Sophie Millar can't see why there's any reason for a student to need a watch in an exam.
Sophie Millar can't see why there's any reason for a student to need a watch in an exam.
Massey reacts to arrival of internet-capable smartwatches with a blanket prohibition.
Massey University has announced a blanket ban on all watches from exam rooms to beat cheats.
The move follows the release of smartwatches which have internet capabilities.
Britain's Guardian newspaper reported last week that watches were banned from City University in London, while students at Southampton must place all watches in a clear plastic bag on the desk.
Massey University spokesman James Gardiner said it was vital the university maintained its integrity during the examination process.
The latest watches allow users to access the internet. Photo / AP
"So the logic is the same as the ban in exam rooms on using laptops or smart phones. The reason for applying it to all watches is that it is not considered practical to examine every watch worn by exam candidates. And even if it were, there are, I am told, smartwatches being manufactured that are virtually indistinguishable from other watches."
The university had not, to date, had any reports of cheating with a smartwatch.
However, most other universities spoken to by the Herald were not yet doing the same.
University of Otago director of academic services John Price said he was aware of Massey's move but said Otago would not follow suit.
"We are not considering a ban at this time. However, we will be monitoring the situation closely."
At Victoria University, there remained a ban on electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets which had to be turned off and handed to the exam supervisor beforehand.
University of Waikato head of student and academic services Michelle Jordan-Tong said tabs would also be kept on the issue.
"The New Zealand universities' exam managers keep in regular contact with each other [about] any issues that are arising across the sector. We continue to review current trends and technology advances and make changes as necessary."
A University of Auckland spokeswoman said examination regulations were being reviewed, but students were currently not permitted to bring any electronic device into an exam unless specified.
Auckland University Students' Association education vice-president Jessica Storey said it was a difficult, yet inevitable, issue for universities to face.
"I think with the rise of smart technology it's very difficult for the university to ensure that students don't cheat in exams ... I can certainly see the impetus for it and I think all universities are going to have to deal with it at some point and I can understand why Massey has chosen to deal with it sooner rather than later."
Sophie Millar, 20, who is in the second year of her three-year bachelor of teaching degree at the University of Waikato, did not believe the change would affect students too much.
"I think [the ban] is entirely reasonable.
"In the exam rooms we have clocks anyway so you are able to keep track of the time, so I don't see why there's any reason for a student to need a watch in an exam."
Miss Millar said most students used their phone to check the time.
Rory McCourt, national president of the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, said they backed any initiative that kept all students on a level playing field.
He said the only concern would be the clocks in the exam rooms as they were not always on time.
"Sometimes they're slow or haven't been changed for daylight saving, so universities should take extra special care to make sure the clocks are on time."
He said all major exams were set to take place early next month.
