Reading Reaction #3
Our reading assignment for this week in class we will be looking at the question “Is it more unethical to allow threats to students/schools (see list above) or to deny students/teachers access to instructionally-relevant Web-based tools and content?” My initial reaction was oh my yes; schools need to block objectionable material from the students. I feel if the schools allow the students to search online then it is the schools responsibility to make sure the material the students are looking at is safe and appropriate. As a teacher is it our responsibility to offer guidance to all the wonderful technology that is available to our students. At the same time there are plenty of safe and appropriate sites to find the information on whatever the subject you are working on with your class.
After I thought about the question some more, I believe that there is not a black or white answer but rather it lies some where in the middle, in the shades of gray. It is my belief that teachers should have access to relevant content on the web. However, at the same time they still need to remember that they are the adults and if you give students free rein some will take advantage.
I believe we need to also look at the question from the perspective of age appropriate material; for example in elementary, middle and high school. I don’t feel that elementary and middle school aged students are mature enough to handle some sites on the web. For example; Web 2.0 or participatory web “is a site that allows user to modify web content, provide a means for users to share personal information (social networking), and have application software built into the site for visitors to use” (Gunter 2010).
However, I can see Web 2.0 being used at a high school level. To provide this access to their students a high school in Australia has put some of the responsibility on the students and parents by having them sign an Information Technology Access Policy. “This policy is important to the safe operation of information technology at our school for staff, students, and the community. Independent student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will only be permitted where students and their parents or guardians provide written acknowledgement that students agree to act in accordance with the standards of conduct established in this policy document”(Scribd 2008).
Another area to think about is who is making the decision to block sites, and how are they making that decision? Is the decision made at a school, district or state level? Too much censorship is never a good thing, but where do we draw the line?
I spoke with a 7th grade computer technology teacher in Seminole County, where they do block some sites with the use of a filtering software program “which prevents the browser from accepting material from targeted sites or material that contains keywords or phrases”(Gunter 2010). She, personally, is thankful that they do have a filter in place because she has 35 students in a class and doesn’t have the ability to watch each student all the time. But she notes that even with the filters in place, the students still find unsuitable material to view on their computers.
One interesting note was that when she was going through the Master’s Program at UCF she was for 100% for the uncensored usage of technology in the classroom. Now that she is responsible for 195 kids in her technology classroom, she is 100% for putting some restrictions in place. It just becomes too difficult to have eyes on all 35 computer screens at the same time. Having the content filter as that extra little helper makes her feel so much more in control.
As a parent, I monitor very closely what websites my daughters visit. We have had and will continue to have several talks about what sites are appropriate for them and why I feel some sites aren’t. I have their Google search settings on “strict filtering” which filter both explicit text and explicit images. Even though they are restricted to what sites they may visit; they have always been able to find material that they need for school.
There are several programs on the market that help you limit the amount of inappropriate material that your children have access to. One site I found is CyberSafeFamily “recommends using parental controls that filter out inappropriate material and allow you to monitor your kid’s online activities. Filtering programs allow you to manage the content that comes through the internet into your home. In addition, it narrows down your search results and gives you more appropriate results.”(Cyber Safe)
Another product, Norton Online Family (which we use), provides not only the ability to filter content, but provides a slew of other features. It’s designed to be used by parents to provide assistance in controlling, monitoring and limiting access to inappropriate material and activities. For example, it provides web site tracking, computer usage, social networking activities, instant messaging, what they search for, and notification directly to the parents when any inappropriate activity is detected (Norton).
To sum up, if everyone would follow computer ethics “the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers, networks, and information systems” (Gunter 2010), we wouldn’t even be having this debate. Of course, we know that isn’t always the case. I think the use of strict filters to keep inappropriate material from our elementary students and a little more liberty for middle school students is the best choice. However, I feel that it’s important to loosen those filter restrictions for the high school students, with the permission of their parents and following school guidelines, allowing them more freedom in the material that they are exposed to. I believe that this provides a valid middle ground between complete censorship and full access. After all, what parent wants to hear from their child over the dinner table, “Guess what Johnny showed me today in computer class?”
Works Cited:
Gunter, Glenda. (2010) Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. (6th Ed.)Boston MA.
Scribd. January 4, 2008. Parramatta Marist High School, September 20, 2010
http://www.scribd.com/doc/7571227/Acceptable-Use-Policy-for-High-School-IT-Web20
Cybersafamily.com, Cyber Safe Family, September 21, 2010 http://www.cybersafefamily.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-inappropriate-material-on-the-internet/
Norton Online Family, Symantec Corporation, September 21, 2010
http://onlinefamilyinfo.norton.com/
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