There is a mysterious phenomenon making its way through NDCL’s computers. Students AND teachers find themselves perplexed when they attempt to view things such as youtube videos for assignments and they see a blank screen or the menacing word BLOCKED where the content should be. These ghost pages are growing and becoming stronger by the week as more and more websites become unavailable for use to students and staff. What are these mysterious happenings? WHY are they happening? And how does it affect NDCL school productivity?
First let’s provide some context. Previously at NDCL teachers often utilized websites such as YouTube and Gimkit into their curriculum as tools to provide an elevated learning experience. These teachers are dismayed by the lack of sources they are able to access in class. English and College Writing teacher, Mrs. Gooding states that it affects her ability to, “fluidly move through lessons” although her positive anecdote on the matter was that it, “puts to the test her ability to problem solve and think on the spot”. While this interesting occurrence may improve teachers’ ability to troubleshoot in class, is that something our instructors should be forced to do when an easier, more “fluid” way exists? This phenomenon is rampaging its way through our teachers’ lesson plans, disrupting their previously sound agendas.
Alas… teachers aren’t the only ones perturbed by the ghost pages, NDCL’s very own students are falling victim to the vanishing of integral websites. Students who are simply trying to complete assignments are interrupted by blank spaces and their work is made incompletable. Student Sienna Koler says that a source such as Chat GPT being blocked is “very bad” and that it “disables [her] to come up with productive ideas and to extend [her] knowledge”. Any homework that requires, for example, watching a youtube video or gathering images from pinterest or instagram cannot be completed by students while on the NDCL campus. Students say their learning experience is, “nullified and less interactive” due to the sweeping mysterious ghost pages.
When will the terror stop? How many more will be harmed? How far… is too far? Can YOU solve this mystery?
