According to a report released Friday by a committee tasked by the U.S. government to explore online safety, scaring children about the dangers of the Internet and blocking access to social-networking sites can do more harm than good. Schools often filter sites or block social networks, believing it is in the best interest of the students. But students can get around the firewalls and filtering technology, while blocking the sites can have a negative effect on student safety, the report warns.
This is related to MCAST since certain websites, including social-networking sites are not accessible. I think that filtering these sites is the easiest way to prevent students from deviating from their studies during school hours and although the report says that this might have negative impacts, this method is by far the most immediate and easiest solution for this matter.
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Using anonymous proxy applications such as Ultrasurf (http://www.ultrareach.com/), our students can still visit any site they wish. The only disadvantage is that it makes the connection slower due to factors such as encryption.
ReplyDeleteWe can trust our students and remove filtering, or else apply a more rigorous filtering. The second option may not be feasible at our college.
In my previous workplace, I used to promote web filtering/blocking software. I can confirm that scare tactics are used to promote such software in the industry. This tactic works brilliantly in litigious US and strangely enough in Australian schools too. Sales of web filtering/blocking software ranked third amongst European schools.
ReplyDeleteLeaving aside all the scary content that I've written in the past to convince all sorts of organisations to buy such software, I think that all in all, I disagree with the use of web filtering/blocking software in schools. Or maybe, while some sites such as known porn sites should be blocked, other websites such as social networking sites should not. Heavy use of web filtering/blocking can be compared to a school that decides not to educate students about any perils that they will encounter in society. Such over-protection can harm children rather than help them.
Furthermore, most children will be naturally attracted to websites which they have not been able to access. I know for certain that as a child if anyone told me not to touch something for my own safety, I would do that at the first opportunity. Similarly, if at school I wouldn't be allowed access to any site, I will just find a way to access it. Barred websites would simply stir more curiosity.
On the other hand, there have been reported cases when students were chatting at school and they arranged "real" meetings with complete strangers while at school. Of course, besides the lawsuits that could follow, this is certainly undesirable for several reasons.
Therefore, the main question that remains is: how much moderation should be exercised?
Not an easy question to answer, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteClearly at MCAST for students networks there should be some sort of moderation by a site administrator. This necessarily implies the need for a full time post of site administrator and clear published policies for everyone to follow.
Regarding the policies themselves, I am both open minded and not. At MCAST we have under 18 and over 18 year olds, so perhaps the former can be controlled stricter than the latter when access is given to the network by the administrator through a given username.
What follows is a points system where access can be restricted , suspended or even taken away if log in on prohibited sites is effected for a specified number of times say per week.
Clearly the fine details have to be worked out with the technical staff involved to eliminate possible methods of circumventing such system.
5. Reading the above comments about blocking the social networking sites, I ask, what about the positive things happening within these contexts? What about the social connections that students are making that are very positive for their literacy development? I consider myself a fan of social networking sites, maybe due to the fact that I exploit the benefits of such innovative means of communication.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, every single day we hear and read about the dark side of youth that engage in social networking, in our newspapers, without ever considering the good stuff. In my opinion, parents, teachers and the community at large must be aware of the dark side of social networking in order to be informed and safe. However, this must lead towards a positive perception of the benefits that students and educators could reap from social networking sites.
A few bad seeds could ruin the whole crop. I believe that most students are using the internet in a positive way. I don’t think banning websites is the answer. I think parents and teachers need to take a more active role in their kids’ lives.
At our institute Facebook is blocked and as Marco said they still manage to access the website using Ultrasurf.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am mostly concerned is the amount of time a student spends on facebook. Some of the students are addicts, literally. In my opinion Facebook is a social network where people can share photos, chat and own a virtual farm!
On the other hand, if facebook had to be used as an educational tool I am sure it will be popular.
In my opinion there should be some sort of control and filtering of the Internet in schools, but then the control shouldn't be too much. In the case of under 18 students there should be total control as to the websites students could access, but for over 18 students there could be less control. Despite this, I think that students will find ways how to access the filtered sites anyway. So maybe I think that educating students and help them have self-control over themselves is more useful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel that the more these sites are blocked, the more children and teens are attracted to them. I think that education and information are the best tools in the sense that children and adoloscents should be educated and informed about the harm that can happen to them over the internet. Nowadays the internet and browsing websites are part and parcel of our lives. We cannot just block its use to adoloscents but we have to educate them on the matter at an early stage. Adoloscents should know the whole picture of internet - the good points but also the bad points.
ReplyDeleteLike Lucienne, I also think that many students are nowadays spending too much time on social networking sites and many have become addicted. They literally say what is going on in the life minute by minute and post every photo taken at each weekend. However what is the role of MCAST as an educational institution? Should certain sites be blocked or filtered or should everything be accessible? I think that while certain sites like pornographic sites should be blocked the rest of the sites including social networking sites should be left accessible. This is so as I think that education is still the best tool we should be using to teach our students about the perils of internet. Blocking students’ access to internet sites is not ideal as they are still going to find a way around.
ReplyDeletePersonally I have also experienced some frustrating moments due to blocked sites. For example at times I needed to look up scientific information on reliable sites and to my disappointment I realized I could not access these sites. On other occasions I needed to use YouTube to show certain practical techniques to students and once again YouTube was not accessible. Thus we need to be careful because even if our original intentions to block sites may be understandable we don’t want to end up not being able to use the technological advantages that internet sites offer.
Mildred
The issue of blocking or censorship seems to be cropping up quite frequently in this country lately. I can never agree with censorship within the educational context. An educational system should be a breeding ground for free thought and exploration of new horizons. One should look at the reason behind such censorship.
ReplyDeleteNo learning of any kind will take place by simlpy not allowing students to be exposed to certain sites. It would be wiser to allow access, but at the same time provide the required guidance as to good practices relating to internet surfing.
As has been pointed out by many, blocking of sites is a blanket measure that will bar students even from poitive aspect of the web. If you try to access this blog through MCAST library internet for example the access is denied...enough said.
As has been said above, it seems that although site blocking is perhaps the easiest way of 'controlling' the Internet, I believe that it falls short of really educating the students. It does not really empower them to make the right choices when using such a useful tool like the Internet.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I find that it frutstrates students - I have at times accompanied students to the LLRC to conduct research and noticed that quite some content is blocked.
Needless to say, I understand that some form of filtering will take place. Besides, this is such a grey area that it is extremely difficult to draw a line between allowing and blocking sites.
In my opinion it is very easy to take filtering to extremes, and more often than not we end up tying the user in a straight jacket with no options, which effectively defeats the purpose of having internet access.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do recommend if there is concern for unwarranted access or possible distraction from the intended material, is that the lecturer chooses the websites that students will refer to, and have their webpages saved or linked. This will grant the required level of control, and also provide guidance to the students, as it is very easy to get lost surfing in the ocean of data that is today's internet.
In my opinion, although such filtering software may seem to be a lack of trust, however it is very difficult for students to stay focused when they have unlimited access to practically anything. This on the other hand may not be ideal since it may block some required sites, but this happens even in the place of work because without certain restrictions people tend to deviate from doing the required tasks effectively, thus making such mechanisms necessary.
ReplyDelete