Finnish school principal concerned about smart glasses potentially enabling cheating

Finnish schools may soon face a growing problem with smart glasses, according to the principal of Meilahti Upper Secondary School in Helsinki. The concern was heightened in the spring when a student was suspected of using smart glasses to cheat on an exam.

Principal Ulla Rönkä stated that while smart glasses have not yet been a significant issue at her school, the situation could change rapidly, potentially by this autumn. The school's current regulations classify smart glasses as similar to other smart devices, which are generally prohibited during the school day. However, the specific incident proved difficult to resolve.

"Good heavens, this really concerns us," Rönkä recalled thinking when the incident occurred. A teacher had noticed the student's glasses during the exam, but did not examine them closely. The school was ultimately unable to confirm whether the devices were indeed smart glasses or if they had been used for cheating.

Teachers and principals are worried that smart glasses could make it easier for students to secretly record their peers. Such recordings, often of arguments or other sensitive situations, can then be shared on social media. This capability also raises concerns about bullying, as unauthorized images or videos could be disseminated.

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Good heavens, this really concerns us.