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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Ring
The vast majority of schools receive some form of government funding for their computers, which requires them to filter obscene Internet materials. But whether intentionally or due to confusion about the technology, schools frequently set their Internet filters so broadly that they block not just pornography but also mainstream sites like MySpace, as well as wikis and reproductive-health resources.
Proponents of rigid controls over the Internet argue that students need to be protected from potentially offensive material, and from the temptation to surf their favorite sites instead of work. But the teachers (and students) who want more access counter that it's better to teach Internet safety and responsibility. Teachers also complain of not being able to use educational materials on sites like YouTube because of filters. Just how restrictive should Internet filters be? Tell us what you think!
Reader Comments
Filters Filter Learning!
See slides 49-56: http://www.slideshare.net/datruss/the-pods-are-coming
to see in simple terms why I think filters filter learning.
Credit to Kathy Sierra for the first image, on slide 49, adapted with the word 'filters' added to it. She gets credit in an earlier slide.
Dave.
Coming from one of the first counties to get computers, it is a real problem. When we started they told kids to use it all, and they did. They download music, videos and all. The county went overboard in restricting access and then we couldn't get what we needed. There are better systems in place now, but restrictions are necessary.
Filtering and Supervision
The school districts must have filtering in place to be able to afford the Internet access. Federal funds (for Internet access) via e-rate require filtering and expect that the Internet use will be for educational purposes only. Their bottom line appears to be: "How does Internet access raise test scores?"
In addition to the required filters teachers must monitor what students are doing/accessing. By planning ahead, selecting appropriate sites, giving students guidance (and limitations) regarding the assignment, then watching what the students are doing, we can attain the goals of providing a quality experience without the presence of questionable content.
The filters can make using the tools available on the internet very difficult. We can't use blogs or Twitter. I wanted to show an interview from The Daily Show that was about a young man who made an electric generating windmill using scraps by reading a library book in Malawi. What a great lesson but I can't show the video.
We don't have enough computers but I am not allowed to bring in my own laptop and connect it to the network. How can we teach 21st century skills without the tools we need. How can we teach judgment when the students have had all of the need for judgment taken from them?
Guidance Counselor/Computer Lab Teacher
I want to teach them how to be responsible and sometimes that means they have to make mistakes.
I would rather kids make mistakes now and suffer consequences before they go into the work force.
Besides, because of e-rate our system blocks EVERYTHING. As a school counselor, our filter system blocks certain information that could help me educate the students better.
Couldn't! My district blocks it!
The controls should not be district-wide! Settings for K-5 should not be the same as for 9-12. The higher the grade the less filtering. 12th graders are essentially voting adults.
Director, Center for School Renewal
When you take the time to build a collaborative learning community in which kids are known well and understand the expectations, filters become a moot point. As commented previously, filters can prevent access to important learning opportunities and mistakes, when they happen, are *also* valuable opportunities for teaching and learning.
Communication Resource Teacher / Web Producer
Some teachers who want everything blocked, locked down, taken out, restricted. What a waste of valuable learning opportunities. Our students need to learn that they have responsibilities when using the Internet, just as they do when they live their daily lives outside of school. Do not miss the opportunity to candidly and openly discuss with students the validity of content they find and "how" to verify what they find. After all, we're teaching, not trying for a shocking reality TV show.
Access responsibly; question content; quote sources.
College of Education Staff
I can't help but agree with Janet's comments above. Students need to learn to be responsible and click on only the links that are appropriate. At the same time, teachers and parents need to monitor student activity and reinforce policies concerning inappropriate usage of technology. By requiring the filtering of internet, are we skirting the issue of taking on this responsibility that students need to develop?