Classroom Web Watch

Over the last few years the Internet has really taken off embedding itself more and more into our every day lives. While schools are encouraged to make use of such advances in technologies I do not believe that schools have taken up the challenge of educating today’s youth. Many teenagers hold the belief that online you are free publish anything – with out any accountability.

Katherine Elliot of Dumfries Courier writes a front page article discussing an increasing number of students in the Dumfries and Galloway reign turning to “controversial Internet websites” to “vent their fury” about their class teachers.

After a few minutes and some skilfully crafted search syntax I was on a website presenting me ratings of many – but not all – teachers in my school. To my surprise, the system – operated by TechThought LLC, a company based in California – protects the identity of the users who contribute to the site. Thus allowing anyone the ability to register and comment without any immediate repercussions.

While I support free speech I am, in principal I somewhat agree with the article by Elliot I do see an issue here which needs addressing. Access to sites like this are likely to be blocked by school firewalls but this is not the way forward and the educators need to acknowledge it and TEACH students how to properly conduct themselves online.

Rector Graham Herbert (who is rated 3* out of 5) is attempting to “crack down” on students who execute their right to free expression on the website in question. The article stats that’s students found to be posting on the website could be expelled – which is madness.

The article notes that some comments are sectarian. Teachers ought to be encouraged to visit these sites and begin legal challenge against liable comments against them. Schools should not be taking matters of punishment into their own hands.

Unfortunately, I do not agree with Mr. Herbert when he states that he will “discipline obvious offenders”. Unless he has proof that the accused is the offender, I do not understand how he would be able to use any disciplinary sanctions without provoking the alleged to challenge the education authority in court.

Maybe if there were more emphases in social education on “Rights and Responsibilities in a Networked Society” the comments would not be made. We are treading a very fine line between the right to freedom of expression and censoring what young people my express.

When the Internet first became mainstream no one ever complained about customer testimonials or accommodation reviews. Maybe, with time, web sites, like the one referred to in the article, will be come more accepted.

Education authorities in general should think of students as clients and value their input. More structured systems for commenting on the operation of schools including the performance of teachers ought to be implemented no only to gain valuable research data but also limit the appeal of third-party sites.

Is it something worth worrying about? Do LEA’s need to put more into education students or should teachers start suing students for damages? I invite your comments…

Some afterthoughts:
I have just read the terms and conditions of Rate my Teachers and they, basically, wipe their hands of any responsibility of the commentators. The site seems to be online solely to make money.

It appears the vast majority of teachers do not know about the existence of these sites. This is problematic as criticism is usually given so an individual can improve. If the teachers are not using these sites then they are effectively just portals for students to ‘bitch’.

Are students the best indicators of a teacher’s performance? While we can comment on their manner in class and our opinions of them there are other factors that should be considered. Wouldn’t be interesting if along site teachers ‘Effectiveness Ratting’ sat their student pass rate in exams?

Links

• BBC NEWS - Teachers ‘Bullied by Online Grading’.

• Rate My Teachers Website

*Correct at time of publishing.

Correction:  21st February 2007 - The above article stated that Dumfries Courier was a Trinity Mirror Group company.  Dumfries Courier is not affiliated with the Trinity Mirror Group therefore the article has now been updated.  Sorry for any confusion this reference may have caused.

©2008 The Blog of Ross C Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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