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Student Authentication

Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™) is a third-party tool available within Canvas classes. It is a biometric gesture‑based authentication tool that verifies the student completing coursework is the same person who enrolled by requiring a short biometric password drawn with a mouse, finger, or stylus. BioSig‑ID can be used to gate quizzes, exams, and other graded activities to support federal, accreditation, and academic integrity requirements.

About Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™)

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.

Note: To avoid any issues, students are strongly encouraged to complete the initial enrollment process on a full computer with a mouse.  After they have completed their initial enrollment, they can then add additional devices, such as a tablet or mobile phone.

Required use at A-State

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.

Using BioSig‑ID in Canvas

If you are required or would like to enable BioSig-ID in your Canvas course, please review the following sections for guidance on what you need to enable, configure, and monitor BioSig‑ID in your courses. Student enrollment and validation steps are not documented here and should be accessed via the student support page.

The BioSig‑ID Admin App

BioSig‑ID is enabled and managed through the BioSig‑ID™ Admin item in the Course Navigation menu.
Key actions instructors take:
  • Authorize BioSig‑ID access to the course (one‑time).
  • Decide what activities require authentication (quizzes, exams, selected assignments).
  • Use the BioSig‑ID Admin App to apply authentication to selected activities.
  • Monitor activity and exceptions using the BioSig‑ID Reporting Dashboard
  • Review and update guarded items after course copies.
➡ Official step‑by‑step guidance:

Course Setup Best Practices

BioSig‑ID works best when authentication is introduced early and used consistently.
Recommended practices:
  • Add one low‑stakes BioSig‑ID‑protected activity early in the term so students can enroll and practice.
  • Use BioSig‑ID periodically, rather than only once at the end of the course.
  • Avoid deleting BioSig‑ID‑linked quizzes or modules after setup, as this can break the LTI connection.
  • After copying a course to a new term, re‑authorize and reconvert guarded quizzes.
➡ Official course setup guidance:

Common Issues

When using BioSig-ID, faculty may encounter the following issues.
  • Students report issues with the links, usually due to the BioSig‑ID intercepts not being updated after a course copy.
  • Modules are releasing early, usually due to reusing the same BioSig‑ID assignment across multiple modules.
  • Students report that they are not able to access a guarded quiz, usually due to their not having completed the initial enrollment.
  • Students report that content is not being released, usually because they have only done the initial enrollment and not the weekly activity with the authentication check. 

Monitoring Student Authentication (Reporting Dashboard)

Faculty and coordinators can review authentication events, validation history, and exceptions using the BioSig‑ID Reporting Dashboard.
What you can see:
  • Validation and attempt history
  • Irregular or failed authentications
  • Time‑stamped activity associated with protected assessments
➡ Reporting documentation:

Where to get Help

For questions about using BioSig-ID™ in your courses, please contact A-State Online Faculty Support.

Phone: (870) 680-8464

Email: facultysupport@astate.edu

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM (Hours vary during holidays)

Technical Support

Technical support for BioSig-ID is provided by BSI Software Support and is available online.


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