Comments on: Irrational fear of blogging http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:44:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14660 Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach Thu, 07 Sep 2006 16:32:00 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14660 Update! Cathy Gassenheimer, of the Alabama Best Practices Center had a chance to speak directly with one of the Assistant Superintendents of Education who immediately checked into this issue. He assured her that the network administrators at the department were not aware of any SDE issued mandate blocking all BLOGS. They stated that the determination as what to filter was decided by the local school system. And that the Alabama Super Computer Authority would be asked to open up the appropriate BLOG sights to support the 21st Century learning effort. So now we are not certain who said what to whom to get that information circulating to the schools. Bottom line we have now been assured that it indeed is false and that the DoE in Alabama will continue to support educational blogging in schools that feel it is important to student learning. Whew! Glad we dodged that bullet! Update!

Cathy Gassenheimer, of the Alabama Best Practices Center had a chance to speak directly with one of the Assistant Superintendents of Education who immediately checked into this issue. He assured her that the network administrators at the department were not aware of any SDE issued mandate blocking all BLOGS. They stated that the determination as what to filter was decided by the local school system. And that the Alabama Super Computer Authority would be asked to open up the appropriate BLOG sights to support the 21st Century learning effort.

So now we are not certain who said what to whom to get that information circulating to the schools. Bottom line we have now been assured that it indeed is false and that the DoE in Alabama will continue to support educational blogging in schools that feel it is important to student learning.

Whew! Glad we dodged that bullet!

]]> By: We All Need Perspective … « Ubiquitous Thoughts http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14625 We All Need Perspective … « Ubiquitous Thoughts Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:26:03 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14625 [...] An understanding by all educational stakeholders that learning does not begin and end when the school bell rings, and that technology can and will remove the barrier between school and the world. Therefore, mobile technology, like laptops and handhelds, as well as the Internet can be great tools for teaching and learning as they have the potential to make learning seamless. This also means (as Wesley has said) that learning should be measured by MUCH more than standardized tests, and administrators are finally starting to realize that (see e.g. this example from Laredo, TX). Unfortunately, the backlash from the passing of DOPA is already raising its ugly head, with the banning of all blogging in schools in Alabama. [...] [...] An understanding by all educational stakeholders that learning does not begin and end when the school bell rings, and that technology can and will remove the barrier between school and the world. Therefore, mobile technology, like laptops and handhelds, as well as the Internet can be great tools for teaching and learning as they have the potential to make learning seamless. This also means (as Wesley has said) that learning should be measured by MUCH more than standardized tests, and administrators are finally starting to realize that (see e.g. this example from Laredo, TX). Unfortunately, the backlash from the passing of DOPA is already raising its ugly head, with the banning of all blogging in schools in Alabama. [...]

]]> By: Anthony http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14531 Anthony Thu, 07 Sep 2006 05:14:20 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14531 It is interesting as I read this article, I think to myself " How can I set up a blog in my school for students to write more in the curriculum?" I find it interesting that some states, who are banning the use of blogs, don't see the potential of blogs as a responsible and effective learning tool. Internet access to web browser can be inappropriately used and can do more harm for students. Why not set up a controlled blog, where filters are in place to create an educational environment where motivated students will express themselves? It is interesting as I read this article, I think to myself ” How can I set up a blog in my school for students to write more in the curriculum?” I find it interesting that some states, who are banning the use of blogs, don’t see the potential of blogs as a responsible and effective learning tool. Internet access to web browser can be inappropriately used and can do more harm for students. Why not set up a controlled blog, where filters are in place to create an educational environment where motivated students will express themselves?

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14457 Wesley Fryer Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:51:19 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14457 I immediately thought of you when I heard this, Brandi! I'm glad your school is using a different filtering service. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail on this! I immediately thought of you when I heard this, Brandi! I’m glad your school is using a different filtering service. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail on this!

]]> By: Brandi Caldwell http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14449 Brandi Caldwell Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:19:27 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/09/06/irrational-fear-of-blogging/#comment-14449 This is news to me. I am at a large school that just got a new server last year. I know that our IT director said that our system takes a different route for filtering. I think they are somehow not dependant on the AL Supercomputer Authority. This "state mandate" sounds scary. I am just gonna keep on blogging with my kids until the site comes up blocked. Then you may see a very upset woman!!!! Thanks for the news. This is news to me. I am at a large school that just got a new server last year. I know that our IT director said that our system takes a different route for filtering. I think they are somehow not dependant on the AL Supercomputer Authority. This “state mandate” sounds scary. I am just gonna keep on blogging with my kids until the site comes up blocked. Then you may see a very upset woman!!!! Thanks for the news.

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