Filtering

After researching on filtering and having the conference call, I have a better understanding of what filtering is and how it is used in schools.  While I think filtering has its purpose, I feel like it is a little extreme on what sites are allowed and what sites are blocked.  There are some sites that are blocked that would be useful in the classroom, but there are plenty of websites that I am glad are blocked.

  Again, the purpose of filtering is to keep students off of websites that aren’t intended for student view. Filtering is also used as a liability for schools. Schools can’t be held liable for students who get around the filter to view websites that aren’t appropriate for their age. Students are smarter than ever when it comes to bypassing filtering systems. Many figure out how to get around the filter by researching the sites IP addresses. Many website routinely change their IP addresses to allow students to use at schools. It’s hard for schools and filtering programs to keep up with all of the changes that occur daily with the hundreds of inappropriate sites found on the Web.  By using the alternative options that are available to assist the filtering systems, we must take a proactive approach to keep up to date with the ever-changing and always advancing digital world.