Bringing Biometric Sensors to the Classroom: A Fingerprint Acquisition Laboratory for Improving Student Motivation and Commitment

This paper presents a research study conducted in a specially developed laboratory for biometric engineering education. The laboratory gives students an opportunity to learn more about fingerprint acquisition and analyze the impact of acquisition on other parts of the biometric authentication process. An IoT approach was used, as different types of sensors (biometric sensors, thermometer, and humidity sensor) and components (heaters and workstations) were included in setting up a working surface for biometric data acquisition. Working surfaces create a network where data collected from each working station is recorded in a database. In parallel with biometric data acquisition, environmental condition parameters are recorded. Collected data is available to students for later analysis through the use of a specially developed visualization tool. In order to fully utilize the possibilities the laboratory provides, a flipped classroom approach was used. An evaluation study was done as a part of the course of Biometric technology held at the University of Belgrade. Research results show improvements in student learning outcomes and motivation.