Does your school/school district use Internet Filtering Software? Yes, our school has a system that blocks sites and certain words. If an inappropriate word is being searched, it will block the sites with the inappropriate word. For example, Facebook, Youtube and other sites are blocked form students.

Who makes decisions about what is blocked (filtered) in you district? Our school has a media committee which approves books, websites and media. This committee is made up of teachers, administrators, community members, and students.

Do teachers, parents, and/or students have a voice in this decision? How much? Yes, they can be on the media committee and they can vote.

Does grade level (Elementary, Middle, Secondary) determine what is and is not blocked? Yes, for some things but Youtube and Facebook are blocked schoolwide.

Can you (or one of you colleagues) access the different Web 2.0 tools discussed in this weeks Module for use in the instructional process. Yes, teachers can access social networks and other sites that students cannot. However, it is not beneficial many times. If you want to add a youtube video to your E-class page. The students cannot access it at school. They have to watch it at home or you have to show it during class.

Can a teacher request that a site be un-blocked for use in the instructional process? Is there a process in place for doing this? Who do they have to ask? Yes, they can ask for a site to be unblocked. They have to submit a request to the media committee and then the School Technology Technician can unblock it.

Given the potential for students to encounter undesirable material on the Internet, what is the appropriate balance between protection and free access to information? I think there should be some balance but I also feel students need to be able to access information.

Youtube has a wealth of information but it also can be very inappropriate for students.

What is your professional position on the use of Internet Filtering Software and its place in schools today and in the future? I think right now it is needed and working but in the future it will be obsolete. We will not be able to control what students can access. Already there are students who know how to bypass blocks. In the future, it will be harder to block sites. I think we need to teach digital citizenship more. Telling someone that they cannot have something makes it even more appetizing but showing someone how to use a tool ethically is more beneficial.