---
title: "Attendance versus participation"
slug: "attendance-versus-participation"
updated: 2026-11-10T18:02:14Z
published: 2026-11-10T18:02:14Z
canonical: "clickup-help.up.ac.za/attendance-versus-participation"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://clickup-help.up.ac.za/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Attendance versus participation

**Summary** : Attendance records presence or joining; participation provides evidence that a student responded to an activity. These are different measures and should not be treated as interchangeable.

 
    

## What is the difference?

    

| Attendance | Participation in a live poll |
| --- | --- |
| Records that a student was present or joined, subject to the identification and reporting method used | Records engagement through responses to questions |
| Does not, by itself, demonstrate that a student answered questions or understood the content | Can provide evidence of responses; correct-answer scores may also be available for supported question types |
| Does not automatically mean a mark will appear in the clickUP Gradebook | May contribute to the Gradebook when identified access, scoring and integration are configured and verified |

 
    

## Why might participation be more meaningful?

    

A participation mark can recognise students for actively responding rather than merely joining a session. However, responding does not necessarily demonstrate learning, and participation marks must be designed fairly. Explain to students what counts, provide reasonable opportunities to participate and consider access or connectivity barriers.

 
    

## Can attendance be transferred to the clickUP Gradebook?

    

 
    

## What should lecturers check before using attendance or participation marks?

    

- Are students joining through the intended clickUP-linked, identified route?
- Does the activity collect the evidence needed for the intended mark?
- Are students informed about how marks will be awarded?
- Has the exact workflow been tested from the student view through to the Gradebook?
- Have alternative participation arrangements and applicable UP assessment requirements been considered?

 
    

## Related help

    

- [Internal link: Anonymous and identified sessions]
- [Internal link: Gradebook and scoring]
- [Internal link: Reports and results]