This is an important issue that Sandra raises. What limitations does your school have with regards to students and teachers using Web 2.0 schools? Why are those limitations placed? What are some suggestions to work around this?
I too had this blog blocked by our network administration settings. I was able to convince my network manager that ALIA schools was a reputable organisation and not linked to subversive behaviour and he unblocked it. I depend on the network manager to protect me from naively launching into Web 2.0 projects without considering the possibilities. I am glad that he has shown trust in my judgement. I believe the library, the college IT support people and other e-learning specialists need to work as a team. I presented my library wiki to the e-learning committee for approval and got it with some reservations. If these web-based projects are to be public, and there are good reasons for making them so, then I need the support of a wider group, outside the library. In effect, seeking permission for a public wiki has brought library promotion to a new and much wider audience than would otherwise have taken notice.
The limitations placed are hard work for the IT department as it seems it is impossible for them to stay on top of blocking what they believe to be inappropriate. The students are always ahead of them and the teachers are often using Web 2.0 tools that they request to be unblocked anyway. Are we too worried?
This can be quite a contentious and frustrating issue. At my school, I've generally had little trouble in having a site unblocked. In the not too distant past, I can remember that many new Web 2.0 tools (with educational applications) seemed to be automatically blocked - I always assumed it was the social networking context (a key aspect of many Web 2.0 tools) that tended to spook the filters. Good to hear from you too Gen - Hope all is well
Cheers, Karen Marston - School Librarian Distance Education Centre Victoria
I too had this blog blocked by our network administration settings. I was able to convince my network manager that ALIA schools was a reputable organisation and not linked to subversive behaviour and he unblocked it. I depend on the network manager to protect me from naively launching into Web 2.0 projects without considering the possibilities. I am glad that he has shown trust in my judgement. I believe the library, the college IT support people and other e-learning specialists need to work as a team. I presented my library wiki to the e-learning committee for approval and got it with some reservations. If these web-based projects are to be public, and there are good reasons for making them so, then I need the support of a wider group, outside the library. In effect, seeking permission for a public wiki has brought library promotion to a new and much wider audience than would otherwise have taken notice.
ReplyDeleteThe limitations placed are hard work for the IT department as it seems it is impossible for them to stay on top of blocking what they believe to be inappropriate. The students are always ahead of them and the teachers are often using Web 2.0 tools that they request to be unblocked anyway. Are we too worried?
ReplyDeleteThis can be quite a contentious and frustrating issue.
ReplyDeleteAt my school, I've generally had little trouble in having a site unblocked.
In the not too distant past, I can remember that many new Web 2.0 tools (with educational applications) seemed to be automatically blocked - I always assumed it was the social networking context (a key aspect of many Web 2.0 tools) that tended to spook the filters.
Good to hear from you too Gen - Hope all is well
Cheers,
Karen Marston - School Librarian
Distance Education Centre Victoria