Internet Filtering-The Issue...

Internet filtering in the school systems has been a hot topic lately amongst educators and other school personnel. The issue lies in the idea that by filtering material available to protect students we are in turn censoring the material used for educational purposes. It is true that research on the internet, at times, may yield inappropriate and often dangerous results for new web users but it has also been found that with guidance and practice, users can use the internet as a valuable tool for research and knowledge gains.

Filtering software does have its purpose in blocking questionable sites considered unsuitable for our students but it is also found to restrict sites deemed “clean” because of a simple word or phrase. An example of this could be shown in the case of a student researching a particular STD or STI, say HIV or AIDS. The student may not be able to access any information while filtering software is in place because of keywords such as “sex” or “drugs” alerting the filter to deny access to the site.

Personally, I feel that filtering software can be a more of a burden in the classroom than a blessing. With proper guidance and instruction, students can be taught how to conduct research via the internet safely and learn how to evaluate information and sites without the issue of censorship coming into play.

Do you feel that filtering software has its place in our schools? Do you feel that in today’s society, teaching students how to appropriately use the internet is a part of developing functional and contributing citizens?

More information on this topic can be found by clicking the below links:

http://www.tnellen.com/ted/filter.html

http://www.electronic-school.com/0198f1.html

http://www.eschoolnews.org/news/showstory.cfm?ArticleID=2246

http://www.cdt.org/testimony/990304statement.shtml

http://www.esc2.net/intclass/intclass_private/intesafe.htm

Angie D.

Should internet filtering be used in the classroom?

Internet filtering software is starting to become a widespread utility used within the Internet environment. Some people feel that it is a way to protect younger children from accessing certain areas of the world wide web while others believe that it is blocking children from gaining valuable information on certain topics. Internet filtering is mainly used in schools and homes to block children from accessing sites that include pornography, hate paraphernalia, and other violent and/or graphic websites. Internet filtering software is beneficial in some cases but can also cause problems in other situations. For example, if a student in your class is doing a report on a sexually transmitted disease, they may not be able to find the pertinent information they need on the web because of the Internet filtering software on their home computer or computer at school.

In the article, "Access Denied: Internet Filtering Software in K-12 Classrooms" by Rebecca Meeder, some professional educators believe that children should be taught the way to properly use the Internet and engage in acceptable usage rather than rely upon filtering software. Other professional educators believe that the topic of Internet filtering software is great for discussion, learning and teaching and that it should most definitely be used in the classroom.

What are your thoughts on Internet filtering software? Do you believe that it should be used within the classroom setting?

For more information, feel free to visit the following websites: http://moodle.malaonline.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=24394

http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech058.shtml

http://www.fcps.edu/dit/InternetFiltering/publicover.htm

http://curriculalessons.suite101.com/article.cfm/cyber_safety_in_the_classroom

Cara