Cathy Nelson has a marvelously interesting post today about her school/district’s restrictive new IT policy.
She writes (emphasis mine):
What did I say? I said, “This is not real-world. How am I going to teach students to be ready for the 21st century if normal computer standards like desktop icons and right click are not available?” Yes I distinctly remember putting voice to that comment. And only now do I realize how keenly the crowd that gathers in the library each morning listens to me. You see we have an 8th grade current events exploratory class. The class is creating a newsletter for students–target audience–> students.
One of my morning “regulars” is in that class, and his group is creating a “critic’s corner” for their newsletter. After getting a “no” on anything that might criticize a specific teacher or student, and getting shot down on love, sex, drugs, or profanity, the group has finally come up with a new topic they are enthusiastically researching for their contribution. It will be a critique of the new student login and restrictions on the computer. The plan to write about blocked sites, no icons, the inability to make a workspace that is “theirs” (translated they want a cool background on their desktop, their own bookmarks, etc.) and get this: they are going to QUOTE me making my statement.
Here is my response, also left as a comment…
Hi Cathy…
I have a couple thoughts about this…
1. Don’t let them use your quote at all. First, it makes you seem like you’re wanting to openly start a bit of a rebellion.
2. The quote is not correct. Sure kids can have all the desktop love they want at home, but the reality is in the corporate world many IT departments have severely restrictive policies in place. I have a friend who works for a major corporation and his privileges are nonexistent on the machine he uses all day long. He has to resort to running portable apps on a flash drive until they blocked USB port access. So the truth is, what they are experiencing is in large part overly protective IT management policies that are, in fact, real world.
3. This is not the way to enact change. With this being so new, naturally the school/district/IT folks have made the policies far too restrictive out of fear. Fine, have the kids convince them there’s a low risk to allowing them to change desktops, etc. Instead of a CRITIQUE (read: puts the admin on the defensive) have them play political (teachable moment here) and have them survey the student body and report back that 99.95435324 percent of the kids would like the chance to change the background or whatever. Then have them explore the possible risks, why did the IT dept decide to do this, etc. Then have them counter argue. Critique sounds whiny, critique sounds attacking, make this more of a Student Response.
Ok so that’s a lot, but it’s my thinking…
Chris
Pat says:
I like your “comment” to her and I agree that the best way to act is by not putting the administration on the defensive. It will only make them dig in deeper and hold on to whatever they are defending. If the students can also show how they would use whatever is being blocked in a way that is beneficial rather than harmful to the students, I think it would help. By showing examples (obviously done at home), they would have documentation to show with their requests. This always helps when trying to persuade someone. Thanks for sharing.
13th February 2008 at 5:46 am
Jennifer says:
Hey Chris —
I am going to have to agree with here on your comments.
After leaving the “classroom” and entering the IT department over the last year — I am realizing that there is a method to the madness when it comes to “restrictions” — if we need to call them that……and the battle I am slowly winning at school (lowering these restrictions) is a slow, tedious, lots of losses, and have to remain positive and non-accusatory, day by day, step by step fight.
I think that there is a valid point that needs to be made — but I think that creating a possible “Norma Rae” situation might not be the best way to go.
I like the survey idea — but I would not just include students, I would include teachers too…..hopefully, they are seeing how their hands are being tied too.
But honestly, I wouldn’t fight for background changes — that is cosmetic. I advise them to work for the larger win — less blockage on filters. Have them find ways to prove that THEY ARE THE FILTERS!! We achieved this with a compromise — we have a “please open” website form that is filled out by teacher/student and is okayed by admin. It is an accountability for all and so far I have only blocked ONE site with pretty much a 24 hour turn around. Wish it could be 1 hour —
— even one minute — but for now, it is a compromise, and we all won.
I wish Cathy the best — just wonder if there is not another approach that will guarantee a certain victory.
13th February 2008 at 8:45 am
JenWagner says:
Grins — what I meant to say — in the next to last paragraph was………..
I have only NOT unblocked ONE requested site. Pretty much, if the teacher/student makes the effort to request a page……….the admin sees that there is a need and has said “OK”.
For me — this also gives me a “safety net” in case something violating our AUP comes through. It is NOT me who unblocked the site on my own whim, but an admin “OK”.
Though it is more paperwork, it has been interesting to see admin taking an active part and communicating with both teachers and students on internet usage.
13th February 2008 at 4:18 pm
Cathy Nelson says:
Thanks for helpiong me review this clearly and from different perspectives. I did talk to a teacher who is from the business sector and she agreed the restrictions there are much more strict than at school. I am telling my students they may not use my comment at all, and instead suggest they try an angle that is not negative or defensive, as you have described. I also want them to “interview” this teacher, and maybe even someone (a parent, business partner to our school, or vendor that our school deals with) to see that our computer restrictions are in line with other institutions, and perhaps allow them to draw the right conclusions on their own (that perhaps it is real-world.) I’m also keeping further comments and opinions, especially ones like that. Valuable lesson learned.
13th February 2008 at 5:56 pm
MaryAnn Sansonetti says:
Chris, I commented on Cathy’s blog as well… here is what I said..
Cathy, I don’t think this quote should be used. It was said out of your frustration. As you said in your post above you didn’t think anyone was listening. Yes, there are restrictions. I don’t like some of the restrictions in my district but I don’t “attack” by being quoted by a student in a critics editorial.
I do research. I present information and the whys. Its not about us against the district. Its about learning and teaching.
Have you thought about why the students can’t change their backgrounds? I worked in a school where the entire student body had laptops. They were not allowed to change backgrounds. Why? When the students had the privilege they used the desktop backgrounds to bully, show gang connections, and sexual preference (yes, it was a high school). I am not saying all students would use it for bad but remember even though its a student login its the property of the district.
We are educators… educate people in a positive, professional manner. I imagine the IT department might listen if you request a meeting and present information compared to reading your quote in the Critic’s Corner of the student paper.
13th February 2008 at 7:16 pm