvas permission page. Press "Authorize" to allow UCF Here to mark your attendance in Canvas.
- As soon as you are logged in, you will be asked to allow the UCF Here site to access your device's camera. Press "Allow".
Using UCF Here
Check In
NOTE: The UCF Here web app does not take pictures with your device's camera, and no picture data is saved either to your device or remotely. The camera is only used to read QR codes, and those codes' data strings are sent to the UCF Here server to record attendance. If you need to save pictures, use your device's default camera app.
The Check In screen is accessible by pressing "Check In" on the menu bar. It is also the default screen once you've signed in. It contains the following controls:
- Centering Frame: The camera viewfinder is overlaid with a courtesy centering frame of four semi-transparent corners to help you center the QR code in the middle of the screen. The app will work best if the entire QR code is level and within the frame.
- Switch Camera Button: While the rear-facing camera is used by default, if that camera is broken and you have a device with a front-facing camera, pressing this button will switch cameras.
- Status: The UCF Here web app works by reading two consecutive QR Codes and sending the data to the UCF Here server. The Status has three circle indicators that change from white to green when the app is working. The first circle changes when the first QR code is read, the second circle changes when the second QR code is read, and the third changes when both codes have been sent to and accepted by the UCF Here server.
- Zoom: You may zoom in or out by pressing the + or - buttons or dragging the slider on the zoom controller.
To use the Check In screen, simply aim your device's camera to the QR code that your teacher has enabled for your class. The QR codes will be automatically read and the app will give you automatic feedback when you have been checked in or if there is an error. You do not need to click the camera or use any other buttons to check in.
History
To browse your attendance history, press "History" on the menu bar. It will also be the default screen once you have successfully checked in.
The screen will initially show any courses that you have enrolled in where you have used UCF Here at least once. This will include courses from previous semesters. Press a course to view attendance details.
The details screen will show every time your instructor has created a UCF Here session, which may be multiple times in a class. It will also show your attendance for that session, what time the attendance was taken, whether or not it has been synced to the Canvas gradebook, and if the attendance recorded with the app was overridden by the instructor. The override usually happens if a student has spoken with their instructor about trouble signing in, emergencies, or other extenuating circumstances. Your instructor can change any individual status to "Present", "Tardy", "Excused", etc.
Profile
The Profile screen is accessible by pressing "Profile" on the menu bar.
All of the settings in your profile are saved as a cookie on your device for future sessions. Make sure that cookies are enabled in your web browser so the settings will save properly.
- Language: Use the Language drop-down menu to change your default language. Currently, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic are available. More languages may be added in the future.
- Font Size: Use the Font Size slider to adjust the default font size. This will affect all pages on the app, but will not change your browser's settings for other web sites.
- Dark Mode: Use the Dark Mode toggle to turn dark mode on or off. This is a user preference designed to reduce eye strain and make the app more user-friendly in dim lecture halls.
- Sign Out: Use the Sign Out button to close the app. This step is optional, and if you close the web app in any other way, it may still be accessed normally.
Known Issues
Note: The existing iPhone and Android apps can still be installed and used, though they are scheduled to be disabled on April 29th, 2024 (Android) and August 19, 2024 (iPhone).
Android
The app is unresponsive or doesn’t work on launch.
- Long press on the UCF Here icon.
- Tap on App Info.
- Tap on force stop.
- If prompted, tap Ok.
- Tap on Storage.
- Tap on Clear Cache and Clear Storage.
- Open UCF Here again.
Get Help
Contact Webcourses@UCF Support to get help setting up and using the UCF Here app.