Journal 2:

"The Threat of Security," by Robinson, Brown, and Green. From the Sept/Oct Issue of the 2007 L&L.





Technology is part of daily life in our society. Integrating it into the classroom is not just an option but a necessity these days. Students need it in their classrooms so that the may gain the necessary knowledge and skill base that will be demanded of them in the worlds of higher education and employment. Although the availability of technology has increased dramatically in our schools, educators are still facing problems.

The article “The Threat of Security” examines whether concern over security is hindering the integration of technology in the classroom. The article highlights some disturbing practices undertaken by school administrators in an attempt to “protect” their schools. One thing that I found disturbing is that teacher e-mail use is often monitored. Many teachers fear using their e-mail because they are afraid they might offend the individual monitoring them. Employers have been using monitoring software for years and I suppose I can understand its use during “work-day” hours. However, monitoring teachers beyond their “contract” hours goes too far. Many teachers spend extra time in the classroom preparing lessons. I can see myself staying after school and preparing lessons but I would also like to have the flexibility to check my personal email as well as do a little online shopping while taking breaks. Nobody likes it when somebody looks over their shoulder while using the computer. Teachers have the possibility of somebody looking over their shoulder all the time!

One thing that I have learned during this class is that there are countless resources available to teachers on the web. The above article points out that many of those resources are inaccessible to teachers in the classroom due to limits imposed upon them by district servers. Filters that have been purchased and installed by districts are sometimes too restrictive and teachers cannot access many of the free resources available to them.

Question: The article shared stories from teachers who have become so fed up with the restrictions imposed upon them, they have given up using technology in the classroom altogether. Will I ever give up technology in the classroom for these reasons?

I am a believer in technology and feel that it is essential in a child’s education. I can see myself being annoyed by the filters put on by the school district but the internet has a wealth of resources. Although I may find that the most ideal website I have found for a particular project is blocked by the district filter, there are countless more sites out there that can be just as useful but not blocked. The filters may make my job more difficult, but not impossible. I hope…

Question: How will I deal with e-mail monitoring at school?

As noted above, I can understand why some employers monitor the e-mail and internet use of their employees during work hours. I believe I can handle being monitored during my time on campus. This is not ideal, but tolerable. I will just have to limit the amount of extra time I spend on campus and do most of my lesson plans and other prep-work while at home so that I can check my email and surf the net without restriction when I take my breaks.