For class recently, the students grouped up to do presentations on various internet related topics. These were all very well done and help deepen my understanding of the cyber world. However, one that stuck with me was Tiffany, Alanna and Dory‘s video on filtering and blocking of the internet in schools. They really got me right off the hop with their intro, flashing many familiar “this site is blocked” type of screen shots. In two of my student teaching placements (both in Brandon) I had to deal with the overly protected internet, and thus the loss of a large amount of the most helpful information around. My eyes were finally opened in my last placement, in Dauphin, where there was a lot more freedom. Social networking sites were still blocked out, but many of the sites (youtube immediately pops to mind) that made my job of presenting different views on one topic were accessible.
The funniest thing about the filtering of the internet, which the video points out with a great short clip, is how there is ways around the filters. The funny part is, the students are more likely to find these loopholes than the teachers are. The problem that arises is that now the students are going online unmonitored. Most of the students, presenters we’ve had the pleasure of seeing in class, and myself feel that with the way world and the technology is progressing we have no choice now but to teach what it means to be responsible online. We have to teach what it means to create a positive online presence. We have to teach students how to keep themselves safe when online. And we can’t do that if we don’t have access!
Lots of good quotes and comments that made me do lots of good thinking. Great video Tiffany, Alanna, and Dory!
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