RFID implementations in college infrastructure
Introduction
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) is one of the newest technologies in the field of individual and asset location tracking. This wireless technology has opened new frontiers in tracking any one or any item that one would like to. The technique has found application in variety of industry and is used by the likes of Wal Mart. Even the US government is excited about RFID. The technology depends on tagging the person or item to be tracked by a radio frequency chip. The chip can be read by compatible radio frequency readers. Hence, whenever the tagged item or individual come in the range or the RF reader, then there location is known and recorded by the back end systems. Such popular is this new technology, that it is considered as better option to Barcode.
Tracking individuals using RFID
RFID’s usage started primarily for industrial purpose but it then found its usage also for tracking individuals. For instance, in a hospital, one can tag patients and keep a tab on their movement in hospital premises. This could be particularly helpful if the patient has any mental disorder and is likely to run away from hospital. Similarly, RFID has also been experimented in manufacturing plants, colleges and even prisons.
RFID in college labs
An average college laboratory, these days, is comparable to a lab of a small organization. It houses expensive instruments which can be found in the research and development laboratories of engineering or pharmaceutical or any similar organization. These instruments are often moved from one lab to another and also in other parts of the college campus. Their movement can be tracked by tagging them with a RFID tag. RFID readers can be mounted at strategic points in campus like entrances of laboratories, gates of the campus, in lobbies, etc. to track their movement.
RFID and Students
RFID is also highly efficient to track and record student movements in campus. For instance, RFID chip can be inserted in the identity cards. Thus, college can now automatically record the attendance of student in classes and other activities. College can also prevent unauthorized access of students in faculty area or any other restricted access area. Similarly, entry of unauthorized people in campus can be prevented.
One card with multiple usages
The RFID enabled student identity card can also serve as library card, sports facilities entry card, special laboratory entry cards and of course the college identity card. You can also store students profile, some basic personal details, course name and even blood group on the card. Educational institutions like Utah State University have already started working on similar plans.
Benefits of RFID in colleges
There are various benefits of a RFID enabled campus. Some of them are listed below -
- College premises like classrooms, laboratories and the campus itself become more secure
- Students don’t have to carry multiple cards
- College management can easily find out the preferred choices of students. For instance, they can find which classes get the maximum attendance.
- Management can also find out the dislikes of students. For instance, with RFID enabled identity cards and laboratory entrances, that students pursuing doctorate courses spend hate spending time in the college gymnasium.
- RFID enabled cards can be also used for electronic payments. For instance, students can buy food from college cafeteria. The RFID reader held by the cashier will read the card. The cashier can then enter the bill amount. Later on, the total bill amount can be billed to student’s credit card or directly debited from his/her bank account. Such cashless transactions will eliminate the need for exchanging money at cash counter thereby reducing queues.
- Since all transactions are wireless, there is no need to wire the whole campus. Moreover, since communication is completely electronic and recorded on computers, no manual paper records need to be maintained.
Invasion of privacy
A major issue with tracking individuals using technology like RFID is violation of one’s privacy. A common feeling among most of the individuals is that they feel such tracking is intrusive to their privacy and they start resisting such technology devices. Same is true for college students too. Hence, before implementing such a technology, it’s good to take student community into confidence.
Technologies like RFID are gifts of science to humans. But its usage requires a human touch. If this is done, then they can help in making every college a true temple of learning