Gorup+4

Back to Group 4 Memo

__//**GROUP 4 - RESEARCH NOTES**//__

//**Resources:**//
 * Here's a [|recent article] from a site called eSchool News about a free (but ad-supported) web filtering service for schools called [|OpenDNS]. --Dennis
 * Here is a little more information about filters and brief arguments for and against the use of them: [|filters] - James
 * I found some more articles/sites with more points of view and discussion. While there seems to be more sentiment against filters, there's still no real consensus. -Dennis
 * "Schools install Internet filters to receive federal money" from USA Today
 * "Why is filtering software controversial?" from the site GetNetWise
 * "FilterGate, or Knowing What We're Walling in or Walling Out"by Art Wolinsky, South Regional High School, Manahawakin, New Jersey
 * "Supreme Court hears arguments in Internet filtering case"from Student Press Law Center
 * "Should the web be filtered in schools?" general discussion on Education 2020 wikispaces page
 * [|Marines Ban Social Networking Site as a Security Breach]

//**Tentative Group Position:**// Pro Web Filtering + Ability for school staff to have control to allow specific content as necessary >
 * Arguments for Web Filtering:
 * The strong opinion of parents for holding schools accountable for taking measures to ensure that only school appropriate content is made available to students must be acknowledged as an important influence on the school's Acceptable Use Policy.
 * The amount of effort and time spent simply on enforcement of student behavior in an unfiltered, open Internet environment would be drastically reduced through the use of web filtering, freeing up more time on instruction and less on disciplinary measures.
 * This would prevent the students from view inappropriate, and potentially disturbing, material on the Internet, whether they they are purposely or unintentionally coming across the site.
 * Response to arguments against web filtering:
 * //Argument: The opportunity to educate students on responsible Internet usage is missed if schools rely on web filtering.//
 * Response: Students can still be taught how to use the Internet responsibly in school even with a filter in place. Teachers can still provide lessons on this topic that would be just as effective if there were no filter because it is more of a guideline that students learn than something that has to be shown directly.
 * //Argument: Web filtering programs for schools are not worth the high cost to implement and maintain.//
 * Response: Services such as OpenDNS offer [|free web filtering services] for schools. While it is ad-based, advertising on the Internet itself is already very pervasive. It would be unrealistic to expect a completely advertisement free experience for students regardless of whether a filtered or non-filtered environment is provided.
 * //Argument: Web filtering may block sites that are educationally relevant.//
 * There are programs that filter the material, but allow an instructor to override the the filter and allow a blocked website to be accessed.


 * //Additional Notes and Edited Excerpts from the Draft ://**
 * Determine to what degree social networking sites such as Facebook, Ning or Mysapce help to contribute to the classroom setting.
 * If such social networking sites are deemed acceptable for the educational environment, explore software such as SAFE EYES and NET NANNY to determine how these might help us to create alternatives to completely blocking/filtering social networking sites.