[Year 12 IT Apps] Cached Internet

[Russell Edwards]

On 06/06/2007, at 9:55 AM, lgusak at ansonic.com.au wrote:

>  What was the rationale for its
> implementation? What implications has this set up had? What procedures
> have been implemented to determine which sites are appropriate, etc=85..

We moved to the government cache system (EduCache/EduList) at our  
school this term. I believe cost was the main rationale; why they  
couldn't just shop around for an ISP with a fair data charge, I don't  
know. A supposed secondary benefit is the prevention of off-task  
behaviour in class.  I am about to conduct a survey on staff and  
student opinion, but my own experience is this:

   -- Nearly every site kids find on google is blocked
   -- The cache search engine frequently returns NO results for  
legitimate student searches. I often try to help then but end up  
having to leave them with an empty "sorry".
   -- The level of student frustration is very high, which in turn  
frustrates me!
   -- Off-task behaviour was only curtailed for a few weeks, until  
students found unblocked sites with games (albeit, "educational"  
games) or loaded up their student drives and USB with games. In any  
case, IMO it's the teacher's job to manage behaviour, not Big Brother's.

IMO it's lunacy. it's like saying we don't need the Encyclopedia  
Brittanica because it is expensive and has pictures of African  
women's breasts. We'll just get the local paper instead.

Hope this helps,

Russell




Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received=
 in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using=
 attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, dam=
age or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, r=
esulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liabi=
lity is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations=
 or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessari=
ly those of the Department of Education.