5 Responses to “Teachers’ Stories”

1. 

   They blocked Google.

   They did. I spent three class periods on Wednesday showing Speech kids how to search for library books at school, the city library, and university library. Then I showed them how to use Google Scholar and Google Books. Their little eyes twinkled when they saw one could find a BOOK on the COMPUTER. They didn’t know to use quotation marks to narrow results. They never hit the “advanced search” before.

   Today, they knew they’d have the day in the library to find three sources. Many ran in saying “I found _____ on Google Books last night!” ready to show me. People were pumped.

   But when we arrived at the library, the content filter had blocked Google. And Google Books. There was no roundabout way to get in.

   Later in the day our tech day e-mailed us saying there had been a “problem with pornography”, and blocking Google was the only way to solve the problem right now. However, Yahoo and Bing were fine.

   I was mad. The kids were mad. I was mad because my time was wasted teaching them how to use Google, and they were mad because they WANTED to use Google Books.

   I was also mad because I wasn’t consulted. No teacher was. Not even a “Heads up folks, we have a problem. Expect this inconvenience for a few days while we try to solve this.” Nothing. Just “this is what we’re doing.”

   Instead of seeking out who was the problem and punishing him/them, a new problem has been created. We have punished the masses.

   I feel very undermined. I’m allowed to use YouTube and Facebook on my computer, but I can’t teach the kids to use Google in the library. And that’s the other thing, I was genuinely trying to teach kids how to use Google search effectively and that opportunity has been ripped from me.

   Happy Banned Books week, everyone

   Posted by girlwithalessonplan | October 1, 2010, 10:07 pm
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   • 

     I understand your frustration, dloitz. If it’s any consolation to you, I can’t access access many sites either on my school computer. I’m in an online MSED program and can access my portal at the university, but cannot download needed programs to open documents. It is very frustrating. I can’t believe you couldn’t access Google! That’s awful!

     Posted by Kathryn Champagne | October 13, 2010, 1:29 am
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2. 

   I love Google Books! Now just got to figure out access…. in this day of 24/7 internet use, I am surprised We have not figured out to make the internet work in schools. Where is the company that can make a pg-13 version of the internet for schools.

   Or better yet, Let talk with our students about respectful and mindful use of the internet. We never seem to solve the problem…instead we just block, avoid and banned stuff instead!

   Thanks for sharing!

   Posted by dloitz | October 1, 2010, 10:42 pm
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Trackbacks/Pingbacks

1. Pingback: Making our Teaching Public! « Cooperative Catalyst - October 4, 2010

2. Pingback: Weeks in Review: 10/4-10/17 « Cooperative Catalyst - October 18, 2010

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