When it comes to Internet safety, many districts have turned up their filtering settings to ensure that nothing inappropriate can make its way to school computers. But some districts have found that easing up restrictions on Internet use, and instead giving students the tools to use online resources productively and safely, is a better approach.
In this EdWeek piece I highlight how some districts are expanding access to online resources, including social-networking sites, for students and teachers.
Of course, as soon as I turned this story in I came across other relevant resources on this topic. It seems to be on the radar screen as districts continue to struggle with the best ways to meet their responsibilities to maintain a safe learning environment, while also providing the essential tools students need to be successful.
For further reading, I recommend this piece at Edutopia, which offers some useful tips for finding videos you can access in the classroom. I also found this op/ed piece that appeared in The Washington Post this summer, by Justin Reich, a former high school teacher and a co-director of EdTechTeacher.org.
Photo by Pouya Dianat for Education Week.
