Technology is a constant battle on school campuses, and the never-ending war between students trying to circumvent staff technology protections and staff trying to patch these methods is a cyclical process. The reasons behind this battle are crucial though, as technology can be a large threat to student’s education. Despite this, technology is rapidly becoming all too crucial to education as the digital landscape rapidly evolves.

Arroyo Grande High School has taken many steps to mitigate harmful technology, with a large focus on “Eagle Expectations”. By putting responsibility on students to be more mindful of their technology use, and to be responsible enough to monitor their own actions, the school is taking a large step in limiting the harm technology can have. 

“I feel like the vast majority of the time, students feel it’s good having these structures in place,” Area Administrator, Clark Goosen said.

The IT department has been instrumental in limiting the harms to student focus as well. A district firewall works to identify and block websites that may be deemed inappropriate, harmful, or distracting. Everything from the formerly infamous Cool Math Games to Amazon has been blocked by the district’s firewall, helping to keep students on track. 

Despite the power of the firewall, it’s not a catch-all. “It only blocks, because the internet is constantly changing, its ever evolving, so when you find something that’s inappropriate, it goes on a block list; everything else is opened up,” Principal Brad Grumbles said.

These issues within the school represent a microcosm of the larger issue. As a whole, technology is advancing, rapidly consuming student’s focus. Not all students are aware of it, but it is an issue that affects everyone, and students have been struggling to stay focused in class with all of the readily available distractions.

Staff feels these worries as well, and are trying their hardest to keep up. 

“As technology evolves, it becomes really hard to keep up,” Grumbles said. 

Despite the struggles, the faculty of AGHS are trying their hardest to limit these issues. This, among other things, led to the rise of the Eagle Expectations, a system of responsibilities that places the onus on students to keep themselves off of their phones. 

In addition to Eagle Expectations, pockets for students to put their cell phones in during class have been a large help in curbing the distraction at school. While not all teachers use them, giving teachers the option to make their classrooms cell phone-free zones has been a large help in reducing distractions in class.

While the issue of technology in schools is far from gone, steps have been taken to curb its harmful impacts. Students may continue to work against their own self interests, but staff will continue to try to find ways to counter the relentless and potentially harmful advances of the digital age.