Internet Filtering Expedition
Granby High School/Norfolk Public Schools
Filtered or Not Filtered? That is the Question...
It came as no surprise that most of the Frequently Blocked Websites on the list were indeed blocked! I sat down alongside one of my students, and together, we each searched these sites...she used her student log in and I used my teacher log in. Here's what we discovered:
- FACEBOOK: We were both DENIED!
- TWITTER: Again...no access for either of us.
- FLICKR: Nope, neither one of us could access this site.
- INSTAGRAM: No Instagramming on the school's computers for teachers or students.
- YOU TUBE: Now this was interesting...my student could not get on at all, but under my teacher account, I could access the website, but it automatically redirected me to www.youtube.com/education
- ESPN: My student and I can keep up with the latest on March Madness...this was available to both of us.
- BLOGGER: My Student and I were also able to access this website...I guess we can blog about March Madness!
- SKYPE: We will not be skyping from school...both of us were blocked at this particular site as well.
Digital Curation Platforms
Digital Curation Platforms
Seek and ye shall find...unless you're on a school computer...then probably not!
Searching Controversial Topics...
I was actually surprised how much was not blocked on my school's computer when I searched the following items. Here's what I discovered for each one:
Breast Cancer: All three of the top websites were completely accessible. I was able to open and search Web MD, Breastcancer.org, and the National Cancer Institute with no problem and no filters.
Contraception: I was completely expecting there to be no access for anything dealing with contraception. Boy was I wrong! I could access the CDC and Wikipedia on all things contraception. One of the most fascinating things I discovered was an article found on www.themarysue.com, which had a story about glittery IUD earrings that women could purchase and wear as jewelry. (I can't make this stuff up) I was also surprised that as controversial as Planned Parenthood is, this particular site was not blocked either!
Gangs: I immediately came across a You tube video on Norfolk gangs, and alas, it was blocked! However, I was able to search and access an article on Pilot Online (Hampton Roads local newspaper) and see that Norfolk currently has approximately 67 active street gangs.
Games: Ironically, after searching breasts, contraception, and gangs with little to no problems, my biggest challenge was finding websites under the search of games! Website after website was blocked. I could only access PBS Kids games and those games were not useful to me as a high school teacher.
Filtering Software
Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Cameron Clendenin
Granby High School
Norfolk Public Schools
Norfolk, Virginia
Email: ckigh001@odu.edu
Website: http://schools.nps.k12.va.us/ghs/
Location: 7101 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA, United States
Phone: (757)451-4110
References:
Abrams, D. (2015, January 1). The Mary Sue - The Nexus of Pop Culture and the Uncharted Universe. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.themarysue.com/
BigHugeLabs: Do fun stuff with your photos. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://bighugelabs.com/
Data Theft Prevention: Web Security, Email Security, Data Security, Endpoint Security - Websense.com. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.websense.com/content/home.aspx
Norfolk Public Schools Information Technology Division. (2013, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://departments.nps.k12.va.us/it/