Biometrics
associated with such an undertaking, particularly when collecting data from such a sensitive demographic. This needs to include a consideration of whether using fingerprints is the least intrusive method of ensuring the objectives of the scheme, appropriate sensitivity training of those required to implement the scheme, the implementation of appropriate technical measures to protect the data against misuse and full disclosure, consent and opt-out provisions for children and parents.”
Simon Nakra of education technology provider, DRS Data Services gave us his view on why a better understanding of the benefits of biometric technology in education is needed: “Educational institutions have the continuing and challenging task of meeting their
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“Biometric systems currently used in schools are based on fingertip recognition
technology. Despite reports, this does not involve storing images of fingerprints.
fundamental objective of providing appropriate duty of care to students. Keeping students safe and secure, and providing assurances of this to parents, is vital. Adopting a biometric e- Registration solution designed to accurately record student attendance, whilst enabling the fast retrieval and analysis of data, not only provides these assurances, but also helps to inform policy formulation and planning at a local and national level.
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“Biometric registration systems can interface seamlessly with most educational MIS systems enabling schools, academies, colleges and universities to electronically record the presence, absence and lateness of students in real-time, eradicating all manual registration methods. It can also be expanded to work with access control, cashless catering, library control and other applications. Biometric registration systems also encourage students to take responsibility and accountability for their own attendance, as well as reducing the administrative burden for teachers. It is also an effective way to monitor EMA. “Biometric systems currently used in schools are based on fingertip recognition
technology. Despite reports, this does not involve storing images of fingerprints. Instead a numerical value is derived from the child’s fingertip when it is first placed on the reading device. It is this numerical value which is then stored. Effectively, the fingertip is being used as the equivalent of a barcode. Each time a student scans their finger to register their attendance the system recreates a template from the scanned information and compares the two templates to determine the identity of the user. Schools never keep an image of the fingerprint."
Cashless Catering
Within the context of cashless catering, we asked Bede Feltham of sQuid, why nutritional information is increasingly important in delivering school meals. He said: “In light of recent high profile media campaigns, there is increased
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www.education-today.co.uk June 2010
awareness of the importance of a good balanced diet, which in turn can be linked to good performance and behavior in class. As such a lot of school administrators, Councils, Local Authorities, parents and caterers are keen to show the nutritional value in the meals that they are providing to school children in an easy to access and understandable way. There are some school based schemes that link positive nutritional consumption with rewards for children, such as Fuel Zone in Scotland.”
Keen to find out more about the benefits of cashless catering, looked at in part by Becta in its guidance notes on the use of biometrics, we asked Bede to give us an overview of the features and benefits of sQuid: “With sQuid, in addition to topping up a child’s cashless catering account online with money, parents are also able to view their child’s transactions. Not only viewing that they did indeed eat at the school canteen on a specific date but also see what they ate, for example ‘chips, burger and beans’ or ‘salad and lasagne’. With sQuid accepted as a payment method by a schools till system this information, already captured, can be provided back to parents online in near real time, in an easy to view sQuid account.”
The interesting point raised here, is can this transactional data, detailing what has been eaten and when, be used to improve healthy eating education? Indeed it can, says Bede, explaining: “This level of transactional data provided back to parents serves to provide information about what has been paid for at the till. This in turn can influence children in their selection of meals as
part of a healthy eating agenda. Of course this doesn’t force the child to eat what has been paid for and of course they have the freedom to choose from the canteen menu what they want.” In response to the recent press coverage of the use of biometrics, Bede was keen to make clear that sQuid is compatible with a number of payment methods and that ultimately, it is up to the school to decide how payment is collected: “sQuid is unique as a payment method and is a standalone application - a company independent of any banks - an eMoney service provider that is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). sQuid payments are compatible with smart cards, third party issued cards such as Council cards, biometrics and online payments. sQuid work with many of the leading providers in the education sector from caterers, through to till providers and enable cashless catering payments to take place; they also enable parents to pay online for school trips and other school related expenses.”So, for those sceptical about the use of biometric technology in schools, it is important to know that there ARE alternatives which have many of the same opportunities for improving service, health and education.
Changes are certainly afoot in this area, but as one question is answered another tends to arise, with many doors of dispute still left wide open. What is clear, however, is that parental consent is vital and this will now be the case. Choice is paramount if the benefits of this technology are to be communicated effectively, with schools and parents deciding if it is right for pupils once they have all the information they need at their disposal.
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