Biometric iris scanners - only for use in Mission Impossible and James Bond????! Well 007, look again - because it's the new way for students to take out library books and pay for school dinners!
And I thought the perks of having my NUS card were futuristic and fabulous! Not in comparison to this!
I have to admit though, that being slightly dramatic, I'd like to get into character when using an iris scanner or fingerprint recognition technology when gaining entry to the school building....
..... Hands locked into a pistol shape, hair flicking like one of Charlie's Angels, a quick scan of the surrounding area for enemies before my breaking dash for entry - a run, leap, forward roll, sprint, double cartwheel and triple bypass - and then up to the iris scanner, with perfect hair, make-up and no mud on my stilletos.....
Sorry.
My thoughts today, other than of being a Bond Girl, centre around the concept of this biometric technology as our friend, or foe??
The protection of students surely comes into question. Yes, they are able to utilise this amazing technology to borrow books, pay for meals, and gain entry, but is this at the expense of their right to privacy? Surely it's like being tapped? Or spied on? (Could someone else knock you out and gain entry to the school by placing your limp hand on the scanner??? - I digress).
The current changes being proposed to the Protection of Freedoms Bill, will ask for both parents to give their consent for a child to use this system. This legislation comes as a result of campaigns against the system that claim the privacy of the students is in jeopardy and that schools are being turned into "authoritarian fortresses".
However, the argument from the ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders), is that people are confusing the use of the biometric systems (for library, access and catering purposes), with the use of biometric data used in criminal and terrorism contexts - and I suppose confusion with films - such as - er... Mission Impossible, and well, er..... James Bond. I stand corrected!!!
I guess, as with any new system, the pupils have a right to use or to refuse this method. They can, for example, use cards. ASCL again, advocate the use of this method as a way of preventing bullying, as it avoids the stigma which can be attached to getting free school meals, and stolen cards are not able to be used, (however, I refer you back to my previous brackets regarding limp, stolen fingerprints)!
As the systems are 'closed', and only available to each individual school, the worry that the students data is on a national database may be allayed.
However, my question is, how long will it be until a national grid is in place? Technology like this doesn't settle or stay content and confined within the Movies??! It's real, happening and developing. My children will probably use this technology. Due to the growth and rapid change of this system, isn't it valid that people get confused with the biometric contexts?
Watch this space, because if the system can recognise you enough to charge you for meals or give you entry to a building, that sounds an awful lot like 007 is round the corner and that I need to start practising my high kick and digging out my catsuit.
See the article in the Times Educational Supplement, 18th Nov, 2011, for more info. :)
and other links.... such as....
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