Biometric data collection is an ongoing issue for the modern, digitized world. Many spheres of life have already adapted biometric data collection. Bank, travel and law operations involve biometric data collection.
Yet, each new application of biometric data collection causes heated debates. One of such causes is using facial recognition technology (FRT) in schools. The application of technology may provide many benefits and challenges for schoolers and teachers.
There is an ongoing discussion on the areas of the FRT application in schools. Virtually, FRT can work with any aspect of school life. Technology may cover services from professional write my paper service to contactless payment for lunch.
In practice, there are many challenges to overcome before FRT can become a commodity. Still, with the right approach, FRT may become a revolutionary technology that would change education.
What are biometric scanning and facial recognition technology?
Biometric data is an automated process of a person’s identity verification. It uses their biological and behavioral features. Biometric data includes:
- DNA scanning.
- Fingertips recognition.
- Facial recognition.
Biometric data is extremely sensitive. It is very hard to change biometric data in comparison to other personal information.
Facial recognition requires one-to-one communication. A person is aware of the data collection. For example, a bank account registration and verification may include facial recognition.
At the same time, the mass facial recognition in the school environment may be an intrusion into the pupil’s personal life. Collecting biometric data in real-time raises questions of privacy violation.
Yet, facial recognition technology may provide additional benefits for the education process. It may work for the school safety enhancement too.
Education
Facial recognition may improve schools’ attendance rates. Class attendance is always an issue in every school. The rate differs, but in one way or another, schoolers may skip the classes.
Students may create elaborate schemes and tricks on how to skip classes. But, the FRT as a means of attendance registration may provide solid proof for students’ attendance or missed classes.
Besides, facial recognition may simplify the procedure of passing exams. Authorization through a single educational system may ease next procedures:
- Collection of documents.
- Accumulation of grades.
- Universities application distribution.
It would be easier for students to come for an exam, pass the necessary test, and then receive processed results in a unified online cabinet. It takes a lot less time and effort to process the necessary information.
Facial recognition may serve for distance education as well. If a student cannot attend class in person, they may apply for an online cabinet via FRT and keep their presence.
Remote education has become more relevant during the last year. FRT may serve as a viable alternative in a case when regular classes are impossible.
Security
Another vital element of school life is security. Naturally, a lot of indirect factors influence the safety of students in schools. These factors should be addressed with high priority. At the same time, facial recognition may enhance inner school environment security.
People who do not belong to the school as pupils or working personnel may be detected much faster. Besides, facial recognition may spot a suspicious person at once. FRT may find the necessary data and prevent an accident.
Facial recognition may contribute to the prevention of accidents. An additional collection of data, such as attendance rate, may draw attention to certain pupils. Preliminary communication may help to avoid countless problems.
Besides, facial recognition may work not only for pupils. Personnel of the school, teachers, and guards may also be a part of a facial recognition network. It will increase the security of a school additionally.
Miscellaneous
Educational and safety enhancements are the most straightforward areas of facial recognition application. There are many other ways in which facial recognition may serve schools.
Libraries may use FRT to manage students’ accounts, books on them, and periods of books’ usage. Additionally, FRT may find applications in contactless payment for different school services. For example, dinners.
Besides, if a school uses multimedia hardware, FRT may give students access to their projects. All the educational materials may be stored in a cloud. A student unlocks the access to them through a common device via FRT and presents them to class.
Facial recognition technology has many applications. At the same time, technology needs to overcome many barriers.
Challenges
Simplification of bureaucratic processes is one of the FRT aims. However, the provision of FRT may cause much more bureaucracy. The legal field of practical FRT application remains in the business sphere.
When technology touches school, it intrudes on the schoolers’ private life. In the case of the technology provision, parents of pupils should confirm the FRT application. This case may cause more issues than prevent.
Another major challenge is cyber-security. Data collected from facial recognition may be hacked, stolen, and used in illegal activities. So, a school that aims to provide FRT needs to spend more resources on additional informational security.
All these factors lead to the key challenge – financing. FRT requires a lot of money to run the service through the school year. Such an amount of money is not always available.
In this case, FRT may become personal parents’ initiative that, once again, steps in the legal field.
So, modern schools have FRT applications in very limited cases. There are many unresolved questions before FRT becomes a commodity. FRT needs to pass through strict verification to become widely accepted.
Final Words
Facial recognition in schools has many possible applications. It can watch school attendance, give access to educational materials, and prevent security accidents. At the same time, there are many unresolved questions behind the technology.
The practice of FRT application is widely spread. Facial recognition is accepted in different spheres of life already. The application of technology in school life is a matter of time. Thus, stated challenges need conclusive solutions.
Trailblazing of possible technologies applications may save a lot of resources in the future. Accurate imagining of FRT benefits in schools may make them a reality much sooner.