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Student Authentication

Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™) is a third third-party tool available towithin 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 withinto Canvasgate classes.quizzes, exams, and other graded activities to support federal, accreditation, and academic integrity requirements.

About Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™)

BioSig ID is a biometric gesture password that is unique to each student. Theuses biometric gesture software measuresto measure the unique way every user moves their mouse, fingerfinger, or stylus when they authenticate with their biometric password. Biometric identifiers such as the length, speed, direction, angleangle, 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 profileprofile, 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.

Use at A-State

Certain online programs and courses require authentication using the Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™).

Online students will be asked to create a biometric password using a tool called Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID™). 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. This password cannot be replicated by someone else.

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 successfully completed their initial enrollment, they can then add additional devicesdevices, such as a tablet or mobile phone.

Information

Required foruse Faculty

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 of the institution while also 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 youyour courses, please contact A-State Online Faculty SupportSupport.

Phone: (870) 680-8464

Email: facultysupport@astate.edu

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

Step-by-Step Guides

Enrollment

The steps to go through a BioSig-ID™ enrollment, are as follows:

  1. Launch the enrollment process for BioSig-ID™ to get to this screen
  2. Select the device that will be used
  3. Click the `Next` button to proceed
  4. Read and confirm the step-by-step guide
  5. Draw the first four character/number password for BioSig-ID™
  6. Click the `Next` button to continue
  7. The first password is always accepted and now it is important to draw it again as close as possible

    IMPORTANT: It is natural to fail the next step if you are having a difficult time to draw the same characters again close enough to your first password. Try using the `Restart` button otherwise to start fresh and draw something else. For example, use an `X` or `7` instead of a `0` as lines are easier than circular motions for some users. Another option is to draw smaller and/or slower. Everything you draw will be used to verify, so if you already know that something went wrong use the `Clear` button to redo the step you are at. Touchpad users might want to consider using both hands to allow more control in drawing while holding down the `left` button.
  8. After you are finished drawing it a second time click the `Next` button to continue
  9. To get a proper biometric profile you just have to draw it a third time
  10. After you are finished click the `Next` button to continue
  11. Your primary password for BioSig-ID™ is now enrolled and it is time to create a secondary profile with Click-ID™
  12. This is not an actual keyboard, but an image of one to make it easier to remember what points you click on. It is not a problem to create the same password that was used for the BioSig-ID™ profile, or pick something else (bulls eyes will appear after your selection)
  13. After creating the first profile click on the `Next` button to continue
  14. The first step is always accepted and now it is important to create it again as close as possible
  15. After you are finished creating it again click the `Next` button to continue
  16. Now just once more to finish the Click-ID™ enrollment
  17. Use the `Next` button to continue
  18. This last step will lock everything in place with a final validation of BioSig-ID™
  19. Draw the password you created one final time and click the `Validate` button to continue

This ends the process and you are now presented with a button to return back to Canvas.

Validation

The steps to go through a BioSig-ID™ validation, are as follows:

  1. Optionally select the device you wish to validate for which can be adjusted if needed via the `Change...` option
  2. Draw the password you created one final time and click the `Validate` button to continue

This ends the process and you are now presented with a button to return back to Canvas.

Depending on how BioSig-ID is used within the course this either instantly unlocked access to the next item, for example, a quiz, or it made the next item visible below it, say for example a discussion

Technical Support

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


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