Spy cams for distance-learning students?

[gcalvin]

Check out this article in The Chronicle of Higher Education:

New Systems Keep a Close Eye on Online Students at Home - Chronicle.com

Can anybody find the actual text of the legislation? I'm not having much luck with the THOMAS database. I don't think there's any need to panic about this, but there may be implications for such things as FEMA credits, and judging by John Ebersole's comments in the article, there may be general implications as to flexibility and cost.

-Gary-

[Ronny]

Clamping down on cheating will always create hassles for honest students and never stop dishonest students. If they can't verify the identity of people taking traditional classes do they really think they can do so with long distance students with fingerprints? LOL How many times has anyone ever had their ID checked when they took a test in a classroom? I never have. How about ghostwritten term papers turned in in a real classroom? There will always be cheating and the powers that be will always try to scare students away from cheating, but there's never going to be a way to stop students from getting away with it. Either you cheat or you don't. That's a decision you and only you make.

[Sharkfin]

From what it sounds like, none of that may actually be required by the department of education. However, if anything from that article actually becomes reality, it is going to a pretty big deal. Besides the obvious costs, having to install some spy software or device is unacceptable. I would assume something like this would take a couple years minimum to implement everywhere though, so hopefully most of us are finished by then.

[PeteDude]

There have GOT to be better ways to validate student honesty than spy cams and biometrics. I would rather occasionally have to turn in a paper or do an in-person presentation than resort to either of these sorts of gadgets.

[BrandeX]

at AJU, they don't have proctored exams per say, but watch you the entire time you are testing via webcam

[bobaloo000]

I use a laptop and move from room to room, wherever I can find privacy and quiet. On more than one occasion my wife has interrupted me while taking a quiz or test to ask a question. Someone is going to record that and then listen to it? Sounds like an invasion of privacy.