When Filtering becomes an issue...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on November 25, 2008 at 4:56pm

I would think the implementation is fairly simple. #1 The school, district or class, sets up an AUP with consequences signed by both parents and students. #2 The teacher decides what application is needed that will enhance thinking, learning, reflecting, discussion, etc. #3 Students are taught how to use the application #4 Expections for the project are clearly stated. #5 Any kid who doesn't abide by the AUP suffers the consequence (off computer for a week, a month, til hell freezes over, whatever)

Teacher must constantly monitor what is going on on his/her watch (in the classroom and lab). What the kid does outside of school cannot be monitored by the school.

If I taught in a classroom (I teach in a special ed program for gifted kids top 1%) I'd have a parent meeting and tell them why I am using the tools I'm using. I also think I'd support a school-wide parent night to discuss online behavior by kids--especially 5-8th grade. That age kid is vunerable to bullying and stupid choices. I guess I have a lot more to say but will stop now. N

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nlowell on November 25, 2008 at 6:51pm

I realize this probably seems kinda silly, but the first question to ask is "Do you use eRate funds?"

I know most people assume their school does, but the numbers of schools that actually benefit from eRate varies widely from state to state. Look up your state at eRate Central and then keep following the links until you find out if you're getting funding.

If the answer is "No," then CIPA doesn't apply to you, since it's tied to a funding initiative that you're not using and not liable to comply with.

Of course, if the answer is "Yes," then you've got other problems -- and Nancy Bosch may well be one of the best movers-and-shakers in the country on that subject -- but the first question should be, "Does it apply?"

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Kapuler on November 25, 2008 at 8:07pm

I think we do get funding, I checked the link and saw that Greendale WI, is on there, but I'm not exactly positive w/out asking, and I'm checking this from home. However, I have heard through the grapevine that we are a part of this.

I do agree w/ both you and Nancy, and this is just a hurdle I am dealing with. I've talk to my ex-tech director from IL, and a current Tech Director in WI, who both suggest to pilot a specific resource w/ a teacher/class and see how it goes.

I just know I've run into the road block that even though we monitor students and they all have to sign an AUP form, we want to stop the argument that a parent may pose such as "Well, if you guys are filtering at school how did this happen?!?!"

I think my district is really worried about a lawsuit that could be brought on them as a worst case scenerio.

Thanks for your advice!!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nlowell on November 25, 2008 at 9:39pm

Yea.

First rule of filters:
- Filters protect schools, not students.

You'll have a harder row to hoe when the administration priority is posterior over posterity.

Good luck with that.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Josh Seamon on November 25, 2008 at 10:40pm

"Filters protect schools, not students."

Well said.

Here's a way in which a filter can actually open up a school to more liability issues than not having one at all: By running a filter a school is saying it's blocking X, Y, and Z. So, when a student suddenly accesses something from category Z, isn't that the fault of the school for "allowing access"?

As we all know though, filters are perfect and there is no easy way around them.



;)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Josh Seamon on November 25, 2008 at 9:44pm

What age group are you working with?

"We can not have student's use any online resource where they can post things that are not filtered."

How is that a consequence enforcing CIPA? Where in CIPA does is say that kids can't post things that are not filtered?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Vicky S on November 25, 2008 at 9:51pm

Filtering can't, and shouldn't be expected to, stop everything. Part of it is personal responsibility on the part of the students. What happens if a student bullies or swears at school now? What happens if they bring inappropriate magazines, etc. to school? What would a teacher do if a student turned in a paper with swearing on it?

Why is the fact that it's online be treated that much differently? I understand that there could be a wider audience but breaking the rule is the same if a teacher sees it or many people see it. I would (and do) make sure that the parents see an AUP or usage agreement that they have to sign. It should include something about that while things will be monitored there may be cases where a student breaks the rules or when a filter won't catch everything. There will be consequences for broken rules, bullying, etc. online just as there are for students who break any school rule. And, let the students know that you will know who posted what - show them the history option in the wiki, for example. Let them know they will be held accountable if they break the rules.

Also, as a teacher, you can sign up for RSS feeds on wikis and blogs and monitor what's posted. You can set things up so that comments must be approved before they will be visible to the world.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Kapuler on November 26, 2008 at 8:31am

Thank you all so much on your thoughts. I have a tech meeting coming up right after Thanksgiving break and will bring this up w/ the "Powers that be".

It's interesting I was the tech at another district where this was not so much as an issue. They followed CIPA compliance and kids/parents had to fill out an AUP form, but they still let us as tech's/teachers explore any resources we found beneficial.

Here it is more of an issue and we have all the same protocols in place w/ filtering and AUP forms, but a very fragile road I must follow.

• ▶ Reply