Putting a filter on the Internet

NEA Today, Nov 2002

Dear Web Editor,

Our district technology coordinator told me that my classroom access to the Internet is "filtered" because of a state mandate. Is this true? And what exactly does "filtered" mean?

Filtering software blocks attempts of Internet users to access illegal or offensive webpages. Sites that contain violent content, information about crime, and/or sexually explicit or drugrelated material may be considered inappropriate for general viewing and blocked by the filter. Internet filtering lets schools manage the type of Web content their students can access, and each school or district has different standards. An effective Internet filter should be flexible enough to accommodate the dynamic nature of the Web and the unique needs of each district.

At the most basic level, Internet filtering products function like traffic cops and bouncers. They match the address of a requested webpage-also called a URL-against a list of webpage addresses stored in a database. If the page's URL appears in the database, then the user will be unable to access the page. The quality of the software's database and the processes used to maintain it are the most important factors to consider when selecting a filtering provider or product.

It is inaccurate to assert that your state requires your school to use an Internet filter. In fact, your school could choose not to implement filtering measures. Most likely, your school has filtered Internet access because the district believes it is in the best interest of your students' safety.

Some federal legislation ties school technology funding to the use of Internet filters. Both the No Child Left Behind Act (Title II-D) and the E-Rate provision of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 require schools and libraries to implement the following measures before they can participate in either program:

* Adopt an Internet safety policy;

* Convene, in some cases, at least one public meeting to prepare the Internet safety policy; and

* Use a technology protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access.

Dear Web Editor,

Is there any way to determine whether a student has taken information from the Internet for an assignment and not credited the proper source? Are there any public websites that can help educators detect plagiarism?

Unfortunately, increased student access to the Internet has added a new twist to the old "art" of plagiarism. Incredibly, a large number of young students don't understand what plagiarism is. They do not realize it is wrong to take content from the Internet and submit it as original work.

The best method for detecting plagiarism, though, is not software-based, but pedagogy-based. Teachers must help students understand what plagiarism is and make sure they understand the consequences for taking credit for work that is not their own.

You can help prevent plagiarism by providing students with a structured research process that focuses on the goals of the course. Offer opportunities that allow students to reflect personally on the topic of a writing assignment and avoid putting students in a time crunch. Most importantly, know your students' writing styles.

There are many websites that offer guidance on plagiarism. Check out Coastal Carolina University's "Cheating 101: Paper Mills and You" at www. coastal.edu/library/papermil.htm. You also may want to read "Internet Plagiarism: Strategies to Deter Academic Misconduct" by Mary Hricko, library director at Kent State University, at www.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed98/ mhricko.html.

Editor's Pick

The Learning Web

The U.S. Geological Survey of the U.S. Department of the Interior has a terrific education site called The Learning Web at www.usgs.gov/education/index.html. The site includes lessons and activities for life and earth science, geography, and geology classes. Some of the topics covered include fossils, ecosystems, rocks, volcanoes, and maps. Students and teachers will find project ideas, homework help, research tools, and resources on the site. All of the USGS teaching packets are based on national education standards.