Blackboard Announces New Solution for Enhanced Student Identity Verification

Education technology provider Blackboard Inc. has reportedly launched a new integrated solution for enhanced student identity verification, powered by technology from Acxiom (News - Alert) Corp., a specialist in interactive marketing and risk mitigation services.

 

 

Colleges and universities can deploy an enhanced verification program using Acxiom Identify-Xservice that integrates seamlessly with the Blackboard (News - Alert) Learn platform and does not interrupt the learning process.

 

Distance learning promises anytime, anywhere learning. But that convenience for students comes with a potential risk for educators – finding a way to make sure the registered student is really the person doing the work. According to Blackboard, the new solution helps instructors control when, where and how frequently they verify student identity while maintaining the integrity and privacy of student information. The service does not require institutions to purchase any additional hardware or software.

 

Acxiom Identify-X periodically and randomly presents challenge questions to students before launching a course assessment. Questions are based only on public information and institutions choose the courses and assessments where identity verification is required. 

 

This fully hosted, Web-based solution prompts a student to enter only their name and address.  Institutions set randomization and pass/fail thresholds, and instructors receive notifications when student identity cannot be verified.

 

“We are excited to include a range of industry-leading technologies - from student identity verification to instant messaging and plagiarism prevention - to offer institutions a more powerful e-learning platform," said Matthew Small, Blackboard's chief business officer, in a statement. "And while the Blackboard platform already offers security protection through end user authentication, this solution allows institutions to further strengthen their identity verification efforts."

 

The company is currently offering the limited number of free verifications to Institutions based on its total student enrollment and Blackboard license. Access to Identify-X technology is currently available to postsecondary institutions in the United States at no cost as a Blackboard Building Block or PowerLink download from Blackboard's client Web site.