Proctorio Blog

Academic integrity has always mattered, but maintaining it is harder today than ever. Students now have access to technology that allows them to avoid doing their own work, and many of these tools are nearly impossible to detect without the right systems in place.

Protecting academic integrity is not just about stopping dishonest behavior. It’s about creating conditions that support honest effort and making sure schools are using tools that can keep up with how student behavior is changing. It takes a two-part strategy: build the right environment, and use the right technology.

Why the Learning Environment Matters

Students are more likely to act honestly when they feel supported and believe the work they’re doing has value. They are also more likely to cross lines when the pressure is high, the expectations are unclear, or they believe their peers are taking shortcuts without consequences.

Dr. David Rettinger, a leading voice in academic integrity and Associate Chair of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, talks about three major factors that influence student behavior: personal pressure, peer culture, and instructor signals. If students feel the work is meaningless, fear failing, or think others are cutting corners, they’re more likely to do the same. On the other hand, when instructors set clear expectations, use assessments that feel fair and relevant, and consistently model integrity, students tend to follow that lead.

Improving the learning environment doesn’t require major changes. It starts with clear communication about expectations and the purpose behind assignments. Courses that focus on the learning process, rather than just final grades, help students stay motivated. Giving students a chance to revise work or reflect on their process can reduce stress and reinforce good habits.

This part of the strategy is critical. A better environment reduces the motivation for dishonest behavior and helps students feel more engaged and capable. But on its own, it’s not enough.

Technology Is Changing Student Behavior

Even with a strong learning environment, students still face temptations, and the tools they now have access to are not what they used to be.

Smart glasses are a clear example. These glasses look like ordinary eyewear, but they include microphones, cameras, and voice-activated connections to AI. A student can wear them during an exam, say a quiet command, and receive information in real time. There’s no visible phone, no suspicious movement, and no clear sign that anything is wrong.

What makes this especially difficult is how invisible these devices are. Smart glasses come in many styles and colors. Some look like common Ray-Bans or Oakleys. On some students, they might stand out. On others, they fit in completely. Teachers and proctors cannot be expected to visually identify every type of smart glasses on sight.

And it’s not just glasses. Students today can use hidden earpieces, AI chatbots, browser extensions, and more. These tools are increasingly built to blend in, and they’re evolving quickly.

Most Proctoring Tools Are Not Built for This

Unfortunately, many schools still rely on systems that are no longer suited to handle today’s challenges. Some proctoring software uses facial recognition technology originally designed for surveillance or law enforcement. These tools were never meant for education. They might detect if a student looks away from the screen, but they won’t identify smart glasses or listen for subtle voice activity.

Even more concerning, some of these systems raise serious privacy issues. Several have faced lawsuits over their use of biometric data. And because they rely on third-party technology, they can’t be easily adapted when new threats appear.

Using outdated or rigid tools gives institutions a false sense of security. If the system can’t detect the real risks, it isn’t doing its job.

Proctorio Takes a Smarter Approach

Proctorio was built specifically for education. We design and train our own models to detect academic misconduct based on real student behavior, not generic surveillance patterns. Our system looks for a wide range of signals, including visual, audio, and behavioral data, and can flag subtle signs that other systems miss.

Because we own the technology, we can quickly adapt it. If a new model of smart glasses is released, we can train our system to detect it. If student behavior changes, we update the models. This flexibility allows us to stay ahead while keeping the student experience fair and respectful.

Just as important, we don’t believe in adding unnecessary stress to exams. Our goal is to support both instructors and students by providing a secure, transparent, and effective tool that protects integrity without creating a hostile testing environment.

A Complete Strategy for Today’s Classrooms

Protecting academic integrity requires more than just software. It requires a complete strategy. That starts with building supportive environments where students feel motivated and respected. When they know what’s expected and believe the work matters, they are far less likely to cut corners.

At the same time, schools must recognize that technology is changing how students behave. Smart glasses, AI tools, and hidden apps are already in use, and they will continue to improve. The tools used to support academic honesty must evolve just as quickly.

That’s why a two-part approach matters. The environment reduces the reasons students might act dishonestly. The technology helps identify when they still do. Together, these efforts give schools the best chance to protect both learning and fairness.