Since we have Mac's, I don't have to worry about spyware and viruses at this
point. However, band width is an issue regardless of whether you have PC's
or Macs. In addition to that, I have my own reasons why students are not
allowed to play games. I tell them:
The computers are learning tools and should be used as such.
Computers are often at a premium. If you are playing games, you are taking
up a computer that could be used by a student who has actual work to do.
And if they say, "nobody needs this computer right now," I tell them that he
library is an educational place and not a hangout nor an arcade, and I can't
have any gray areas in the rules.
That being said, I do allow students to game before school and after school.
That way when I give them the rules, I don't have to say "No gaming." I can
say instead that gaming is allowed before and after school hours only.
Marsha Redd
Librarian, Kelloggsville High School
Grand Rapids, MI
marsharedd@hotmail.com
Education is not a goal; it is a life-long process. Everyone is a student.
Everyone is a teacher.
----Original Message Follows----
From: Harry Coffill <HCoffill@EGRPS.ORG>
Reply-To: Harry Coffill <HCoffill@EGRPS.ORG>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: [LM_NET] Gen: Why can't I play games?
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 14:51:26 -0500
LM_Netters-
I recently shared this with my staff and thought you might enjoy it, too.
Harry
Staff-
I have had several students in the past 3 days ask:
"Why can't I play games on-line?"
It's not because I'm a meanie--staff members should know the real reasons
why.
--If you think of our Internet access as a pipe, it helps explain why access
might slow down at points during the day. Do we want file saving at the end
of the hour (when games are typically played) being clogged up by a kid
playing breakout? Games are resource-intensive, too, and can slow down
computers.
--Games can leave "cookies" on the computer that can slow down machines for
others!
--Games, especially from shockwave.com, can come bundled with spyware. Most
shockwave games go through a small installation before running on a
computer. We don't know what else is coming with that copy of "Bejewelled."
We don't want to completely block shock content, as there is some legitimate
web content that uses it, but we don't need to add to our network's workload
with more spyware. When you decide to let your students play a game, it
affects everyone else who needs to use those computers!
--There are lots of inappropriate on-line games! (One where a playground
bully smacks kids in a sandbox with a shovel comes to my mind!)
--Are they really educational? (Really?)
The LMC is happy to host your students with magazines, newspapers, books, or
our stellar view of the lake, but we cannot allow students to use the
Internet to play games in their "spare" time!
Thanks for your understanding.
Harry
Harry F. Coffill
hcoffill@egrps.org
Media Center Specialist
East Grand Rapids Middle School
TV Production
East Grand Rapids High School
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home