Here is a link to some information that relates to a presentation that I gave with Dr. Mary Ann Bell at the Texas Computer Education Association Conference February 2009. Through a survey that was conducted, we discovered several interesting trends that were occurring.

http://hweimar.wikispaces.com/Filtering+Web+Sites

Filters in the Schools 

"Over the past 20 years, the Internet has provided an expedient mode of communication and access to a wealth of information" (Dombrowski, Gischlar, and Durst, 2007).

We have mixed feelings when we think of the Internet and students.

Many schools out of fear and also because of government mandates have implemented filters to protect students from predators and from viewing offensive materials online. But what has happened as a result has been quite astonishing.

The spread of self-censorship has been occurring among districts. This self-censorship has led districts to allow students to only go to district-approved sites, or in some cases, have removed students from accessing the Internet altogether.

Who is making these censorship decisions? Teachers or school librarians who are generally considered information specialists? No. The district's technology department who specializes in, well, networks, hardware, software, system analyses, and the like, but not in educational decisions by those who, when working directly with individual students or small and large groups of students, are attempting to master state objectives and pass the state testing (well, and a great number of other important things to be successful in life).

There are instructionally sound ways to incorporate and integrate technologies found on the Internet into the average school day. There are many sites currently in existence that we can use with students in the classroom right now, but the learning does not stop there.

Think about it: School libraries do not deny students access to books about sports, drawing, pets, hobbies, and so on. Why should students be limited to accessing Internet sites that reflect similar interests?

In a recent study, it was found that students who were aged 9 to 17 years old spent an average of 9 hours per week using social networking services and Web sites. They also reported watching about 10 hours of TV per week.

These same students reported that their social networking consisted of chatting, text messaging, blogging, and visiting online community sites such as My Space and Facebook for the older students, or Webkins and Nick.com for the younger students. Believe it or not, these same students reported that they talked about their education about 50% of the time.

These kids are sharing music, videos, photos, building sites, and blogging.

We know that business and the medical and other professional fields are heavily involved in the use of technology and online communication. Shouldn't we help our students learn how to navigate and be information literate before they enter that world?

"Teaching the digital native requires a paradigm shift in the way we think of teaching and learning" (Ketterer, 2008).

In order for us to implement change, we will have to become a part of it. Join your district's and school's technology committees. Get involved from beginning to end. Be a part of the decision making process. Be a part of the discussion. Be included. Help set the vision and direction for how technology will be used for instructional purposes on your campus.

References:

Bell, M. A. (2007). The elephant in the room. School Library Journal, 53(1), 40-42.

Devaney, L. (2008, March). CoSN to school leaders: 'Think before you ban.' eSchool News, 11(3), 10.

Dombrowski, S. C., Gischlar, K. L., & Durst. T. (2007). Safeguarding young people from cyber pornography and cyber sexual predation: A major dilemma of the Internet. Child

     Abuse Review, 16, 153-170.

Ketterer, K. (2008). Chicker or egg? Part two. Learning & Leading with Technology, 35(6), 27.

National School Boards Association. (2007). Creating and connecting: Research and guidelines on online social - and educational - networking. Accessed on April 10, 2008 from

     http://www.nsba.org/SecondaryMenu/TLN/CreatingandConnecting.aspx