By contributing writers Maria Fisher (’29) and Sophia Falasco (‘29)

This school year, a lot of new changes have been made, especially regarding technology in schools. Along with the new law that states that cellular devices are not allowed during the school day, schools all over the nation have been implementing different programs to track students’ computer activity while in class.

Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District uses the GoGuardian program. This program allows teachers to look at a student’s chromebook screen during class and close any tabs that aren’t allowed to be open. In previous years, students have been able to see when teachers are viewing their screen. This year however, a new update has been implemented that lets teachers view students’ screens without warning. This is raising controversy about whether or not GoGuardian should even be allowed.

Teachers like social studies teacher Megan McGee and French teacher Lauren Ludovico use GoGuardian to monitor their students, and almost all J-DHS students are aware that some of their teachers use this form of technology. Social studies teacher Andrew Cottet uses GoGuardian in certain instances. “I use it when I want to make sure students are only using the resources I have assigned for the task,” he said. He followed this by saying he also uses it to make sure that students are not using AI for tasks. Science teacher John Lembeck said, “I use it when I really need to,” and, “I really try to trust my kids unless there are a few that are trying to push the limits.”

“It hinders me more than it helps,” junior Carsyn Geisler-Price says. “With the amount of websites they’ve blocked, it doesn’t matter (if they watch us). It feels like they’re watching for no reason,” junior Jonah Gadarian said. 

However, not all students think it’s a bad change. Freshman Lauren Ewing said, “I think it’s good to catch kids playing games.” Freshman Giuliana Pribula agreed, “It prevents us from doing bad things.” Freshman Alexis Hall added “It’s good from a teacher’s point of view because it makes sure that students are on task, but from the kids point of view, it’s annoying.”

English teacher Trinity Conner claims, “It dissuades kids from using AI.” Fellow English teacher Courtney Romeiser shared that opinion, “We’re in a society where artificial intelligence and other outside programs are interfering,” she said,

Students also think strongly that they should be informed when their teacher is using this tool and looking at the screen. “I prefer teachers to be more open about using GoGuardian,” junior Kavya Arasu said. “It feels a little invasive.” Junior Helena Sofinski agreed, saying ,“It feels like an invasion of privacy.”