Smart glasses and other wearable technologies have implications for classrooms, research spaces, workplaces, and public areas, extending into both in-person and online learning contexts. Smart glasses combine either clear or corrective lenses with technologies such as small cameras and displays within the lens that allow the recording, storage, retrieval, or display of text, images, audio, and video. Smartphone connection affords access to the internet and to an array of apps that enable features such as generative AI chatbot access, hands-free note-taking, facial recognition, live translation, navigation support, etc.

Given that the latest iterations of these technologies include lower-cost options and relatively discrete integration into popular frame styles (e.g. Ray Ban), they are likely already making an appearance on our campuses. While there is great potential for students with disabilities, smart glasses and other wearables may impact privacy, academic integrity, academic freedom, and safety for faculty, staff, and students.

Instructional Recommendations

Existing university policies (referenced below) provide guidance to instructors and students, but we recommend instructors add a clarifying statement specifically addressing smart glasses to syllabi and/or assignments. We invite you to consider the following examples and adapt to suit the needs of your course context:   

• Use of AI-enabled glasses or other AI-enabled digital wearables is not allowed in our class. Students will be asked to remove them prior to exams and class sessions. Students with prescription smart glasses must be prepared to switch to standard prescription glasses or contacts while in class.
   
• Unauthorized or non-approved use of wearable devices such as smart glasses is prohibited in this course. For specific electronic recording accommodations authorized Student Accessibility Resources (331-2490 or [email protected]), the instructor must be notified of any such accommodation prior to recording. Any distribution of such recordings is prohibited.
   
• Individuals wishing to use a recording device or wearable to record, transcribe, and/or summarize a class session must receive permission of the instructor before using the technology.

Relevant GVSU Policies and Resources

Cheating (STU 5.1.1). Cheating: Attempting to use materials, information, or aids that have not been authorized by the instructor for academic work.
 

Plagiarism (STU 5.1.5). Plagiarism: Appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source without any indication or citation of the original source, including words, sentences, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, and other expression or media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit or in conjunction with a program, course, or degree requirements.

Privacy Policy (STU 5.2.20)  Privacy Violation: Engaging in surveillance or recording of any type without the subject’s knowledge or consent in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy and/or the broadcasting or distribution of such material. 
 

Agreement Form for Recording Lectures, Student Accessibility Resources

Under Section 504, Subpart E Postsecondary Education, of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, institutions of higher education must provide reasonable accommodations to a student's known disability and may not deny equal access to the institution's programs, courses, and activities. Recording lectures is a reasonable accommodation for students whose documentation calls for this accommodation. Faculty have the right to require a student who records lectures to sign an agreement for recording and present the form to the instructor. SAR has a lecture recording form in PDF format that may be printed.

To Learn More

1. Corbin, T., Sharpe, S., & Dawson, P. (2026). On AI glasses and wearable AI in assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1–17. 
    
2. Eaton, S. E., Kumar, R., Dahal, B., Tang, G., Ramazanov, F., & Figueroa, B. A. M. (2026). AI smart glasses and the future of academic integrity in a postplagiarism era. Canadian Perspectives on Academic Integrity, 9(1), 1-5.
    
3. Nicholson-Benn, H, Bailey, C., Kelly, J., & Woodhead, K. (2026, January 28). Smart glasses in education. Jisc.
    
4. Zeng, J., Weatherall, K., & Gulson, K. (2026). Smart Glasses: A study outlining implications for public sector organisations. The University of Sydney.

Looking for additional syllabus design ideas? Visit our Syllabus Design teaching guide for additional resources.