A remote education technology provider is implementing a biometrics system to authenticate students’ identities and make remote proctoring more effective. Instructure will integrate Verificient Technologies’ authentication solution into its Canvas Learning Management System, providing shared clients of both companies with the new authentication platform, called, Proctortrack in Canvas.

In a press release, Verificient described its system as “a fully integrated multifactor biometrics behavoral application.” Essentially, it’s going to use biometrics to confirm that students taking online courses and tests are who they say they are. It’s a solution intended to satisfy the requirements of the Department of Education’s standards, and of course it’s also providing a way for distance education providers to ensure the credibility of their testing programs.

Speaking on the need for the authentication system, Verificient CEO Tim Dutta explained, “Online degress need to require the same rigor of student verification and authentication and consequently, hold equal value to traditional on-campus degrees and certificate programs.” Melissa Loble, a VP with Instructure, offered that “Proctortrack is an ideal solution for Instructure clients looking for identity verification systems that easily integrate into Canvas.”

Biometric authentication systems are not yet widespread in the world of remote education, but there appears to be a growing market for them. And as biometric technology becomes more commonplace in schools themselves, education administrators will likely see the benefits of using such technology for online learning.

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May 15, 2015 – by Alex Perala