Filtering Dilemma
I am a primary decision maker for web content filtering in a school. We continually see comments with the groans, and the sighs about schools who "over filter" or block entire sites. We also hear the frequent "they don't get it!" label slapped onto the decision makers.
I'd like to point out something of interest. Not one of those who sigh or are critical of filtering decisions has their job on the line should Johnny access inappropriate content. Would those who are frustrated sit beside me in court or defend me in the court of public opinion? They certainly would not have to sit in the principal's office and explain to the sobbing mother who is clutching her book of faith.
For those who can't believe that YouTube is blocked, have you approached the Superintendent and volunteered to assume liability for the District should a student, parent, or family launch a lawsuit? As it stands today, many AUPs identify the Technology Coordinator, Technology Director, or Superintendent as the individual responsible for safeguarding students.
I have not yet read about the Instructional Technology Coach, the edublogger, the Ed. Tech consultant stepping up to assume responsibility and liability. It's sad but we live in a litigious society.
You see, I'm charged with making reasonable efforts to keep out inappropriate content. Is allowing YouTube reasonable? Is it reasonable to believe that a student browsing or searching YouTube will come across content that is inappropriate. So long as the law and the policy charge me with making reasonable efforts to keep out the inappropriate, YouTube and other services that allow inappropriate content will likely be on the black list.
Yes, we should use "accidental" access to inappropriate content as learning experiences. They should be viewed as an opportunity to learn to safely navigate the web. In reality, what happens is the parents call the office and the filtering policies, procedures, and decisions are challenged. "But I thought we had a filter??" "Why are we paying thousands of dollars for a filter if it doesn't keep out the bad stuff?"
In an effort to make this post part of the solution and not merely a rant, let's not continually bash the filtering decision makers. Rather, let's come together as a learning community and popularize those sites that only allow appropriate content. TeacherTube is a fine example. TeacherTube allows the filtering folks to safely open up the world of online video. Where's eduFlickr???
I know, I know... the walled garden is not the WORLD WIDE WEB.
Secondly, let's work with legislators to make sure that schools have a means to safely access Internet resources without having a single individual have to put his/her job and reputation on the line. Perhaps Scott can put a legal spin on this. What is my liability as the Technology Director should a student access inappropriate content? How can I act in a manner that is reasonable and prudent and still allow access to the dynamic Internet?
I'm the one sitting between the rock (filter) and the hard place (web) and being criticized by many. HELP!
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posted by Kurt Paccio @ 4:44 AM
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11 Comments:
Hi Kurt,
I agree that open student access is next to impossible; however, I believe that teacher accounts should be open giving them the power to use what they deem as necessary in their classroom. What's wrong with a teacher carefully selecting content a presenting it to students? If the teacher makes poor decisions then the issue is with that teacher, not the director.
Hope all is well, drop me a line when you start to figure out edublogger con PA.
Ken,
Three years ago we instituted policies whereby teachers had access to everything except the worst of the worst. Students had a few more restrictions.
There were challenges with that as well. Teachers would prepare lessons based upon their own access. Students would try to access the same resources in the lab only to find them denied. (Usually due to inappropriate ads, spyware, adware, malware.)
Teachers were equally frustrated with this scenario.
I also feel that some would not take responsibility should something go wrong. Would it not be easy to cite inadequate training and insufficient filtering, adware, spyware, and the like?
My guess is that is what Julie Amero will use as her defense. You'll see in the comments that, once again, the finger will point back to the IT Director or Administration.
Read it here.
I still believe that we need to start with the law so that technology decision makers are not on the hook alone.
Hey Kurt--
I DO agree that we need to be cautious and I understand litigation...I guess my sighing and groaning is more regarding Acceptable Use Policy and making students accountable for their behavior online both in and out of school. I carefully monitor what my own kids do at home and as well in the classroom. I know that technology decision makers are often in the hot seat when it comes to what is blocked and what is not but if you have an AUP that states x and a student is doing y....right now the web has changed so much that AUPs don't reflect the possibilities and students are doing y anyway. I think it is more a frustration with the slow change process that has me sighing.
Great post
Kurt: This is a good post. Fear of liability problems is a big driver in this entire discussion. I would like to see Scott and others who are experts on educational law clarify what individuals are being held liable for in different states with respect to this. I wonder if perceptions of liability risk match what the law says and the courts are ruling? I'm not sure what the answer to that is but I'd like to know.
This post has been removed by the author.
Hi Kurt,
My reaction can be found at:
http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/
blue-skunk-blog/2007/10/7/
due-diligence.html
Interesting post.
Thanks,
Doug
Why is teachertube inherently more safe than youTube? I think their terms of service are probably very similar. I think they are set-up in a very similar manner.
Do we favor teachertube simply because we assume teachers upload appropriate content?
If your theory is that teachers will upload appropriate content to teachertube, why can't we assume that teachers can select appropriate content for their class to view?
I, for one, am prepared to take on that responsibility. Please!
I have several responses to some of the statements. I am a librarian and now the Director of Technology. Well said -- come sit with me in the supt.'s office with two sheriff's deputies, the school board attorney, and an upset parent....
Anyway to the question: What's wrong with a teacher carefully selecting content a presenting it to students? If the teacher makes poor decisions then the issue is with that teacher, not the director. Shall we talk about the teachers who have relationships with students - or the teacher who leaves the classroom unattended -- and something happens -- it goes back to the people in charge .. and sometimes the teachers make worse choices than the students
I also feel that some would not take responsibility should something go wrong. Would it not be easy to cite inadequate training and insufficient filtering, adware, spyware, and the like?
My guess is that is what Julie Amero will use as her defense. You'll see in the comments that, once again, the finger will point back to the IT Director or Administration.
Yes -- it is my "fault" when a teacher leaves the computer logged in and a student does soemthing - I should have known
Unfortunately this is a debate that will go on for quite awhile
Thanks for sharing this perspective. What I'm wondering is, how many of these suits succeed? If IT directors are actually being held accountable for things they can't control, then I understand the paranoia, but if the suits against them are thrown out, then my opinion changes. Anyone can sue anyone for anything, but we should only worry about lawsuits that are likely to succeed in court.
I would love to use this post in an upcoming edition of the Educational Technology Blog Carnival.
I know its not exactly the same but we expect teachers to control the content of magazines and videos in their classrooms because they are professionals. We don't automatically assume that they might behave inappropriately as Paula did and ban all magazines and videos.
Magazines and videos have porn as well. Why do we trust teachers there, but not with a computer? A poorly managed class will have issues regardless of the porn delivery system.
Start trusting teachers and giving them the authority to run their class (and the responsibility if their class is managed poorly). And I agree with many posters that we need to stop living in fear of what might happen and start providing access.
The law requires a filter. Not a wall.
The issue of how to effectively filter content without crippling internet resources has been a long running debate. I used to work in a library and we had our filters set to block only the absolute worst content. We supplemented this with active monitoring of the computer area. Users viewing inappropriate material were immediately kicked off of the computers and often lost internet privileges entirely.
I think that every school year should start off with permission slips being sent to parents that explain that the Internet is a dangerous place and the IT department can only do so much to block out the evil. Kids are clever and can find a way around a filter, but it takes effort! With proper filtering, inappropriate content does not come to students by mere chance! A permission slip and maybe meeting (possibly as part of orientation) might help parents understand that IT and the administration are not to blame-- that they are doing the best that they can.
Parents need to know that a certain degree of blame rests on the student's shoulders. Students should not be allowed to have lots of unmonitored access to computers, but when they *do* use school computers, they should be aware of the risks and are responsible for the content they view. Parents need to understand that *much* more than enough is already being done to minimize the "dangers" of the Internet. Make sure that this is clear and make them agree in writing!
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