Comments on: Cheating the filter http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/2008/05/01/cheating-the-filter/ education technology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:42:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/2008/05/01/cheating-the-filter/#comment-313 John Fri, 02 May 2008 21:25:17 +0000 http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/?p=267#comment-313 <p>When you think about what filtering is and does, it's almost impossible task. "Protect children from the world's harm" when the content base is constantly changing, morphing, and fluxing.</p> <p>At many schools, filters are too black and white. I think Dembo's comment is really true: <em>if that’s the only step a school takes to protect its students, then it’s doing them a huge disservice.</em></p> <p>We have a policy of letting teachers override sites that the filter blocks. This lets, for instance, a teacher to project a YouTube video on the screen/wall. Kids can't get to it, but teachers can.</p> <p>I am thinking perhaps, based on what I wrote last night, of a different scenario.</p> <p>Perhaps a "smart filter" scans websites and "blacklists" sites/pages based on an examination of the content (smart meaning, among other things, looking who's linking, where links go, and skintone in graphics, and language, etc., etc.). But instead of simply blocking the site, it warns you.</p> <p>"Content at this site has been tagged as possibly inappropriate for school use. Please login to view this content."</p> <p>Likewise, if the page is filled with f-bombs, the filter says "Content at this site is inappropriate. You can only override with administrator credentials."</p> <p>And...</p> <p>"The content at this site contains some high-bandwidth content. Your teacher may override, or you can visit again after school hours."</p> <p>Maybe it already exists, who knows.</p> When you think about what filtering is and does, it’s almost impossible task. “Protect children from the world’s harm” when the content base is constantly changing, morphing, and fluxing.

At many schools, filters are too black and white. I think Dembo’s comment is really true: if that’s the only step a school takes to protect its students, then it’s doing them a huge disservice.

We have a policy of letting teachers override sites that the filter blocks. This lets, for instance, a teacher to project a YouTube video on the screen/wall. Kids can’t get to it, but teachers can.

I am thinking perhaps, based on what I wrote last night, of a different scenario.

Perhaps a “smart filter” scans websites and “blacklists” sites/pages based on an examination of the content (smart meaning, among other things, looking who’s linking, where links go, and skintone in graphics, and language, etc., etc.). But instead of simply blocking the site, it warns you.

“Content at this site has been tagged as possibly inappropriate for school use. Please login to view this content.”

Likewise, if the page is filled with f-bombs, the filter says “Content at this site is inappropriate. You can only override with administrator credentials.”

And…

“The content at this site contains some high-bandwidth content. Your teacher may override, or you can visit again after school hours.”

Maybe it already exists, who knows.

]]> By: Dave http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/2008/05/01/cheating-the-filter/#comment-311 Dave Fri, 02 May 2008 14:10:39 +0000 http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/?p=267#comment-311 <p>I think a big chunk of the problem with filters is that they are so black and white. What we need is a strong filter for elementary and weaker filters for older students and staff. Also, older students and staff should have options when they are blocked from accessing a page: the notification page should have a form they can use to request the page be unblocked (and they should get a reply). Sometimes, the notification page should be a warning that tells why it is blocked, but still give you an "are you sure?" option and let staff proceed with opening the page (perhaps, they can choose to proceed once they're sure the screen isn't being shown to the whole class).</p> I think a big chunk of the problem with filters is that they are so black and white. What we need is a strong filter for elementary and weaker filters for older students and staff. Also, older students and staff should have options when they are blocked from accessing a page: the notification page should have a form they can use to request the page be unblocked (and they should get a reply). Sometimes, the notification page should be a warning that tells why it is blocked, but still give you an “are you sure?” option and let staff proceed with opening the page (perhaps, they can choose to proceed once they’re sure the screen isn’t being shown to the whole class).

]]> By: Steve Dembo http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/2008/05/01/cheating-the-filter/#comment-310 Steve Dembo Fri, 02 May 2008 13:56:47 +0000 http://www.johnhendron.net/digest/?p=267#comment-310 <p>For the record, I don't advocate getting rid of filters. Far from it, I support them wholeheartedly. However, if that's the only step a school takes to protect its students, then it's doing them a huge disservice. Filters only protect people who aren't making a deliberate attempt to get at the content being filtered. Anyone trying to get to that content deliberately will still do so, whether they find a way around the filter or they just go to the coffee shop down the street and surf from there. So while they may be necessary, they should just be one part of a larger initiative to teach students about safe and appropriate internet usage. </p> <p>Love the way you closed the post...</p> For the record, I don’t advocate getting rid of filters. Far from it, I support them wholeheartedly. However, if that’s the only step a school takes to protect its students, then it’s doing them a huge disservice. Filters only protect people who aren’t making a deliberate attempt to get at the content being filtered. Anyone trying to get to that content deliberately will still do so, whether they find a way around the filter or they just go to the coffee shop down the street and surf from there. So while they may be necessary, they should just be one part of a larger initiative to teach students about safe and appropriate internet usage.

Love the way you closed the post…

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