I've never used a webcam, so I don't know how they work. I'm guessing you're right, the webcam would have to have been left on, on the student's laptop. But, when someone uses a webcam, isn't it used like a telephone...? That is, if they can have two-way communication using the webcam, don't they have to choose with whom they're communicating?
Maybe the school set it up so that all communication through the webcams is hooked up through the school system somehow...? And the students didn't know that...? With all the news about "sexting", maybe the school wanted to ensure the webcams weren't being used for "other reasons."
Even so, the story is still creepy. Why issue laptops with webcams in the first place if you think the students might use them inappropriately? And then check what they're doing without telling the families? Weird.
Lots of webcams can be accessed from elsewhere. They can be found all over the internet. I’ve used the webcam to see what’s going on at the state fair from the various ones they have set up. They provide a link for you to use.
Other organizations do as well, like newspapers.
Like I said, the story should be a wake up call for us all.