Internet Filtering Software

Does your school/school district use Internet Filtering

Software?
Our school district does use strict Internet Filtering
Software.
Who makes decisions about what is blocked (filtered) in
your district?
The technology department decides what gets blocked in
our district.
Do teachers, parents, and/or students have a voice in this
decision? How much?
Teachers and parents do have a voice in what gets
blocked. If they complain about a site their child got onto,
the district will usually block it.
Does grade level (Elementary, Middle, Secondary)
determine what is and is not blocked?
So far it seems to be a generalized system, so everyone
has the same content blocked.
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, as a teacher logged on to the districts internet
service the restrictions are not as strong.
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?

The teacher has to make a request to the technology

department, and it usually takes one or two days for it to
be unblocked for just their logon.
Given the potential for students to encounter undesirable
material on the Internet, what is the appropriate balance
between protection and free access to information?
Students are not allowed onto social media sites, sites
deemed unworthy of educational use, or any sites that
may get them into trouble. Students should be allowed to
research, but not play around on the internet as a
balance.
What is your professional position on the use of Internet
Filtering Software and its place in schools today and in the
future?
I believe the software is highly necessary and is an
extremely useful tool to have in schools. It keeps students
and teachers out of trouble when it comes to internet
searching.