Internet Filtering System in School

As educators, we also take the role of second-parents to our students. It is then our obligation to teach them and to protect them. Protecting them from accessing websites that are not appropriate is one.

Should the teachers be in this same umbrella of protection? Should the teachers then be allowed to access the internet without restrictions? If so, where does the boundary lies - shopping sites, personal email sites, etc.

I need your thoughts please. Thank you.

Tags: filtering, internet

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Permalink Reply by Jason de Nys on February 15, 2009 at 1:33am

There need to be very clear policies in place for both teachers and students. Teachers should not allow students to access their accounts full stop.

But WRT filtering, beyond filtering for porn and websites promoting illegal activities I believe that the internet should be open to all students and teachers. What are we there for if not to educate? Educate the students about what is appropriate and what is not and impose sanctions if the line is crossed. Everyone will mess up from time to time but that is part of the growth process.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on February 16, 2009 at 5:42pm

Well this is rude, Steve will delete.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on February 16, 2009 at 8:14pm

There was a mile long list of porn links some spammer had posted but Steve deleted it, It was right after your previous comment so it looked like I was commenting to you, I wasn't. I commented so other readers would know something had been done about it.

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Permalink Reply by Jason de Nys on February 16, 2009 at 9:02pm

I have a copy if you need it.

(j.k.)

But it was apropos considering the discussion.
If you can have porn spam on a Ning then does that make Ning's educationally detrimental? Or does it show that if these things are monitored, you can have educationally sound material even when you are surrounded by a sea of smut?

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Permalink Reply by Jason de Nys on February 16, 2009 at 9:49pm

Got me there. :)
But I was really referring to the need for the teachers to be monitoring what is going on in the classroom eg through passive means by having the computers set up around the perimeter of the room facing inwards rather than in rows and actively through using software like SynchronEyes or teachers getting off their bottoms and moving around the classroom. Most of the inappropriate use of resources can be avoided.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on February 17, 2009 at 6:12am

Just a thought-I have used the internet for 15 years probably 5 hours a day and porn doesn't just pop up on the screen and I have to say I rarely get pornographic emails. A vigilent teacher can catch innappropriate screen shots in a heartbeat. More than likely the kid 'clicked' on something!

Permalink Reply by Kiwi Commons on May 5, 2009 at 3:09pm

Well there is a lot of debate over whether there should be legislation that prohibits the use of social networking sites on school grounds and in libraries. The DOPA bill has been met with criticism.

You can read more about it here: http://kiwicommons.com/2009/03/us-act-could-help-protect-youth/#mor...

The bill would also allow disabling of the restrictions if used "by an adult or by minors with adult supervision to enable access for educational purposes."

I think proposals of bills like this are to ensure the online safety of children. Adults do not need the same safeguards, and because of that I don't think it's necessary to apply the same restrictions. But I think it's important to consider the sacrifice of educational benefits in restricting these sites like online discussions and information resources.

I think it's also important to remember that bills like DOPA are insufficient in safeguarding children from online dangers. Internet safety has to be integrated in school curriculum as well, so that children are equipped with awareness and can discern risks on their own.