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I know that I am jumping into the discussion midstream --- but feel the necessity to weigh in with my thoughts. I am IT Help Desk at a private K12 school -- I am one of two support people and we also support the school. We use Websense as our internet filter. And though we have opened up MUCH of the possibilities of the internet, and we have a very good "unblock" policy on campus...... at this time, we choose NOT to give teachers the override. And let me explain why. Our school network is not comprised of one classroom, of one teacher. We have many teachers, many students, many staff that are a part of it. And my job is two fold.....I am here to help, I am here to protect.....both go hand in hand. If you saw my school 3 years ago to now, when I first arrived, you will see that we have moved giant steps forward..... but in all honesty, I have to say that my teachers still are not showing wisdom (perhaps internet maturity) when it comes to sites. And yes, I believe that they need to be shown quality and effective internet search procedures and that they need to be given the reins a bit more. But my entire job does not consist of saying "here, open any site you WANT". My job also consists of keeping the network working so that they can open sites that they NEED. A few months back......many months in fact, a very known tv host offered a free dinner meal coupon....and that almost brought our network down. For what -- a free meal of $4.49??? Again, we have opened the possibilities tremendously.....put quota times on many things...... but to put a blanket override without truly knowing the teachers will show wisdom......at this time, on my campus, is not the best option. I have never been a parent, so forgive me if this reasoning is unsound, but using driving as a thought pattern.....a parent does not give the keys to a child and say "here, go for it". There is training involved, there is side by side mentoring, there are small steps that lead up to bigger steps as the skill is perfected. For me, it took 8 months before my parents said "here are the keys......you can drive alone"....... I feel that way at times, with the internet....... There is some guidance that does need to be offered....and yes, there is some leniency and just the belief that they will make right choices...... but my job is not just the internet.....my job is also keeping the network working........ and those have to go hand in hand for all to work smoothly. Just my thoughts. Jennifer Wagner --- Edtech Archives, posting guidelines and other information are at: http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~edweb Please include your name, email address, and school or professional affiliation in each posting. To unsubscribe send the following command to: LISTSERV@H-NET.MSU.EDU SIGNOFF EDTECH
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