[Student Attendance Monitoring Using RFID Technology]

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Table of Contents

Chapter 2: Literature Review1

Chapter 3: Requirements of the system24

References28

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Background

An RFID system may consist of several components: tags, tag readers, edge servers, middleware, and application software. In a typical RFID system, individual objects are equipped with a small, inexpensive tag. (Juels, 2006, pp.381-94) When an RFID tag passes through the electromagnetic zone, it detects the reader's activation signal. The reader decodes the data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is passed to the host computer for processing. In some RFID solutions a return receipt can be generated.

An RFID system consists of two main components, RFID tag (transponder) and RFID reader. RFID tag is usually attached to the object to be identified and carries information in an electronic microchip. RFID detects tags and performs read/write operations on RFID tags. Hargittay, (2005) states normally readers are connected with an additional interface to forward tag information to another system, like a PC or robot control system. (Garfinkel, 2005, pp.34-43) The most common RFID system, the reader transmits a low-power radio signal to the tag, which receives the signal and uses it as a power source to activate the embedded integrated circuit, and then transmits the information stored in it back to the reader through the antenna. The information carried by the RFID tag is the identity of the tag and other relevant information. (Brown, 2007, pp.250)

Monitoring students

The benefits of RFID-enabled student tracking solutions are clear. In many cases, they can help schools do more efficiently and effectively what they're already doing manually - like providing secure access to a building and recording attendance. But at what grade level does student tracking become a privacy issue? (Weis, 2007, pp. 201-212) Is it OK to use new technologies to track minors in a public high school to deal with problems of truancy or absenteeism? How about in a public secondary school where attendance is mandatory? What about college classes attended by paying adults? (Kern, 1999, pp.25-8)

In a post earlier this year, we asked the question: Schools out, do you know where your child is? The post explored placing RFID readers on school busses, tagging students' backpacks and integrating the data into an attendance and transportation monitoring system. (Lai, 2005, pp.905-16) To keep track of young school children in an effort to reduce the chance they get on the wrong bus, get off at the wrong stop, or are left on the bus after a route is complete. Seems like a good idea for kindergarten and elementary school level kids, and most parents seem to be in favour of the idea. (Domdouzis, 2010, pp. 350-355)

The reaction is not quite the same at Northern Arizona University where students are protesting plans to monitor their attendance using RFID chips embedded in their student IDs. (ZK Software, 2010, pp. 2-4) The intent is to install RFID readers in class rooms that hold 50 or more students where it can be difficult to ...