Students may have begun to notice new software installed on their school-issued computers. On Dec. 8, Marietta City Schools rolled out Blocksi, a classroom management and monitoring platform that replaces GoGuardian, which had expired this winter season. Teachers were provided 40 minutes’ worth of materials that explained the features and purpose of Blocksi. According to Torey Bradley, the Director of Technology & Information Systems for MCS, Blocksi costs $56,381 compared to GoGuardian’s cost of $59,769. It is not a large savings, but it is a bit more affordable for the school system.
Blocksi is similar to GoGuardian but gives teachers tighter control of web-based learning and lets them view students’ screens, monitor tabs, block distracting content, and push out sites the teacher has approved. This software not only gives teachers monitoring rights of their students’ computers, but it also has additional safety features. Blocksi not only lets teachers watch what they are doing, but it also records what they are doing with an active session, which is saved to the teachers’ downloads for 2 weeks, providing proof of cheating.
Some students voiced concerns that they feel Blocksi is intrusive, as it gives teachers access to active tabs and history.
Mr. Osborne, a social studies teacher, emphasized the importance of balance in using monitoring software responsibly.
“If there’s ever a genuine security issue, Blocksi can be helpful. But honestly, I’m not sitting around checking random students’ screens—I have too much on my plate for that,” Osborne said. “Blocksi is just another tool that adds an extra layer of accountability. Security matters as long as these features are used responsibly and not abused.”
This software gives analytics not only to teachers but also to admins, who can analyze common trends of websites and sources that students use. Blocksi’s goal is to provide this by creating a safer digital environment that helps teachers minimize distractions and provide support to students.
However, Blocksi can raise some concerns, just like every monitoring software installed on computers. First, Blocksi includes 24-hour monitoring alerts if anything talking about self-harm or harm to others is mentioned. If something occurs, a person will immediately notify the appropriate person at MCS via phone call.
Some students who have Blocksi as a manager feel like their district overblocks websites, limits access to educational tools, or embeds videos. Schools have even experienced glitches and slowdowns due to the addition of Blocksi. As students and teachers adapt to Blocksi, they must also adapt to its benefits and limitations.
MHS students are complaining that there is a 5-tab limit, but this is not mandatory by Blocksi, but is the default when teachers first get Blocksi.
As Marietta City Schools transitions from GoGuardian to Blocksi, staff and students have to adapt.
The shift may be beneficial; if Blocksi delivers on its promises, then fairness and flexibility will be maintained in the classrooms.
