I just returned from a technology staff meeting (this was my first
invitation to attend the committee's meeting this year--new school). The
issue that the technology committee has is with students who play games on
the computers rather than using them for research (no, duh!).
I witnessed adults arguing two extreme measures that ended up with us not
solving any problems. The issues that we face are:
* blocking all Internet access except educational (we choose what we deem
as "educational"
* blocking only the game sites, porn sites, purchase sites, etc., based
upon what "problems" we find along the way with students
* eliminating the Explorer icon from the students' files, so they cannot go
onto the Internet without supervision
* eliminating the address bar (URL) so that students cannot type in the
address of a site
* using only online databases that we subscribe to and eliminating the
Internet for students
Each seems somewhat unreasonable and I argued that with proper instruction
of all students, a K-12 information literacy program which presents students
with research techniques, guided practice and collaboration with teachers on
how to utilize Internet resources (including making online resource pages
that teachers have their favorite websites available for student use), and
the appropriate AUP with consequences we can limit some of the problems.
They argued that "it would take too much training of all individuals
involved." (So we let them wander around aimlessly searching for
information and drowning in junk and games?)
However, I believe the final verdict will be a more restricted program of
computer usage on the campus (no Internet) with only online database
access-- they were impressed with what I showed them (we have 25 online
databases).
Are there any schools that provide students with ONLY online database
access? What programs do you use to block sites? Are your databases on a
different server? What problems do you have?
We have a filter on our system at this time (X-Stop) and teachers have
access to an "overriding password" that can be used to access the blocked
sites such as Amazon.com. However, students do not have this password and
they do not have access to email or instant messaging.
I know that when I was Oklahoma State University we had ONLY research
database access in the libraries. This restricted student use in some ways
but it kept those who used the computers on task without the game-playing
that went on in the dormitories. I plan to contact the university personnel
who were responsible for that program, just for additional information;
however, I wanted to know if K-12 or middle school / high schools are doing
this and how? (My suggestions were "shot down" rather than investigated and
obviously, since I had never attended THEIR meetings before today, I
couldn't possibly know anything about what I was talking about or
suggesting.....so, I'm investigating these avenues anyway!)
I'm glad there are only two weeks left of this school year...
Thanks for your suggestions and ideas!
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
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