Leveraging Classroom Management Technology GoGuardian Teacher to Keep Students Engaged in the Midst of Distractions

Abstract

Recent discussions about the use of technology in schools have underscored the importance of controlling students’ off-task behaviors enabled by digital media. This generic qualitative study aimed to investigate if the specialized technology GoGuardian Teacher assists educators in delivering instruction while keeping students on task. Sixteen certified South Carolinian public high school teachers were purposively sampled for this research. Semi-structured interviews and observation field notes aided in data collection. Interviews were conducted either virtually on Zoom or face-to-face. Qualitative data from interviews were automatically recorded and transcribed, manually coded, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that GoGuardian Teacher effectively supported teachers in guiding students’ online activities, helping them stay on the path of productivity. Through GoGuardian technology, teachers communicated lesson resources and updates on assignments, added human elements to remote instruction, and provided scaffolded instructions to learners. Recommendations to empower teachers via professional development to unlock the tool’s full potential are essential.