Internet Filtering in the Classroom

The use of the internet has become very prevalent in today’s classrooms stirring the debate as to whether the internet should be filtered in schools to limit a child’s access.

Pros

· There are many “bad” sites which are easily accessed by students both accidentally as well as purposefully.

· Filtering software provides multiple levels of restriction, and users could choose a less narrow filter in order maintain the ability to access educational sites.

· Students will be able to use the internet independently without the access to pornography and other hateful sites.

· Parents can be comfortable knowing what their children are viewing on the internet at school.

· Teachers have the ability to incorporate more internet instruction into their classrooms.

Cons

· There is the danger of over blocking and some meaningful sites for students may be blocked.

· Filtering does not block all of the offensive sites for students. The web changes quickly and the software many not always keep up with the offensive sites.

· It can offer a false sense of security while some dangerous sites remain unfiltered.

· Sites that may be useful however, objectionable to conservatives such as gay rights websites may be filtered.

· The software does not block chat rooms, which can be very dangerous to students.

The opportunities for student learning on the internet are endless. Students come to school knowing how to surf the web, and teachers can offer guidance as to uses of the internet for educational purposes. It is important that internet use is promoted positively within the classroom.

In my future classroom I will incorporate the following guidelines for student use of the internet:

~Teach students in the classroom to be self-regulating users of the internet.

~ Educate parents about the uses of the internet within the school system

~ Model correct uses of the internet

~ Establish an Acceptable Use Policy describing guidelines for classroom internet use which should be signed by the students as well as the parents.

~ Educate students about internet safety, for example students should not be “chatting” on the internet without direct instruction and supervision

~ Build student/teacher trust in internet use.