Faculty Guidance: Student Authentication

BioSig ID uses biometric gesture software to measure the unique way every user moves their mouse, finger, or stylus when they authenticate with their biometric password. Biometric identifiers such as the length, speed, direction, angle, and height of each stroke are collected by the software to create the user's unique biometric profile. In seconds, after drawing only 3-4 characters, BioSig-ID software establishes whether the user who registered is the same person trying to access the account.

The password will only need to be created one time and will be used each time they are asked to authenticate in a Canvas course. The input password is instantly compared against the previously created enrollment profile, and access is only granted if they match. 

Students can create their biometric password with a mouse, stylus, or their finger on a variety of computers and devices. The biometric password cannot be replicated by someone else. Students will be required to authenticate their identity with BioSig ID prior to completing quizzes, tests, assignments, and discussion boards. All authentications take place within Canvas.

Arkansas State University is required by federal law and regional accreditors to confirm the identity of all students who take online courses. Authenticating students’ identities throughout their coursework ensures the institution's academic integrity while preserving the quality of the online degree you earn. To meet the requirements of federal law and regional accreditation, Arkansas State University requires online students to authenticate their identity through BioSig ID.

Likely causes:

• The student has not completed the required BioSig‑ID verification activity in the module that releases content.
  
• The student completed BioSig‑ID enrollment or verification in a different course, but not in the current one.
  
• The BioSig‑ID‑protected activity was copied from a previous term, but intercepts were not updated after the course copy.

What faculty should check:

• Student progress in the module to verify which required items have been completed.
  
• Module prerequisites and requirements to confirm the correct activity controls release.
  
• The BioSig‑ID Admin App to confirm guarded guarded activities (quizzes or assignments) are properly updated and configured.
  
• Instructions provided to students clearly state what BioSig‑ID activity must be completed and what it unlocks.

 Likely causes:

• BioSig‑ID enrollment and verification are course‑specific; enrollments and required activities must be completed in each course.
  
• The student completed initial enrollment but did not complete the verification activity tied to the current module or assessment.

What faculty should check:

• Module progress for the student in the current course.
  
• Whether the BioSig‑ID activity tied to content release was completed.
  
• Course instructions clarify that BioSig‑ID steps must be completed within each course.

 Likely causes:

• The same BioSig‑ID activity was reused across multiple modules.
  
• Module requirements were not set to enforce sequential completion.
  
• The BioSig‑ID activity was added to a module but not set as a required item.

What faculty should check:

• That each BioSig‑ID verification activity is used only once and not reused across modules.
  
• Module settings to confirm sequential order is enabled when appropriate.
  
• Module requirements to ensure the BioSig‑ID activity is marked as required for completion.

 Likely causes:

• Students are encountering BioSig‑ID for the first time during a high‑stakes assessment.
  
• Instructions for enrollment and verification are embedded late or not explicitly tied to module release.

What faculty should check:

• Whether a low‑stakes BioSig‑ID activity is included early in the course.
  
• That instructions explain why the activity is required and what it unlocks.
  
• That students are directed to the official student support page for enrollment help.