School Vue prompts mixed reactions from students, teachers

Hays High Guidon - February, 2008

by MICHAEL RAVEN

Just when students thought it was safe to play games again, the new laptop monitoring software, School Vue, is finally allowing teachers total control in their classrooms.

School Vue, much like the Vision software last year with the Mac laptops, gives teachers almost limitless capabilities in controlling student computers.

When asked what School Vue could do, CCU staff member Todd Bryant simply responded, “What can’t it do?”

According to Bryant, capabilities include viewing computer screens, restricting websites from student use, allowing only certain applications to be open, sending out a survey question, polling the class, monitoring all printing, blocking or recording instant messaging from AIM, Yahoo Instant Messenger or MSN, blocking USB ports, muting sound, transferring files from teacher to student, giving quizzes, locking screens, shutting off or restarting computers, and finally sending messages or chatting with students.

“I use School Vue because it’s new technology, puts a little fear into the kids, and keeps them accountable,” teacher Tyler Strong said. “One issue is that there’s so many disconnects and reconnects that it sometimes becomes a nuisance during class.”

Some students, not surprisingly, dislike the new software for numerous reasons. Not only do they think it violates their privacy, but it also makes them pay attention in class, which many students try to avoid.

Other students take a different and more accepting stance toward School Vue.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” junior Ayrton Pittman said. “It’s school, and you should be on appropriate websites and programs.”

Teachers began using School Vue just recently, but the administration has had access to it since November.

“School Vue is great for a computer lab setting, but we’re still figuring out how to use it with the one-to-one laptop deployment, which is why teachers didn’t get it at the start of the year,” Bryant said.

Many students find School Vue reminiscent of last year’s Vision software, but there are a few distinct differences.

“Vision was never designed to work wirelessly, whereas School Vue was written for wireless use,” Bryant said. “Vision had a lot of capabilities, but we couldn’t use them because we were wireless.”

With the coming of School Vue, some students are angry, and most teachers are excited that they can keep students on task. The educational process is what is most important in this instance, and School Vue is here to stay.