Does your school/school district use Internet Filtering Software?
The Glynn County School System uses internet filtering services provided by Lightspeed.
Who makes decisions about what is blocked (filtered) in your district? Do teachers, parents, and/or students have a voice in this decision? How much?
All members and stakeholders of Glynn County Schools are able to have a voice in determining what is and is not blocked on school internet servers. If a website is blocked that an individual believes infringes on his or her ability to participate in the educational setting, they are able to make a case to the school’s media specialist. The media specialist then submits a request to the information technology department which reviews the request to determine further action.
Does grade level (Elementary, Middle, Secondary) determine what is and is not blocked?
The filtering system provides the same access to students and staff across all grade levels.
Can you (or one of you colleagues) access the different Web 2.0 tools discussed in this week’s Module for use in the instructional process.
I am able to access at least two or three websites under each subcategory of Web 2.0 services.
Can a teacher request that a site be un-blocked for use in the instructional process? Is there a process in place for doing this? Who do they have to ask?
As mentioned previously, teachers can submit a request to the school media specialist which in turn is submitted to the school system’s IT department. Most recently, a group of teachers petitioned to unblock Pinterest, arguing that it was a service that enhanced their instructional processes by providing ideas and resources to new teaching methods. Their request was honored, and Pinterest is now accessible on all the system’s web browsers.
Given the potential for students to encounter undesirable material on the Internet, what is the appropriate balance between protection and free access to information?
I think as we teach students to be responsible digital citizens, the “training wheels” offered by internet filtering is important for students as they navigate such large, information-rich resources. Of course, the real world does not provide such safeguards. But in the instructional setting, we can provide opportunities for students to have “free reign” of resources without worrying about them encountering inappropriate or damaging content.
What is your professional position on the use of Internet Filtering Software and its place in schools today and in the future?
As a teacher at the elementary level, I think internet filtering provides a safety net for our students that allows them to explore the majority of the web independently without having to be under constant supervision. Students are able to access a multitude of websites and services that allows them to hone their 21st skills, even with filtering software in place. This service helps teachers give students independence without having to constantly look over shoulders or be intrusive in the research process. The school is a good setting to have such precautions in place so that students avoid distractions while developing skills in digital literacy, critical thinking, evaluation, and creativity.