4.8.1. Student Identity and Verification

The institution demonstrates that the student who registers in a distance or correspondence education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the credit by verifying the identity of a student who participates in class or coursework by using, at the option of the institution, methods such as (a) a secure login and pass code, (b) proctored examinations, or (c) new or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification. (Student identity and verification)

Judgment

Compliance

Reinhardt University demonstrates that the student who registers in online education courses is the same student who participates in and completes the course and receives credit via 1) a secure login and pass code as well as 2) a variety of educational practices that are effective in verifying student identification.

Secure login and pass code

All Reinhardt students are assigned a unique student identification number during the admissions process.  Upon initial course registration, an individualized student email address is generated based on the student identification number.  Using this number, the student can access email and Eagle Web, the digital platform that includes account information, student schedules and some online courses. [1]

Distance education programs include the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), the Bachelor of Criminal Justice (B.C.J.), and the Bachelor of Healthcare Administration (B.H.A.). Students in distance education programs use either Eagle Web and/or V-Camp 360, through Savant Learning systems, which are both password protected learning management systems.

For students in Savant system classes, each online program coordinator updates Savant on the students entering the program, providing the name, student ID number, and student Reinhardt e-mail address.  Using this information, Savant sets up a student account and sends the secure login information to the student’s Reinhardt email address.  Program Coordinators then inform Savant of the students enrolled in each online course, and Savant creates the students' access to the appropriate courses. So there is control over course access, including access to required assignments.

Once a student receives an individualized temporary password for access to Eagle Web and/or V-Camp 360, he or she is then prompted to change the temporary, individual passwords for each learning management system upon initial access.  In addition, Eagle Web access is suspended after five consecutive unsuccessful login attempts, and V-CAMP 360 access is suspended after three consecutive unsuccessful login attempts.

Information Technology User Agreement

Before any student can gain access to electronic instructional content, information or records through a Reinhardt account, the student must read and agree to the “Information Technology Responsible Use Agreement” [2] during the admissions process.  Part of the Use Agreement informs a student of his or her responsibilities when accessing information and instructional content:

• Users are responsible for safeguarding their passwords for the various systems (Eagle Web, V-Camp-360, email, network login, etc). Individual passwords shall not be shared with others.
• Users are responsible for all transactions made using their passwords.
• Users are required to utilize their Reinhardt email account when emailing any Reinhardt department or employee on matters of official school business.

The “Information Technology Responsible Use Agreement” is further supported by the “Office of Information Technology Responsible Use Policy,” which is published in the Reinhardt University Student Handbook, 2016-2017 [3] and on the University website [4]  Additionally, the Student Handbook 2016-2017 states, “It is University policy that all communications take place via Reinhardt email” [5]

Educational practices for verifying student identification

In addition to secure login and pass code, Reinhardt instructors use a variety of practices that are effective in verifying student identification. Many of these strategies parallel or adapt best practices from face-to-face classes.  For example, course syllabi, whatever the mode of delivery, include a statement about academic integrity. [6] The appropriate strategy often depends on the program, the course, and the academic level of credit.  Most courses rely on writing assignments rather than objective tests, which supports critical thinking as well as academic integrity. In fact, in most courses, at least 50% of the final grade comes from writing assignments rather than objective tests.  When a course requires an objective test, the test is timed.

Writing intensive courses

Most Reinhardt distance education instructors require regular writing assignments throughout the course. As in face-to-face courses, the assignments are tied to specific readings so that a student cannot easily import a written response from an outside source.  In addition, both “BBA 420 – Economics and Forecasting”  [7] and the B.C.J. course “CRJ 300 – Criminal Evidence and Procedure” [8]  include a standardized list of course expectations for reading assignments, video lectures, discussion posts, “complete” and short essay assignments, quizzes, examinations, and research papers, if applicable. Descriptions for the discussion posts and short essays remind students to “use your own words” and “incorporate source material” (from the assigned readings and video lectures) as well as to “employ proper grammar, punctuation, and correct spelling” as they would for any university level course.  The B.H.A. courses regularly include a standard list of expectations for online etiquette and quality of writing.  For example, the syllabus for “HCA 306– The Economics of Healthcare” [6] explains that discussion forum postings should be “short formal essays” that reveal opinions based on knowledge of evidence and facts (from the course readings and video lectures).
Some upper level courses add a major research project, like a journal/periodical review in HCA 306 [6] or a research paper with an annotated bibliography in “CRJ 460 – Fraud Investigations.” [9] These longer written projects may be checked with TurnItIn if something seems inconsistent with the student’s writing throughout the course.

Timed examinations

In those courses that include an examination, the test may be timed, and success depends on participation in the course throughout the semester.  For example, the syllabus for “CRJ 300 – Criminal Evidence and Procedure” [8] explains,

A (50) question final examination will be administered during the last week of the session.   The examination will be administered through Eagle Web and will be timed.  Students will have one hour and one attempt to complete the examination once they begin.  Students MAY NOT leave the testing screen once they start the exam.  If you leave the screen, you will be locked out. The examination may not be made up except under exigent circumstances as approved by the instructor.  The final examination will account for 30% of the final course grade.  The final examination must be completed before 11:59 PM (EST) on the last day of class.

By adapting the best practices of face-to-face classes to the online environment, Reinhardt instructors support academic integrity in the courses.

In some online courses, students are required to meet face-to-face with an instructor and provide a photo identification to verify identity. This meeting can be in person or through a video conference.  For example in BBA 420 – Economics and Forecasting [7] and BBA 425 – Management information Systems, [10] students must complete the following assignment:

Face-to-Face Meeting Requirement - 100.00 pts
Type: Quiz

Instructions
This course requires at least one face-to-face communication with the course instructor.  You will need to show a photo ID during this meeting. This meeting can take place through a video conferencing method such as SKYPE or in-person. Please contact the course instructor immediately to set up the meeting.  You have until the end of Week Four to complete this assignment.  This assignment will graded as a quiz and will receive a grade of 100 if completed by the deadline or a grade of "0" if not completed as assigned.

BBA 320 - Communication and Culture [11] requires students to complete a short Power Point with an Office Mix where the student creates a personal profile including photographic proof of identity.

Conclusion

Reinhardt University takes student identity and academic integrity seriously in all of its courses.  Reinhardt demonstrates that the student who registers in online education courses is the same student who participates in and completes the course and receives credit via 1) a secure login and pass code as well as 2) a variety of educational practices that are effective in verifying student identification.

[1] Reinhardt User ID and Pass code instructions

[2] “Information Technology Responsible Use Agreement”

[3] “Information Technology Responsible Use Policy,” the Reinhardt University Student Handbook, 2016-2017, pp. 45-46

[4] “Information Technology Responsible Use Policy,” website

[5] Reinhardt University Student Handbook, 2016-2017, p. 49

[6] “Academic Integrity,” HCA 306 syllabus

[7] BBA 420 syllabus, spring 2017

[8] CRJ 300 syllabus, spring 2017

[9] CRJ 460 syllabus, spring 2017

[10] BBA 425, syllabus, spring 2017

[11] BBA 320, outline of unit assignments, summer 2017