Auckland (The NZ Today)
A University of Auckland student has been penalised after being found wearing smart glasses during a supervised test, raising fresh questions about how universities can protect exam integrity as wearable technology becomes more advanced.
The university confirmed an invigilator noticed the student wearing the glasses during the assessment. Students had been told beforehand that smart glasses and smart watches were not permitted.
The student was asked to remove the glasses and was then allowed to continue the test. An academic-integrity process followed and a penalty was imposed, although the university has not disclosed what action was taken.
Importantly, there has been no public finding that the student actually used the glasses to obtain answers or cheat during the test.
The incident has nevertheless highlighted the potential challenge posed by newer smart glasses, some of which look similar to ordinary eyewear but can contain cameras, microphones and other connected technology.
University of Auckland computer science professor Ulrich Speidel said such devices could potentially be used to capture questions and send information to someone outside an exam room or to an artificial intelligence system.
Some newer models can also return information to the wearer, making them potentially more difficult for supervisors to monitor than traditional devices such as phones or laptops.
The University of Auckland already prohibits unauthorised electronic devices during examinations. Its rules allow action to be taken where students breach assessment conditions or academic-integrity requirements.
The emergence of smart glasses adds another complication for universities because a wearable device may not immediately look like technology.
Universities have already been adapting assessments in response to generative AI, including greater use of supervised, handwritten and individually varied tests.
Education experts say that the Auckland university incident suggests exam supervision may now also need to account for technology built into everyday-looking accessories.
Source: University of Auckland information and media reporting.
