Electronic Devices and Wearables in Exams

The Board on Academic Honesty routinely hears cases that involve students having access to unauthorized electronic devices during exams. It is worth emphasizing to students that having access to any unauthorized aid (including unauthorized technology) during an exam, regardless of use or intent, can constitute academic misconduct under the Academic Honesty Policy (see Section V.B.1 of the Academic Honesty Policy). Instructors should make a special point regarding wearable technology (“Wearables”), such as smart watches, earbuds, or smart glasses, given that this technology can easily relay information unnoticed to everyone but the user. Using or having access to an unauthorized device can undermine the confidence other students in the class have that they will be assessed fairly.

At the outset, instructors should be aware that nothing in the following guidance is meant to interfere with the process through which a student can request reasonable accommodations for academic coursework through the University’s Office of Disability Resources (“ODR”), or with a student’s access to ODR-approved reasonable accommodations. Nor should the following guidance be construed as being contrary to law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or as being inconsistent with the University’s nondiscrimination statement. Use of or having access to electronic devices and Wearables may, depending on the circumstances, qualify as a reasonable accommodation. And if a student feels that they need any accommodation based on disability, instructors should direct them to ODR. If an instructor believes that an accommodation, including one involving the use of or access to technology, would fundamentally alter the nature of their exam or student assessment, the instructor should contact ODR to discuss the accommodation, in accordance with ODR’s processes.

Except in the case of an ODR-approved accommodation, instructors can prohibit students from having access to technology during an exam, including (but not limited to) cell phones, tablets, laptops, Wearables, or any other electronic devices. If an instructor is going to implement a no-device policy during exams, they should:

  1. Announce this policy: a) at the beginning of the semester; b) prior to the exam date; and c) at the beginning of the exam. This announcement should be both verbal and in writing (i.e., in the syllabus and on the exam). It is particularly important to announce restrictions on Wearables well in advance of the exam date, so that students who use prescription smart glasses, earbuds, or other wearable technology (but who do not otherwise have an ODR-approved accommodation to use or access this technology) will have the opportunity to bring non-smart versions of these Wearables to the exam. If a student in this situation lacks access to any other prescription option, the instructor should determine if there is an option for the student to use the smart device for vision correction, hearing assistance, or other access purpose that would not undermine the integrity of the assessment, and, if not, should determine an alternative assessment method that does not disadvantage the student relative to other students enrolled in the course.
  2. Give students time to turn off and securely store their devices (in their bookbags at the front of the room, for example).
  3. Actively monitor students while they complete the exam. If a student is observed using an unauthorized device:
    1. Document the use as thoroughly as possible.
    2. Ask other proctors to corroborate the behavior, if possible.
    3. Ask the student to hand the device over to you. In the case of Wearables, ask the student to switch the device to a non-smart-enabled option, if available. If the smart-enabled version of the device is the student's only access option, do not confiscate the device, but do ask the student to disable all smart functions not associated with disability accommodations and verify that the smart-enabled features of the device are off for the remainder of the assessment.
    4. Allow the student to complete the exam.
    5. At the end of the exam, return the device to the student. If you are a proctor, report the incident to the instructor, and if you are the instructor, submit the case as soon as possible.
  4. Document a student’s refusal to comply with a no-device policy, such as where a student refuses to relinquish their device. The University can then consider this conduct in assessing further academic or non-academic discipline consistent with applicable University policies.
For more advice on proctoring exams, see the Proctoring Guidelines.